SB Nation - Edwin Harrison

Chiefs News You May Have Missed Yesterday

Joel Thorman — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:06:02 -0000

More photos » by Orlin Wagner - AP

Dwayne Bowe might be getting some more competition at receiver. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

There was a whirlwind of activity around here yesterday. In fact, nearly a quarter of Arrowhead Stadium's capacity walked through the door (and nearly 50K page views!). For those of you that had a hard time keeping up (stupid day jobs), here's a quick recap of what went down yesterday.

We had 15 (!) front page posts, which other than draft weekend has to be some sort of record. Keep the FanShots and FanPosts coming today.

After the jump is a quick recap of all the Chiefs news you saw here yesterday.

Chiefs News from the Overnight 8/3 (NJChiefsFan)

Just about every story, blog post and tweet about the Chiefs from the previous night all in one spot.

Three Practices Down for the Chiefs in River Falls (Chris)

A recap of the first three days of practice. Everything from notable plays to injuries to interesting tweets.

Overnight showers left us wondering if practice would be inside or outside (It was outside).

Chiefs Connection Continues with Coaching Interns (Joel)

Ignoring my obvious attempt at alliteration, you should know that the Chiefs have four coaching interns on the field. Here, I take a look at each of them and their connection to the Chiefs.

If you jumped offsides yesterday, you were running 200 yards.

Injury Updates for the Chiefs 8/1 AM Practice (Joel)

Tight ends, Glenn Dorsey and Derrick Johnson, among others.

Chiefs Training Camp Update 8/3 AM (Joel)

Updates on the Chiefs morning practice from all the usual suspects.

NFP: Chiefs, Tyson Jackson 'Getting Closer'(Joel)

Brad Biggs of the National Football Post reports that the Chiefs and Tyson Jackson are getting closer to an agreement.

AP Contest: Best Roommates at Training Camp? (Matt)

Great topic. Matt is giving away free stuff to someone who can come up with the best set of roommates for five Chiefs at training camp. Definitely check this one out.

Chiefs Work Out D.J. Hackett, Several Others (Joel)

We knew the Chiefs were working out free agent WR D.J. Hackett. But from the UW-RF staff we find out that two other wide receivers and a couple of linemen were working out as well. Scroll down a bit to find out who the other wide receivers were.

Brad Cottam had his ankle heavily wrapped heading into lunch.

Comments from coach Haley on the morning practice (Joel)

Around the AFC West Week of August 3rd (Matt)

Matt takes us through what's going on in the AFC West this week. The Broncos news is nice...

Chiefs Claim OLB Vince Redd off Waivers from the Patriots (Joel)

Redd was cut from the Patriots yesterday. He was signed by New England as a UDFA on May 2nd, 2008.

Teicher on the Tyson Jackson contract

He believes this is more of the Chiefs waiting on #4 Aaron Curry to get a deal done than anything.

Great weather for the afternoon practice

Unlike in KC when it was hot and humid and now rainy.

Chiefs Training Camp Update 8/3 PM (Joel)

Same stuff - who did well, who did poorly, injuries, etc.

LJ wants to break the franchise rushing record (Joel)

He's currently 432 yards away so if he's on the field for at least a 5 or 6 stretch of games this season, he'll break it.

Chiefs Workout Toomer, Terrell and Release G Edwin Harrison (Joel)

We find out the other two names of the wide receivers the Chiefs secretly worked out: Amani Toomer and David Terrell. We also released Harrison, who has been pretty non-descript in his time with the Chiefs.

A nice note on the Chiefs new long snapper

First fight of training camp

Chiefs close to signing Toomer (Joel)

ESPN.com's Bill Williamson's reports the Chiefs are "leaning towards" signing Amani Toomer.

***

And that brings us to today. Stick around all day for updates on the Chiefs lone practice.

Fumble at a Chiefs Practice? Run 200 Yards

Joel Thorman — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 23:07:57 -0000

via David Eulitt of the KC Star

So says Josh Looney who's blogging training camp at the Mothership.

FUMBLE. The ENTIRE team is penalized wth a 200-yard run. Accountability is being preached during each session.

Jamaal Charles is the one that let the ball get loose.

All over the place, Looney also said via his Twitter account that Zach Thomas is "bringing the wood" today.

