Chiefs Gretz: The Slicing Begins At Arrowhead … Saturday Cup O’Chiefs

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-05-2009, 02:57 PM

The Slicing Begins At Arrowhead … Saturday Cup O’Chiefs
September 5, 2009 - Bob Gretz |

It’s the time of year where dreams are made and shattered, all in the matter of seconds. The NFL’s 32 teams are all trying to reach the 53-man roster limit by 3 p.m. CDT on Saturday.

Some get the jump on the whole process and move on. That’s what Arizona did on Friday, slicing down to the regular-season maximum and releasing all the names. Others like to drag things out and won’t make any moves public until after the deadline.

The Chiefs would land somewhere between those extremes, as they announced Friday afternoon that they released eight players. They may have released more, but they weren’t talking about anything.

And there was something to talk about in the first eight cuts. If you haven’t liked the play of the Chiefs offensive line in the pre-season then Pioli/Haley showed on Friday that they agree, as they sliced four blockers. That group included OT Damion McIntosh (wearing No. 77 to the left), a guy who has started 111 games in the NFL.

Three other linemen were released as well: T Fred Taylor, G Tavares Washington and C Eric Ghiaciuc. Also sent to the waiver wire were CB Londen Fryar, LB Corey Smith, FB Jed Collins and CB Travis Daniels.

Here’s a look at all eight cuts and the ramifications for the Chiefs:

McIntosh – When the Chiefs signed McIntosh as a UFA before the 2007 season, they viewed him as a two-year band aide at tackle. The idea was they would develop a younger tackle to replace McIntosh by the 2009 season when he would be a 32-year old, 10-year veteran. That was the plan that Herm Edwards had for the position. Last year, the Chiefs drafted Branden Albert and he’s become the left tackle. There’s been no development of a right tackle to handle the job. Even without an obvious replacement, that wasn’t enough to save McIntosh’s job on Friday. The decision was a bit of a surprise based on the fact the Chiefs look like they are going to be a team that relies on the running game and that’s something McIntosh can still do: block for the run. Against the pass rush, McIntosh is finished. He does not have the flexibility or the foot quickness to handle outside pass rushers anymore. He’s a liability for the passer. McIntosh has played 115 games with 111 starts for the Chargers, Dolphins and Chiefs, but there was no upside in keeping him.

Washington – He’s been banging around the NFL since the 2006 season, first with the 49ers and then with Washington. He was added to the Chiefs practice squad in September of 2008 and moved up to the active roster for the last month of the season. Washington ended up appearing on special teams in two games for the Chiefs last year. In camp this year, he missed over a week of practices with an unknown injury and when he got back to play, he struggled. Washington is 26 years old.

Taylor – Selected in the sixth-round of the 2007 NFL Draft, not the old coaching staff or the new one really gave him a chance to earn and keep a job on the offensive line. In two seasons, he played in 18 games, but saw offensive snaps in only half of those contests. Taylor worked at left and right tackle through practices, training camps and the like. There was a brief opportunity for him to take control of the RT spot early in the ‘09 training camp, but that moment passed quickly. Taylor will be 25 years old later this month.

Ghiaciuc – As one of the handful of experienced UFAs signed by the new regime in the ‘09 off-season, Ghiaciuc was a major disappointment. He was never really competitive when it came to challenging Rudy Niswanger for the starting job at center and he had fallen behind Wade Smith as the top backup at center. Ghiaciuc is 28 years old and in his fifth NFL season. He started with the Bengals, where he was a fourth-round choice in the 2005 NFL Draft.

Collins – signed with the Chiefs in January, after knocking around during the 2008 season with the Eagles and Browns in training camp and on practice squads. Collins never really showed much as a runner or blocker and he was inconsistent catching the football. He’s 23 years old.

Daniels – Another one of the first UFA’s the club signed back in March, Daniels was never really a factor for a roster spot. During the OTAs and training camp practices, he never advanced past the third team. A former fourth-round pick back in 2005 by the Dolphins, he also played for the Browns. Daniels will be 27 years old next week.

Fryar – The rookie free agent from Western Michigan never flashed during practice sessions. That’s something any undrafted free agent must do if he hops to stay in the league.

Smith – The rookie free agent from Cincinnati could not make his way up the ladder in the crowded room for linebackers.

