SB Nation - Weston Dacus

Weston Dacus Still on the Chiefs Roster?

Joel Thorman — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:20:49 -0000

A few weeks ago, someone asked why Weston Dacus was still listed on the Kansas City Chiefs roster. He's under the Injured Reserve category but, the last I heard, he was released to make room for Tyson Jackson on August 7th. In fact, the club's official release said Dacus had been released.

I've confirmed that Dacus is indeed on the Chiefs injured reserve, which begs the question: What the hell happened?

(And it also begs the question of why I put a question mark in the headline.)

The answer: I have no idea. But I can start to connect some dots.

On August 5th, Dacus missed the afternoon practice with what we assume was some sort of undisclosed injury. He missed the August 6th practice as well. The next day, Tyson Jackson signed, and Dacus was the reported casualty to make room for Jackson on the 80 man roster.

My guess? Dacus had some sort of injury which prevented the club from releasing him without an injury settlement. After that, I'm not sure what happened.

It's not the first time (and definitely not the last time) a player has been injured without any information from the team. Rookie Colin Brown was placed on injured reserve when the 53 man roster was determined on September 5th and that was a complete surprise as he had participated in everything up to that point.

Chiefs Training Camp Update 8/5 PM

Joel Thorman — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 23:48:14 -0000

More photos » by Orlin Wagner - AP

4 months ago: From left, Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks Matt Cassel (7), Tyler Thigpen (4), Brodie Croyle (12) and Ingle Martin (15) practice together during NFL football training camp in River Falls, Wis., Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

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Updated: 8:35 PM All updates are in.

Practice number eight is pretty much in the books for the Kansas City Chiefs. It's scheduled to end at 6:30 today. The team had two practices today, an AM and a PM session. Check out the AM notes here.

Bob Gretz is doing his thing at CBS Sports and we've gathered some more info for you from the usual suspects.

The only updates really missing are the UW-RF's, which we'll have in this post as soon as they're live.

Click through for the ongoing updates of the Chiefs' afternoon session today. We'll put a note above the fold when we've updated.

General stuff

Weather: 75 degrees, low winds, 36% humidity (National Weather Service)
TE Sean Ryan called this the most physical camp of his five previous stops (Gretz at CBS)
Peter King of Sports Illustrated is again in attendance (Peter King Twitter)
Jay Glazer of FOX Sports is in attendance (Jay Glazer Twitter)
Today’s situational point of emphasis...the red zone. Coach Haley talked through the art of the red zone scramble/route adjustment today. (Josh Looney at the Mothership)
Quarterback Ingle Martin was not with the team during practice. Tight end Brad Cottam was back on the field running drills with his team. Guard Wade Smith and running back Kolby Smith still aren’t available. (UW-RF)

Offense

Brad Cottam is back from a right ankle injury after missing three practices (Gretz at CBS)
Heavy emphasis on red zone corner routes (Josh Looney at the Mothership)
There is a heavy focus on red zone offense today and QB Brodie Croyle had the crowds attention with some very nice throws. (Josh Looney at the Mothership)
Quarterback Brodie Croyle completed a pass to wide receiver Jeff Webb. Webb made his first move after the reception to his right (east). Head Coach Todd Haley wasn’t impressed with the four-year veteran’s move. "Get up the field, Webb. You don’t run East or West ever," he shouted. (UW-RF)

Defense

At the end of afternoon practice, the Chiefs' No. 1 offense had three plays to score from the 10-yard line. On the second play, CB Brandon Flowers intercepted a pass by QB Matt Cassel in the end zone. (Gretz at CBS)
Cornerback DaJuan Morgan and linebackers Mike Vrabel, Demorrio Williams and Weston Dacus did not participate in this afternoon’s practice. Instead, the group spent time on field 3, working out. (UW-RF)
Defensive Line Coach Tim Krumrie had a new phrase for the defensive linemen at practice today. Krumrie continually yelled, "Don’t be that guy!" when the men were running drills. He meant that the players shouldn’t be the guy to mess up first. (UW-RF)
While running the 11-on-11 situation drill, Head Coach Todd Haley grew frustrated with the overall performance of the defense. "Defense, get your (crap) together," he shouted. (UW-RF)
Cornerback Brandon Flowers picked off quarterback Matt Cassel’s pass with some help from the linebackers, showing pressure. After Flowers’ interception, the entire defensive squad got hyped up. Prior to the pick, the offense had been looking better than the defense. (UW-RF)