Injury updates

Linebacker Derrick Johnson and guard Edwin Harrison are not participating in the afternoon practice. Johnson is believed to have "tweaked a hamstring" in the morning practice. Harrison has some sort of injury to his right leg.

They'll join the nine others who didn't participate in the morning practice.

An old man and a young man taking turns in the punt return game. More after the jump.

Return game

This is a major question mark heading into the 2009 season. At this point, we have no clue who the return man is going to be and I doubt the Chiefs coaching staff does either. But we do know, via Mr. Gretz at CBS Sports, that Quinten Lawrence and Rodney Wright were handling punts just a bit ago.

Gretz notes that neither player has ever returned a punt in a game.

Wright was picked up on April 7th. Here's a little more information on him.

Mr. Looney also reported that Bobby Engram was seeing some time as a punt returner. He has 102 career punt returns but only two in the last three years. He had a pair of punt return touchdowns spanning the 2002-2003 seasons while with the Seattle Seahawks.

Speaking of special teams, I found an interesting tidbit from Mitch Holthus' Twitter account:

Am I one of the few that Bernard Pollard could be a Larry Izzo type Pro Bowl special teams guy? He showed some signs again today.

Presenting the 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Draft Class

Chris Thorman — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:09:38 -0000


DE Tyson Jackson	DL Alex Magee	CB Donald Washington

OT Colin Brown	WR/KR Quinten Lawrence	RB Javarris Williams


TE Jake O'Connell	K Ryan Succup

I want to preface this post by saying I'm generally pretty optimistic about the NFL draft and the Kansas City Chiefs' selections. I think the NFL draft is at best a crap shoot and to immediately label any player a boom or bust is simply not being patient. Although I may have preferred different players than the Chiefs drafted, I can see why they drafted every single one. This team has a plan and we owe it the coaches, front office and the players themselves to at least let them take the field for a few games before we proclaim them buffoons. You can be skeptical or angry but remember that at the end of the day, we all want these guys to be successful in Kansas City.

Yes, like many, I was surprised when the Chiefs selected Tyson Jackson at #3, among their other picks. But I see where he fits in the team's plans and how his presence will inevitably help one of the worst defenses in franchise history. I'm very open to giving new coaches and execs the benefit of the doubt and I hope you are too.

Why the patience? Because Pioli has shown he's a top notch personnel guy who selects players with a big picture mentality in mind. We won't always understand why this team will do some of the things it will do but Pioli's track record commands respect until he does something to lose it.

***

One late trade and that was it

Before Scott Pioli came to the Kansas City chiefs, he had the distinction of being part of the tradingest draft-day team in the league in the last decade. Between 2000 and 2008, the Patriots made 28 draft-weekend trades. New England traded up 12 times, and they traded down 16 times during that period.

Surprising most of us, the Kansas City Chiefs and Scott Pioli made only one very late draft day trade this year, dealing next year's 7th round pick to the Miami Dolphins to grab TE Jake O'Connell in the 7th round.

Pioli made exactly one trade while Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots traded down multiple times, seemingly controlling their end of the draft at will. Pioli received no serious calls about trading out of the #3 pick and without a second round pick, the Chiefs found themselves out of the trade talk as first round prospects fell into the early second round.

The Picks

Instead of trading out, the Chiefs found themselves reaching for the first player they wanted. Tyson Jackson was a late top ten pick by most accounts but that didn't matter to Scott Pioli and Todd Haley. Pioli feels like Jackson's versatility will allow the Chiefs much more flexibility in the defensive schemes they play. He's definitely a defensive foundation pick if I've ever seen one. A player you put "impact" players around.

Alex Magee actually went right around his projection when the Chiefs took him early in the third round. Same thing with CB Donald Washington, who was projected to go even in the third round and the Chiefs picked him up early in the fourth round.

Missouri OT Colin Brown was probably the Chiefs' biggest reach of the draft. Many draft boards had him as a 7th round, UDFA prospect. Clearly, Pioli and Haley saw something they liked in Brown so they took him in the fifth round.Perhaps Haley is contemplating a some version of the spread offense, which Brown played in at Missouri.

6th round pick WR/KR Quinten Lawrence is much like his 6th round predecessor last year Kevin Robinson. Lawrence looks to be faster than Robinson and like him will have to earn his keep on special teams to earn a roster spot. Just the type of guy you take in the 6th round.