SIGNINGS, INJURIES & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE

* BEARS – lost RB Kevin Jones for the season with torn ligaments in his ankle; released CB Roderick Hood.
* BILLS – fired offensive coordinator Turk Schonert.
* BRONCOS – released DL Matthias Askew, G Kory Lichtensteiger, QB Ingle Martin, CB Rashod Moulton, OT Clint Oldenburg, DL Carlton Powell, LB Lee Robinson, WR Nate Swift and RB Marcus Thomas; placed G Matt McChesney on the injured-reserve list.
* BROWNS – released CB Tra Battle.
* CARDINALS – released G Trevor Canfield, LB Chase Bullock, FB Tim Castille, CB Jameel Dowling, DT Keilen Dykes, DE Alex Field, CB Wilfrey Fontenot, C Melvin Fowler, S Aaron Francisco, WR Ed Gant, LB Victor Hobson, LB David Holoway, WR Ourea Jones, DT Rodney Leisle, FB Regan Maui’a, G Carlton Medder, QB Tyler Palko, TE Leonard Pope, OT Oliver Ross, WR Steve Sanders and RB Chris Vincent.
* EAGLES – released TE Eugene Bright, LB Curtis Gatewood and DT Willie Williams; signed DE Jason Babin to a new contract.
* FALCONS – released S Eric Brock, CB Glenn Sharpe, G Ryan Stanchek, CB Tony Tiller, C Ben Wilkerson, WR Chandler Williams and OT Adam Speer.
* GIANTS – lost DT Jay Alford for the season with a torn ACL. Surgery was performed on Friday.
* JETS – released TE Kevin Brock, TE Jack Simmons and WR Marcus Henry.
* LIONS – acquired DB Ko Simpson from the Bills for an undisclosed draft choice.
* PATRIOTS – released QB Andrew Walter, LB Vinny Ciurciu, WR Robert Ortiz, S Roderick Rogers, DL Stephen Williams and G Billy Yates.
* RAMS – released OT Renardo Foster.
* SAINTS – have lost TE Billy Miller to a torn Achilles’ tendon and he’s done for the year.
* STEELERS – released RB Carey Davis, RB Isaac Redman, CB Anthony Madison, LB Bruce Davis, DT Scott Paxson, LB Donovan Woods and C A.Q. Shipley.
* TITANS – released WR Mark Jones, OL Jason Murphy, WR Phillip Morris, FB Casey Cramer and P A.J. Trapasso.

FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY

On September 5, 1970, the Chiefs won a pre-season game against the Dallas Cowboys 13-0 at Texas Stadium. RB Warren McVea caught a 30-yard TD pass from QB Len Dawson and Jan Stenerud kicked FGs of 18 and 44 yards. The Cowboys had just 114 total yards on 60 plays, with RB Calvin Hill running for 87 yards on 15 carries. The Chiefs defense sacked Craig Morton eight times, with four of those by DE Aaron Brown. DT Buck Buchanan and DE Jerry Mays had two sacks each. LBs Willie Lanier and Jim Lynch had the other sacks. S Johnny Robinson had an INT.

On September 5, 1977, the Chiefs lost a pre-season game to the Atlanta Falcons 24-16 at Arrowhead Stadium. RB Mark Bailey caught a 29-yard TD pass from QB Mike Livingston for the only Chiefs touchdown. K Jan Stenerud kicked field goals of 30, 43 and 48 yards. Livingston was 13 of 33 for 171 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs.

On September 5, 1993, the Chiefs won the season opener, beating the Buccaneers 27-3 in Tampa. It was the first game in Chiefs uniforms for both QB Joe Montana and RB Marcus Allen. The star of this game however, was a Chiefs defense that allowed just 147 yards, including just 25 yards on 20 carries for the Bucs. Montana threw three touchdown passes, going 19 yards to WR Willie Davis, 50 yards to WR J.J. Birden and 12 yards to Allen. Overall, Montana was 14 of 21 for 246 yards. Allen ran 13 times for 79 yards. S Charles Mincy had an interception and LB Lonnie Marts a sack. K Nick Lowery added a 20-yard FG.

SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …

Born on September 5, 1942 in Savannah, Georgia was CB Solomon Brannan (left). He joined the Chiefs in 1965 out of Morris Brown College. Brannan spent two years with the team (1965-66), appearing in 13 games. He returned 10 kickoffs for 250 yards and five punts for 10 yards. Brannan finished his career with 12 games with the New York Jets in 1967.

Born on September 5, 1958 in Los Angeles was QB Bob Gagliano. He was selected in the 12th round of the 1981 NFL Draft out of Utah State. Gagliano played two seasons with the Chiefs (1982-83), appearing in two games and completing one pass for seven yards. He played in the USFL with the Denver Gold, and returned to the NFL in 1987 with San Francisco during the players strike. Gagliano then spent two years I n Detroit and two seasons in San Diego.

Born on September 5, 1960 in Houston was DE Eric Holle. He was selected in the fifth round of the 1984 NFL Draft out of Texas. Holle played four seasons for the Chiefs (1984-87), appearing in 56 games with seven starts. He finished with 2.5 sacks in limited playing time.

