"The Dozen" End Pre-Season With a Limp

Aug 27, 2008, 8:39:48 AM by Bob Gretz - FAQ

They are the foundation stones for the new Chiefs. Twelve players drafted together over two days this past April serve as the base upon which the team hopes to build a competitive future.

There’s just one problem: these guys are not stones. They are not made of rock or concrete. They are people and people get hurt playing the game of football.

When the Chiefs went to Miami last weekend for what proved to be a rather disasterous outing against the Dolphins, only half of the dozen made the trip. The other six were back in Kansas City, visiting doctors, rehabbing injuries and trying to get well.

First-round pick Branden Albert, third round choices Jamaal Charles and Brad Cottam, fourth-round selection Will Franklin, sixth-round pick Kevin Robinson and seventh-round choice Michael Merritt were not on the field.

And Albert, Franklin, Robinson and Merritt will not be on the field Thursday night when the Chiefs host the St. Louis Rams.

So with the regular season now just some 10 days away, where do “The Dozen” stand? Here’s what the head coach thinks:

1. DT Glenn Dorsey – started and got the most playing time of his young career against Miami. He made an impression on the Chiefs coaching staff. “He’s exactly what we thought he would be when we drafted him,” said Edwards. “He’s a powerful man inside. He can control the double-team. He’s getting better with his pass rush; he’s getting a better feel.”

2. LT Branden Albert - has not yet returned to practice from his foot injury, but is progressing on schedule and he may be able to practice next week. He took part in some individual drills during Monday’s practice, but was relegated to walking circles around the practice fields when the team work began. If he can get into the team work portion of practice next week, does that mean he’ll play in the season opener against New England? “Not necessarily,” Edwards said. “We will have to wait and see. With a veteran guy, you might do that, but with a young guy, I’m not sure that’s fair to him or the team. We’ll see what kind of progress he makes when we start next week.”

3. CB Brandon Flowers – performed against Miami in the same manner that he played the previous two games. He showed up in the middle of the action and made plays. Flowers also showed again that he’s not afraid of sticking his nose into the run defense. He was being blocked and he took on that blocker, held him in place and then threw him aside and made the tackle on the ball carrier. “He’s gotten better every game,” said Edwards. “He’s fearless. He reminds me of Ronde Barber (Tampa Bay) in the way he’s not afraid to tackle somebody. He’s learning and importantly, he’s learning from his mistakes. That’s what you are looking for as a coach. I think he can be special in that nickel back role, where he covers the guy in the slot.”

4. RB Jamaal Charles - was not on the field in Miami, but he got back to practice this week and will likely see a play or two against St. Louis. His speed in the backfield gives the offense an impressive weapon. “Oh yes, it makes a difference when he’s out there,” said Edwards after watching Charles return to practice.

5. TE Brad Cottam - also was not on the field against the Dolphins, but he also returned to practice this week and should play against the Rams. He’s going to play a part in the Chiefs offense this year. “He’s one of these young guys that’s going to be on the field,” said Edwards.

6. S DaJuan Morgan – continues to make plays and make mistakes when given the opportunity to play. “He’s learning and again, what we are seeing from him is that he’s not re-learning the same lessons all the time,” said Edwards. “He’s going to be a play maker.” Morgan is consistently getting his hands on the football during practice and he’s shown the willingness to deliver the big blow, especially when he comes up against the run.

7. WR Will Franklin – underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Friday and is out two to four weeks. He did not play in Miami. It’s a tough setback for a young receiver who had established himself as the third-man and figured to get a lot of playing time. “That’s a tough one for him, but he’s got to come back and show us the same things he did before the injury,” said Edwards. “If he does that, he’ll be ready. He’s already rehabbing so hopefully it won’t be too long until he’s back.”

8. CB Brandon Carr – continues to improve on almost a daily basis. “He’s growing up,” Edwards said. “He made a big play down in Miami with that interception in the end zone. He was in man-to-man coverage with his back to the quarterback and he turns and makes the catch, not just knocking it away, that’s big. That’s really big for him. That should help his confidence a lot.”

9. RT Barry Richardson – made a big step forward in his play down in Miami. “We were pleasantly surprised,” said Edwards. “He did a good job in pass protection. He has really improved.” Richardson got most of the playing time with the first offensive unit after starter Damion McIntosh left the game because of a sore ankle.

10. WR-KR Kevin Robinson – continues his rehab from June knee surgery and is now on the regular-season PUP list. He will have to sit out practice until the sixth week of the season. He will then have a three-week window where he could practice. Once that window is finished, the Chiefs can keep him on PUP, release him or advance him to the 53-man active roster. If he stays on PUP, then he’s done for the season.

11. DE Brian Johnston – and his performances have been up-and-down through the pre-season, but generally his play was up against Miami. “He did OK, he’s getting better,” Edwards said of Johnston.

12. TE Michael Merritt – was signed on Monday and should move to the Non-Football Injury List before the regular season opener as he continues to recover from a broken fibula. He will then be under the same rules and regulations that Robinson is on the PUP List.

The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.

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A former beat reporter who covered the Pittsburgh Steelers during their glory years, Gretz covered the Chiefs for the Kansas City Star for nine years. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Board of Selectors. He has been the senior columnist for the Chiefs web site since its inception.