9-1 Andy Reid Q&A OL/TE notes
 

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that Thursday’s game against the St. Louis Rams would be important for those Chiefs still fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster.
"Most of those guys that were on the fence are going to get an opportunity to play,” he said. “We'll go through and evaluate it. There are some spots there that are very important in the reps that these guys get in our evaluation."

Reid said that it’s likely tight end Demetrius Harris will see his first action since last year against the Rams.

"There's a good chance,” he said. “I kind of want to go back and see how he feels after today. If he does it won't be a ton, but there's a chance he plays Thursday."

Reid said that offensive lineman Zach Fulton would take snaps at center on Thursday.

"I'm going to get him a few reps this game,” he said. “Right now I feel pretty comfortable about it unless something changes in the game. I think he needs that work. I think that will be good for him."

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/article...5-b9114a6e68e2

Forgot about Fulton at C. Obviously they're comfortable enough with him in practice to play there but it will be nice to see him get time there against the Rams. It's interesting, to me at least, because as the cuts approach and depending on how well he looks I think it's possible they cut Kush. If Allen and Fulton can play C there's no need to Kush to be on the 45 man game day roster. They take the 5 starters and 2 backups. Backing up C only won't get you on the game day roster. Depending how many they keep it might push Kush off the roster...might.

I think TE is interesting too. I expected Harris to start off the season on PUP and be activated later. I don't think it's likely they keep 4 TE's and going with so little experience behind Kelce with O'Shaunessy and Harris seems a bit risky.

This can't be true.

Everyone said Morse was drafted to play G and was horrible at C...

haven't heard or seen one single issue with any of his snaps, regular or from the gun

What the heck is the deal with Kush? Is he that bad?

No they didn't.

Morse started training camp at guard for the first week.

The only person that said Morse had difficulty snapping was Hamas, who had first hand knowledge, IIRC.

I still haven't seen any reason why Kush shouldn't be starting.

Awful pick.

http://www.chiefsdigest.com/predicti...r-version-3-0/


• QUARTERBACKS (3): Alex Smith, Chase Daniel, Aaron Murray

OVERVIEW: Smith is the starter, while Daniel is the backup unless a trade opportunity became available. The former Tiger provides the organization with an established veteran and very accurate quarterback. Murray is third on the depth chart, but showed consistent progress throughout the third preseason game. Bray (knee) has been present on the field during training camp, but still has not participating in practices.

MISSING THE CUT: Tyler Bray (IR Candidate)

• RUNNING BACKS (4): Jamaal Charles, Knile Davis, Charcandrick West, Anthony Sherman

OVERVIEW: Davis is an intriguing trade candidate for a team in need of a zone style running back with a strong offensive line in front of them. Otherwise, Davis will be the No. 2 in Kansas City and provide the Chiefs a downhill runner and returner. West has likely locked in his place on the roster with a strong offseason. He showed promise in 2014, but just needed time to develop under running backs coach Eric Bieniemy. The former Abilene Christian back runs with speed, vision and urgency on each carry.

He is also a very effective pass catcher out of the flats. Reaves is a powerful runner but will be unable to topple the top three backs. Ware has promise as a pass protector and good speed but the numbers are too much to overcome at this point.

MISSING THE CUT: Darrin Reaves, Spencer Ware

• WIDE RECEIVERS (7): Jeremy Maclin, Albert Wilson, Jason Avant, De’Anthony Thomas, Chris Conley, Da’Ron Brown, Fred Williams

OVERVIEW: The top five receivers have been set for quite some time, and the battle has been at the sixth and potentially seventh wide receiver spots. Brown has shown impressive upside as a receiver and gunner on special teams. Williams has taken advantage of every opportunity from rookie camp through the third preseason game and has forced his way onto the roster with consistency. If Brown or Williams were to be cut there is a big risk in not sneaking them on the practice squad.

Hemingway sustained a hip injury during camp and missed most of it. Hammond has been praised by the coaching staff for his knowledge at all three receiver positions on offense and his special teams contributions. The problem is that Hammond does not provide the same athletic ability or upside of Brown or Williams.

