Chiefs enter ‘Mad Season’: Roster moves begin to fly
By Ryan Tracy
Sep 3, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid calls a play against the St. Louis Rams during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Chiefs defeated the Rams 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
John Dorsey’s job is getting harder. Andy Reid’s is tough already.
The NFL roster cuts have to be completed by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday. He has to subtract 22 players from Thursday night’s roster in less than 48 hours. That’s a tall order and it is significantly more difficult than is was when Dorsey took over the Kansas City general manager position in 2013.
The current 90-man roster is better, top-to-bottom than the roster in 2013. That translates to better depth across the board. That is a great thing to build, but there is a flip side. Making cuts like those now become more difficult.
That is plainly evident in one of the ‘problem’ position groups; the wide receivers. Long a soft spot on the roster, it has been a pointed upgrade over the last 18 months. The emergence of Albert Wilson together with the additions of Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant and Chris Conley have created a solid group. Add to that the dedication of De’Anthony Thomas to the position and you have a solid five-deep wide receiver corp.
The true testament to the depth that has been created may be in looking at who may not be on the 2015 roster at receiver.
Hemingway started three games for the franchise over the last two years, but was released earlier this week. He has been injured the duration of camp as well. Frankie Hammond made three starts in 2014 and may not even make the 53-man roster in 2015. If he does make it as the sixth receiver, it will be due to his special teams ability rather than his receiving skills. That is a statement to the improvement at the position over the last offseason.
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