RB Javarris Williams, the Chiefs' first 7th round pick, is a pick where Pioli and Haley saw a guy who was rated higher than where he was so they snagged him. This seems like a value pick to me more than a need. But with Larry Johnson's future in KC up in the air, the selection of Javarris Williams may mean one more running back will be added to the committee.

TE Jake O'Connell is a very curious pick. He was an undrafted free agent on most draft boards and doesn't fill a huge priority - so why use the draft pick on him? We'll have to wait until camp to find out but the Chiefs' brass likely sees him as a project as a receiving tight end. Considering the Chiefs just lost the greatest receiving tight end in the history of the NFL, I will give my approval to this pick.

K Ryan Succup is another interesting pick, especially considering he's now the fourth kicker on the Chiefs roster. Incumbent Connor Barth played well enough last season to be considered the favorite heading into training camp but we can be rest assured that the kickers will be in a full blown competition. Let the best man win.

Did we address our needs?

Like with most team's drafts, the answer is yes and no. I will say that through the combination of free agency and the draft that I believe the Chiefs at least have enough talent and addressed enough glaring needs to make it through this season but they're not set in a lot of positions for years down the road.

One point you can't argue is that the Chiefs' defense was the biggest problem with the team last season. Pioli and Haley attacked that need by going defense with the first three picks. And the first two picks were spent on defensive linemen. A smart but not necessarily sexy move, considering the Chiefs had one of the worst rushing defenses in franchise history last year.

I hear you on wanting a pass rusher. But who? You have to answer me that. Did you really want Brian Orakpo or Aaron Maybin with the #3 pick? Jackson's versatility makes him more valuable than this year's sub-par pass rushers. Taking one of those guys would be like rushing out to get the newest model of a car, even though there isn't anything particularly special about it. You just want the latest model, regardless of improvements.

One interesting thing is that we didn't draft a linebacker. For a team who was supposedly likely to take LB Aaron Curry at #3, Pioli and Haley seem to be content with the mix of veterans and rookies on the roster now.

How are we on the offensive iine now?

With the lone offensive lineman addition Colin Brown, this is how the Chiefs' depth chart currently breaks down on the offensive line (projected starter in bold):

LT Branden Albert, Herb Taylor

LG Brian Waters, Brian De La Puente, Edwin Harrison

C Rudy Niswanger

RG Mike Goff, Wade Smith, Tavares Washington

RT Damion McIntosh, Barry Richardson, Colin Brown

Look at that. If Brown is able to move into the starting right tackle position, that's not a bad offensive line. It won't last us ten years but it's not bad heading into the '09 season.

I think offensive line was less of a need to the Chiefs than we thought it was in our analysis. There is still work to be done but that looks like it will wait until next season.

It's (almost) over

The undrafted free agents will continue to come in and we'll be posting them, probably in FanShots unless there is a whole slew of them. This has sort of a mini-draft feeling for a few hours after the real thing.

What. A. Weekend. I honestly blogged and watched the draft for probably close to 20 hours in just two days.

Here's to understanding wives and girlfriends!

Click over for more info on all of these guys.

Round 1, #3 LSU DE Tyson Jackson

Selection post on AP
Approval rating: 40%
Video highlights
NFL Draft Scout: #1 DE, 7th player overall
Mocking the Draft Scouting Report
Chris' Draft Grade: B+

Comments:

Very disappointing

Last year we were getting great deals on players that fell to us. This just seems like an enormous reach for a non-pass rusher. -ChiefDJ

Lions are to WR as the Chiefs are to DL -Matt_Grbac

Everyone who wanted Curry needs to realize something.

Linebacker in the 3-4 is a very blue collar job. They are super important players but its a position that is popular and accommodates a lot of different people.

Look at the Steelers and how they draft their LBs. Ever heard of James Harrison? Defensive player of the year? Went undrafted and cut from the team twice before the steelers built him up into a great LB.

Curry wasn’t worth it. We are building our defense back up from line back. -Jux

YES!!!

I LOVE Tyson Jackson.

He is fantastically fantastic.

