Tribal Warfare
07-26-2009, 12:41 AM
Who’s headed to River Falls? | Chiefs training camp roster
(http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/1346144.html)
Quarterback (4)
No. Player Ht. Wt. Age College
4 Tyler Thigpen 6-1 25 25 Coastal Carolina
7 Matt Cassel* 6-4 230 27 Southern California
12 Brodie Croyle 6-2 206 26 Alabama
15 Ingle Martin 6-2 220 26 Furman
The Chiefs might continue the charade that there is competition for the starting job, but they’d be far better off spending their time getting Cassel ready for the Sept. 13 regular season-opener. They committed their money to him, and now it’s time for their words to match their deeds.
Running back (8)
No. Player Ht. Wt. Age College
21 Kolby Smith 5-11 219 24 Louisville
25 Jamaal Charles 5-11 199 22 Texas
26 Jackie Battle 6-2 238 25 Houston
27 Larry Johnson* 6-1 230 29 Penn State
29 Dantrell Savage 5-8 182 24 Oklahoma State
40 Javarris Williams 5-10 223 23 Tennessee State
42 Mike Cox* 6-0 252 24 Georgia Tech
46 Jed Collins 6-1 249 23 Washington State
Johnson had his most contented off-season in years, but what happens if the Chiefs again replace him with Charles on third down? He’d better improve his pass blocking and receiving if he wants to prevent that. Charles has big-play ability but rarely delivered one last year.
Wide receiver (9)
No. Player Ht. Wt. Age College
9 Taurus Johnson 6-1 205 23 South Florida
10 Terrance Copper 6-0 207 27 East Carolina
11 Rodney Wright 5-9 181 29 Fresno State
14 Quinten Lawrence 6-0 184 24 McNeese State
80 Jeff Webb 6-2 211 27 San Diego State
81 Devard Darling 6-1 213 27 Washington State
82 Dwayne Bowe* 6-2 221 24 Louisiana State
83 Mark Bradley* 6-1 201 27 Oklahoma
84 Bobby Engram 5-10 192 36 Penn State
With Tony Gonzalez gone, Cassel will need a go-to receiver. Bowe is the best candidate but has to be more consistent than he was last year. The rest of the group has things to prove as well. Bradley needs to stay healthy while slot receiver Engram must show that he still has it even at 36.
Tight end (5)
No. Player Ht. Wt. Age College
41 Tom Crabtree 6-5 244 23 Miami (Ohio)
45 Jake O’Connell 6-3 250 23 Miami (Ohio)
85 Tony Curtis 6-5 251 26 Portland State
87 Brad Cottam* 6-7 269 24 Tennessee
89 Sean Ryan 6-5 260 29 Boston College
Gonzalez caught 96 passes last season. This group will do well this season if it collectively gets halfway there. Cottam is more of a blocker but has the size to be a threat in the scoring zone. Curtis and Ryan are journeymen and Crabtree and O’Connell untested rookies.
Specialists (4)
No. Player Ht. Wt. Age College
2 Dustin Colquitt 6-3 210 27 Tennessee
5 Connor Barth 5-11 193 23 North Carolina
6 Ryan Succop 6-2 218 22 South Carolina
43 Tanner Purdum 6-3 270 24 Baker
Barth and Succop will wage a strong battle for the kicking spot. The Chiefs would prefer Succop win the job because he’s shown the stronger leg. Punter Colquitt should bounce back after an injury-marred season. It’s hard to believe the Chiefs will go with the untested Purdum as their long snapper.
