The Chiefs Dress Rehearsal

The Chiefs Dress Rehearsal

by David Bell

This last week ArrowheadOne covered a lot of play-making during Training Camp. The farther the Chiefs have progressed, the more we are seeing or hearing about young players making a difference. In the Performers article, the basic players of the Chiefs roster were identified. In the next piece, an advanced step was taken, identifying the “Play-makers” who will be starting and making a difference in each game.

The preseason games are beginning this week and the Chiefs play on Thursday. Several draft picks need to show their proof in the puddin’ play but as important, is going to be the players who have forced coaches and staff to regard the level of play others are offering — the newcomers who are invitees, UDFA’s and players of former rosters who were not signed last year and are having the opportunity to prove their value to an NFL Club.

Today’s Tough, ‘He’s Got Dog’ & Newcomers

I have witnessed a lot of Spring Training and Training Camps for the Chiefs over a lot of years. I cannot recall a camp that has had anything like the talent that is competing for a roster spot as we are witnessing at the 2018 Training Camp. There are a lot of good players. Other NFL teams will be watching to see who it is that KC has released.

The ‘He’s got Dog’ remark was lifted from Matt Derrick in his article at Chiefsdigest.com about Tremon Smith. The quote came from a Coach Greg Stewart who scouted him for Central Arkansas. Stewart is now DC and LB coach at the University of South Alabama. Veach? Keep an eye on this man!

“I know a lot of coaches, you want guys that’s got dog in them,” said Stewart, who recruited Smith to Central Arkansas. “And he’s got dog.”

In Sunday’s article following the training camp posting, Ladner Morse published a piece about several player’s having Pop! Each of the players on Laddie’s list is on mine so I won’t cover them, but merely list them here: Tremon Smith, Blake Mack, Steven Nelson, who is coming back from injury and needs to fulfill his draft promise from 3 seasons ago and the next two are players you expect to see a high level of play from: Anthony Hitchens and Sammy Watkins. To read about Laddie’s view, See his article ere:

Another view of the roster and how “risk” is involved was covered by Ransom Hawthorne in his article on Saturday. Here he makes observations about pinning hopes on players who are unproven, or, who are coming off of an injury season where they did not play or were injured during the year. The Ugly Duckling Article provides a rare look at how team has “gambled” on returning players, from injuries, or, poor performance years or those who are getting a chance to restore their career. The players he covers have a quality of unfulfilled promise, or who were newcomers last year for example. His first two players were OLBs Ford and Kpassagnon. He next addressed Justin Houston, David Amerson and Daniel Sorensen, Armani Watts and Allen Bailey. I think his view is necessary to understand the risks involved with various players for various reasons. I recommend to you, Ransom’s article can be found here:

My list of newcomers who will make a difference in 2018 is the first group. I had 8 a few days ago. I have added a couple. Here is my previous list players getting noticed, day in, day out. I think each one of these has a bit of dog in him. I am sure the coaching staff wants more of it in each player. My focus of course, is defense. Woefully lacking from my list are some very good receivers. I list four. There there are more who possibly will make the 63 man roster.

As the camp has proceeded, we have seen a bit more toughness out of players on the following list but the first part of this list are draft picks. They will very likely make the roster no matter what, so the first 10 players are almost assured to make the roster. I am not listing newcomers last year unless they are making a “Pop”. Jehu Chesson will make the roster for example. Demarcus Robinson will be WR#4 is another example. Nor did I list the standard starters. Nor TE’s #3 and #4 nor who will go to the PS.

Players for Dress Rehearsal to Keep an Eye On

• 1. Armani Watts – FS
• 2. Derrick Nnadi – NT
• 3. Breeland Speaks – OLB
• 4. Dorian O’Daniel – Hybrid Secondary(Nickle CB, etc).
• 5. Tremon Smith –CB, Kick Returns, potential Gunner; I saw it coming before Rookie after the draft.
• 6. Kpassagnon – OLB, Kpass is a 2nd year player making big noise in camp.                                                                 
• 7. Ukeme Eligwe- ILB — he is getting mean in his tackling and his drops are good.                                                     
• 8. Kahlil McKenzie – OG
• 9. Leon McQuay – FS
• 10. Parker Ehinger  – OG

Who’s Next in Line!?

• 11.  Darrell Williams – RB – I cannot see the coaching staff and Veach letting this player slide by.
• 12. Rob McCrayOLB
• 13. Ben Niemann – ILB- another player that the Chiefs appear to be intent upon keeping.
• 14. Arrion Springs * – CB UDFA Surprise and he is a very good player
• 15. Blake Mack – WR/TE- is now added to the list. In just 2 days he convinced me.
• 16. Chase Litton – QB#3
• 17. Ryan Hunter – OL

Tejan Koroma – OC/Interior — this one I did not see coming at all but see Bullet below.

• Injury loss — Koroma Released and replaced by Jack Allen this afternoon. 

This is the first serious injury for the Chiefs!

Here’s the Chiefs Unofficial Depth Chart:

• Arrion Springs, is a very nice surprise because we need starter and depth quality corners.
• Blake Mack has blown up the competition as a WR but I can see him hybrid TE in 3 TE sets.
• Chase Litton has a good shot at being the #3 QB but the depth chart shows McGloin. I doubt that it ends that way, but that is how the Chart shows it today.
• Tejan Koroma, who had an injury but was listed as OC.
• Jack Allen of the Bears was claimed off of waivers today from the Bears to replace Koroma. The Depth chart changed in one day. Pencil in Allen as the #2 Center.

The Chiefs are certain that Cam Erving is their LOG. I think that will hold and the injury is minor. Ryan Hunter made the prelim roster — I think the Chiefs want to keep him. He has the size and strength to play in the NFL. He has desire, is Canadian who came to the US first to play HS football, away from his family. This continued to Bowling Green and the coaching staff must see it for him to even make the list.

If you go with the list of Chiefs draft picks and then use the list above as players with a good shot at making the 53 man roster at worst, then you are seeing by all reports and “Eye Witness News” from people we know, or people we trust, that there are some very fine, tough, competitors in the offings for the Chiefs. They still must prove their worth — Gaining ground is a good way to look at it .

Other Players Making Progress

• Raymond Davison- ILB
• Tyrone Holmes – ILB
• D’montre Wade – CB, has also been one of those showing his skirts in his big flirt!
• Jimmy Murray – OL
• Dillon Gordon – OL
• Robert Golden – FS
• Dee Liner – DL
• Gehrig Dieter – WR
• Jordan Smallwood – WR
• Marcus Kemp – WR – has 1 yr (2017)
• Byron Pringle  – WR

Roster Space is Coveted

That commodity is a tough nut to craft your way to a career in the NFL. We all know the Veterans listed on the roster. I can make presumptions about players who must be included but you know who they are. At this point, the journeyman entries on the 90 man roster are losing ground. There are players who have been on the roster with experience and roles who may not be around come the season opener.

All of the above players have made an impression in camp. I do not envy the staff and coaching crew when it comes to cut time. The toughness factor, hard as nails, has a bit of the dog in him type contributor is what Brett Veach is looking for.

The Snow Country Factor?

It used to be that the Chiefs scouts found players in the deep south. Now? They are getting them from places, DUE NORTH. LD-T, Ryan Hunter and Stephan Charles are all Canadians.

The Chiefs coaches, scouts and staff have a lot to look at beginning Thursday Night. I know I will watch carefully but when the players are shifting in and out so rapidly, it’s a tough job to do!

David Bell – now 1 more day to Preseason, Game 1!

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