SB Nation - Maurice Price

Summary of What Kansas City Chiefs Players Haven't Been Practicing

Chris Thorman — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:34:30 -0000

More photos » by Orlin Wagner - AP

4 months ago: Kansas City Chiefs running back Kolby Smith (21) trains during NFL football training camp in River Falls, Wis., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

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This afternoon at 2 PM (Arrowhead time), the Kansas City Chiefs take the field for the 21st of their 24 training camp practices in River Falls, WI.

What's that you say? Camp ends on Thursday?

Indeed, fellow Chiefs fan. My how quickly how it has gone. The team will be back practicing in Kansas City in no time.

And to throw some more dates at you, here are the 2009 NFL roster cutdown dates:

Sept. 1 - Roster cutdown to maximum of 75 players
Sept. 5 - Roster cutdown to maximum of 53 players

That's five players (down from 80) gone by two weeks from today. A total of 17 27 Chiefs will be cut just a few days later. And the NFL regular season begins the next week after that. Wow.

So, we'll do this injury summary again at the end of the week in our training camp summary, but now let's have a quick refresher on who's missed time during the Chiefs' 20 practices and why. I know even I forget things about camp here and there with so many updates coming out so I like doing updates like this when I can.

Head coach Todd Haley has repeatedly mentioned that he's sitting certain guys, especially veterans, because they need a bit more rest than the younger guys. Others have had nagging injuries and others have sat more almost all 20 practices.

After the jump, the skinny on who's been missing practice in River Falls in a, if I do say so myself, sweet looking chart graphic.

* Wes Dacus and Tony Curtis have been cut

Top Five Absentees

RB Kolby Smith - On the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list because of a knee injury last year; will likely sit out the first six games of the regular season
S DaJuan Morgan - Undisclosed injury; currently practicing
LB Demorrio Williams - Undisclosed injury; currently practicing
LB Zach Thomas - Undisclosed injury; not currently practicing; should start practicing soon according to recent updates
G Wade Smith - Undisclosed injury; currently practicing

It is my opinion that DaJuan Morgan has missed too much time to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. Kolby Smith will likely miss the first six games of the regular season because he will be on the PUP list (league rules) and then who knows what will happen after that. If Demorrio Williams remains healthy, he'll probably have to earn a roster spot on special teams. Zach Thomas will most definitely make the team and his lack of practicing seems to be injury/veteran rest related. I'm not sure what's up with Wade Smith. He just recently started practicing.

The Chiefs' injury situation has been pretty good this off season. Last season, for Week 1, the Chiefs only listed LB Nap Harris, WR Will Franklin and the injured WR Maurice Price as out with injuries after suffering lots of dings during camp.

Two more guesses on cuts are G Tavares Washington, who's missing practices right now and oh is that a bad thing. And I also think that TE Jake O'Connell may end up losing his roster spot because of missed time early on.

Thoughts on who may lose their job because of a lack of practice?

2009 Roster Projections: Wide Receivers

Fooch — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:00:17 -0000

Now that the initial OTAs are finished, it's time to take a look at another position projection for the 2009 season. Thus far we've checked out the cornerbacks, offensive line, running backs and defensive line.

Today I thought we'd take a look at a particularly interesting position: wide receiver. Barrows and and Maiocco have both noted at times that this is the deepest group of 49ers wide receivers since 2003, when they still had Terrell Owens in camp. I actually think this current group is deeper. In 2003, after TO the 49ers rolled out guys like Tai Streets, Cedrick Wilson, and Brandon Lloyd. Not exactly a murderers' row of receivers.

Locks
Isaac Bruce, Brandon Jones, Josh Morgan, Jason Hill, Michael Crabtree

No Chance
Micheal Spurlock, Maurice Price, Dobson Collins, Mark Bradford

Bubble
Arnaz Battle, Dominique Zeigler

Among the locks there are certainly big issues surrounding playing time. For the purposes of this article, we're focusing more on the bubble guys. In this instance, it's a very clear-cut battle between Arnaz Battle and Dominique Zeigler. On the one hand you've got the veteran Arnaz Battle. He's certainly not spectacular and has stood out more as the only decent receiver on some crappy teams in the past. It's easy to see how he might have been overvalued given the players around him. At the same time, he has been a productive receiver for this team.