Offensive line (15)
No. Player Ht. Wt. Age College
54 Brian Waters* 6-3 320 32 North Texas
60 Brian De La Puente 6-2 308 24 California
61 Colin Brown 6-7 335 23 Missouri
62 Edwin Harrison 6-3 314 24 Colorado
64 Rudy Niswanger* 6-5 301 26 Louisiana State
65 Tavares Washington 6-4 315 26 Florida
66 Darryl Harris 6-4 300 24 Mississippi
67 Barry Richardson 6-6 319 23 Clemson
69 Cameron Goldberg 6-6 265 23 Duke
73 Eric Ghiaciuc 6-4 303 28 Central Michigan
74 Wade Smith 6-4 296 28 Memphis
75 Herb Taylor 6-3 295 24 Texas Christian
76 Branden Albert* 6-5 316 24 Virginia
77 Damion McIntosh* 6-4 328 32 Kansas State
79 Mike Goff* 6-5 311 33 Iowa
Goff is the only major addition and will step in at right guard. He’s had a nice career but the Chargers showed no interest in re-signing him, meaning they obviously believe his skills have slipped. Albert, the left tackle, had a nice rookie season but must improve greatly if this group is to improve.
Defensive line (10)
No. Player Ht. Wt. Age College
62 Dion Gates 6-5 259 23 Troy State
65 Bobby Greenwood 6-5 278 22 Alabama
69 Derek Lokey 6-1 287 23 Texas
70 Alfonso Boone 6-3 305 33 Mt. San Antonio JC
71 Alex Magee 6-3 298 22 Purdue
72 Glenn Dorsey* 6-1 297 23 Louisiana State
92 Wallace Gilberry 6-2 268 24 Alabama
93 Tank Tyler 6-2 306 24 North Carolina State
94 Tyson Jackson* 6-4 296 23 Louisiana State
95 Ron Edwards* 6-3 315 30 Texas A&M
The Chiefs will line up many different ways but figure to be in the three-man front most often. Dorsey needs to prove he can stand up at end. Jackson and Magee figure to have limited impact, like most rookies at these positions. The powerful Edwards should be a good fit at nose tackle.
Linebacker (13)
No. Player Ht. Wt. Age College
50 Mike Vrabel* 6-4 261 33 Ohio State
51 Corey Mays 6-1 245 25 Notre Dame
52 Monty Beisel 6-3 244 30 Kansas State
53 Demorrio Williams 6-1 232 29 Nebraska
55 Zach Thomas* 5-11 242 35 Texas Tech
56 Derrick Johnson* 6-3 242 26 Texas
57 Weston Dacus 6-1 232 23 Arkansas
59 Jovan Belcher 6-2 228 21 Maine
66 Corey Smith 6-1 225 22 Cincinnati
67 Pierre Walters 6-5 269 23 Eastern Illinois
90 Turk McBride 6-2 278 24 Tennessee
91 Tamba Hali* 6-3 275 25 Penn State
96 Andy Studebaker 6-3 248 23 Wheaton
Perhaps playing inside in the 3-4 will awaken Johnson’s abilities. Hali could benefit from moving to linebacker when the Chiefs are in the 3-4 but they need to be careful about leaving him in coverage. Vrabel and Thomas will be a year older than listed by the start of the regular season.
Defensive back (14)
No. Player Ht. Wt. Age College
20 Donald Washington 6-1 197 22 Ohio State
22 Jackie Bates 5-10 180 22 Hampton
23 Travis Daniels 6-1 195 26 Louisiana State
24 Brandon Flowers* 5-9 187 23 Virginia Tech
30 Ricardo Colclough 5-11 194 25 Tusculum
31 Maurice Leggett 5-11 188 22 Valdosta State
34 Londen Fryar 5-11 192 23 Western Michigan
35 Ricky Price 6-1 185 21 Oklahoma State
38 DaJuan Morgan 6-0 203 23 North Carolina State
39 Brandon Carr* 6-0 207 23 Grand Valley State
44 Jarrad Page* 6-0 225 24 UCLA
47 Jon McGraw 6-3 208 30 Kansas State
48 Mike Brown 5-10 207 31 Nebraska
49 Bernard Pollard* 6-1 224 24 Purdue
Brown is the most intriguing member of this group. He was once one of the game’s premier safeties for the Bears, but injuries held him back the last couple of years. If he can get back what he once had, he should have a major impact. Washington or Daniels could move Leggett out of the nickel-back spot.
