Ranking the Chiefs’ 2014 training camp battles: No. 1 — backup quarterback

[Mr_Tomahawk]

As a lead-in to the Chiefs’ training camp in St. Joseph, which begins when rookies and quarterbacks report July 20, The Star will rank the 10 most interesting position battles.

1. Backup quarterback

Quarterback is the most scrutinized position on the field, so there should be little surprise that the three-man race between Chase Daniel, Tyler Bray and Aaron Murray for the No. 2 job behind Alex Smith is the most interesting battle of camp.

All three players bring different strengths to the table, but before we dive into that, allow me to say this about Smith: he does not have the strongest arm in the world, and he isn’t a flashy guy. But he is, far and away, the best quarterback on the roster, and his performance during organized team activities proved it. In general, he made good decisions and was easily the most accurate quarterback of the four on the roster. The offense simply performed at a different level when he was on the field.

However, the others are interesting. Daniel proved he could play in the regular-season finale against San Diego, when he and the rest of the backups almost engineered a win over a playoff team. Though he doesn’t always make it look pretty, Daniel is a smart, heady player whose professionalism was valued by the Chiefs last season, and with this being his fourth season in the league, he is a veteran now.

Although the San Diego game was the only regular-season start he has during his entire career, if Smith goes down with an injury at some point, Reid might prefer it if a player Daniel’s age (27) took the reigns of a team hoping to earn playoff berth, as opposed to youngsters like Bray, 22, or Murray, 23.

Still, the problem for Reid is that the latter two probably have a higher upside than Daniel. Bray went undrafted in 2013 amid maturity concerns, but his physical tools are undeniable. At 6 feet 6, he is tall enough to see over his linemen, and he is blessed with a very strong arm, easily the strongest of all the quarterbacks on the roster. Because of this, he is a bit of a gunslinger — he never hesitated to chuck it deep during OTAs — but he can also make throws that the other quarterbacks cannot make. Reid also says Bray is more mature than he was last season and has a much better command of the offense. His potential is intriguing.

However, Bray still has a ways to go when it comes to pocket awareness, consistency and accuracy, and it was apparent during OTAs that he’s still got plenty to learn. But if he can prove during the preseason that he’s made significant strides since last season, the Chiefs could have a hard time cutting him, and might be forced to pick between keeping four quarterbacks — which is unusual — or making a tough choice between Daniel and Bray.

Murray, a fifth-round choice in this year’s draft, is likely a lock to make the team, even though he seems poised to spend this season learning Reid’s offense, just like Bray did a year ago. Like Daniel, he is 6 feet tall and isn’t the physical prototype of a quarterback like Bray is, but Murray possesses enough arm strength to throw it deep and has been praised for his intelligence and intangibles.

During OTAs, he took nearly all his reps behind Smith, Daniel and Bray, but he showed a willingness to scan the field in search of the open man, which is a sign of poise. He is certainly one to keep an eye on throughout the preseason, provided he continues to make progress in his recovery from the torn ACL he suffered last November. The Chiefs have to like the fact Murray, who wore a kneebrace during OTAs, did not seem terribly hampered by the injury once he reported for OTAs..

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

[RealSNR]

In all but one of those position battles (which is for a starting spot, so it has more weight anyway) the winner gets a spot and the loser gets booted off the team.

We're keeping 5 CBs. Whoever isn't our CB4 is our CB5. There's not really any pressure to produce or die, and even then we can say pretty confidently right now I think that the CB4 is going to be Parker.

That's why CB4 isn't interesting.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by SNR

In all but one of those position battles (which is for a starting spot, so it has more weight anyway) the winner gets a spot and the loser gets booted off the team.

We're keeping 5 CBs. Whoever isn't our CB4 is our CB5. There's not really any pressure to produce or die, and even then we can say pretty confidently right now I think that the CB4 is going to be Parker.

That's why CB4 isn't interesting.

Special teams ace tho....

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by SNR

We're keeping 5 CBs. Whoever isn't our CB4 is our CB5. There's not really any pressure to produce or die, and even then we can say pretty confidently right now I think that the CB4 is going to be Parker.



That's why CB4 isn't interesting.

So a guy we selected with one of our only two picks in the top 100 slots of the deepest draft in draft history will be our 5th string CB.. Barring injury, he will never see the field outside of special teams...

That's pretty interesting.

[ThaVirus]

Back up QB battles just aren't all that interesting because we'll only see that guy if our starter goes down with injury, in which case we'll already be ****ed anyway.

CB4, WR3, Mc****stick WR, SS2, NT2, etc. could all see 20+% of its units snaps even if we stay 100% healthy all season long.

[Chief Roundup]

The backup QB may be an interesting battle but I don't think any backup position is ahead of starters.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

I guess I need some serious correction because I just don't see what Fasano brings to the team that McGrath can't provide.

Better blocker, better route runner, better pass catcher.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

So a guy we selected with one of our only two picks in the top 100 slots of the deepest draft in draft history will be our 5th string CB.. Barring injury, he will never see the field outside of special teams...

That's pretty interesting.

In his rookie year? Yeah, that happens. A lot, actually. You play primarily special teams until the team needs you or your demonstrate that you're ready for more.

These are training camp battles. The depth chart for Week 1 is probably not going to be the depth chart for the rest of the season.