On the other hand you've got the youngster Dominique Zeigler. Zeigler spent the last season and a half on the practice squad before finally getting promoted, coincidentally enough, after Battle got hurt. Zeigler has shown some very solid hands, but did not exactly light up the world in his half season of play.

It's safe to say none of the no chance guys will get that spot. Maybe one of them shocks the world and makes it happen, but I'm not holding my breath. For now, there are a couple options, thanks to the fact that Zeigler does in fact still have practice squad eligibility remaining. The options are:

1) Cut loose Battle and give the spot to Zeigler
2) Keep Battle and place Zeigler on the practice squad
3) Cut Battle, place Zeigler on the practice squad and go with 5 receivers

If there's an injury in training camp that certainly changes the equation. However, for now, assume everybody stays healthy. How do you see this playing out? Looking back at parts of last year, the 49ers actually only carried 5 wide receivers for various stretches of the season (Bruce, B. Johnson, Morgan, Hill, Zeigler/Battle). And that was with the supposed aerial attack of Mike Martz.

Does that change your thoughts on carrying Zeigler or Battle as a sixth receiver? If the 49ers are switching to a strong run-oriented offense, is a 6th receiver a useless commodity? Throw in the fact that you can use Delanie Walker and/or Vernon Davis in a typical receiver role on occasion and it makes even less sense. I think in these last two paragraphs I might well have talked myself out of it. And I'm a big Zeigler fan. Thoughts?

Poll

Who will get the 6th receiver spot out of training camp?

Arnaz Battle

630 votes

Dominique Zeigler

682 votes

Other

17 votes

Nobody - the 49ers will only carry 5 receivers to start the season

725 votes

2054 votes | Poll has closed

Isaac Bruce or no Isaac Bruce: Who will step up?

Fooch — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:00:11 -0000

Today is the Mike Singletary imposed deadline for Isaac Bruce to make up his mind about being a 49er in 2009. We'll have continued coverage on this story as any developments break today (and going forward). For now, consider this post an Isaac Bruce thread (as well as discussion on the topic below).

Even if Isaac Bruce sticks around, it seems like he'd be taking a backseat to the rest of the crew. My question is which one steps up next season, assuming any of them do. Way back on New Years Eve, we did our long look back, brief look forward on wide receivers. Early last month we did a re-assessment of the wide receiver depth chart. It's only been a month, but I wanted to take one more look at the position as a whole, in light of the potential news today. And even if Bruce sticks around, one would hope a youngster would take the baton from Bruce.

Josh Morgan: I remain sold on the upside of Josh Morgan, but I'm not ignorant to his relative lack of production in 2008. He had some big catches, but in the end his stats weren't spectacular. That was due in large part to an assortment of injuries that kept him from truly capitalizing on an impressive training camp and preseason. Whatever happens with Bruce, it sounds more and more like Morgan will be getting the starting reps in training camp. The key remains health.

Brandon Jones: Jones is entering his fifth season in the NFL and has not had the breakout season one would like from a young receiver. He improved his numbers in 2008, but they're still less than stellar. Even with the lack of otherwise impressive WR talent in Tennessee, Jones could not become "the man." That makes me wonder if we're getting another Bryant Johnson. A player who could put together solid numbers, but not break through to the next level of receiver.

Brandon Jones lined up at flanker in practice, the same position Isaac Bruce held. An interesting comment showed up at Rotoworld, which stated that Morgan would be the deep threat and Jones would likely lead the team in receptions. The flanker is often the featured receiver on the team, which I find interesting in this case. Morgan seems to be built for that job, but maybe they figure his speed brings great ability deep.

Jason Hill: Hillis entering the ever important third year in the NFL. After one reception for six yards his rookie year, Hill improved to 30 receptions for 317 yards and two TDs his second year. It seems like he's going to go into camp as the slot receiver. He took over that role this past year once Singletary took over and excelled, with all of his stats coming under Coach Singletary. Most of us are excited about a guy like Morgan, but Hill is one guy I am really anxious to see get a full season of reps.

