The Red Zone: The Final 53
 

Hmmmm.....interesting.

Another Sippio swipe. hahaha

Sams over Savage?

http://chiefsblog.kansascity.com/?q=node/174

The final 53
The final 53

Heading into tonight’s final preseason game, this is how I see the Chiefs’ roster looking by Saturday night, after they’ve trimmed down to 53 players.

Give me some props if I’m right because I know if I’ll hear it if I’m wrong:

Quarterbacks (3): Brodie Croyle, Tyler Thigpen, Damon Huard. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Chiefs cut Huard. I’m not predicting it will happen. I’m just saying not to dismiss the possibility.

Running backs (5): Larry Johnson, Kolby Smith, Jamaal Charles, Jackie Battle, Chris Manderino. Battle over Dantrell Savage only because I don’t think the Chiefs are comfortable yet with Savage as their kickoff and punt returner. Manderino and Mike Cox are battling to be the fullback. This race is too close for me to call at this point. It might be too close for the Chiefs to call. But I have to make a decision and Manderino is it.

Tight end (3): Tony Gonzalez, Brad Cottam, John Paul Foschi. Foschi over Michael Allan because he can also be an H-back, allowing the Chiefs some extra versatility.

Wide receiver (5): Dwayne Bowe, Devard Darling, Will Franklin, Jeff Webb, Maurice Price. The only thing that makes this decision difficult is Franklin’s knee injury. The Chiefs might opt to keep another receiver if he’s not going to be ready to play for a few more weeks. In that case, the Chiefs would keep Bobby Sippio, to the delight of billions.

Offensive line (9): Branden Albert, Brian Waters, Rudy Niswanger, Adrian Jones, Damion McIntosh, Herb Taylor, Wade Smith, Barry Richardson, Anthony Alabi. When Albert returns, Taylor is the first tackle off the bench. Smith is the first middle lineman off the bench. Richardson is their developmental lineman. Alabi can play both tackle and guard.

Defensive line (8): Turk McBride, Glenn Dorsey, Tank Tyler, Tamba Hali, Ron Edwards, T.J. Jackson, Alfonso Boone, Brian Johnston. Edwards and Jackson will play in the tackle rotation and Boone and Johnston in the end rotation.

Linebacker (7): Donnie Edwards, Pat Thomas, Derrick Johnson, Demorrio Williams, Napoleon Harris, Weston Dacus, LeRue Rumph. This is the most difficult position to predict by far. Dacus makes it because he’s at the head of the line among their young linebackers, Rumph because he’s fast and athletic. The point is moot because the Chiefs are certain to claim at least one linebacker off waivers when other teams have to cut.

Defensive back (9): Brandon Flowers, Pat Surtain, Brandon Carr, Dimitri Patterson, Tyron Brackenridge, Jarrad Page, Bernard Pollard, Jon McGraw, DaJuan Morgan. Rashad Barksdale could squeeze in here as one of the extra cornerbacks. Rookie cornerback Maurice Leggett made his share of plays but more likely will wind up on the practice squad.

Specialists (4): Nick Novak, Dustin Colquitt, J.P. Darche, B.J. Sams. Novak’s battle with Connor Barth is too close to call. There appears to be little separating them in the Chiefs’ minds. If they could have made this call, they would have sent one of them packing instead when they cut Jay Feely. I just think the experience will push the thing in Novak’s favor. I’m already regretting my decision to have them keep Sams. It’s going against my instinct. Everything I’ve seen during the preseason tells me Savage will be their returner instead of Sams. But that’s one job they simply can’t trust to an untested rookie.

Ray Farmer asked to see Gunther Cunningham
told him to bring his gold glasses

Excuse me, but why the hell not? Savage wants to play......let him!

Savage at the least gets PS
but I don't see him not getting the returner spot

I agree with most except I think Cox will stay and I think Savage will make it as the fourth RB/Returner. Which means Battle is gone and frees up another slot, meaning we either go with an extra corner or keep Pass-catchin'-Jesus.

don't hold your breathe.

watching sams will be just as bad as watching drummond

Letting Savage go will burn us like Phinesse
He's tearing it up at Safeco knowing the call's coming

This is utter horseshit. Are the Chiefs contending for a playoff spot this year? Obv. not; they can give a job to an untested rookie.

that mistake savage made stepping out of bounds....I leaned over to my son and said. Mine as well pack his bags.

Herm is a dumbass. He'll probably keep Manderino over Cox, and Sams over Savage.

I would hope that Drummond left them with a bad taste last year... Sams is gone. Savage has so much more upside and I don't think he'll make it to the ps. That out of bounds thing doesn't bother me because I appreciated what he was thinking but he just didn't get it done. He will next time.

