Chiefs: Saturday’s Vanishing Point

Chiefs: Saturday’s Vanishing Point

by David Bell

It’s Wednesday, early in the morning. At the Kingdom, I think Wednesday, early in the morning is going on too. On Thursday, after the game versus the Pack, we will have seen things that we need to see and we will know a lot more about the players likely to make the final 53 man Roster.

I mentioned the other day that I tend to view this as a 63 player deal. If I went through the list and said to you or my nearest girl friend from San Antonio (Boy, I sure miss her), friend, which WR will the Chiefs keep and she would say, from which side does he swing the bat? Go figure.

So here are some players that I think will make the 53 man roster and if he makes the PS (63), then that indicator is made. Keep in mind that I am making this list from my own pre-conceived view. It has it’s own limitations, that view, but still I think it is pretty obvious what is going to happen. It’s my list, but I reserve the right to make adjustments to this list by Saturday afternoon and this would be based on what happens Thursday Night.

Andrew Wylie OL – 53 – basically a tackle but he can play guard. He does what he is asked to do, and that fits 2 positions thus far.

Ben Niemann ILB – 53 – he is a football player. He is in love with the game and he finds ways to make plays, sheds blocks and will meet the running back in the hole, big time. UDFA Ben Niemann is an inside linebackers out of Iowa, is a tough player and almost everyone out there knows it, including the players on the field. You know it, I know it and the coaches know it. Not only that, but the coaches around the NFL know it.

If we have to lose an ILB in the process — so be it, and it would be in this case, Terrance Smith.

Gehrig Dieter WR – 53 – another man who knows how to play the game, to use his strengths and minimize his weaknesses. I like what I see from him and keeping him or the next man may end up causing a starter to find his own vanishing point.

Marcus Kemp WR – 53 – ditto. His skill set differs from Dieter but he has the knack! Who is going to depart? If I had to guess at this moment? De’Anthony Thomas (DAT). I have never been sold on DAT and his contribution to the roster. He has his moments, such as in the return game vs. the Bears… but as a WR? Very limited. As a gimmick guy? Yeah, but only if you have room for the gimmick. In 2018, the Chiefs don’t have it. DAT has driven that Dodge as far as it could go.

Ryan Hunter OL – 63 – I wrote about Hunter and his Cannuck origins and then playing both HS and Collegiate football in the states. I am good with this player. Like LD-T, he has still had a transition but he is making it.

Darrell Williams RB – 53 – If you put Williams on the PS he will be gone. To be sure, Ware appears to be ready to resume his RB role with the Chiefs which gives us a 1-2 punch in Hunt and Ware. But if that’s the case, you have a hungry RB. He does all the things right. He blocks, he runs and can score on the ground. He floods or runs a banana and catches the football. He is a very good football player that gets his shot with the Chiefs that he wasn’t able to do at LSU. Charcandrick West has already departed and that makes room for “this Williams.” If you put Darrel on the PS, color him gone.

Damien Williams RB – 53 – We also know about how well this Williams has played. All the things you could say about Hunt, Ware and Darrel Williams apply here. Williams is also a young player and he offers a different style of running from Hunt/Ware/Williams. So for me, it’s adding another W to the list.

To keep these four RB’s plus fullback Anthony Sherman, it appears to me that it is necessary to make a “Cut to the Chase Decision”. Which means Kerwynn Williams… and he has another asset in the return game that is going to be tough to give up.

We heard Bob Sutton Monday discuss what they were doing and it wasn’t what the fans thought the coaches should do. That said, we know that in addition to early mix and match against the right opponent, the Chiefs will figure a way to use all 4 front OLBs in games to their benefit. I mentioned that this would help keep the legs under the “Starters” which was stated by Sutton. So here we have Houston, Ford, Speaks and Kpass.

The question then comes down to Frank Zombo. Zombo is a great competitor, a hitter and a top Toub player. But if It came down to wasting Frank to get a more athletic OLB? Do you give up the leadership to try Tyrone Holmes (OLB)? Watch that one for his overall toughness, outside or in. This has benefit. At the same time I have written about ILB, Raymond Davison (ILB), he has recovered a fumble and more. I just can’ say which is which and why. Davison is a rookie and has made plays so I go with keeping Davison but then let’s add Rob McCray? An OLB out of Indiana?

• TE Blake Mack — 63.
• OLB Rob MacCray — 63.
• ILB Ray Davison — 63
• WR Byron Pringle — 63.
• CB Arrion Springs — 63.
• CB Will Redmond – 53??? or he vanishes as in, poof, he was here and is gone.
• OL/C Jimmy Murray — he’s a big guy and another UDFA to keep, who has played multiple positions but namely center. to the 63.
• Chase Litton – QB — 53 – I think you go with youth. He was cool and calm under pressure and we are thinking the #3 QB.

These are just my notes and knowing that things in the trenches and on defense remain sore spots of need or in the hearts of fans…

You make the call? Do you have a player to list and will you see him on Thursday — making plays or turning to a wisp in the fog of football annuls at the Kingdom?

David Bell — ArrowheadOne

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