Arnaz Battle: Battle is definitely not long for this world as a 49er. Jones, Morgan and Hill are definitely ahead of Battle for now on the depth chart, and it's entirely possible Dominique Zeigler might surpass him as well. Battle missed much of last season with injuries, and I wonder if he'll ever return to his 50+ catch days, at least here in SF? He's stepped up for some bad teams, and for that I certainly appreciate him. Unfortunately, even though he's only 29, his best 49ers days are probably behind him. I hope for a big return, but there are only so many receptions to be had.

Dominique Zeigler: I know some folks don't expect much out of Dominique Zeigler, but given the role he's in and the money he's being paid, it seems like he'll get a chance at a bigger role in 2009. If he doesn't step up in camp, so be it. However, Zeigler seems to have some solid hands and solid abilities, based on what little we saw of him. I certainly don't think he'll have the best year among the receivers, but I do think there's some talent in there. It'll be interesting to see what opportunities he gets in 2009. He's a tough one to predict.

Not including the folks signed to futures contracts (Maurice Price/Micheal Spurlock) and Isaac Bruce, the 49ers have five receivers under contract. If Bruce retires, it will be interesting to see how the 49ers handle wide receivers in the draft. Barring them taking a Maclin or Crabtree, whomever they get is unlikely to get much of a chance to do much in 2009.

If that's the case, who on the current roster steps up as the man this year?

Poll

Which 49ers wide receiver will have the best 2009 campaign?

Josh Morgan

341 votes

Brandon Jones

37 votes

Jason Hill

126 votes

Arnaz Battle

15 votes

Dominique Zeigler

9 votes

Isaac Bruce (if he doesn't retire)

114 votes

Rookie yet to be drafted

20 votes

Other

1 votes

663 votes | Poll has closed

The Chiefs Offensive Expectations

Chris Thorman — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 18:17:16 -0000

Because of injuries, the Kansas City Chiefs are only dressing three wide receivers.

Larry Johnson has not played in a regular season football game since November 4th, 2007. The Chiefs' fullback is a brand-new rookie.

The offensive line is still very much in flux and unstable as a unit.

What kind of production can we possibly expect from this offense?

Let me make an unpopular prediction - Our offense is going to be extremely unproductive this weekend against the Patriots and for at least a few weeks after that. Let me tell you why. And this is more about the direction of the team over the next few weeks than specifically about this Sunday's match up.

I am in no way a believer in this offensive line until I see actual production on the field. I need to see it with my eyes for me to believe it. I need to see Larry Johnson running through big gaps in the line, defensive players flattened and most importantly in the rushing game stats.

I still feel stung from last season when I thought, not especially strongly mind you, but I thought that the Chiefs line would be adequate going into the regular season. And frankly, I have not seen really anything in the preseason to make me think that the line has improved much over last year's squad.

That mistake and the misjudgement by the Chiefs coaching staff has really jaded me to being a homer. It can make you look ridiculous and make you really question your judgement.

Next, behind Dwayne Bowe, the Chiefs have nearly zero depth at wide receiver. I know Maurice Price and Will Franklin are solid prospects and me saying zero depth is in no way criticizing their talents or the talents of Darling, Webb or Robinson.

My point is about our reveiver draft picks - they are unknown wide receiver talents in the NFL. Unknown. We really have no clue how much they will help this team. They should help this team. Wide receivers are notoriously hard to judge coming into the NFL draft. Past drafts are riddled with sickeningly high draft pick choices spent on wide receivers who never lived up to a tenth of their hype.

If the pressure is that high on a top WR draft pick and the odds that poor, then certainly those odds worsen as you drop into the fourth round (Franklin) and down to the undrafted college free agents (Price).

Again, we just don't know with these guys. Even Bowe is still proving himself after a huge rookie year. Expectations are heavy on him as well.

To top it all off, the Chiefs are starting the regular season tomorrow against what was last year one of the greatest regular season football teams of all time. At the very least, this game will be a major, major test for a young team. I like that we are playing the Patriots right off the bat. Baptism by fire. Let's throw them in and see what they can do.

What about your thoughts about this Chiefs offense?

Kansas City Chiefs Week 1 Injury Report

Chris Thorman — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:00:36 -0000

I'm not too sure what happened with Nap Harris. He was fine until today so he must have injured his knee in practice this afternoon. If Franklin and Price don't play, that means the Chiefs will have three, three healthy wide receivers.

A bit unnerving, no?

Check out the backups on the roster and Herm's press conference from today.

Patriots injury report is after the jump.