09-05-2009, 02:57 PM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $922813	Gretz: The Slicing Begins At Arrowhead … Saturday Cup O’Chiefs The Slicing Begins At Arrowhead … Saturday Cup O’Chiefs September 5, 2009 - Bob Gretz \| It’s the time of year where dreams are made and shattered, all in the matter of seconds. The NFL’s 32 teams are all trying to reach the 53-man roster limit by 3 p.m. CDT on Saturday. Some get the jump on the whole process and move on. That’s what Arizona did on Friday, slicing down to the regular-season maximum and releasing all the names. Others like to drag things out and won’t make any moves public until after the deadline. The Chiefs would land somewhere between those extremes, as they announced Friday afternoon that they released eight players. They may have released more, but they weren’t talking about anything. And there was something to talk about in the first eight cuts. If you haven’t liked the play of the Chiefs offensive line in the pre-season then Pioli/Haley showed on Friday that they agree, as they sliced four blockers. That group included OT Damion McIntosh (wearing No. 77 to the left), a guy who has started 111 games in the NFL. Three other linemen were released as well: T Fred Taylor, G Tavares Washington and C Eric Ghiaciuc. Also sent to the waiver wire were CB Londen Fryar, LB Corey Smith, FB Jed Collins and CB Travis Daniels. Here’s a look at all eight cuts and the ramifications for the Chiefs: McIntosh – When the Chiefs signed McIntosh as a UFA before the 2007 season, they viewed him as a two-year band aide at tackle. The idea was they would develop a younger tackle to replace McIntosh by the 2009 season when he would be a 32-year old, 10-year veteran. That was the plan that Herm Edwards had for the position. Last year, the Chiefs drafted Branden Albert and he’s become the left tackle. There’s been no development of a right tackle to handle the job. Even without an obvious replacement, that wasn’t enough to save McIntosh’s job on Friday. The decision was a bit of a surprise based on the fact the Chiefs look like they are going to be a team that relies on the running game and that’s something McIntosh can still do: block for the run. Against the pass rush, McIntosh is finished. He does not have the flexibility or the foot quickness to handle outside pass rushers anymore. He’s a liability for the passer. McIntosh has played 115 games with 111 starts for the Chargers, Dolphins and Chiefs, but there was no upside in keeping him. Washington – He’s been banging around the NFL since the 2006 season, first with the 49ers and then with Washington. He was added to the Chiefs practice squad in September of 2008 and moved up to the active roster for the last month of the season. Washington ended up appearing on special teams in two games for the Chiefs last year. In camp this year, he missed over a week of practices with an unknown injury and when he got back to play, he struggled. Washington is 26 years old. Taylor – Selected in the sixth-round of the 2007 NFL Draft, not the old coaching staff or the new one really gave him a chance to earn and keep a job on the offensive line. In two seasons, he played in 18 games, but saw offensive snaps in only half of those contests. Taylor worked at left and right tackle through practices, training camps and the like. There was a brief opportunity for him to take control of the RT spot early in the ‘09 training camp, but that moment passed quickly. Taylor will be 25 years old later this month. Ghiaciuc – As one of the handful of experienced UFAs signed by the new regime in the ‘09 off-season, Ghiaciuc was a major disappointment. He was never really competitive when it came to challenging Rudy Niswanger for the starting job at center and he had fallen behind Wade Smith as the top backup at center. Ghiaciuc is 28 years old and in his fifth NFL season. He started with the Bengals, where he was a fourth-round choice in the 2005 NFL Draft. Collins – signed with the Chiefs in January, after knocking around during the 2008 season with the Eagles and Browns in training camp and on practice squads. Collins never really showed much as a runner or blocker and he was inconsistent catching the football. He’s 23 years old. Daniels – Another one of the first UFA’s the club signed back in March, Daniels was never really a factor for a roster spot. During the OTAs and training camp practices, he never advanced past the third team. A former fourth-round pick back in 2005 by the Dolphins, he also played for the Browns. Daniels will be 27 years old next week. Fryar – The rookie free agent from Western Michigan never flashed during practice sessions. That’s something any undrafted free agent must do if he hops to stay in the league. Smith – The