There's no way Manderino makes it over Cox. First, Cox is Chan's boy from G-Tech and he has shown me so much more than Manderino has. When Manderino came back to block Laboy in the Arizona game and took the worst of the punishment, I had to roll my eyes.

I don't have a son and yes savage should stay.

Demonpenz why, why, why......did you just take a ride in a souped up Delorian? Because last I checked your bastard offspring count was at zero.

When you told your son this did you also tell him about the time Bo Jackson hit a ball that hit the Adam's Mark hotel?

Quarterbacks (3): Brodie Croyle, Tyler Thigpen, Damon Huard. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Chiefs cut Huard. I’m not predicting it will happen. I’m just saying not to dismiss the possibility.


Wouldn't be shocked to see Huard cut as well, especially if a young QB they like is cut this weekend - the Thigpen of 2008.

Running backs (5): Larry Johnson, Kolby Smith, Jamaal Charles, Jackie Battle, Chris Manderino. Battle over Dantrell Savage only because I don’t think the Chiefs are comfortable yet with Savage as their kickoff and punt returner. Manderino and Mike Cox are battling to be the fullback. This race is too close for me to call at this point. It might be too close for the Chiefs to call. But I have to make a decision and Manderino is it.


I'm curious as to what he's seen to assume that Cox and Manderino are in a "battle." Cox is far and away the better player, and has ties to Gailey. Savage SHOULD stay because he's more versatile than Battle, period. He stepped OOB the other night. BFD. He's still shown more than Battle at RB and Sams on returns.

Tight end (3): Tony Gonzalez, Brad Cottam, John Paul Foschi. Foschi over Michael Allan because he can also be an H-back, allowing the Chiefs some extra versatility.

Foschi hasn't impressed me, and with Cox at FB, WTF do you need an H back for? Allan hasn't exactly been lights out either, but he get's the nod, IMO.

Wide receiver (5): Dwayne Bowe, Devard Darling, Will Franklin, Jeff Webb, Maurice Price. The only thing that makes this decision difficult is Franklin’s knee injury. The Chiefs might opt to keep another receiver if he’s not going to be ready to play for a few more weeks. In that case, the Chiefs would keep Bobby Sippio, to the delight of billions.

Looks right to me.

Offensive line (9): Branden Albert, Brian Waters, Rudy Niswanger, Adrian Jones, Damion McIntosh, Herb Taylor, Wade Smith, Barry Richardson, Anthony Alabi. When Albert returns, Taylor is the first tackle off the bench. Smith is the first middle lineman off the bench. Richardson is their developmental lineman. Alabi can play both tackle and guard.

Right list of guys, but Taylor should be moving to RT when Albert returns. McIntosh is a backup, at best - and he's horrible on the right side. Make him Albert's backup.

Defensive line (8): Turk McBride, Glenn Dorsey, Tank Tyler, Tamba Hali, Ron Edwards, T.J. Jackson, Alfonso Boone, Brian Johnston. Edwards and Jackson will play in the tackle rotation and Boone and Johnston in the end rotation.

Can't argue this.

Linebacker (7): Donnie Edwards, Pat Thomas, Derrick Johnson, Demorrio Williams, Napoleon Harris, Weston Dacus, LeRue Rumph. This is the most difficult position to predict by far. Dacus makes it because he’s at the head of the line among their young linebackers, Rumph because he’s fast and athletic. The point is moot because the Chiefs are certain to claim at least one linebacker off waivers when other teams have to cut.

IMO, Harris or Rumph are going to get the axe eventually, because they'll bring in a LB who's been cut. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out, Nap. Assuming you even notice it's closing behind you...

Defensive back (9): Brandon Flowers, Pat Surtain, Brandon Carr, Dimitri Patterson, Tyron Brackenridge, Jarrad Page, Bernard Pollard, Jon McGraw, DaJuan Morgan. Rashad Barksdale could squeeze in here as one of the extra cornerbacks. Rookie cornerback Maurice Leggett made his share of plays but more likely will wind up on the practice squad.

Fine by me

Specialists (4): Nick Novak, Dustin Colquitt, J.P. Darche, B.J. Sams. Novak’s battle with Connor Barth is too close to call. There appears to be little separating them in the Chiefs’ minds. If they could have made this call, they would have sent one of them packing instead when they cut Jay Feely. I just think the experience will push the thing in Novak’s favor. I’m already regretting my decision to have them keep Sams. It’s going against my instinct. Everything I’ve seen during the preseason tells me Savage will be their returner instead of Sams. But that’s one job they simply can’t trust to an untested rookie.

Keep Barth, and Savage > Sams, as I pointed out earlier. Again, why not try Colquitt on KO's? Can't do any worse, IMO