7 Chiefs Roster Questions before the next round of cuts

[The Franchise]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/7-kansa...172910649.html

1. What happens with the backup quarterbacks?

Two thoughts from me:

1.) It would be a surprise if the Chiefs kept four quarterbacks;

2.) It would be a surprise if any of these quarterbacks were cut.

I feel fairly confident in both those statements but it doesn't get as any closer to answering the question. I keep coming back to this: The Chiefs drafted Aaron Murray three months ago so they surely had a plan for this situation.

Oh, and I think it would be a surprise if the Chiefs parted ways with Chase Daniel.

2. Will the Chiefs actually keep two kickers?

A league source tells me the #Chiefs are considering keeping two kickers. Obviously have two good ones in Santos and Succop. Teams need Ks.
- Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) August 26, 2014

Nah, the Chiefs aren't going to keep two kickers. That would be very unusual. I believe this is more about trading one of them. The thing is, the Chiefs could keep two kickers on the roster after they make their cuts this weekend and wait for someone to call before Week 1. That's a possibility. But I don't see them carrying two kickers into the regular season.

3. Who is the third (fourth?) tackle?

A couple things factor into this. The Chiefs will need an extra tackle during the first month of the season to account for Donald Stephenson's suspension. You also have to account for Jeff Allen's ability to play tackle in emergency situations. Eric Fisher is the only lock (besides Stephenson) to make it. Ryan Harris looks like the top candidate for the third tackle.

4. How does Joe Mays' injury factor in?

His injury will keep him out "for a while", according to Andy Reid. That leaves the starting inside linebacker job open. I'm guessing this will be multiple weeks of action or more. Josh Mauga, who was signed this offseason, and Nico Johnson, a 2013 fourth round pick, are vying for the job. Perhaps in a sign they're still tinkering, the Chiefs played Frank Zombo some at inside linebacker recently.

5. How many offensive linemen do the Chiefs keep?

I would put the range at 8-10 players. Obviously, the more linemen you keep, the less options you have at other positions. There will be injuries along the line so the Chiefs have to be prepared for that. Is 10 too many? Or do the Chiefs need all the help they can get on the line?

This looks like the starting five: Eric Fisher, Jeff Allen, Rodney Hudson, Zach Fulton, Donald Stephenson

The rest are competing for 3-5 spots, including Jeff Linkenbach, Ricky Henry, Eric Kush, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Ryan Harris, J'Marcus Webb, and others.

Obviously, the Chiefs will have to factor in the Donald Stephenson suspension. He will not count against the 53-man roster in the first month of the season. That may force them to keep an extra tackle during the first month of the season.

6. Which young receiver(s) makes the team?

The Chiefs obviously have a need at receiver not just this year but down the line as well. They need young receivers on the roster they can develop. Undrafted receiver Albert Wilson looks like a good bet to make the team. Frankie Hammond spent last season on the practice squad and could be another young receiver to make it. Remember, the Chiefs will have to factor in Dwayne Bowe's suspension as he won't count against the roster in Week 1.

7. Will all the rookies make the team?

There's the Aaron Murray question which, as noted above, we don't know have any idea how the Chiefs will handle. Sixth round pick Zach Fulton is a likely starter so he's going to make it. Then there's Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who has been mostly at guard in his Chiefs career. Would he be safe on the practice squad? That could be a debate the Chiefs having now.

The higher picks -- Dee Ford, Phillip Gaines and De'Anthony Thomas -- are all going to make it.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

He can contribute immediately on special teams. Get rid of somebody that costs a lot more.

I don't really know if there's anybody like that. The players he's going up against to make the final roster are players like Nico Johnson, Van Dyke, Pepe LePew, and AJ Jenkins. And with the Mays injury, Nico Johnson becomes more valuable.

I'm not saying Sorensen won't make the roster. In fact, I think he probably will. I just view him as somebody who's going to be inactivated every week.

[John Dope]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

He can contribute immediately on special teams. Get rid of somebody that costs a lot more.

I don't know man. I don't think they like him there and that's part of the reason they brought in McCray. Sorenson wasn't good on special teams.

I don't think they'll put Berry on ST this year because of the injury and he's played ST every year in the past. I really think they'll keep five safeties on the 53. Sorenson will back up Berry and McCray will play ST. mcCray is a ST stud.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by John Dope

I don't know man. I don't think they like him there and that's part of the reason they brought in McCray. Sorenson wasn't good on special teams.

I don't think they'll put Berry on ST this year because of the injury and he's played ST every year in the past. I really think they'll keep five safeties on the 53. Sorenson will back up Berry and McCray will play ST. mcCray is a ST stud.

If Berry's playing FS this year, wouldn't Bronson be his backup?

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by SNR

I don't really know if there's anybody like that. The players he's going up against to make the final roster are players like Nico Johnson, Van Dyke, Pepe LePew, and AJ Jenkins. And with the Mays injury, Nico Johnson becomes more valuable.

I'm not saying Sorensen won't make the roster. In fact, I think he probably will. I just view him as somebody who's going to be inactivated every week.

I don't mind that. Just don't cut him.

We need guys like him on the team. Just because he hasn't flashed yet in PS doesn't mean anything. He has an entire college career that suggests he can play a role.

