LOONEY -Charting the 53
 

CHARTING THE 53
September 16th – 6:00 AM

The Chiefs made their newest member of the club’s 53-man roster official yesterday afternoon. As WR Bobby Wade’s membership was put into ink by Kansas City, “Tryout Tuesday” was going on across the league. With many vested veterans available for hire, Week Two in the NFL has already proven to be an active week on the NFL’s transaction wire.

So, what does Wade bring to the table in Kansas City? I mean, we all know he can catch the football. But what does he bring that is different from all of the other players available on the market (and there are some big names out there – WRs Lance Long and Hank Baskett seem to be getting the most love from Chiefs fans I’ve talked to).

To me, it seems like Wade matches with the Chiefs on two accounts. His first match with Kansas City is the fact that Wade and head coach Todd Haley worked together in Chicago, during Wade’s rookie season (2003). There’s your base. Match One: Familiarity.

But “Chiefs match” number two is the most important. You see, Wade just might be part of the “right 53.”

“The thing I’ve been stressing to these guys is finding the right 53,” Haley said about his message to Chiefs players. “We’re going to do it at all costs. Every day is an evaluation, and if you’re not out there, how can we depend on you? If you’re out there and don’t know what to do, how can we depend on you?”

So why depend on Wade? How might he fit into the “right 53?” What makes the former all-time receiving leader at the University of Arizona, and seven-year NFL veteran, worth a shot? Two matches: Familiarity and need.

“After reviewing the tape, I thought special-teams wise it was a pretty solid performance,” Haley said yesterday. “Our special teams gave us a chance to win in most areas, but I would have liked to be better in the return game.”

That quote right there, paired with Haley’s post-game comment about being a bit disappointed in the awareness and technique of the Chiefs receivers core this Sunday, opened the door for a need. Those needs at receiver and at returner, paired with familiarity, are what looks like made Bobby Wade the newest Kansas City Chief.

Wade can return the football (50 kickoff returns for 1,194 yards/57 punt returns for 500 yards with a TD) and Wade can catch the football (208 receptions for 2,491 yards and seven TDs). He has the potential to fill two needs that Haley has identified. He has a chance to be part of the “right 53.”

Now it’s up to Wade to become dependable to this coaching staff. If the newest Chief is uncertain of expectations, which I’m sure he’s not, Haley left his receiving core some hints yesterday.

“Like I tell them: are you doing it how we’re coaching you and then it comes down to how well are you able to do it,” Haley said of the Chiefs wide receivers. “Talent is the great separator. There may be some guys who are doing it the way we want it done but maybe they’re just not good enough. Then maybe there are some guys that probably potentially could be really good but they’re not doing it the way we want it done.

“I want football players who are physical, physical receivers like I want at every position, guys who help block in the run game,” Haley continued. “I want football players, not just pass catchers, and then that have the ability to make plays when their number is called and in critical situations in difficult press coverage man-to-man.”

Are WRs Lance Long and Hank Baskett better than the WRs who are currently on the roster? It seems like there are plenty of WRs to pick from. I guess O-lineman don't grow on trees though.

They just added Lance Long to the practice squad.

Cut Copper and sign Baskett.

Has Matt Jones been blacklisted???

yup along with Marvin Harrison. If he's healthy there is absolutely NO reason why we shouldnt at least bring the guy in. I guess unless he wants a gross ton of money.

How someone in public relations makes these kinds of errors is beyond me. I like Josh Looney but C'MON dude...

WR LANCE LONG JOINS CHIEFS
September 16th – 9:34 AM

Yesterday’s acquisition of WR Bobby Wade wasn’t the only move that the Chiefs made this week to bolster the potential of the club’s wide receiving core. This morning, the Chiefs agreed to terms with former Arizona Cardinals WR Lance Long. Long will join the team’s practice squad effective immediately.

Long spent his entire rookie season on the Cardinals practice squad under the offensive guidance of Chiefs head coach Todd Haley in 2008. Similar to Wade signing with the Chiefs active roster yesterday, Long brings a since of familiarity with him to Kansas City.

Long made his NFL debut on Sunday in Arizona’s season opener vs. San Francisco. He played on offense and special teams, but did not record any statistics. He was waived by Arizona on Monday.

Long originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent in 2008 with Arizona. The Mississippi State product played in 35 games (seven starts) for the Bulldogs after transferring from Toledo following his freshman season. He recorded 46 receptions for 321 yards (6.98 avg.) with a TD at MSU. He also contributed on special teams with one punt return for four yards and eight kickoff returns for 100 yards (12.5 avg.).

The team released WR Rodney Wright from the practice squad to complete the transaction.

One thing to keep in mind is that Haley was pretty ticked off at Bradley for not pushing to get the first down on a 3rd and 7 catch one yard away from the first down marker.
Haley verbally stomped Bradley on his effort of not getting the first down when Bradley made the catch, was stood up by one defender while running parallel to the marker allowing another defender to come in and cleanup. Hiring two receivers in the last week is evident to me that Bradley is on the hot seat.

