I'm not so sure.

He's just a few seasons removed from being a player with back-to-back 1,000+ yard returner.

It's a long shot and my guess is probably ill-informed and incorrect, but I think if he can prove as adequate as Cyrus Gray as an all-around STer and emergency RB, he'll stick on the roster primarily for his KR skill, because that can limit Knile's exposure to injury and fatigue.

Think of these skill players:

RB: JC, Knile Davis, Cyrus Gray, Joe McKnight

FB: Anthony Sherman.

WR: Bowe, Avery, Jenkins, Hemingway, DAT, Weston Dressler, Kyle Williams,

TE: Fasano, McGrath, Kelce, Demetrius Harris


Last season, the Chiefs carried three RBs, one FB, five WRs and two, sometimes three, TEs on the 46-man.

That's 11 guys, tops 12. The WR depth chart will probably be the first five I've listed and pretty much unchanged from last year, aside from switching McCluster with Jenkins and Jenkins with DAT. Until Kelce proves that his knee isn't swiss cheese like it probably is, those will be the three tight ends on the roster. Sherman's a shoo-in at fullback since he can catch the ball.

Really, what does KC get out of keeping Gray on the roster as a special teamer if McKnight can do the same things and is better at getting KR yardage? If the offense ever does get body bagged like it did against Indy, well, they're screwed anyway and it's not like the Chiefs acquired any better of an all-around RB in the offseason to warrant keeping on the active roster.

Going out of their way to sign McKnight while still in the 2013 season feels like it was more than a move to get camp bodies than what it appears to be.

LMAO

Yep, agreed with all... but we can afford a gassed Poe more than we can afford only one good OLB.

Dee Ford, even if he's somewhat one dimensional at the beginning, will be worth his weight in gold as the season goes on... he's a Chiefs 1st rounder who actually deserves it and may actually live up to it.

Pass rushers you bitches, never can have enough of them...

I think McKnight is a dark horse in this scenario. He's been with the team since January learning the offense and special teams plays. Thomas is your punt returner and McKnight is your kick returner. Plus, I think McKnight can be a weapon in this offense. The Jets have been an absolute dumpster fire on O and have misutilized him basically since he's been there, or just flat haven't given him enough opportunities. Add to that McKnight can actually pick up the blitz, and you've got yourself a hell of a backfield.

Jamaal
Knile
McKnight
Thomas
Sherman
??

I think Knile starts the year on PUP and Joe will be the primary backup. DAT will see work on third downs. The question is will they start the year with only 5 backs, or add another FB/HB (Gray makes the squad while Davis rehabs)?

We have no clue if McKnight is what he used to be, and it's not like he was a big deal anyway.

And I'd really prefer to keep Thomas at WR full time. I worry we're going to Dexter McCluster him and make him a worthless pile of crap like Haley did.

I don't think it was going to make any difference how McCluster was used.

He was what he was, though I don't think he was a worthless pile of crap.

He was, and is, never going to be the playmaker that Pioli believed he was selecting.

To be sure - McKnight is a low risk/high reward signing, the kind that Dorsey seemed to excel at last season. He's enough of a vet to come in and be a reliable backup if Davis isn't ready to go. And like I said, I encouraged that he has been here basically the entire offseason getting familiar with our guys and what we do. We'll see with him.

As far as Thomas goes - I want them to use him where he will create the biggest matchup problems for the opposing defense. Out wide, in the slot, the wing, H-Back, split set....wherever. Just get him the ball where he can use that speed and do the most damage.

Agreed, although I would assert that it wasn't until he was playing at WR full time that he was anything more than a valuable kick/punt returner to this team.

While he wasn't completely ineffective at RB like some guys we've had (Mike Cloud-type worthless shitsacks) the issue was we ran DESIGNED plays for him that took away chances to get the ball in the hands of far more valuable playmakers. And those designed plays were ineffective and horrific nightmares, considering they usually involved getting McCluster the ball several yards in the backfield either on a shotgun handoff or a delayed bubble screen. The whole Haley mindset was to "just get him the ball in space, and he'll totally break it!" Haley, Old Fart Muir, and Dumb**** Daboll never learned that McCluster isn't that kind of player. He lacked the speed, agility, and strength to be that guy. Jamaal Charles is that guy. McCluster was not.

I would assert that it Dave Toub's special teams.

McCluster lacked speed, elusiveness, and the strength to break tackles.

His only real assets was he could catch the ball and follow blocks.

He wasn't a plow horse, but neither was he a stud.

Solid contributor.

Nothing more.
Nothing less.