ChiefsPlanet - Roster notes from WPI per Phobia

Pretty much from the start of camp up until the final cuts, there has been speculation of surprise cuts among the vets. Herm himself said there would be suprsises. Even from Nick on your latest podcast of trades of us trading away and possibly trading for player(s).

Realistically for me these areas where QB Huard, OL Bober, DL Siavii, Hicks, Browning LB Bell and One of the 2 safties of Knight or Wesley.
I realize not all of these players were going to lose their roster spots this year. But i bet there was plenty of discussion internally about all of them.

Huard: He looked much better in the Saints game. Croyles injury gave up any possiblity of him pushing for the #2 job. To me the way they have gone is the only choice to make. If Printers clears waivers and goes to the PS that's a bonus. If not I think we have our QBOTF in Croyle. Still Huard's Inconsistancies leave little to be desired.
Any truth that we are actually interested in Drew Henson? When he was cut that was the rumor. Could just be his agent trying to garner interest.

Bober: He looked awful at G and I'd be shocked if Black or even Niswanger were not ahead of him on game day as a injury fill in. His play at C was adequate but IMO did not out play Niswanger at the positioin. He is the utility lineman but he didn't even get any reps at RT that I am aware of. The title of utility lineman is nice but the production from him this camp was pathetic. Is this not a total waste of a roster spot? Are they looking at trading or releasing him? They could use that spot for another OT IMO. Black is an UFA next year and is likely a replacement at G if he resigns. With Sampson's struggles in pass protection and his size at 6-4 312 it's almost a mirror image of Black with his future at G as well. Bringing back Parquet or taking a look at Wayne Hunter who the Jags released might be a good idea for the future and depth of the oline instead of holding onto Bober.

Siavii, that was obvious and I am glad it happened. Not really surprised on Hall either as his cap hit was nothing with his Vet minimum contract for 1 yr. What's the deal on Browning? I know he is on IR. Will they try an injury settlement and then release him when healthy? How would this affect the cap?

Bell I thought could have been cut. With the lack of depth at DE he might come in handy there though. And with the 4-4 goaline/short yardage and 3-4 and falcon sets we could get the most out of his talents there. Big ? is will they start Fox in the base Cover 2? That's a pretty big debate IMO.

If anyone one our roster who we could afford to lose had any trade value it is Wesley IMO. He's a ballhawk that gets 5 plus turnovers a year and they have pimped him as being very improved. The problem there is starting Knight with Pollard which would be asking for trouble. Or starting both rooks and having Knight back them both up.

More likely I wouldn't have been surprised to see Knight outright cut and starting Pollard. We could have found a 4th S like Donte Nicholson for special teams and had Page back up both S spots.

Then the big one is the mystery that is Eric Hicks. Nobody seems to be able to explain this. We could say there is no one else that is can replace him on the open market. Mike Haynes might change that or Dequincy Scott. The problem is he is obviously not healthy and not in football shape from his poor preseason. The guy really doe not fit the cover 2 and not really even any of the 3-4 stuff we would run. We no longer have a need for his so called leadership. Hali has been very good about the as a young pup and this is Allen's defense. Not to mention Mitchell and the vets at CB. My only conclusion is his cap # being too much to release him. Why not put him on IR like Browning. Solves that problem. Here's a quote from herm from the 8-29 Q/A:

Q: Have you ever let a guy go who worked his heart out and did everything he was asked but just didn’t get the job done, only to keep a guy that you didn’t think worked very hard but who had a lot more talent?

EDWARDS: “You know this is a business and sometimes you’re faced with situations that economically you can’t do. I’ll leave it at that. You understand that as the head coach and you have to do what’s best for the organization. Sometimes economics play a factor now and you hope that players you may have to keep you get the best out of them.”

Maybe that answers it. Please check into this one.

As I see it we might add a DE and or WR. How that effects the other spots only time will tell if it happens.

One more point to note is the lack of a backup FB and Cruz being banged up. Listening to Herm on the pregame before the Saints he seemed concerned about it. He mentioned we only have 1 FB and he is hurt. Didn't say much for Niklos who started the game obviously as he got cut. I had heard earlier in camp they were worried about this as well.

I know going into camp they were excited about Aaron Golliday hopefully making a push to make the roster as the 4th TE and backup FB/HBack to Wilson and Cruz and a possible future replacement for Dunn. He couldn't stay healthy and Docherty tried to make a push for the spot with no sucsess.

I think looking at FB prospects and a HBack TE like Terry Jones Jr. who was cut would be a better option than carrying 4 rbs.

And what's up with the love for Dee Brown? They kept Ross but still could have cut Brown. The main problem with rookie RB's always is pass routes and especially pass protection. Brown can catch but i don't see how Ross could be any worse than Brown was in pass protection this preseason. As far as special teams, Brown is not a return man. And he is no Derrick Blaylock on coverage teams either. 1 count em 1 special teams tackle last season. So why all the love for his special teams skills and why couldn't Ross take these reps there? Another head scratcher.

I know cap has much to do with any lack of vet cuts. And who knows, maybe something is in the works. Any vet that is one the roster week 1 has his salary guaranteed for the season if he gets cut, so we have time to see.

Just thought these were some interesting topics you and the staff could check into. Maybe, maybe not but they are on my mind off what otherwise looks like a pretty solid 53.

Now get your ass on the phone with your sources. :)