Eh, I don't mind actually. He's supposed to be bringing a fan perspective to the Chiefs, and a lot of what he's doing is through twitter, forums, and blogs. While I do think they should have an editor catching stuff like that, it reinforces the perception that he's more of an everyman when it's a little more raw and less polished.

He also made the huge catch to keep us in the game. I don't believe Haley is pleased with Bradley about a couple of plays, but I believe he still starts unless Wade can step-up.

I would also add that Looney's report is from 6:00 A.M. The news report about Long signing is listed at 9:34 A.M., three hours LATER.

I'll agree with the perspective thing. Like I said, I like Josh Looney. And I love the new web site. I just struggle with my grammatical quirks and would expect a professional site like theirs to be on the money. Either way, I'm cool...probably just bored.

I guess it's really a question of where the "informal" ends and the "formal" begins. He's running the spectrum of social media. I certainly wouldn't expect him to be grammatically correct on Twitter, nor would I expect that in the forums or the "live blog." The "Access Arrowhead Blog" is kind on the border between social media and news article, though, so it's tough to know where it should stand.

I guess, in the end, I'd rather have him just churning out unpolished information and telling us what he knows rather than having him filter everything through an editor. We've had enough of the Rufus Dawes and Bob Gretzes (pre-2009) on the site, so I'm glad to see a more straight-forward approach. But that's my personal preference.

That was a ****ing GREAT throw and catch. Beautiful play to watch.
Posted via Mobile Device

Lance Long Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Weight: 186 lb (84 kg)
Bobby Wade Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Weight: 186 lb (84 kg)

lets get some more undersized receivers guys

That doesn't necessarily mean anything (see Eddie Royal). It's tough to be the #1 at that size, but that doesn't mean they can't play a big role in an offense.

Steve Smith, 5'8", 185.

Damn it, MM, I was about to inform him that Steve Smith was coming over to break his jaw.

Wes Welker, Lance Moore, DeSean Jackson... size doesn't matter, at least that's what I keep telling myself. :hmmm:

Steve Smith Height: 5 ft 9 in Weight: 185

2 inches shorter than Long AND Wade. He must suck!

Or... You must not watch much of the NFL.

If they can get open and catch the ball, I don't care if they are 5 ft.

Randy Moss Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Weight: 210 lb (95 kg)
Reggie Wayne Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Weight: 198 lb (90 kg)
Andre Johnson Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight: 223 lb (101 kg)
Terrell Owens Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight: 224 lb (102 kg)
Jerry Rice Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Weight: 200 lb (91 kg)
Michael Irvin Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Weight: 207 lb (94 kg)
Dwayne Bowe Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Weight: 221 lb (100 kg)
Ochocinco Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Weight: 192 lb (87 kg)
Larry Fitzgerald Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight: 217 lb (98 kg)
Anquan Boldin Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Weight: 217 lb (98 kg)


you guys gave me 3 and I could keep going if I wanted
my point is the Haley is used to success with two elite receivers who can manhandle the corners and safeties
general thought is that if the receiver is taller than the corner he has a better chance to catch the football
or are you not familiar with common sense?

the reason I put rice and irvin in there is not because I think all the people I listed are equally talented but they are considered two of the better wrs to play the game

Steve Smith
Wes Welker
Eddie Royal
Santonio Holmes
Santana Moss
DeSean Jackson
Lance Moore
Devin Hester
Lee Evans
Ted Ginn
Donnie Avery

Of course there's going to be more quality big receivers. They have a natural advantage. But talent is infinitely more important.

You do realize that we're not expecting Wade or Long to be our #1 receiver.....right?

Haley coached Steve Breaston last year and he is exactly 1 inch taller/3 pounds heavier than Lance Long.
A difference that is probably pretty difficult to notice from eyeballing them.

For every great Wide Receiver who is 6' or taller I can name two bums equally as tall/big.

It's the talent that ultimately makes the difference.

Stop with this... Please.

I can't believe Greg Jennings is in no one's WR list...

Eddie Royal had one good year

Seems like Long sucked balls in college for a school that wasn't even that good... I mean I wanted him because I heard the Cards like him a lot... but the stats surprise me.

Dude. I hope you're being sarcastic.

It's not just that. Steve Breaston wasn't really all that fast either. According to NFL Draft Scout, his low was 4.43 and his high was 4.51, so he's an average 4.46. Not only is he a productive reciever, they turned him into a RETURNER.

In fairness Breaston was a really good return man in college, so it's something he had been doing for awhile.

He's pretty smart and has good field vision. But he wasn't an All-Big 10 caliber player really at any point in his career.

I stand corrected, he was a REALLY good return man in college.

Michigan's all-time leading kick AND punt returner and 4-time Big 10 special teams player of the week. Also has a Rose Bowl record for All-Purpose yards.

Lance Long:

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Long looks like "Haley" type of guy. We will see if he has the talent and upside to hang on. Lord knows he'll have the opportunity with out weak-ass WR corps

Wat about Torry Holt and Bruce... They were pretty small...

they are both six feet tall and roughly 190
but I have already given up on making my point
I like Bobby Wade
this white guy though............

Ah ha... I started reading this, looked over, and was like.. Huh? DenverChief is usually fairly literate... ::chuckle::

:D