rookie free agent from Cincinnati could not make his way up the ladder in the crowded room for linebackers. *SIGNINGS, INJURIES & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE* * BEARS – lost RB Kevin Jones for the season with torn ligaments in his ankle; released CB Roderick Hood. * BILLS – fired offensive coordinator Turk Schonert. * BRONCOS – released DL Matthias Askew, G Kory Lichtensteiger, QB Ingle Martin, CB Rashod Moulton, OT Clint Oldenburg, DL Carlton Powell, LB Lee Robinson, WR Nate Swift and RB Marcus Thomas; placed G Matt McChesney on the injured-reserve list. * BROWNS – released CB Tra Battle. * CARDINALS – released G Trevor Canfield, LB Chase Bullock, FB Tim Castille, CB Jameel Dowling, DT Keilen Dykes, DE Alex Field, CB Wilfrey Fontenot, C Melvin Fowler, S Aaron Francisco, WR Ed Gant, LB Victor Hobson, LB David Holoway, WR Ourea Jones, DT Rodney Leisle, FB Regan Maui’a, G Carlton Medder, QB Tyler Palko, TE Leonard Pope, OT Oliver Ross, WR Steve Sanders and RB Chris Vincent. * EAGLES – released TE Eugene Bright, LB Curtis Gatewood and DT Willie Williams; signed DE Jason Babin to a new contract. * FALCONS – released S Eric Brock, CB Glenn Sharpe, G Ryan Stanchek, CB Tony Tiller, C Ben Wilkerson, WR Chandler Williams and OT Adam Speer. * GIANTS – lost DT Jay Alford for the season with a torn ACL. Surgery was performed on Friday. * JETS – released TE Kevin Brock, TE Jack Simmons and WR Marcus Henry. * LIONS – acquired DB Ko Simpson from the Bills for an undisclosed draft choice. * PATRIOTS – released QB Andrew Walter, LB Vinny Ciurciu, WR Robert Ortiz, S Roderick Rogers, DL Stephen Williams and G Billy Yates. * RAMS – released OT Renardo Foster. * SAINTS – have lost TE Billy Miller to a torn Achilles’ tendon and he’s done for the year. * STEELERS – released RB Carey Davis, RB Isaac Redman, CB Anthony Madison, LB Bruce Davis, DT Scott Paxson, LB Donovan Woods and C A.Q. Shipley. * TITANS – released WR Mark Jones, OL Jason Murphy, WR Phillip Morris, FB Casey Cramer and P A.J. Trapasso. *FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY* On September 5, 1970, the Chiefs won a pre-season game against the Dallas Cowboys 13-0 at Texas Stadium. RB Warren McVea caught a 30-yard TD pass from QB Len Dawson and Jan Stenerud kicked FGs of 18 and 44 yards. The Cowboys had just 114 total yards on 60 plays, with RB Calvin Hill running for 87 yards on 15 carries. The Chiefs defense sacked Craig Morton eight times, with four of those by DE Aaron Brown. DT Buck Buchanan and DE Jerry Mays had two sacks each. LBs Willie Lanier and Jim Lynch had the other sacks. S Johnny Robinson had an INT. On September 5, 1977, the Chiefs lost a pre-season game to the Atlanta Falcons 24-16 at Arrowhead Stadium. RB Mark Bailey caught a 29-yard TD pass from QB Mike Livingston for the only Chiefs touchdown. K Jan Stenerud kicked field goals of 30, 43 and 48 yards. Livingston was 13 of 33 for 171 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs. On September 5, 1993, the Chiefs won the season opener, beating the Buccaneers 27-3 in Tampa. It was the first game in Chiefs uniforms for both QB Joe Montana and RB Marcus Allen. The star of this game however, was a Chiefs defense that allowed just 147 yards, including just 25 yards on 20 carries for the Bucs. Montana threw three touchdown passes, going 19 yards to WR Willie Davis, 50 yards to WR J.J. Birden and 12 yards to Allen. Overall, Montana was 14 of 21 for 246 yards. Allen ran 13 times for 79 yards. S Charles Mincy had an interception and LB Lonnie Marts a sack. K Nick Lowery added a 20-yard FG. *SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …* Born on September 5, 1942 in Savannah, Georgia was CB Solomon Brannan (left). He joined the Chiefs in 1965 out of Morris Brown College. Brannan spent two years with the team (1965-66), appearing in 13 games. He returned 10 kickoffs for 250 yards and five punts for 10 yards. Brannan finished his career with 12 games with the New York Jets in 1967. Born on September 5, 1958 in Los Angeles was QB Bob Gagliano. He was selected in the 12th round of the 1981 NFL Draft out of Utah State. Gagliano played two seasons with the Chiefs (1982-83), appearing in two games and completing one pass for seven yards. He played in the USFL with the Denver Gold, and returned to the NFL in 1987 with San Francisco during the players strike. Gagliano then spent two years I n Detroit and two seasons in San Diego. Born on September 5, 1960 in Houston was DE Eric Holle. He was selected in the fifth round of the 1984 NFL Draft out of Texas. Holle played four seasons for the Chiefs (1984-87), appearing in 56 games with seven starts. He finished with 2.5 sacks in limited playing time.
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