So barring a show of incompetence from someone like Marcus Cooper, yeah, that's how I see this working out.

[MMXcalibur]

Peyton Manning

[RealSNR]

In any case, you're definitely right, ThaVirus. It's an extreme relief that we're watching this take place between Gaines, Parker, and Cooper instead of Jalil Brown and Vince ****ing Agnew.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by SNR

In his rookie year? Yeah, that happens. A lot, actually. You play primarily special teams until the team needs you or your demonstrate that you're ready for more.

These are training camp battles. The depth chart for Week 1 is probably not going to be the depth chart for the rest of the season.

So barring a show of incompetence from someone like Marcus Cooper, yeah, that's how I see this working out.

"There's no depth on the team, KC sucks. "

"Their second highest pick in the draft is a 3rd stringer, KC sucks."

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

"There's no depth on the team, KC sucks. "

"Their second highest pick in the draft is a 3rd stringer, KC sucks."

See? That's the point I've been making all offseason.

Flowers was cut because the team valued the cap space more than they valued his spot on the team. That means they're comfortable with the depth they have assembled at CB.

I've been saying all along that our STARTERS are the question at CB, not our depth. If anything, CB is our deepest position on the team by far.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

Alex Smith
Chase Daniel
Tyler Bray

IR - Aaron Murray

This !

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by SNR

In his rookie year? Yeah, that happens. A lot, actually. You play primarily special teams until the team needs you or your demonstrate that you're ready for more.



These are training camp battles. The depth chart for Week 1 is probably not going to be the depth chart for the rest of the season.



So barring a show of incompetence from someone like Marcus Cooper, yeah, that's how I see this working out.

Fair enough. I was only saying that I was more interested in CB4 than QB2; not that it was more important.

Originally Posted by SNR

In any case, you're definitely right, ThaVirus. It's an extreme relief that we're watching this take place between Gaines, Parker, and Cooper instead of Jalil Brown and Vince ****ing Agnew.

Vince ****ing Agnew. You're right.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by SNR

I told you. You're going to see an equal amount of Jenkins and Hemingway when we go to 3 WRs. Sometimes Jenkins, sometimes Hemingway. Alex may pick a favorite target that he likes throwing to by the end of the year, but that shit isn't going to be solved in training camp.

The reason why CB4 isn't that interesting is because it's pretty much going to be Ron Parker. He knows the defense, has impressed the coaches all offseason, and is actually in line to compete for one of the starters positions. Where he falls on the depth chart will depend on whether or not Cooper makes the necessary strides from year 1 to 2.

I'll give you a handful of position battles that are far more up-in-the-air than CB4.

1. RG1- We already mentioned this one. This is for a starting spot, so it's kind of huge.

2. QB2- QB battles are always fun. If you don't like them, then something is wrong with you

3. NT2- Cory Grissom and Jaye Howard will actually be counted on to provide some snaps this year, unlike last year when Howard was inactive all year. Do we have a guy who can legitimately spell Poe when he needs a breather?

4. SS2- I think Jerron McMillan still has the goods to be a decent safety in the league-- no clue why the Packers gave up on him so early. Sorensen is claimed to be good, but he's still a rookie free agent. Malcom Bronson is a dark horse whom the coaches like a lot for some reason. This will be a tight battle to watch

5. OL: This entire line is one giant fatty battle royale. Fisher, Allen, Hudson, Stephenson are locks. May as well throw Kush in there too. Zach Fulton as well, even though he might not win the starting job, though he very well could. That leaves a camp battle for guard depth between Rishaw Johnson/Jeff Linkenbach if Johnson doesn't win the starting spot. We also need a backup swing tackle, and it's usually a bad idea to have one guy back up LT, RT, AND RG. Can Frenchie pull it off? What if J'Marcus Webb is the best? Is Linkenbach a cut from the roster, then in spite of his versatility?

6. TE3: Harris looked great without pads on. When full contact training camp starts, this battle might be over very quickly if he's just another Jon Baldwin. But if Harris keeps stuff up, this has the potential to be one of the fiercest mano-a-mano training camp battles on the team

7. Mc****stick WR: I really don't think that Deanthony Thomas can replace McCluster's route running or possession receiver skills. We may list him as a RB. If that's the case, then there's a huge opening for kick returner/midget WR/worthless gadget player. Dressler, Hammond Jr, Wilson, and the other ****sticks will all be duking it out as kick returners, special teamers, and Chad Hall replacements. Honestly, any of them could ****ing win. It's wide open and completely up in the air between 3 or 4 guys.

Good analysis SNR !

I will disagree about DeAnthony Thomas though, I think he is every bit 'ready now' to fill DMC's shoes with just as good ball skills and more quickness,cut and speed than DMC could ever be. I think Reid/Dorsey saw DMC's ceiling last season and realized they could get better in this draft at replacing DMC skills for much cheaper.

I want HAMMOND JR to be our return guy !! Kid is just gifted naturally at finding the seam with smooth deceptive explosive speed. Saw this last pre-season in the kid and have fell in love with his talent ever since.

What have you heard about this WR from the Canadian league ? Is he the real deal as some have said ??

[Coochie liquor]

Originally Posted by Inmem58

Not me

Shocked!!