How many running backs, receivers and tight ends will we keep?

[shammus]

Three pretty exciting battles going on at these three skill-positions right now for us. If a few guys can develop into solid contributors, all three could be positions of strength for us by the end of the year. Question is, for the time being, how many players from each of these three positions will we be keeping on the final roster? Will there be enough room to keep, say, five receivers, five running backs, including a fullback and three tightends? Or will we have to make some hard decisions here?

I realize camp isn't over yet and we've still got two preseason games left to go. Someone could always leap up and nab a spot in the remaining weeks. As for right now, what I"m thinking is that these positions came down to something like the following -

WR - Bowe, Franklin, Darling, Price and Webb
RB - Johnson, Smith, Charles, Savage
FB - M. Cox
TE - Gonzales, Cottam, Allan
KR - Savage or possibly Charles

This assumes the following -

Five halfbacks might be too many to keep since we'll need to keep a spot open for a fullback this year, which I think Mike Cox has earned, and we might like a 5th spot for a wide receiver this year. The guy that I think is squeezed out in this scenario is Jackie Battle unfortunately, who's had a pretty good camp. I think that this is just a testament to the fact that this position is now a strength for us and someone with some potential and talent might not make the team.

I'm assuming five receivers here since one isn't going to be allocated to the KR this year unlike last year where we had Eddie Drummond sucking up a spot all year long. Assuming I'm right, I don't see how the five being kept are any different than what I've listed. The exciting thing about the WR position this time around is that there's a lot of potential there. Just think...last year about halfway through, Jeff Webb was our #2 receiver. Now, he's #5 at best with this year's crop. That shows improvement to me. Plus, we're not holding spots for two players that are declining in productivity (Kennison and Parker) either. I won't say we're deeper at this position yet because these guys need to prove themselves, but I think the upside is definitely greater.

We've kept 3 tight ends in the past but I don't believe we did it last year. Allan was on the PS all season which left us with Gonzo and Dunn if I remember correctly. Dunn's productivity declined last year, but now we have two ascending players that have been productive in camp in Michael Allan and Brad Cottam. These two are HUGE targets for Croyle and will be assets as blockers as well. They're both young and healthy too so they might catch a pass or two each game as well. Dunn's knees got to the point to where he really couldn't run routes anymore.

All thoughts on the above scenarios are appreciated. Overall, I have 13 spots on the final 53 man roster going to these three positions. Too little, too many, or just the right amount? I think there's more of a reason to be excited concerning these positions this year. I think that two of the three have definitely improved at least and the WR corps certainly have the potential to be an improvement as well.

Final thought - guys that don't make the team....

Mandarino - has looked decent but I don't think we keep 2 fullbacks do we?
Sippio - I really don't see us keeping six receivers regardless of the skills that he has. I'm pretty confident Sippio won't unseat any of the five listed above
Jackie Battle - again, he's got talent and upside and it's too bad that I don't think we'll keep him barring injury. Right now, running back is the deepest position on the team though and he's just stuck in a numbers crunch.
Michael Merritt - hmmm...not sure what we do with him at this point. Is it possible he could be signed and placed on the practice squad? No way he unseats the other three guys at this point though.
Kevin Robinson and BK Sams - Sams hasn't really shown much as a return man and I don't see us letting one of our other receivers go to make room for him. I think this might squeeze Kevin Robinson too although he could be a candidate for injured reserve or the practice squad.

[Fish]

I'm thinking that one of our RBs will be on another team by the time the season starts...

[KCUnited]

I was really down on K. Smith for the simple fact I hadn't heard any noise about him in camp, but he looked good last night. Still needs some work following his blocks in open space.

Price is on the rise, the guy did nothing but help his QB out the 1st 2 preseason games, unlike Darling who didn't show a whole lot of fight on his routes.

I like J. Battle a lot, I just don't think there's room.

Cox is a lock.

[MGRS13]

Price has earned the right to start the next game in my opinion, can darling do anything on special teams? If he makes this team as only a WR the whole process of "goin with the young guys" is a joke. Hes 5th in my opinion of the wideouts you listed in this post. I'd like to get to see Robinson at some point during the preseason cause if he cant beat that bum Darling out of a job we should just cut ties with him right now.