NOTE: Some numbers are duplicates
* Projected starter
(http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/1346144.html)
Quarterback (4)
No. Player Ht. Wt. Age College
4 Tyler Thigpen 6-1 25 25 Coastal Carolina
7 Matt Cassel* 6-4 230 27 Southern California
12 Brodie Croyle 6-2 206 26 Alabama
15 Ingle Martin 6-2 220 26 Furman
The Chiefs might continue the charade that there is competition for the starting job, but they’d be far better off spending their time getting Cassel ready for the Sept. 13 regular season-opener. They committed their money to him, and now it’s time for their words to match their deeds.
Running back (8)
No. Player Ht. Wt. Age College
21 Kolby Smith 5-11 219 24 Louisville
25 Jamaal Charles 5-11 199 22 Texas
26 Jackie Battle 6-2 238 25 Houston
27 Larry Johnson* 6-1 230 29 Penn State
29 Dantrell Savage 5-8 182 24 Oklahoma State
40 Javarris Williams 5-10 223 23 Tennessee State
42 Mike Cox* 6-0 252 24 Georgia Tech
46 Jed Collins 6-1 249 23 Washington State
Johnson had his most contented off-season in years, but what happens if the Chiefs again replace him with Charles on third down? He’d better improve his pass blocking and receiving if he wants to prevent that. Charles has big-play ability but rarely delivered one last year.
Wide receiver (9)
No. Player Ht. Wt. Age College
9 Taurus Johnson 6-1 205 23 South Florida
10 Terrance Copper 6-0 207 27 East Carolina
11 Rodney Wright 5-9 181 29 Fresno State
14 Quinten Lawrence 6-0 184 24 McNeese State
80 Jeff Webb 6-2 211 27 San Diego State
81 Devard Darling 6-1 213 27 Washington State
82 Dwayne Bowe* 6-2 221 24 Louisiana State
83 Mark Bradley* 6-1 201 27 Oklahoma
84 Bobby Engram 5-10 192 36 Penn State
With Tony Gonzalez gone, Cassel will need a go-to receiver. Bowe is the best candidate but has to be more consistent than he was last year. The rest of the group has things to prove as well. Bradley needs to stay healthy while slot receiver Engram must show that he still has it even at 36.
Tight end (5)
No. Player Ht. Wt. Age College
41 Tom Crabtree 6-5 244 23 Miami (Ohio)
45 Jake O’Connell 6-3 250 23 Miami (Ohio)
85 Tony Curtis 6-5 251 26 Portland State
87 Brad Cottam* 6-7 269 24 Tennessee
89 Sean Ryan 6-5 260 29 Boston College
Gonzalez caught 96 passes last season. This group will do well this season if it collectively gets halfway there. Cottam is more of a blocker but has the size to be a threat in the scoring zone. Curtis and Ryan are journeymen and Crabtree and O’Connell untested rookies.
Specialists (4)
No. Player Ht. Wt. Age College
2 Dustin Colquitt 6-3 210 27 Tennessee
5 Connor Barth 5-11 193 23 North Carolina
6 Ryan Succop 6-2 218 22 South Carolina
43 Tanner Purdum 6-3 270 24 Baker
Barth and Succop will wage a strong battle for the kicking spot. The Chiefs would prefer Succop win the job because he’s shown the stronger leg. Punter Colquitt should bounce back after an injury-marred season. It’s hard to believe the Chiefs will go with the untested Purdum as their long snapper.
