Jan 22, 2013; Mobile AL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey discusses with his scouts and coaches following the Senior Bowl South Squad practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs have added to their roster, signing CB Kamaal McIlwain and offensive tackle Mike Teppe, the team announced this morning.
From the press release:
"McIlwain (5-10, 175) originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Atlanta Falcons in 2011. After being released by the Falcons before the start of the regular season, he spent his rookie year on the New Orleans Saints practice squad. McIlwain was released by the Saints on Aug. 27, 2012 and then signed on with the Carolina Panthers where he served on their practice squad roster for the season. McIlwain was an All-South Atlantic Conference player at Newberry College. He prepped at Indian Land High School in Fort Mill, S.C.Tepper (6-6, 354) has played in six games (four starts) in one NFL season with the Indianapolis Colts (2011). In 2011 and 2012, Tepper split time between the Colts practice squad and active roster before being released on Aug. 31, 2012. He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 2010. He was released by Dallas before the start of the 2010 season. Tepper played collegiately at California and prepped at Pacifica High School in Garden Grove, Calif."
Both of these guys are probably long-shots to make the final roster but it is clear that GM John Dorsey is not content with the bottom of the roster. Dorsey has been turning over the very bottom of the roster since he arrived and has continued to do so even though the Chiefs are well into training camp. This shows me that if Dorsey doesn’t think a player is going to make the team, he would rather evaluate someone else instead of keepign the player around for the duration of the preseason.
That is a smart strategy in my book. While most minor signings are likely to be cut, it is still good for the Chiefs to get a look at as many prospects as possible. The moves will also likely increase competition and effort as other bottom of the roster players may get nervous when they see some players being cut.