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I think Tyler Thigpen and most of the second-tier receivers need to play well to secure their jobs. The Chiefs‘ passing game needs help, especially with Will Franklin on the mend. If nobody steps up, I’m almost positive we’ll import help when some decent players get cut later this week. Our linebackers will also be watched closely, as will our two kickers. It should be interesting. Well, at least for a half or so.

Which players need to play well tonight in order to make the roster of 53?

So far this preseason, Franklin has been our second best receiver (Dwayne Bowe, aka Mr. Awesome is what HE calls himself now, is our best, regardless of his preseason stats). On the Chiefs’ depth chart, he is currently third. With Franklin out and Devard Darling having accomplished absolutely zilch during a game yet–not that he has had an opportunity to, by the way–it looks like the competition for that fourth and possibly final WR spot is about to heat up. It also could mean that we keep more receivers than we originally intended to.

DVD, Franklin and, of course, The Show have already made the team. That means Bobby Sippio, Jeff Webb, Kevin McMahan and Maurice Price will be competing to make the roster, and possibly to see significant game action. That all depends on how serious Franklin’s injury is. Basically, the Miami game is going to be the biggest game of all the above-mentioned fringe receivers’ lives. It’s step-up-or-get-cut time. Kevin Robinson, aka K-Throb, also has a shot to make the team. That is if he ever is healthy enough to play. I’m pulling for Mo and Sipp, but that’s just me.

If Franklin misses significant time, who do you want to step up in his absence?

I almost stood up and started clapping after I read this golden nugget of truth…

William Franklin and Bobby Sippio were fantastic. The Chiefs would love to see Franklin flourish. He’s a rookie draft pick, and he has the necessary skill set to shine as a slot receiver.

The Chiefs would prefer Sippio, the former Arena League star, not make the team. It’s not personal. He’s just not a Bill Kuharich draft pick. Thankfully, it appears Sippio is going to force his way onto the team and into the lineup. He’s a big, physical receiver with reliable hands. He has a swagger, too. And he can play on special teams.

The Chiefs would prefer Jeff Webb. But he’s no Bobby Sippio.

My relationship with Jabba has always been a love-hate one, but today it’s all love, big guy. It’s good to see that the whole Star staff isn’t buying into the bogus anti-Sippio propaganda. The mudslinging at Sipp in Adam Teicher’s recent blog entry was nastier than what we’ll probably see exchanged during this Presidential campaign. And it’s good to see Will Franklin get some props as well. The Helicopter definitely took off for flight last Thursday. The Jeff Webb diss was just the icing on the cake.

Keep it up, Jay. I’m sure you won’t.

What a way to kick off the Chiefs‘ 2008 season, huh? Here are my thoughts…

The star of the first half was undoubtedly Brodie Croyle. People have it twisted about Croyle; we like him and are pulling for him, but we just didn’t possess the blind faith in him that some Chiefs fans do. Tonight, he definitely made us believe a little bit more than we did yesterday. His opening drive was the perfect way for him to start this season, not to mention put last season behind him. The drive was 16 plays, but that wasn’t what impressed me the most. What impressed me the most was that he was 5-5 on third down conversions. I also liked that broken play he turned into a scramble for a first down. A sharp performance overall.

The star of the second half was Arrowhead Addict favorite Bobby Sippio. Say what you will about his speed, but the guy could catch a bullet blindfolded with chopsticks. He’s also one helluva load to bring down in the open field, every bit as hard to drag down as Dwayne Bowe or Tony Gonzalez. He led the team in receiving with three catches for 57 yards and a TD, and simply took over the game during the game-winning drive. It was good to see Sippio given a chance, as I have always felt he’s a better player than either Jeff Webb or Sammie Parker. All the guy needs is an actual shot. Hopefully, Herm will look at what he did and get him some burn with the first and second strings next game. Regardless, he took a huge step towards making the team tonight.

(more…)

That’s right, after signing a four-year deal with the Chiefs, Will Franklin bought into a Which Wich? franchise in his former college town of Columbia, MO. That’s the kind of business you should be doing back at your alma mater, Matt Jones. By all accounts, Franklin is a good, smart kid. I think this shows that he has his head squarely on his shoulders. From Flanny:

Franklin invested in the “Which Wich” sandwich shop near Faurot Field in Columbia, according to the Columbia Daily Tribune.

Franklin owns 40 percent of Which Wich, which is a Dallas-based franchise that now has its first Missouri location.

“I thought it was a great spot to bring to Mizzou,” he told the newspaper. “Being a local player, I jumped right in. … I try to stay hands-on within the organization because I want to get involved in the business side of things when I’m not playing football.”

All of you Columbians are going to have to let us know how the joint is. I wonder if they’re going to serve a sandwich called the Hearty Helicopter?

Will it be Devard Darling, who according to our recent poll is the odds-on favorite. With multiple trips to the endzone last season and a pair of breakout games despite receiving limited snaps as a part of Baltimore’s woeful passing attack, yeah, he certainly has promise. But why was he buried on B-More’s depth chart in the first place? That is a tad bit troubling.

Will it be Webb, who attempted to fill in at the spot last year when Eddie Kennison pulled up lame and the Chiefs finally figured out that Samie Parker is lame? Many of us here at the Addict couldn’t have been less impressed with Webb last season. In fact, there are those of us who believe he wouldn’t even be on the team if he wasn’t Herm Edwards‘ son’s BFF from San Diego State. The name Webb is a bit deceiving for a guy who doesn’t have either Spider-Man’s sticky mitts or his Spidey sense (remember that catch against the Pack when he couldn’t get his feet down inbounds?)

Will it be Will Franklin, aka The Helicopter? Honestly, though, what can we really tell from OTAs? I have no clue if he’s going to become Will.I.Am.A.Player or Will.I.Am.A.Bust (couldn’t resist the Black Eyed Peas reference for all of our young ones out there). We all–team, A.A. staff, readers, etc…–believe the kid has potential, but who knows if he’ll actually materialize into something this year, or even down the road.

Will it be Bobby Sippio, the former Arena League star and current A.A. cult fave? Just give Bobby a chance, Herm. Personally, I’ll take Sippio eight days a week over Jeff Webb. Let’s give the guy an honest shot this time around.

Will it be Maurice Price, unknown commodity/Chiefs’ diamond in the rough? We don’t really know anything about the kid, except for that he’s turned some heads during OTAs after sitting out the ’07 campaign due to injury. We’ll certainly keep an eye on him.

A darkhorse candidate? From the waiver wire, trade market or another team?

Tell us who you think will be the Chiefs’ No. 2 WR for the 2008 season and beyond. Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb!