Webb and Hannon ready for 2007
 

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Webb and Hannon ready for 2007

By Mike Nugent
Warpaint Illustrated Beat Writer
Posted Mar 12, 2007

As I finish my interview with Chris Hannon and Jeff Webb, the Chiefs young wide receivers, Webb walks out of the locker room. Hannon leans in close to tell me something.

“I’m faster than he is,” says Hannon.

“Really?” I answer, incredulously.

“Yeah,” he confirms, “I’m the fastest guy on the team.”

Webb reenters the locker room, and approaches us.

“Webb,” Hannon asks, “who the fastest guy on the team?”

Webb points at Hannon.

“Chris.”

“Whoa,” says Hannon with a big smile, “I can’t believe he actually admitted it.”

The first thing you notice about Hannon is youthful exuberance. Webb is a bit more low key, but emotional nonetheless. Who could forget the image of tears running down his face after being told by the media he would be a member of the 2006 Chiefs?

Both guys are confident, with that swagger that only NFL wide receivers and cornerbacks possess. Webb was selected in the fifth round of last year’s draft out of San Diego State University. Hannon was an undrafted free agent, but both guys know they belong and can play in this league. Neither is a particularly cocky guy, but both seem very self assured and comfortable with being a Chief, despite their lack of experience.

Maybe it’s the cornerbacks. Everyday in practice, Hannon and Webb go against two of the NFL’s finest defensive backs - Patrick Surtain and Ty Law. For a young wide receiver, going against a premier cornerback every other rep or so is like taking a class on being an NFL wide receiver. Going against two is like taking a master’s class. You can’t take a rep off.

Webb’s eyes widen as he talks about the opportunity to practice against KC’s veteran corners.

“We compete a lot against Ty Law and Surtain, and we just look at that as a privilege to go against two of the best corners in the league and getting our average up,” says Webb. “I just look at that as a blessing, to go against those two, getting better everyday. I don’t look at it like just another practice. I look at it as getting better for the future, for the organization.”

Hannon nods in agreement.

“They show us the ins and outs of how cornerbacks think,” says Hannon, “how they do the things they can get away with. When we go against regular corners, it’s easier.”

“A lot easier,” adds Webb.

Webb and Hannon have been anointed by some as the future of the Chiefs at the wide receiver position, and are figuring huge in the team’s plans for 2007. Webb has been on the roster all season. The Chiefs pulled Hannon up from the practice squad before the last regular season game to protect him from would-be pilferers in the offseason. The two plan to stay in Kansas City this offseason to workout with the quarterbacks and each other.

Of the two, only Webb got the opportunity to see the field this past season, but he made the most of his chances. He played quite a bit of special teams as a gunner, and got to return one kick - and what a return it was. On his first and only touch, Webb took the ball 50 yards, giving fans and the coaches a glimpse of his playmaking ability. If he’s able to be that sort of game breaker in the passing game, the Chiefs will have caught lightning in a bottle. He could add a spark to an ailing passing attack next season.

Hannon is more of an unknown commodity. The coaches are impressed with his size and speed, and apparently he’s an excellent route runner, something that many young wide receivers struggle with in their initial years. Of the pair, Hannon is the less polished, but got plenty of big game experience at the University of Tennessee.

Next season could be the breakout year for these two. Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards has already said there will be open competition for most positions next year, and wide receiver appears to be no different. There likely will be some changes in the receiver corps this offseason, so with a strong showing one or maybe even both could get the opportunity to be a starter.

For now, Webb and Hannon are both focused on developing themselves so that when they finally get the call from the coaching staff, they’ll be ready. Both receivers are on the roster. Both have a great receivers coach in Charlie Joiner, and both have the raw talent to make it in the NFL. It’s just a matter of getting the mental part down - learning the playbook, the reads and adjustments, the types of things really good wide receivers are fluent at.

“For me, it’s been a learning experience, learning the ins and outs of the NFL, learning the ins and outs of the playbook,” says Hannon. “I was on the practice squad, so I had to learn multiple receiver positions, and it’s been very challenging for me, but I conquered it. Man, I’m back on the roster.”

They have to learn how to be pros. It’s one thing to have ability, and it’s another to have drive. To be successful, they need to have both. Having role models on the team to teach them how to be pros also helps.

