Chiefs release KeiVarae Russell

[RunKC]

Rand Gettlin-I'm told the #Chiefs have released defensive back KeiVarae Russell. Special teams numbers game. Super talented player. Likely to be claimed.

WOW

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by beach tribe

It just means he's the 54th best player they can get, and obviously don't believe he's ever gonna be much more than that.

Had it not been for the fact that Dezmon Moses contract would have been guaranteed if he was on the roster Week 1, I think it's likely that Russell would have been waived on September 3rd.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I think it depends on how Gaines, Nelson, White and Acker perform in 2016.

If no one steps up opposite Peters, they'll need to make an early move.

I feel really good about Gaines. He was flying around and looked much more physical than he did in his first two years.

[Meatloaf]

Sorry if Q, but 610 radio just had Matt Miller from Bleacher Report on. He said he had talked to several of his Chiefs contacts as to what might've happened to hasten Russell's release. No one said it was anything specific (like an off field issue). Generally, the take was that he was a bit of a knucklehead who talked way to much for a rookie. Got the impression that the guy thought he was God's gift and wasn't afraid to share that with anyone/everyone. Just didn't fit in. FWIW.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by staylor26

I feel really good about Gaines. He was flying around and looked much more physical than he did in his first two years.

Gaines just needs to prove he can stay healthy for 16 games

[DaneMcCloud]

Looks to me like Russell knew it was coming 2 days ago...

I ain't dead yet like I'm Bruce Willis ����

— Keivarae Russell (@Keivarae1) September 13, 2016

[jjchieffan]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Russell was invisible during the preseason, save for one play. He was out there with the 3's and 4's all throughout and never flashed.

Clearly, Dave Toub had no interest in keeping him for Special Teams.

I made the observation, which can be found in Preseason thread (I *think*) that if the NFL was a "true* meritocracy, Russell would be cut. Many people disagreed, stating that "he was a 3rd rounder and teams don't cut those guys" or that his "upside" was really high, etc. and so on.

I didn't see him contributing in 2016 and just a few short weeks later, I guess the Chiefs agreed.

Oh, and as to "depth", I think they're still lacking depth but realized that Russell wasn't going to be the answer.

Yep. And I was one of the ones disagreeing with you. I never felt that he earned his spot. But I just couldn't believe that they would move on from a 3rd round pick so quickly. Kudos. You was right. I was wrong.

[RunKC]

A team would be stupid not to pick up this kid on waivers. I highly doubt he goes through waivers unless he did something truly terrible.

He's a 3rd rd pick with solid coverage ability and top shelf athleticism. A team will take that all day.

Who cares if he was slow to learn the playbook? He's a rookie. Marcus Cooper was someone we took off waivers who never played a game at corner. Someone will take the chance on him, mostly bc of of what that athleticism and also the fact that he's cheap as hell.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by Meatloaf

Sorry if Q, but 610 radio just had Matt Miller from Bleacher Report on. He said he had talked to several of his Chiefs contacts as to what might've happened to hasten Russell's release. No one said it was anything specific (like an off field issue). Generally, the take was that he was a bit of a knucklehead who talked way to much for a rookie. Got the impression that the guy thought he was God's gift and wasn't afraid to share that with anyone/everyone. Just didn't fit in. FWIW.

Matt Miller also said this guy would start opposite of Peters this year.

[DaneMcCloud]

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl...e81673707.html

The Chiefs finally signed third-round pick KeiVarae Russell on Friday, according to the NFL’s transaction wire, which means the team now has all nine of its 2016 draft picks under contract.

Though he has not had a contract, Russell has not missed any of the Chiefs’ offseason practices. He participated in all three rookie camp practices and all six voluntary full-team practices that have been held. Practices continue next week.

----------

This article directly contradicts the myth that Russell missed time in the offseason, thus setting him back in terms of the defense and terminology.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Meatloaf

Sorry if Q, but 610 radio just had Matt Miller from Bleacher Report on. He said he had talked to several of his Chiefs contacts as to what might've happened to hasten Russell's release. No one said it was anything specific (like an off field issue). Generally, the take was that he was a bit of a knucklehead who talked way to much for a rookie. Got the impression that the guy thought he was God's gift and wasn't afraid to share that with anyone/everyone. Just didn't fit in. FWIW.

Which once again, proves that what I said about Russell after Terez Paylor's in depth interview, was spot on (which was, of course, argued).

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Let's review:

1. Russell believes he's very smart but he's struggling to learn the terminology. He needs to study extra hours in order to grasp it but is still having problems. "It’s not as easy as people think".

2. Russell has strong self confidence but he's "holding himself back", even though he's studying tape and the playbook.

It sounds to me Russell needs to put his ego aside, buckle down and study his ass off if he wants to make a contribution in 2016.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Meatloaf

Sorry if Q, but 610 radio just had Matt Miller from Bleacher Report on. He said he had talked to several of his Chiefs contacts as to what might've happened to hasten Russell's release. No one said it was anything specific (like an off field issue). Generally, the take was that he was a bit of a knucklehead who talked way to much for a rookie. Got the impression that the guy thought he was God's gift and wasn't afraid to share that with anyone/everyone. Just didn't fit in. FWIW.

Also, if true, we won't be seeing him back on the Practice Squad

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Originally Posted by Meatloaf

Sorry if Q, but 610 radio just had Matt Miller from Bleacher Report on. He said he had talked to several of his Chiefs contacts as to what might've happened to hasten Russell's release. No one said it was anything specific (like an off field issue). Generally, the take was that he was a bit of a knucklehead who talked way to much for a rookie. Got the impression that the guy thought he was God's gift and wasn't afraid to share that with anyone/everyone. Just didn't fit in. FWIW.

If that's the case it's good Dorsey is keeping the locker room cleaned up. Team first.

[staylor26]

Watched A Season With Notre Dame. Guy runs his mouth. Might've wore thin with the staff

Somebody posted this on another (general) board. Goes perfectly with the report from Miller. Did Pest or anybody watch this?

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by Meatloaf

Sorry if Q, but 610 radio just had Matt Miller from Bleacher Report on. He said he had talked to several of his Chiefs contacts as to what might've happened to hasten Russell's release. No one said it was anything specific (like an off field issue). Generally, the take was that he was a bit of a knucklehead who talked way to much for a rookie. Got the impression that the guy thought he was God's gift and wasn't afraid to share that with anyone/everyone. Just didn't fit in. FWIW.

Weird....didn't hear any of that at ND. He was pretty vocal about his suspension though. Oh well.....act like a dipshit....get cut like a dipshit.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by staylor26

Somebody posted this on another board. Goes perfectly with the report from Miller. Did Pest or anybody watch this?

I didn't get a chance to watch it, no.