Ware Provides Clarity for the Veach
Running Back Signings
The Kansas City Chiefs running back situation in OTAs has been: Kareem Hunt & anybody but Ware. Ware is not practicing and is still in rehab. On Thursday, even Hunt was out with a tweaked hamstring. At this point, based on the information from St. Joe today, Ware will not be ready for the season opener and he basically was to be the #2 RB. That has shifted as we’ve became aware of Ware’s status on Thursday. Clarity sometimes “invØlves” a cost.
Now the picture shifts dramatically and we can understand the addition of the running backs made by GM Brett Veach. Ware, when interviewed about the two procedures (a torn PCL and a damaged LCL), stated it was not a common injury and he said “I didn’t really have anything to go off of or refer to. I knew it would be a process and take time.”
Recently, I had decided that Charcandrick West would not be wearing Red & Gold on opening day and I still think this. De’Anthony Thomas can only be characterized as a WR and neither he or West are effective in the return game. I see both departing.
The additions of Darrell, Damien and Kerwynn Williams (all RBs) must also be given consideration. Having the Williams RB trilogy now on the roster is a big “Tell” as I wrote last week. With Ware’s remarks I have concluded that he likely will not be ready opening day so the RB additions by Veach are crucially important. Note that there is something about LSU and the Chiefs. Ware is a RB out of LSU as is Darrell Williams and UDFA John David Moore — all running backs.
Erving and Morse: So now we know…
Cam Erving is the opening day Center, Morse will likely be on the 6 week IR. On Thursday during an interview, Erving gave a positive statement about the opportunity that had been presented to him — getting Center reps. At that moment on Thursday we only knew that much. Later, in his interview, Morse indicated that he had no timeline in recovery from foot surgery . In commentary on Thursday, several remarked that Cam was being worked at Center and now we know why. In an interview with media, Morse stated: “We’ve made great progress on the injury and we’re just taking it day-by-day…” adding that he, “Had no timeline and was taking it day by day.”
Stamped “Paid in Full”
Eric Berry was sorely missed in 2017 — not just for his play on the field but his leadership. His missing play for 2017 was a huge cost and that is, according to all indications, a line item stamped: “Paid in Full.” Berry’s leadership and play both as an aerial defender, and up in the box, was a huge missing factor in the secondary play of last seasons defense. Berry comments in an interview are worthy reading:
“I’m dedicated to this team and if you’re a part of this team, I’m dedicated to you. That’s just how I roll… I know my teammates are dependent on me and I’m dependent on them. It’s more of an accountability thing just to handle my business and make sure I’m ready to go just to make sure we can all do what we came here to do.”
“My defensive backs’ coach is Emmitt Thomas, and he played in some of the greatest games that were ever played here… So, there’s a lot of history — a lot of tradition. He was on a great defense and he tells me about his teammates, and he had some tough cats on his teams back then, and just talking about that edge about the guys they brought in, and we can’t really compare ourselves to the guys back then, but that edge you see when you watch those old highlights of the Chiefs, I think some of these guys have that.”
Clarity Overall — the Roster Status
Yes, there are two situations that we hoped would be avoided with Ware and Morse. but we have Berry back. It turns out that Ford was held out on Thursday also for individual work. Meanwhile, Breeland Speaks and Tanoh Kpassagnon are being accounted for as much as possible in the OTA’s and though NT Derrick Nnadi has not yet signed his rookie contract yet, he is a full speed participant. With Veach also adding NT Xavier Williams in Free Agency to the mix of defensive linemen, it appears the Chiefs are setting up for a “Run Stopping Force” up the middle and will avoid overworking either man as had occurred with Dontari Poe.
Ford’s injury was also an apparent factor in the addition of Speaks via the draft. Meanwhile, Tanoh Kpassagnon is getting some press from his OLB Coach, Mike Smith.
Though Thursday’s “Two Truth’s to Tell”* brought a couple of negatives, it also framed the “Tells” as if they were clouds backed by a silver lining. Veach had added Cam Erving to the roster in 2017. Erving was not familiar with the playbook but served his purpose starting for LDT though didn’t extend his 5th year option. This year, he said in a presser that this was his opportunity season. I think he will make the most of it as a former top round 1 pick who had no such support at Cleveland.
*The “Two Tells” had a negative affect but at the same time brought a greater degree of illumination about why GM Brett Veach has made the moves he made, both last season and this, as well as giving insight into the player selection in the 2018 draft.
The Sunday NSLU is Back — Back in the Middle West
David Bell
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