Offensive line (15)
No. Player Ht. Wt. Age College
54 Brian Waters* 6-3 320 32 North Texas
60 Brian De La Puente 6-2 308 24 California
61 Colin Brown 6-7 335 23 Missouri
62 Edwin Harrison 6-3 314 24 Colorado
64 Rudy Niswanger* 6-5 301 26 Louisiana State
65 Tavares Washington 6-4 315 26 Florida
66 Darryl Harris 6-4 300 24 Mississippi
67 Barry Richardson 6-6 319 23 Clemson
69 Cameron Goldberg 6-6 265 23 Duke
73 Eric Ghiaciuc 6-4 303 28 Central Michigan
74 Wade Smith 6-4 296 28 Memphis
75 Herb Taylor 6-3 295 24 Texas Christian
76 Branden Albert* 6-5 316 24 Virginia
77 Damion McIntosh* 6-4 328 32 Kansas State
79 Mike Goff* 6-5 311 33 Iowa
Goff is the only major addition and will step in at right guard. He’s had a nice career but the Chargers showed no interest in re-signing him, meaning they obviously believe his skills have slipped. Albert, the left tackle, had a nice rookie season but must improve greatly if this group is to improve.
Defensive line (10)
No. Player Ht. Wt. Age College
62 Dion Gates 6-5 259 23 Troy State
65 Bobby Greenwood 6-5 278 22 Alabama
69 Derek Lokey 6-1 287 23 Texas
70 Alfonso Boone 6-3 305 33 Mt. San Antonio JC
71 Alex Magee 6-3 298 22 Purdue
72 Glenn Dorsey* 6-1 297 23 Louisiana State
92 Wallace Gilberry 6-2 268 24 Alabama
93 Tank Tyler 6-2 306 24 North Carolina State
94 Tyson Jackson* 6-4 296 23 Louisiana State
95 Ron Edwards* 6-3 315 30 Texas A&M
The Chiefs will line up many different ways but figure to be in the three-man front most often. Dorsey needs to prove he can stand up at end. Jackson and Magee figure to have limited impact, like most rookies at these positions. The powerful Edwards should be a good fit at nose tackle.
Linebacker (13)
No. Player Ht. Wt. Age College
50 Mike Vrabel* 6-4 261 33 Ohio State
51 Corey Mays 6-1 245 25 Notre Dame
52 Monty Beisel 6-3 244 30 Kansas State
53 Demorrio Williams 6-1 232 29 Nebraska
55 Zach Thomas* 5-11 242 35 Texas Tech
56 Derrick Johnson* 6-3 242 26 Texas
57 Weston Dacus 6-1 232 23 Arkansas
59 Jovan Belcher 6-2 228 21 Maine
66 Corey Smith 6-1 225 22 Cincinnati
67 Pierre Walters 6-5 269 23 Eastern Illinois
90 Turk McBride 6-2 278 24 Tennessee
91 Tamba Hali* 6-3 275 25 Penn State
96 Andy Studebaker 6-3 248 23 Wheaton
Perhaps playing inside in the 3-4 will awaken Johnson’s abilities. Hali could benefit from moving to linebacker when the Chiefs are in the 3-4 but they need to be careful about leaving him in coverage. Vrabel and Thomas will be a year older than listed by the start of the regular season.
Defensive back (14)
No. Player Ht. Wt. Age College
20 Donald Washington 6-1 197 22 Ohio State
22 Jackie Bates 5-10 180 22 Hampton
23 Travis Daniels 6-1 195 26 Louisiana State
24 Brandon Flowers* 5-9 187 23 Virginia Tech
30 Ricardo Colclough 5-11 194 25 Tusculum
31 Maurice Leggett 5-11 188 22 Valdosta State
34 Londen Fryar 5-11 192 23 Western Michigan
35 Ricky Price 6-1 185 21 Oklahoma State
38 DaJuan Morgan 6-0 203 23 North Carolina State
39 Brandon Carr* 6-0 207 23 Grand Valley State
44 Jarrad Page* 6-0 225 24 UCLA
47 Jon McGraw 6-3 208 30 Kansas State
48 Mike Brown 5-10 207 31 Nebraska
49 Bernard Pollard* 6-1 224 24 Purdue
Brown is the most intriguing member of this group. He was once one of the game’s premier safeties for the Bears, but injuries held him back the last couple of years. If he can get back what he once had, he should have a major impact. Washington or Daniels could move Leggett out of the nickel-back spot.
NOTE: Some numbers are duplicates
* Projected starter