“The terminology, the playbooks, that’s been the difference between college and the pros,” says Webb. “The team chemistry is a lot different from college to pros. I’ve just been a sponge with everything people say and everything people do. I watch the way Eddie Kennison and Dante Hall carry themselves. I look at that and try to better myself as a player.”

Looking at the two players, it appears the Chiefs could have picked up both their future wide receivers in the same year. The coaching staff believes that and constantly reminds Webb and Hannon that they are the new generation of Chiefs receivers.

“The coaches will say stuff like that,” says Hannon. “They put us on the scout team to go against the number one defense, and we eat ‘em up.”

This article originally appeared in Warpaint Illustrated the Magazine. If you want more information about the only Magazine Dedicated to the Kansas City Chiefs, hit the banner below to learn how you can get 56 issues of Sports Illustrated when you order Warpaint Illustrated the magazine.

Nice read. They have a decent chance to earn some PT this year; I hope they take advantage of it.

If just 1 of the 2 pan out I'd be happy.

I hope Webb can take Parker's job this year and move him (parker) down the depth chart or right off of it.

Cool guys.

Where did we pick up Hannon? Don't remember drafting him, but I could be mistaken.

Good read. Thanks for posting, Mr. GoChiefs.

FAX

Whoohoo pumping up players who didn't even break the starting lineup :rolleyes:

Rookie Undrafted FA last year from tennessee

I'll be honest.

I've never even heard of this Hannon guy before this article.

Oh well. Hopefully something will come of it. Big & fast is a good start.

I'll believe it when I see it.

Hope they prove me wrong and turn into stars, but I just don't see it happening. My expectations for them are jack shit, not even going to get my hopes up.

I've been hosed too many times by Derrick Mayes, JJ Moses, Dave Klemic, Richard Smith, Jeris McIntyre and a whole host of other genuinely crappy players.

No pleasing some people...

Writers get bashed for posting obvious stuff...writers get bashed for writing about players who are not starters.

Just looking at the facts

I remember both these guys in preseason play. I'm with Archie Bunker on his assessment.

I wouldn't go too much into that. We all know the only reason why Boomer is still on the team is because they wouldn't have anyone to replace his silly column on kcchiefs.com

How is this article pumping anyone up? There's no mention of 1,000 yards or anything.

That's why simplifiing the playbook is a big plus for these younger WR's and other New WR's we add whether it be FA or the draft.

the only WR's that had much sucess in this offense were Chris Horn and Boerigter who had pro experience in the AFL and CFL. Parker as well but it took him time to develop. Torry Holt starts off in STL as a rookie and hits the ground running, not missing a beat. I've always had problems in the past with DV and AS looking specifically for the quick twitch smaller recievers.

Another plus is working this offseason with the probable starter in Croyle. At least timing and being on the same page shouldn't be a problem.

Herm has been high on Webb ever since drafting him. Maybe he can be a good possesion WR. Both can help in the return and coverage teams as well.

IMO, just excited to have some bigger WR's .

Hell they basically barely made the roster. This is more pimping players that likely will never be.

Using that logic, we could make a decent receiver out of Gardner, which probably won't happen.

If all it takes to succeed in the new KC offense is speed and work ethic, why don't we produce a tree of WRs like the Donkos have been doing with RBs for years?

Think about it, we'd get an extra 3rd-6th rounder every single draft year. How cool would that be?

Gardner has bounced around enough. I don't see him all of the sudden getting it.

Both these kids had productive college careers and hopefully can battle their way up the roster for more PT.

I'd love the extra picks. :)

looky here

You get zero yards if you get zero play time.

Point being, why didn't that happen last year?

Uh-oh...

Jeff Webb

Appeared in 12 games (11 starts), leading the Aztecs with 92 catches for 1,109 yards (12.1 avg.) with 10 TDs

there his 2005 stats pretty impressive i just hope we give him a chance

Wouldn't it be nice to hear over the coming years

Croyle to Webb in the back of the endzone.....TOUCHDOWN KANSAS CITY

really, the badassed scout team feared by the whole NFL, and makes Scanlon look under his bed at night ROFL

The indulgent hype begins

The dude has speed. He ran a 4.4.

God forbid someone enjoy Chiefs football under Tribal's watch.

The horror!

Yeah, I'm not into fluff peices into players who will have a hard time to even make the team. Hali, Pollard, and Page are more condusive to future promise and success.

How will Webb have a hard time making this team? Webb will be a big part of this Chiefs team this coming year.