Special teams

In a live punt drill, Chiefs rookie WR Quinten Lawrence continued to have problems catching the ball. He fumbled two, including one recovered by the punt team. (Gretz at CBS)
The Chiefs are working OLB Andy Studebaker as a long snapper. The only snapper on the roster is rookie Tanner Purdum. (Gretz at CBS)
The team has not held an exclusive "special teams practice," yet the coaching staff is finding ways to focus on the teams game multiple times each practice. The periods are somewhat long, about 10 minutes, and quality max-effort reps are taken. The focus this afternoon is punt pro. (Josh Looney at the Mothership)
During the team’s punting drill, long snapper Tanner Purdum had two poor snaps in a row. (UW-RF)
Haley stopped the drill one play before the end, and said he wanted to see linebacker Andy Studebaker take some snaps. Studebaker’s solo snap was a decent one. (UW-RF)
WR Jeff Webb got scolded by one of the coaches. The coach said, "Come on, Webb. Don’t let them split ya." (UW-RF)

Injuries

OLB Monty Beisel was missing from both practices (No reason given). Ingle Martin is also missing the afternoon practice (Gretz at CBS)
OLB Mike Vrabel is absent again. No injury, just a day off (Gretz at CBS)

Examining the Contracts of the Chiefs Undrafted Free Agents

Joel Thorman — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:31:19 -0000

More photos » by Orlin Wagner - AP

7 months ago: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Jake O'Connell (45) works out during rookie camp at the team's football practice facility in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, May 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

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The Kansas City Chiefs announced the signing of 12 undrafted free agents on May 8th. Of course, if you follow Arrowhead Pride you already knew about 11 of those players that we accurately projected while tracking the Chiefs undrafted free agents.

Do you ever wonder what life is like for these players who switch teams and cities at the drop of a hat?

Just over a year ago, FB Chris Manderino, who spent a brief time with the Chiefs, was kind of enough to answer some questions about what life is like for these undrafted free agent/practice squad players. Check it out. Chris had a great perspective on the whole thing:

Also, as a practice squad player, you know that you are available to become activated by any of the other teams in the league. It is mentally tough to be thinking about whether you will be activated the next week with either your own team or another one throughout the league. You have to try to keep from getting distracted because it is your job to perform your role in helping the team prepare to win. It is mentally tough to be watching on the sidelines on game day when you prepare all week long and do not get to play. All in all however, you have to remind yourself of the many talented players out there who are not with a team at all and be thankful for your opportunity take full advantage of it.

Even though Chris didn't make the Chiefs final roster, he's still living out his football dream in Italy, playing for the Doves in the Italian Football League.

Below are the salary value of the contracts each UDFA signed. As you can see, relative to the rest of the NFL, they aren't making much.

Name	Pos	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3
Jackie Bates	CB	$310k	$395k
Tom Crabtree	TE	$310k	$395k
London Fryar	CB	$310k	$395k
Dion Gales	DT	$310k	$395k
Cameron Goldberg	OL	$310k	$395k
Bobby Greenwood	DT	$310k	$395k
Darryl Harris	OL	$310k	$395k
Ricky Price	S	$310k	$395k
Corey Smith	LB	$310k	$395k
Pierre Walters	LB	$310k	$395k	$480k
Taurus Johnson	WR	$310k	$395k	$480k
Jovan Belcher	LB	$310k	$395k	$480k

What the NFLPA chart above doesn't list are the signing bonuses for these guys. The only reliable source I've found for signing bonus information is the USA Today NFL Salary database.

Even though it's not complete, here are the salaries and signing bonuses for most of th UDFAs the Chiefs signed last year. Remember - signing bonuses are the only guaranteed portion of a player's contract.

Player	Base Salary	Sign Bonus
Cox, Mike	$295,000	$10,000
Dacus, Weston	$295,000	$0
Leggett, Maurice	$295,000	$4,000
Puente, Brian	$295,000	$3,000
Savage, Dantrell	$295,000	$0

For a little perspective, 2008 7th round picks Brian Johnston and Mike Merrit garnered signing bonuses of $47,277 and $32,000 respectively.

