Fleming still starting on the outside, Gaines still in the slot.
 

Wow.

It is amazing how fast the Chiefs went from full-on homer with Marcus Cooper to now pretending the guy doesn't exist.

We need more information on this Fleming kid. Anybody follow him prior to him ending up in KC?

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl...le3258069.html

Chiefs to stick with new starters in the secondary on Sunday
By RANDY COVITZ-
10/22/2014 3:04 PM

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said the team likely will stick with cornerbacks Jamell Fleming and rookie Phillip Gaines in the lineup Sunday against St. Louis.

Fleming, who was signed during the second week of the season, started at left cornerback in place of Marcus Cooper, and Gaines opened at nickel back.

“There’s a chance we’ll do that,” Reid said. “There were some good things that Fleming did. He settled down as the game went on. His juices were flowing early. Gaines did a good job on the inside, and when he had chances on the outside, he did a nice job there.

“I came out feeling positive about it. Is there room to improve? We have to continue to get better there.”

Smith’s Rams memory

Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith’s life turned upside down the last time he faced the St. Louis Rams.

While playing for San Francisco, he suffered a concussion on Nov. 11, 2012, in a 24-24 tie against St. Louis, and he never returned to the lineup. Smith’s backup, Colin Kaepernick, started the final seven regular-season games, three postseason games and the Super Bowl, and Smith was traded to the Chiefs in the spring of 2013.

“I haven’t given it that much thought,” Smith said. “Certainly I recognize when we go over the personnel, some of these guys. I remember the game. I remember it well. But I haven’t really thought about the what-ifs.”

Smith, who rushed for a club-record 431 yards by a quarterback last season, uses the feet-first slide more than he did as a younger player, but not because of the hit he absorbed against the Rams.

“You get older, you get smarter,” said Smith, 30. “Whether you like it or not, as a quarterback, you’re a target, and you get outside the pocket, some of the rules that protect you go away. So it’s being smart, understanding situations, and for the most part protecting yourself when you get outside the pocket.”

Injury report

The Chiefs said wide receivers Donnie Avery (sports hernia) and Junior Hemingway (strained hamstring), and cornerback Chris Owens (concussion) did not practice Wednesday. Strong safety Eric Berry, who has missed the last four games because of a high ankle sprain, worked with the scout team and was to be re-evaluated after practice.

Tight end Travis Kelce (ribs) and cornerback Sean Smith (groin) were limited.

The Rams said cornerback Janoris Jenkins (knee), guard Rodger Saffold (knee), defensive end William Hayes (illness), safety T.J. McDondald (concussion) and wide receiver Kenny Britt (ankle) did not practice.

Dorsey, Bienemy nominated

Chiefs general manager John Dorsey and running backs coach Eric Bienemy are among several players with ties to the team who have been nominated for the College Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2015.

Dorsey, a linebacker at Connecticut during 1981-83, was nominated in the Divisional class. Bienemy, a running back at Colorado, helped lead the Buffaloes to the 1990 national title.

Former Chiefs who were nominated include defensive end Art Still, an all-American at Kentucky and the club’s first pick in the 1978 draft; and running back Paul Palmer of Temple, who led the nation in rushing and was a first-round pick in 1987.

That said, if this Fleming kid pans out, we're looking suddenly handsome at the CB position. Berry should be back very soon and Owens will return before the season's over.

CB: Sean Smith, Fleming as starters
Owens, Cooper, and Gaines as support.

Berry, Abdullah, Parker and Coleman at safety.

So long as Fleming pans out (huge if), we'd suddenly have a pretty readymade secondary for a postseason push.

i guess this means berry probably isnt playing. i would think if he was theyd move parker into the slot over gains. not sure though, what do you guys think the line up will look like when berry comes back?

Berry and Abdullah will start. Parker will come in on dime packages, which the Chiefs play in approximately 50% of the time anyway.

Gaines stays at nickel regardless if Berry returns. The only threat to Gaines in the slot is when Chris Owens returns. When Owens comes back, they may opt to try Gaines on the outside if Fleming hasn't quickly progressed.

That would be great.

thats good i figured they would have parker as the nickle back. i think youre right, and hope youre right. i think both have shown too much to not have a spot somewhere. hopefully gaines keeps tearing it up and can move to the outside when owens comes back, i think that would be the ideal situation.

You're ****ing high.

The IDEAL situation is that Gaines keeps playing at a high level and Marcus Cooper figures his shit out.

That means the Chiefs can release Sean Smith this offseason and spend next year's 1st rounder on a playmaker at WR rather than a CB.

As long as the Chiefs score more points than their opponents, they will win some games.

It's all contingent on Fleming panning out, which I've been very frank about.

If Fleming does pan out, all of what I've said is true. That's an above-average NFL secondary.

http://www.sbnation.com/2012/4/10/29...couting-report

Jamell Fleming 2012 NFL Draft scouting report
By Dan Kadar
on Apr 10 2012, 9:45a

Jamell Fleming
5'10 5/8, 206 pounds | Cornerback | Oklahoma

Ball skills: Shows good body control to adjust and make a play on the ball. Paced the Big 12 in 2011 with 19 passes defended, which included five interceptions. Finished his career with seven interceptions and 24 pass breakups.

Man coverage: Fleming can make a play on the ball and doesn't give up many big plays over the top. Has fluid hips and can turn in run with almost any wide receiver over short distances. Straight line speed appears to only be above average. Often played on the short side of the field which helped mask his speed issues. Maintains good balance in his backpedal. Doesn't have a lot of experience jamming at the line.

Size: Fleming has average size and arm length for the position. Possesses a thick build and has NFL-ready playing strength.

Tackling: Decent but needs to get better as a tackler. Fleming doesn't always play up to his size and will get lazy on tackles. Would like to see him become more aggressive shedding blockers.

Zone coverage: Plays space really well and could be an excellent zone corner. Doesn't overplay on routes and knows when he should rely on teammates to pick up a receiver coming through his area. Breaks on the ball and closes well. Will lose track of the receiver at times looking into the backfield. Typically played on the boundary side of the field.

Final word: There isn't a single area of Fleming's game that makes him a standout player. He's just a solid player. He's not overly deficient in any area and his play shouldn't hurt at team. Whoever drafts him, though, needs to realize his ceiling may be as a solid No. 2 cornerback. It should be noted that Fleming had academic issues on more than one occasion causing him to miss spring practice.

That is surprising that Cooper played no snaps at all on defense. And he was active for the game.

Cooper sucks

Im wearing my Berry jersey to the game Sunday, he better ****ing play.

And what if he doesn't? What are you going to do about it. :D