MISSING THE CUT: Junior Hemingway, Frankie Hammond Jr., Tello Luckett

• TIGHT ENDS (3): Travis Kelce, Demetrius Harris, James O’Shaughnessy

OVERVIEW: Kelce and O’Shaughnessy are set at their positions. Both have struggles in the run blocking and the Chiefs will need to go with a third tight end that is an effective in that department. Ryan Taylor provides athletic ability, but the Chiefs have similar skill sets in Kelce and O’Shaughnessy. The Chiefs will need a sixth blocker for week one of the season against the Texans. Harris was activated off the PUP list and should have a good shot at the final 53.

MISSING THE CUT: Richard Gordon, Ryan Taylor

• OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9): Eric Fisher, Ben Grubbs, Mitch Morse, Jeff Allen, Donald Stephenson, Eric Kush, Zach Fulton, Paul Fanaika, Jarrod Pughsley.

OVERVIEW: The Chiefs will likely keep around nine offensive linemen and the above players are the best that they have on the roster. There is an opportunity to add depth at two positions in center/guard and guard/tackle with roster cuts from around the league. Pughsley will be the toughest decision the Chiefs have among these nine. He has technique and talent worth developing, but trying to sneak him on practice squad would be risky. Duvernay-Tardif did not make the cut because he still gets beat by the same moves and doesn’t appear to understand the angles of his blocks. He has seen two weeks with the first team offense, but evaluation shows a lack of progress.

MISSING THE CUT: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Garrett Frye, Daniel Munyer, Tavon Rooks

• DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (6): Dontari Poe, Mike DeVito, Allen Bailey, Jaye Howard, Mike Capatano, Nick Williams

OVERVIEW: The Chiefs will likely keep five or six defensive linemen depending on the status of Poe. His presence on the practice field has been a positive sign, but his status remains unknown until he practices. Williams has shown enough to capture time on the active 53 if Poe is unavailable for the first few weeks. David Irving looks like a player the team is trying to sneak on the practice squad at this point. He will need a year to develop his size and strength but the talent is there. Hebron Fangupo has shown some flashes during camp and preseason but not enough to topple Williams. Rookie Rakeem Nunez-Roches needs a year of development in the weight room before he will be ready to compete.

MISSING THE CUT: Hebron Fangupo, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, and David Irving

• LINEBACKERS (8): Justin Houston, Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson, Josh Mauga, Dee Ford, Dezman Moses, Ramik Wilson , Frank Zombo

OVERVIEW: The linebacker position will likely see between eight to nine players depending on the numbers needed at receiver and safety. Moses has shown promise during the preseason that warrants a roster position. Zombo gives the team flexibility as an inside and outside backer. He is also one of the leaders on special teams and provides justification for going with one player less on the roster. March had meniscus surgery after the preseason opener and his timetable for a return remains unclear, so an IR position is possible. Alexander could likely be snuck onto the practice squad.

MISSING THE CUT: Josh Martin, D.J. Alexander, James-Michael Johnson, Ja’Gared Davis, Justin March (IR Candidate)

• CORNERBACKS (5)*: Phillip Gaines, Jamell Fleming, Marcus Peters, Steven Nelson, Marcus Cooper

*NOTE: Sean Smith will serve a three-game suspension to start the season and will not count against 53-man roster.

OVERVIEW: Smith’s suspension will likely put Cooper on the roster during Smith’s time away from the team. Olatoye has shown promise during camp and had a handful of special teams tackles. He is worthy of a spot on the practice squad.

MISSING THE CUT: Deji Olatoye, Kevin Short

• SAFETIES (5): Ron Parker, Husain Abdullah, Tyvon Branch, Eric Berry, Kelcie McCray

OVERVIEW: The team will likely need to keep five safeties until Berry is back to 100 percent football conditioning. It also provides the team versatility in some of their coverage with Smith gone. McCray is solid in coverage and a big part of the special teams. Commings was unable to stay healthy for a third consecutive camp and Sorensen could find a home on the practice squad.

MISSING THE CUT: Sanders Commings, Daniel Sorensen

• SPECIALISTS (3): Dustin Colquitt, Cairo Santos, James Winchester

OVERVIEW: Colquitt, Santos, and Winchester don’t have competition.

