Lilja's back

[Hammock Parties]

Thank god.

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/09/08...unleashes.html

Chiefs coach Todd Haley said he never stopped having confidence in his kick returners, even as they struggled during the first two preseason games. Haley held back Javier Arenas, Dexter McCluster and Steve Breaston while a handful of fringe players were given chances.

Those players didn’t make a solid impression, and now Kansas City’s marquee returners are back in the spotlight.

“I’ve been evaluating off of everything that we’ve done in practice,” Haley said, “and having a pretty good idea of who the guys were that were going to be back there.”

Arenas stood out in the final preseason game, returning a kickoff 49 yards and averaging 29 yards for three kickoff returns. He has primarily been a punt returner, but Haley said there would be a “complete mix” among the team’s three returners, depending on each player’s work on either offense or defense. Arenas is a cornerback, and McCluster and Breaston are wide receivers.

Haley said another reason he held back the three returners in the preseason was they were still learning their other assignments.

“There was a lot going on there,” Haley said. “I feel good about our special teams in general.”

Chiefs add more versatility

Haley said the team brought in two new players this week in part because of their ability to play more than one position. Haley has emphasized this preference, saying versatile players would give the Chiefs more options when coaches have to fill out their 46-man game-day roster, leaving seven players inactive.

Kansas City added tight end Kyle Nelson, who’s also an experienced long snapper, to its practice squad Thursday. Earlier this week, the Chiefs were awarded tackle Steve Maneri on a waiver claim. Maneri, a 6-foot-6, 290-pounder, also has played tight end.

“You don’t see many 300-pounders playing tight end,” Haley said. “He’s athletic, and he can move around. He’s here to be a tackle, first and foremost.”

Injured Siler watches practice

Linebacker Brandon Siler, placed on injured reserve because of a leg injury two weeks after the Chiefs signed him, attended practice Thursday.

Siler tore the Achilles’ tendon in his left leg two weeks ago, ending his season. With his left lower leg heavily bandaged, Siler leaned on a mobile platform during his team’s practice. At one point, coach Todd Haley walked over to Siler and shook his hand.

Injury report

Quarterback Matt Cassel (rib) remained on the Chiefs’ injury report, but for the second consecutive day, he was listed as a full participant. Left guard Ryan Lilja also practiced fully after missing Wednesday’s workout because of a matter unrelated to injury. Rookie wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin (thumb) didn’t practice.

For Buffalo, linebacker Arthur Moats (knee) and nose tackle Torrell Troup (lower back) missed practice Thursday. Troup had been a limited practice participant a day earlier.

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by Rausch

I'd disagree, but ok...

He finished last year as the 2nd best run blocking right guard in the NFL.

[Okie_Apparition]

Lilja didn't play last year against the Bills. I don't have the guts to check & see how they covered for his absence

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by Okie_Apparition

Lilja didn't play last year against the Bills. I don't have the guts to check & see how they covered for his absence

Rhymes with "Ice-donger?"

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by KCrockaholic

He finished last year as the 2nd best run blocking right guard in the NFL.

As a pass blocking guard, wasn't he in the bottom 10?

[Hammock Parties]

According to PFF Lilja was the 5th best run blocker and 64th best pass blocker out of 82 guards. Only one sack, but 20 pressures.

His pass blocking was sort of streaky though. He had a few good games, a few bad ones and a bunch of mediocre ones.

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by Gif Horse

According to PFF Lilja was the 5th best run blocker and 64th best pass blocker out of 82 guards. Only one sack, but 20 pressures.

His pass blocking was sort of streaky though. He had a few good games, a few bad ones and a bunch of mediocre ones.

From PFF. Lilja was picked to be on their All-AFC West team.

Right Guard

Ryan Lilja (Kansas City Chiefs)

Struggled in pass pro, but brought much to the table in the run game. Finished as our number two run blocking right guard.

Best Player: No one contributed more to their running game on the line than Ryan Lilja. A shrewd signing.

http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog...%80%93-part-2/

[KCrockaholic]

I think you should share your password and username by the way Gif Horse...

[Hammock Parties]

No, I'd probably lose the account. And then we couldn't have nice things.

I wonder how much Lilja's position switch contributed to his pass blocking struggles. He was better the year before as a pass blocker at LG.

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by Gif Horse

No, I'd probably lose the account. And then we couldn't have nice things.

I wonder how much Lilja's position switch contributed to his pass blocking struggles. He was better the year before as a pass blocker at LG.

Maybe he just looked better considering Peyton was his QB.

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by KCrockaholic

From PFF. Lilja was picked to be on their All-AFC West team.

PFF is a joke, and their rankings are worse than useless.

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

PFF is a joke, and their rankings are worse than useless.

Ok. IDK about their rankings. But their in depth stats are awesome and can't really be found anywhere else. Where else are you going to find pressures allowed and run block success?

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

PFF is a joke, and their rankings are worse than useless.

It's a brilliant site, even used by people in the NFL, and you are an ignorant dunderhead.