Next Richard Seymour, man. -rockchalk

Check out Tyson Jackson's player page for more info. The five players drafted after Jackson were:

LB Aaron Curry
QB Mark Sanchez
OT Andre Smith
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey
OT Eugene Monroe

Round 3, #67 Purdue DL Alex Magee

Selection post on AP
Approval rating: 35%
Video interview
NFL Draft Scout: 6th rated DT, #77 player overall
Mocking the Draft Scouting Report
Chris' Draft Grade: B-

Comments:

It's starting to look like Dorsey has no spot in the 3-4 -808NaNz808

DAMN.

That kid can play! I graduated from Purdue and I’ve seen him a bunch of times…maybe a reach, but, WOW… -thejesuslizard

I think it says more about depth.

The kid can play both positions in the 3-4 (on D-Line.) I think it says more about Hali than Dorsey that they’ve picked a DE and a DT/DE. -stlfan

To you haters

Pioli knows D lineman, and he had ALL night to think about this. This is HIS pick – they guy that he wanted.

In Pioli I trust. -Keyser Soze

The Chiefs are no where near great. Would I like to have more depth on our DL, of course.

I’d have been fine with this pick if we didn’t reach for Jackson #3 overall. If we’d have gone Curry or OT, and then made this pick, it’d have made a lot of sense. -kcsno56

Alex Magee

Are your kidding me? There were at least 10 different ways we could have gone that would be better than this pick.

This draft is shaping up horribly, most dissapointed I have been in Pioli’s tenure. -dyoung21

Click here for Magee's player page. The five players drafted after Magee were:

DE Jarron Gilbert
OLB Jason Williams
DE Michael Johnson
DE Matt Shaughnessy
DT Terrance Knighton

Round 4, #102 Ohio St. CB Donald Washington

Selection post on AP
Approval rating: 23%
Video interview
NFL Draft Scout: 13th rated CB, #95 player overall
30th ranked CB according to Mocking the Draft
Chris' Draft Grade: A-

Comments:

Good player

Doesnt really fill a need. -tdbowe

I'll say

this has been my favorite pick so far. I like where our defensive secondary is headed -KansasCityShuffle

He will be a great add

Being an Ohio State fan, and watching him over the last few years, I can tell you that this kid is a player! With this addition we can free up flowers to cover the quick slot receivers in a 3 wide receiver set and have two large corners on the outside. I am loving the way the defense is looking already! -vaup2106

Pioli

was obviously disgusted with the defensive talent pool across the board. He’ll probably draft a safety next. -ChiefsDude

Think about this on Washington

Nobody threw at Malcom Jenkins this year so they focused on Washington but he held up well. Also, if he had stayed at OSU he would be the next big CB out of OSU and probably would’ve wound up as a first rounder next year. -WesternChief

Check out Donald Washington's player page. The next five players drafted after Washington were:

DT Dorell Scott
ILB Kaluka Maiava
DE Henry Melton
C Jonathan Luigs
WR Mike Thomas

Round 5, #139 Missouri OT Colin Brown

Selection post on AP
Approval rating: 44%
NFL Draft Scout: 38th ranked OT, #477 overall
MU Bio
Chris' Draft Grade: C

Comments:

M-I-Z-Z-O-U but????

I love Mizzou but this pick makes no sense this guy would have been around later in the draft, why not go after a Duke Robinson here?? -doriang03

He may not have been highly toted because he was in the wrong scheme for his talents. -KCKing

Can anyone tell me why Colin Brown is a better pick than Jamon Meredith? From what I have read Meredith is a smart, versatile OL, who had a 3rd round grade. It seems like we could have waited and picked up Colin Brown later, or as a Undrafted FA -bradelli58

Click here for Brown's player page. The next five players drafted after Brown were:

WR Johnny Knox
WR Kenny McKinley
P Kevin Huber
CB DeAngelo Smith
WR Jarrett Dillard

Round 6, #175 McNeese St. WR Quinten Lawrence

Selection post on AP
Approval rating: 71%
Video highlights
NFL Draft Scout: 33rd rated WR, #250 overall
McNeese St. Bio
Chris' Draft Grade: B+

Comments:

This is the first pick I've liked

And its because its in the 6th round, and a good time to take a shot at someone like this kid.