• PRACTICE SQUAD (10): WR Frankie Hammond Jr., FB Spencer Ware, OG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, OG Daniel Munyer, DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DE David Irving, ILB D.J. Alexander, CB Deji Olatoye, CB Kenneth Penny, S Daniel Sorensen

OVERVIEW: The practice squad rules can get a little hazy based on what is classified as accrued seasons. If Hammond is eligible, he could find a home here with his knowledge of the season and ability to step in because of an injury. Ware has enough talent worth stashing on the squad. Duvernay-Tardif likely wouldn’t be picked up by another team if subjected to waivers and this would be a great spot for him to develop.

Munyer is a player worth investing a spot in. He has the right technique and mentality to play on the offensive line. Nunez-Roches needs time to develop his strength as does Irving. Alexander doesn’t have enough tape that warrants an active roster spot on other teams. Olatoye has good speed and instincts that could fill in well if an injury occurred.

———-

Nick Jacobs is a contributing writer for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @Jacobs71.

And that was mentioned as a weakness numerous times after he was drafted.

Awful.

LDT won't be cut. Neither will FHJ. And Avant can **** right off.

JFC, FHJ averaged 13 yards per punt return last year, which would have been the highest in the league if he had five more qualifying punts.

I don't know who Nick Jacobs is but he's a ****ing dumbass.

That article has them keeping Fanaika and cutting LDT. Bullshit.

I just think it's interesting with Kush. On one hand you could figure they know what he can do and are comfortable enough with him they gave Morse all those snaps just to prepare him for being able to snap. On the other I could see the slight chance of Kush not making it at all.

Fanaika too. Why give him the reps at RT? Because if he's going to make the roster he's not earned a starting job obviously and backing up just G on game day isn't going to be enough. That's what I assume is their thinking anyway. Doesn't matter what I think but trying to guess how they are looking at it

:facepalm:

yep. I was glad to see the games and reading camp reports daily there wasn't any issues becuase I expected a few

I posted that hoping to get a similar reaction from milkman. LMAO

I agree btw that Jacobs is a dip shit.

I think you're overstating everything in this post.

He was drafted as a center. Everyone acknowledged that.

Most also HOPED Kush would be a good enough center to allow Morse to play guard. This was, and still would be a preferable outcome. Apparently Kush can't cut it though.

Nobody said he WILL be, or IS a horrible center. They said that, in limited action at center in college, his snapping ability left A LOT to be desired. I think if the film were available, you and I(didn't see it, didn't say it) would probably both see this to be fact. As I'm sure all Missouri fans didn't misremember this collectively.

that one is up in the air for me too. Not that I think he should make it. I don't think that. But that he will because of them not wanting to eat the signing bonus and get nothing in return. Just the Fanaika part I mean. LDT is a must keep because of how he has developed and improved and his temperment and athleticism is exactly what you want

Milkman has become so old that he doesn't know the difference between Hemingway and Hammond, jr.

:D

You facepalming me or the article, bud?

I seen that earlier! I didn't have the heart to laugh

That is what was stated, numerous times, and your following comment was given as the reason why.

I can't remember all the names because I was in a delirium at the time due actually loving a Chiefs' draft...

Fanaika...:shake:

Typically teams like to go 8 OL and 2-3 on the practice squad. Interesting this year trying to figure out how they're gonna go at a number of positions

Yeah...as bad as he's been, and with the front office willing to admit mistakes, I sure hope he's not on the roster after final cuts.

LDT had some bad moments in preseason, but he also showed some promise. Fanaika has been a bowl of ass.

Nobody said he COULDN'T do it.

They expressed concern. As they should have. He had never displayed consistent snapping ability, and had never started at center for any reason other than necessity. NOT the resume you want to see for a starting rookie center.

Just b/c he hasn't shown any issues snapping the ball up and until this point, doesn't mean we don't see it this season.

http://tribzap2it.files.wordpress.co...if?w=500&h=314

Looking at that Jacobs article really puts things into perspective. I don't agree with a lot he does, but anyway you look at it there are going to be a lot of players with some upside who are going to be released. Alexander, Irving, Nunez Roches, Fangupo, Mccray, Pughsley, Hammond, Williams, Brown. Those guys are all on the bubble. Thats a lot of draft picks being flushed down the toilet. I guess that comes with the territory when you have some depth on your roster. Kind of makes me wonder if it wouldn't be better for us to just trade up guys we want. Every draft pick beyond the 5th round will likely be cut with the exception of Shag. Idk I guess hindsight is 20/20.