Even though guys like Jovan Belcher and Pierre Walters are only pulling down a few thousand guaranteed bucks to try out for the Chiefs, it's the opportunity of a life time for them and most of them know it.

Six Chiefs are Out Against the Saints this Weekend

Chris Thorman — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:25:06 -0000

Just a quick note in the middle of a very busy day for me:

No surprises here: Herm Edwards said defensive end Tamba Hali, linebackers Derrick Johnson and Pat Thomas, cornerbacks Brandon Flowers and Pat Surtain and guard Adrian Jones would not play on Sunday against New Orleans at Arrowhead Stadium. That's five starters plus the third cornerback.

That leaves the Chiefs Donnie Edwards, Demorrio Williams, Erik Walden, Weston Dacus and Rocky Boiman at linebacker. Only Edwards and Wiliams were on the team at the beginning of the season.

The State Of The Kansas City Chiefs Linebackers

Joel Thorman — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:56:31 -0000

via static.nfl.com

Newest Chief Rocky Boiman

Rocky Boiman

Boiman entered the league in 2002 as a 4th round draft choice by the Tennessee Titans. His first four seasons were uneventful most seeing time on special teams. Prior to the 2006 season he signed a 3-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys but was subsequently released the week before the season. That led to his next stop, Indianapolis, where he enjoyed the most success. He appeared in every game for two years getting a Super Bowl ring in 2006.

He was not resigned by the Colts but instead picked up by Philadelphia prior to the 2008 season. Boiman was again cut the week before the season started and sent to the free agent list where he was sitting until the Chiefs signed him today.

Career stats here.

Outlook: Boiman looks to be somewhat promising. He spent two years in Indy getting a decent amount of playing time so he'll get his shot this season.

Weston Dacus

Dacus saw time in all four of his years at Arkansas spending the last two as a starter. He was an undrafted free agent signed by the Chiefs prior to the 2008 season.

Dacus is 6'1" 230 lbs. and has appeared in two games for the Chiefs this season.

Career stats here.

Outlook: Eh...he's got the makings of a practice squad or career reserve. Nothing to get excited about.

Donnie Edwards

Edwards was drafted by the Chiefs in 1996 as a fourth rounder. He enjoyed immense success in Kansas City until we let him leave as a free agent in 2002 where he signed with the San Diego Chargers and had a Pro Bowl appearance.

Edwards is currently battling an injury.

Career stats here.

Outlook: Not so good. He's on the downside of his career, possibly facing the end of it at the conclusion of the 2008 season.

Derrick Johnson

Fantastic athlete, versatile, etc, etc.

Career stats here.

Outlook: In KC for the foreseeable future.

Pat Thomas

He's seen enough action at MLB this season to warrant a roster spot in a reserve role. But his (and others) lack of production in the MLB spot is becoming an increasing problem in KC. Expect this position to be addressed prior to the 2009 season.

Career stats here.

Outlook: Reserve role. A starting MLB should be in place or in the system by 2009.

Erik Walden

Walden was selected by the Cowboys in the 2008 draft. The team later released him during final cuts. Both sides were hoping he would clear waivers in order to sign onto the practice squad (because players actually want to stay in Dallas) but Kansas City's 2007 abysmal record helped them snag Walden before many other teams had a shot.

He played at a small school (Mid Tenn State) as a defensive end and showed an ability to get to the passer.

Career stats are here.

Outlook: I'm interested in giving Walden more time considering he switched positions upon entering the pros. He was able to get to the passer in college something the Chiefs desperately need to do.

Demorrio Wiliams

Williams emerged as a full time starter in 2005 with the Atlanta Falcons. He went on to start 10 games in '06 and a full slate in '07. The Chiefs signed him in March of 2008 to a 5-year deal.

Career stats are here.

Outlook: Williams hasn't been outstanding (but who has?) and should see a roster spot in 2009 pending a major upgrade on the right side.

Here in 2009: Boiman, Johnson, Thomas, Walden, Williams

Gone in 2009: Edwards (retirement or not), Dacus

Who is staying in 2009? Who is gone in 2009?