[Coogs]

Sounds like Bray could be the one going to IR. Hurt an ankle and a knee last night.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl...le1324937.html

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Coogs

Sounds like Bray could be the one going to IR. Hurt an ankle and a knee last night.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl...le1324937.html

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

What are you saying no to? It says right in the article he could go on IR.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by Coogs

What are you saying no to? It says right in the article he could go on IR.

I think he's disappointed.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

I think he's disappointed.

Oh, okay! I thought he was in disagreement.

[htismaqe]

I don't think it's worth putting him on IR. Give him an injury settlement and move on.

Ideally, they'd be looking at him and Murray going forward but we all know Chase has his spot locked up. Why mess around with a guy that is never going to come close to seeing the field?

[Stewie]

Terez Paylor's stab at the Final 53...

Quarterbacks (3) — Alex Smith, Chase Daniel, Aaron Murray: After Reid’s revelation regarding Tyler Bray, who apparently suffered ankle and knee injuries, I expect these three to make the roster with Bray headed to injured reserve. How timely.

Running backs (4) — Jamaal Charles, Knile Davis, De’Anthony Thomas, Joe McKnight: The top three are no surprise, but I suspect the Chiefs might be wooed by McKnight’s versatility and offensive ceiling, which might be a little higher than Gray’s. Special teams coach Dave Toub has praised Gray’s contributions on his units, however, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out. Charcandrick West could be a practice squad candidate.

Fullback (1) — Anthony Sherman: Sherman has emerged as one of the league’s best fullbacks, so there was no way Jordan Campbell was beating him out. But Campbell could easily make the practice squad.

Receivers (6) — Donnie Avery, Albert Wilson, Frankie Hammond, Junior Hemingway, A.J. Jenkins, Kyle Williams: With Bowe suspended for week one, this is an easy decision, at least for this week. The Chiefs are quite fond of Wilson’s upside, while Reid has praised Hammond. Hemingway’s versatility brings value, while Jenkins remains inconsistent but has occasionally shown flashes. The Chiefs could try to sneak Mark Harrison onto the practice squad.

Tight ends (3) — Anthony Fasano, Travis Kelce, Demetrius Harris: The first two are locks. Harris didn’t help himself against Green Bay, but there is upside there. The Chiefs already know what they have in Richard Gordon, a veteran who could still be available in a few weeks if they cut him.

Offensive line (9) — Eric Fisher, Mike McGlynn, Rodney Hudson, Zach Fulton, Jeff Allen, Eric Kush, Ricky Henry, Ryan Harris, Jeff Linkenbach: Donald Stephenson will obviously make the team, but he won’t count against the 53-man roster until his suspension concludes after week four. In the meantime, I expect nine to make it, with the Chiefs trying to stash sixth-round pick Laurent Duvernay-Tardif on the practice squad. In this scenario, tackle J’Marcus Webb would get the ax, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Chiefs added another body here.

Defensive line (6) — Allen Bailey, Dontari Poe, Mike DeVito, Jaye Howard, Vance Walker, Kyle Love: The Chiefs haven’t been able to get Mike Catapano much work over the past month due to a mystery illness, so it’s hard to count him in this projection. He could easily land on injured reserve. Jaye Howard has performed well in his absence and has seemingly earned a spot, while I’ve got Love edging out Dominique Hamilton due to his experience and the fact the Chiefs can probably sneak Hamilton, who has played well this preseason, onto the practice squad.

Outside linebacker (5) — Tamba Hali, Justin Houston, Dee Ford, Josh Martin, Frank Zombo: One of the easiest projections on the roster. The first four offer pass-rushing upside while Zombo is an experienced veteran with special-teams chops.

Inside linebacker (4) — Derrick Johnson, Josh Mauga, James-Michael Johnson, Nico Johnson: Now things get interesting. I’ll go ahead and predict the Chiefs will use their one injured-reserve spot with a designation to return on Joe Mays, which keeps Nico Johnson on the roster.

Cornerback (5) — Marcus Cooper, Sean Smith, Ron Parker, Chris Owens, Phillip Gaines: The first five are no brainers, but one could argue DeMarcus Van Dyke has certainly played his way onto this roster. His recovery speed is a boon in today’s pass-happy NFL, and he’s had a strong preseason. But the high ankle sprain he suffered against the Packers complicates things.

Safety (4) — Eric Berry, Husain Abdullah, Daniel Sorensen, Kelcie McCray: This has been the top four since the beginning of camp. I think Sorensen is safe, but I’ve got the Chiefs keeping the veteran McCray over Malcolm Bronson, who they could probably add to the practice squad. We’ll see.

Specialists (3) — Cairo Santos, Dustin Colquitt, Thomas Gafford: I’ve got Santos beating out Succop, though this is a bit of a coin flip. If the Chiefs are interested in bringing in their own guy and saving money this year, that’s where they’ll go.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt...#storylink=cpy

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Coogs

Sounds like Bray could be the one going to IR. Hurt an ankle and a knee last night.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl...le1324937.html

I think everyone figured that either Murray or Bray would end up on IR.

[The Franchise]

#Bills are continuing to shop for QBs, looking for a #2.

— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) August 29, 2014

Please take Daniel.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

I think everyone figured that either Murray or Bray would end up on IR.

Knew the masses were wanting Murry to go IR. Hadn't seen Bray mentioned there much.

[RealSNR]

Wow. The flu would put Catapano on injured reserve?

Good Christ.