[BWillie]

All I know is we better keep Savagae. He's like a young Dante Hall. Looks like he has all the tools to be a great returner

[Chiefaholic]

This team is deep at HB and none of the above will clear waivers for the practice squad. Outside of LJ, I'de keep savage as a kick returner and keep the best pass blocker of the remaining HB's. Hopefully we can get some future draft compensation out of whoever we don't keep.

At TE, I'de keep Gonzo and Cottam and sneak Allen onto the PS.

At WR, I'de keep Bowe, Franklin, Price, Darling, and Robinson. I prefer Robinson over Webb unless he stays injured through the rest of the preseason. At this point we could throw him on the PS for future KO and PR duties.

And Cox obviously has earned his role as a FB. With the youth movement on the O-Line, Croyle's going to need all the help he can get. Not to mention he has some pretty soft hands as an option pass.

[MGRS13]

Originally Posted by Chiefaholic

This team is deep at HB and none of the above will clear waivers for the practice squad. Outside of LJ, I'de keep savage as a kick returner and keep the best pass blocker of the remaining HB's. Hopefully we can get some future draft compensation out of whoever we don't keep.

At TE, I'de keep Gonzo and Cottam and sneak Allen onto the PS.

At WR, I'de keep Bowe, Franklin, Price, Darling, and Robinson. I prefer Robinson over Webb unless he stays injured through the rest of the preseason. At this point we could throw him on the PS for future KO and PR duties.

And Cox obviously has earned his role as a FB. With the youth movement on the O-Line, Croyle's going to need all the help he can get. Not to mention he has some pretty soft hands as an option pass.

I'd agree mostly. i don't think you'll have to sneak Allen onto the practice squad, i don't think he's done enough to worry about someone else grabing him. And as hard as it is for me to support Webb he's proved to be a much better WR then Darling so if we don't but Robinson on the IR i'd cut Darling. Of course I'd cut Darling right now based on his preformance.

[shammus]

I'd like to see Robinson too before preseason ends but is he reknowned for any receiving ability? I was under the impression he was basically drafted just as another option at KR. I remember not being too impressed with this draftpick because if I remember correctly, he runs a 4.64 or something like that. Still, I'd like to see him play.

I don't believe we'd simply cut him with him out most of the preseason with injury. That's why I say he's a candidate for practice squad or injured reserve. I don't see him beating out any of the five I listed above though.

I think I'd like to see the remaining 2 games before I put Jeff Webb ahead of Darling on the depth chart. I think Price has a shot at beating him out though for the slot position. I'd love to start with Bowe, Franklin and Price though as the top three. I think Franklin has earned a shot to run with the #1s though. I'd like to see him get a starting nod for the Miami game.

[L.A. Chieffan]

WR is gonna be ugly for us this year.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

WR is gonna be ugly for us this year.

So is QB, Kicker, OL, DL, MLB, OLB, CB, Safety, Fullback

[L.A. Chieffan]

Originally Posted by BWillie007

So is QB, Kicker, OL, DL, MLB, OLB, CB, Safety, Fullback

Whats a matter BWill, no shiatsu this morning?

[JuicesFlowing]

Originally Posted by BWillie007

All I know is we better keep Savagae. He's like a young Dante Hall. Looks like he has all the tools to be a great returner

Savage had a good game ... He played his way onto the team last night.

[beach tribe]

Micheal Allen on the PS, and we keep 4 RBs.

[Buehler445]

There is probably nothing anybody could do about it, but if I'm Herm, I have this in the back of my head. The Chiefs used the following backs last year:

LJ - Broken
Priest - Broken FOREVER
Kolby - Missed some games - knee I think
Jackie Battle - Can't remember if he finished the season
Gilbert Harris

The Chiefs went though 5 backs. WOW!

Off the top of my head, I remember the following injuries:
WR
Kennison - Broken

TE
Dunn - Missed a few games

FB
I don't recall any injuries

Again, that is off the top of my head.

So there were 2 injuries in all the rest of the skill positions. And both those guys were 900 years old.

If I'm Herm, I'm taking as many RBs as possible, especially since we have some talent there. I think Robinson goes to the IR and Sams goes....I don't care, just away. That way there is a servicable returning kicks in Savage. I don't think it will happen, but if I'm Herm, I try to get 5 RBs on this roster.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

LJ, Kolby, Charles, Savage, Cox
Tony, Cottam, Allan

Meritt goes to IR or PS

Bowe, Darling, Franklin, Price, Webb


Robinson and Battle probably won't clear and will end up elsewhere, IMO.