Alexander and Brown are the only draft choices likely to be released and that's to be expected with the depth at ILB and WR this year. It will be unlikely that either are claimed.

Nunez-Rochez is a 6th rounder and I can't recall him even playing. Fangupo is 30 years old. McCray was traded for Rishaw Johnson, who is out of the league.

There's no chance in hell that Williams is released. None.

And Pughsley, like Da'Ron Brown flashed early, which is why they weren't featured last Friday. It's pretty obvious the Chiefs are trying to sneak them through waivers.

I think Alexander has a chance now that March is on IR. Which btw can March be designated with the IR return now or not? I still think that could go to Poe depending on how his MRI/tests of his back look. Or they could still hang on to that designation for later use.

Fanguapo and Avant for that matter are guys who would likely be available as needed. Maybe even Gordon. Those guys would likely hit the tuesday in season work out circuit working out for teams looking at options down the road

If Poe was healthy and they had more experienced depth on the DL i could see keeping Irvin as the 6th DL. It's just not something they can do with how raw he is and considering the already inexperienced depth. The Arizona game he was running around covering kicks so I think they toyed with the idea. Best thing would be if he rolls his ankle like Bray did a year or two ago and they just IR him. I don't mind exposing Roches because he is the same type they already have in the 6-3 300 range. That damn near 6-8 and wingspan of Irving is an exciting prospect to develop for a 3-4 DE because they don't come along often. When they do they belong in a 4-3 like the Corey Wooten types. Most just don't carry that extra bulk well. Irving I think has the frame for it

You think we're going to keep Roches? If he stays then who goes? If Roches goes then we will have released a 5th, 6th, and 7th rounder.

I do highly doubt Williams is released, but it's going to be either him or Hammond. I suppose it's possible we keep both if we keep 7. Last year we kept 6. Edit just looked it up and we only kept 5 in 2013.

Unfortunately, no. They could have done that September 8th but he would have needed to pass through waivers, if I understand correctly.

By all accounts, they see him as a special player.

Ok I gotcha. Make sense. I'm glad they got 3 guys that were all competitive and like the fact they didn't try for another Nico Johnson type 2 down thumper

I've had many disagreements with Jacobs on Twitter. For shit like this. Hammond cut over brown? Lol nope. Hammond has real value to this team, while Brown didn't play Friday correct? Ya, probably sneaking him through waivers. Brown is a PS player.

Second, Fanaika flat out sucks. Surely there's a better veteran out there. Fanaika on the field means we're ****ed!

VERY crafty of him to not speak of the ongoing RG3 conversations. VERY CRAFTY.

Connect the dots. Jay Gruden, Jon Gruden, Andy Reid. RGIII went to Baylor which is in Texas. Andy Reid knows how to get to Texas... Connect the dots

LMAO

At the same time, I haven't seen any reason he should be starting over Morse. Morse has been pretty good in the post season. I don't notice him which is great. Him, Grubbs, and Fisher have been very solid so far. It's the right side that has been having problems.

Nick Jacobs is a chucklehead.

Who the hell is Nick Jacobs, and how the hell has he not died from sheer dumbassery?

Unfortunately, Fanaika is not getting cut, but why would the even bother running LDT with the first team if he may get cut?

I've never read any of his articles, but he's probably just behind Terez Paylor when it comes to tweeting Chiefs info so he's at least good for that.

Why wouldn't Fanaika get cut? Because of the money?

Hammond will not be cut, Toub likes him

Kush , I can't see them cutting him in his second year

D. Harris I think stays too

And I have a feeling Fanaika stays. I think for some reason Reid likes the guy. Sure as hell don't know why.

Because he can't block the food delivery.

If Fanaika makes the roster and LDT doesn't, THATS what's wrong with America.

Thanks, Obama.

They have too much time invested in LDT to cut him after 3 preseason games.

There absolutely were folks who said he couldn't snap the ball.

It's just a tad alarming that we're headed into week four of the preseason and none of us have a concrete idea of who is starting on a majority of the offensive line.

Hell, Milkman recently predicted that LDT might be on the starting line, and now this article has him on the cut list.

Interesting times ahead.

Yes there were, Mr. Dave.

Dirty, wretched heathens besmirching the good name of my adopted fatty bastard-child.

