Chiefs: Preseason Game 4 – OPEN THREAD

Chiefs: Preseason Game 4

OPEN THREAD

by Laddie Morse

Tonight’s preseason game 4 begins at 7:30 PM CDT.

The bubble is about to burst for 27 young men. That is, the NFL dream bubble and I say 27 because if a player doesn’t make the 53 man roster, then they can tell themselves that the dream is still alive by making the Chiefs 10-player practice squad.

For the Chiefs general manager, Brett Veach, the proposition, and equation, is much different. For the Veach Boys (he and his evaluation posse) it’s 27 times 31 teams — which comes to 837 — players to know and rank (I arrived at 27 by taking the 90 man training camp roster and subtracting the 63 who will be left over: 53 + 10 on the PS). When you consider that there are going to be approximately 10 players on 31 other teams practice squads — who will all be immediately ripe for the picking — the Chiefs player personnel evaluators have more than 1,100 players to keep track of and know everything there is to know about them.

With the Chiefs apparent deficiencies on defense, you can expect a couple of pickups… which also means that players the Chiefs originally place on their own practice squad may end up getting bumped by the players the Chief replace on he 53 man roster who are getting bumped by players they pick up from the recycling bin of other teams.

So, while the Chiefs starters will all make up a cheerleading squad along the sidelines in this game, the 2nd and 3rd teamers will all be in a fight for their NFL lives. So, which numbers are the numbers, realistically, in a “Bubble Battle?”

#12 WR Gehrig Dieter vs #19 WR Marcus Kemp

It looks like Kemp may have already won this battle but if one guy has a miserable game while the other balls-out, it could change that. I’d like to see them both make the team which would mean someone like De’Anthony Thomas would have to be cut or traded by Saturday, which, doesn’t seem likely.

#82 TE Alex Ellis vs #89 TE Jace Amaro

Once again, it appears as if Alex Ellis may have already locked up the #3 TE position behind Travis Kelce and Demetrius Harris, but since Harris is suspended for regular season game #1, both Amaro and Ellis could find themselves on the 53 man roster in week one. After that, I’m betting on Ellis to stick.

#5 QB Matt McGloin vs #8 Chase Litton

Matt McGloin is the 5-year veteran who has started 7 games in the NFL, appearing in 13 games and thrown for 1,868 yards with 11 TDs and 11 INTs. Since we know that Chad Henne is going to be the #2 QB, then the real race is for the #3 QB spot on the roster which is between the unspectacular Matt McGloin and unknown rookie, Chase Litton… assuming the Chiefs keep 3 QBs. While McGloin has had his moments in the preseason, Litton has looked like world beaters at least part of the time that he’s been on the field. With Reid’s increasing comfort in Henne as the backup, my guess is that Reid is more willing to take a chance on Litton so he can, coach-em-up. Otherwise, it’s too close for comfort because Reid’s normal M.O. is to go with a veteran.

Sorting out the Backup Offensive Linemen

The Chiefs backups are as competitive as ever and a number of them could stick or be sent to the Practice Squad so I’ll just list the Numbers of the players you may want to watch:

• #67 OL Jimmy Murray
• #66 OL Khalil McKenzie
• #60 OL Ryan Hunter
• #65 OL Jordon Devey
• #77 OL Andrew Wylie
• #70 OL Bryan Witzmann
• #79 OL Parker Ehinger

The Defensive Linemen

I think the big question here is, who will end up on the practice squad?

• #99 DL T.Y. McGill
• #96 DL Dee Liner
• #90 DL Stephan Charles
• #74 DL Justin Hamilton

#48 ILB Terrance Smith vs #56 Ben Niemann

There quite a groundswell for Ben Niemann to make the 53 man roster right now which would in all likelihood leave Terrance Smith out on the street. The more I watch tape on Niemann, I’m convinced he has the football knowledge and quickness to diagnose plays before they materialize. That should mean he’s a roster lock but you never know as Terrance Smith has been with the team as a UDFA since 2016 and he’s seen a number of ILBs come and go in that time and has been the last man standing in a sense. Smith has been one of Dave Toub’s special teams warriors so you can bet Toub is speaking up for him in their nightly coaches meetings. However, the ascendence of other, younger, players on special teams may mean Smith could be replaced there leaving his only chance to make the team coming from his play at ILB… where Niemann appears to have a leg up.

Sorting Out the Mess at CB

Will Steven Nelson stay healthy? Can David Amerson “tighten things up” as Reid has hinted he needs to do? Will Orlando Scandrick be a hinderance or a help? How long until rookie Tremon Smith can move into a starting role? Is there still a chance that Veach can sign Bashaud Breeland? Those are the important questions facing the starters at CB.

As for the backups? It’s a rat race to see who will fill the last spot on the CB roster. Favorites include, in order:

#38 CB Arrion Springs – 5-11, 205 – UDFA – has looked great in camp and preseason. Has been said that he may get some looks at Safety. That would be a good idea if true. I’ll be looking for that tonight. Grew up in San Antonio and played college ball for the Oregon Ducks. He’s my offseason sleeper. If he goes to the PS, he’ll be gone in the “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (NFL version).

#30 CB Keith Reaser – 32 games at UAB, had an ACL, very good college stats, drafted by 49ers in 5th round in 2014, released 09/16/17. Signed 3 days later by Veach.

#26 CB Will Redmond – Miss. St., 3rd round pick by 49ers in 2016 (projected 1st rounder by Kiper and McShay), had ACL & missed rookie season, cut in Sept of 2017, signed by Veach in Nov. of 2017.

Keeping an Eye on the Safeties

I say, “keeping an eye on the safeties” because I don’t think there’s anything to figure out here. If Brett Veach were to clean house and sign a group of other safeties off of other teams and scrap Leon McQuay, Eric Murray, Jordon Stearns, and anyone but Eric Berry or Armani Watts, it would be fine with me. My hope is that Andy Reid gets over the idea that he’s going to give his young guns an opportunity to develop. I say, we’ve seen enough to know there isn’t any hope there.  Please go out and sign or trade for a vet. Now. Please.

Well, that’s what I’ll be keeping my eyes on during Preseason Game 4. How about you?