Webb and Hannon will both make the team.

I would like either of them to unseat dante as returner. That alone would get my praise.

Christ!!!!!!!!! Why the hell didn't he break the lineup last season, and the fact their is a good chance that KC could draft a bigtime prospect in the 1st round, or sign a FA for a starting spot. I've seen this shit too many times with unfounded hype

We aren't signing or drafting a WR. Tony Gonzo is our #1 recieving option.

Surely you don't have to be told that there are instances in the history of the league where players improve from their first year in the league to the second.

I am trying to give you the benefit of the doubt. I know how committed you are to being unhappy.

And how do you know this?

whigger please!!!!!

:rolleyes:

Just presenting the facts.

yeah, I'm the most pestimestic individual on the BB, and never give praise when it's due check my post history

I didn't say any of those things.

You are insuating the issue

That is not a word.

Really?

I thought his 40 was around 4.5-4.6 and that's what cause him to drop to the sixth rd.

what did hannon run last year pre draft?

Just calling them like I see them in this thread...create straw men if you must...

insinuating, are you happy captain correction

Webb: 4.44
Hannon ran a 4.37 at Tennesse's Pro Day.

nice read, i wouldn't pay for it though.

deflection :rolleyes:

I should hope so, nobody else did.

Isn't it fortunate that you don't have to.

cool.

hope it translates this offseason and preseason.

I am a WPI subscriber.

Now you just sound like an idiot. Me responding to you making comments that I didn't make isn't a deflection.

Keep reaching man...

I like insuation. It keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

But, wear gloves when you install it or expect to get real itchy.

FAX

the dubious premium member LMAO

running 40's is nice but being able to run crisp routes and turning your head with your hands outstretched in pads is great.

How are things over there, Mr. Demonpenz?

I resigned my subscription after Mr. Phoba was so poorly treated. I kinda miss the 4 billion emails a week.

FAX

Yeah, I'm reaching .....you just said you are not trying to villify me as a total pestimist /borderline troll

Just based on Herm's comments after the season Webb will atleast be the 3rd WR is not the #2. Hannon probably 4th or 5th.

I doubt Gardner, Hall, or Parker will be Chiefs by the time the season start.

One of the most encouraging things about Webb is that he almost always catches with his hands. He's not a body catcher. He plucks the ball.

We better hope the #2 is a 1st round pick then, because I don't know how many more downs this offense can survive with Parker

I just said you are committed to being unhappy...nothing more and nothing less.

Talk of being a troll and being the most pessimistic person on this board were created by you as a strawman you could build up and tear down.

hu-huh :rolleyes:

I like straw. But the pigs learned pretty quickly that bricks make a better house.

As long as you have insuation.

FAX

Go roll your eyes in the corner while the adults talk about football.

oooh, okay go ahead keep piling on

I'm on your side in this deal, Mr. Tribal Warfare. Anything to get under the skin of a mod is okay by me.

What, exactly, are we upset about?

FAX

if herm is only here for three years, as long as he de-vermielifies this team, i'll be happy. too many guys too comfortable. a lot of dick's boys really should be gone already.

My grandparent's old house once had asdiabetes in it. But as soon as tests came out that showed it was unhealthy, they immediately replaced it with insuation. Smart move.

Webb ran a 4.4 but his playing speed is more 4.6 that is why he went in the 6th round.

Hannon didn't get drafted because well.......he barely ever got on the field for Tennessee during the entire time he was there.

I am not getting excited over a couple of guys who couldn't beat out Sammie Parker and Dainty Hall last year.

We should grab one in the draft.

Before I read this thread, I predict five hilarious posts from Planeteers.

Be back in a couple minutes.

I'm not saying they are the answer but how many UDFA and 6th rd WR make an impact their rookie year?

Heck it takes most 1st rd WR a year or 2 to get up to speed and crack the lineup.

You guys never disappoint.

My only memory of Webb(I have no recollection of Hannon) is his burst of speed as a KO returner against the Cards last year. After that game I always wondered why I saw Gardner getting snaps in the offense but not Webb.

I have optimism, but I ain't gettin' my hopes up until I see some production on the field in the regular season.

Webb was a sixth round pick. The author is and idiot.

Neither of these guys is a Craphonso type of player.

Heh. What does that say about his editor?

Let us hope not. I am so disapointed that we were not able to say "Touchdown CraP!"