For shame!

The majority (3/5) of the line is set. Fisher. Grubbs. Morse.

Allen or Stephenson will start at RT.

Only real question is RG will will probably be Allen if Stephenson is the RT or Fulton if Allen is the RT.

So we're 100% sure now that Morse is the starter over Kush?

I'd imagine. He's started every game at center.

Has there been any update at all on Allen?

I'm mistaken, then. I thought Kush started the first game. Morse started week 2 (and didn't look all that great), and Morse again for week 3(where he looked better).

Hmmm. I'm pretty sure Morse started all three. I could be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.

If Fulton was going to start at RG, he'd have started the last 2 games there.
Allen may be the starter at RG, but he just isn't a good fit at guard.

Allen might be the best answer to start the season there, but I think Fulton is better.

I believe LDT gets the start, not because he's the best right now, but with the game experience, he'll be the best by mid season and season's end.

He has far more potential than either Allen or Fulton.

Just looked.

Morse got all 3 starts.

Thank you sir

FANGUPO CUT!?!?!?!

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Edit: P.S. Morse did suck at snapping the ball at Mizzou - badly, in fact. But it was 3 years ago so it's not shocking that he's made strides. Some of it may have had to do with him hurrying things as a young player trying to get an edge on guys that were bigger and stronger than him.

After spending 3 years leg-pressing busses every weekend, he's probably not rushing as badly. We also spend less time in the shotgun than Mizzou did and that was where he was really exposed.

Where does it say that?

Well Nick Jacobs thinks he'll get cut and that's enough for me to be very concerned.

Hebron is my Nicolas Sparks novel. After years away and a long and winding journey, my sweet baboo has finally come to Kansas City - where he's belonged all this time.

If Rachel McAdams plays me in the movie, it's imperative that she spends a great deal of time with me for character research.

Nick Jacobs says LDT is getting cut and that Fanaika is staying on the roster.

He's a moron.

Well....they did pay Fanaika....so i wouldn't be surprised at all.

Andy and Dorsey deserve flaming bags of poop on their doorstep every day for the entire season if they've learned ****ing nothing from the Mike McGlynn debacle.

True. The concept of "sunk cost" is foreign to NFL teams.

Would you rather have fangapou or phil taylor?

Phil Taylor with knees or Phil Taylor without knees?

Fangupo.

Taylor looked damn good as a rookie and 3 years later he's pretty much just been a broken down fat guy. Even in a relatively healthy 2013 season, he was mostly ineffective.

A backup, if nothing else, has to be durable. You can't have a guy that comes in when the first guy goes down...and then breaks down himself. That's how you end up with street free agents manning key positions in December. It ain't pretty.

Ultimately I guess Fangupo's never proven himself to be durable...but he's never broken down either. There's nothing in his history to show he wouldn't hold up, as opposed to a fairly extensive history of breakdowns for Taylor.

If Poe wasn't here and we were looking for a possible starter, Taylor's higher upside would be worth the gamble. But in my backups, give me the one that's likely to be healthier and has a higher floor. I think Fangupo is that guy.

Hadn't thought of it that way.

But I'd prefer not paying Taylor anything myself.

He would be an upgrade on Denver's trash D line

Seattle needs a center and Dorsey & Schnieder are buds from their Green Bay days.

If Fulton is adequate at center, Kush could be traded for a late rounder.

Something is weird with Kush. When given opportunity, from my pov, he always seems to play well. Why not try him at guard or something if morse fits?

Nick Williams over Hebron Fangupo? :hmmm:



at the very least, those ****ers better put Darrin Reaves on the practice squad

Our Oline is going to be ****ing awful.

SUPER BOWL BOUND!!!!!!

And Eric Fisher is going to the ****ing Hall.

Holy shit. No. They didn't.

They said HE HAD NEVER DISPLAYED THE ABILITY TO SNAP THE BALL IN THE PAST. Which, the video backs up. It was atrocious.

Nobody pretended to know what his snapping ability would be after an entire offseason of practicing it. They only expressed concern that it could be a problem, which it still could be.

I have no idea and have decided to stop being concerned with him or his roster spot.

If he makes the roster, then great. If he doesn't, then it was time to move on.

DJ Alexander has looked good at OLB, right?