I’d have rather had Ellerbe or Jennings, the RB, but we need a returner, good time to roll the dice on speed. -kcsno56

I was thinking

Poor man’s Desean Jackson (Phi)

undersized with great speed and ball skills… a threat anytime the ball is in his hands. -Ochophosphate

Holy balls! That kid is FAST! -SupremeChief

The next five players drafted after Lawrence were:

LB Spencer Adkins
CB Don Carey
QB Mike Teel
CB Morgan Trent
TE Zach Miller

Round 7, #212 Tennessee St. RB Javarris Williams

Selection post on AP
Approval rating:
NFL Draft Scout: 14th rated RB, #182 overall
#21 rated RB by Mocking the Draft
Chris' Draft Grade: B

Comments:

Insurance is a hope that you don't have to use it

But you better have it. -Steve_Chiefs

He might fit the Kevin Faulk profile. -WesternChief

Pfft!

All it’s basically saying is Williams is a bruiser RB. He’s small, not very fast, and likes contact. He will be used in short yardage situations if he’s used at all. -SupremeChief

The next five players drafted after Williams were:

OG Paul Fanaika
LB J.D. Folsom
RB Fui Vakapuna
CB Captain Munnerlyn
CB E.J. Biggers

Round 7, #237 Miami (OH) TE Jake O'Connell

Selection post on AP
Approval rating:
NFL Draft Scout: #29th rated fullback, Not rated overall
Chris' Draft Grade: C

Comments:

Why?

Why would we trade up to get a guy that you may convince to walk on as a UFA? I don’t get the logic. -TXChieffan

O'Connell sounds like a guy who could play special teams as well

with his speed, 4.6, could be very useful on special teams, even if he doesn’t contribute on offense. -Ken Harvey

The next five player selected after O'Connell were:

DB Stoney Woodson
OG Ryan Durand
RB LaRod Stephens-Howling
TE David Johnson
FS Nick Schommer

Round 7, # 256 South Caroline K Ryan Succop

Selection Post on AP
Approval Rating: 50%
Mr. Irrelevant selection video
NFL Draft Scout: 7th ranked kicker, #386 overall
Chris' Draft Grade: C

Comments:

66% accuracy? This is a joke. I am okay with the other picks in the draft but this one honestly had me stumped. There is probably zero percent chance this guy is gonna be on our team because we can only keep one kicker. We should have at least found an inside lineman to develop. -Vince D

Succop...

I run the SBN Gamecocks site. Here’s what you need to know about Succop. He had one of the longest legs in the college game last year, but consistency is a bit of an issue for him. He missed a bunch of kicks around the middle of 2008, leading to the questionable accuracy rating. Part of the problem seemed to have been some kind of pulled abdominal muscle, but part of it was also in his head, I think. If he can work out confidence issues, he’s got the skills to be a great NFL kicker. If not, oh well.

And yeah, your wives and girlfriends will want to leave you for him as soon as they see his picture. --Gamecock Man

***

I just want to say again how much fun I had this weekend on this site. It really is the community that is this site's strength and I want to thank you for it.

For the reasons listed before the fold, I'm going to give this draft a B for the Kansas City Chiefs. Make sure you vote in the poll below.

Arrowhead Pride rolls on through out the off season.

Poll

Grade the Chiefs overall draft, including the second round trade for QB Matt Cassel and LB Mike Vrabel.

A

76 votes

B

348 votes

C

184 votes

D

40 votes

F

15 votes

663 votes | Poll has closed

The Chiefs (Almost) Fill Up their Practice Squad

Chris Thorman — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:02:56 -0000

The nearly full list, courtesy of the mothership.

S Dowayne Davis
DE Jason Parker
WR Marques Hagans
G Edwin Harrison
DT Derek Lokey
WR Kevin McMahan
LB Aden Durde

Dowayne Davis, an undrafted free agent who signed with Dallas and was just cut, and wide receiver Marques Hagans are new to the team.

Since Durde doesn't count towards the eight player limit, the Kansas City Chiefs still need to add two more players. That may happen in the coming minutes as they update their web site roster.

NFL.com reported that the Chiefs also tried to claim center Andy Alleman but he was awarded to the Miami Dolphins.

A bit more about Dowayne Davis and Marques Hagans is after the jump.

**UPDATE** Adam Teicher at the Red Zone speculates that the last two spots on the practice squad could go to WR Scott Mayle and LB Weston Dacus.

Above are some clips of Dowayne Davis and here is a bit of info on WR Marques Hagans, who was a Rams 5th round pick in 2006.