Ten observations about the Chiefs initial 53-man roster

Posted Aug 31, 2012

Defensive lineman Amon Gordon, safety Donald Washington, defensive end Brandon Bair and offensive tackle David Mims were among the Chiefs roster cuts on Friday. Each spent time on Kansas City’s 53-man roster a season ago.

The Chiefs cut ties with 19 players and placed two rookies on injured reserve to reach the NFL’s mandatory roster cut down to 53 players. Teams may establish an eight-player practice squad beginning at 11:00 a.m. (CST) on Saturday, September 1^st.

Here’s a deeper look at Kansas City’s initial 53-man roster:

1. 75-21 = 54. The Chiefs 53-man roster is one player heavy because outside linebacker Tamba Hali does not count against the Chiefs roster while he serves his Week One suspension.

2. Donald Washington was the longest-tenured Chief let go, originally joining the team as a fourth-round draft pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. He played in 32 games for the Chiefs, starting five games at safety over the past two seasons.

3. The most experienced player let go was linebacker Leon Williams, who was the Chiefs preseason tackle leader with 13 stops. Williams hasn’t played in a game since the 2010 season with Dallas, but owns 57 games of NFL experience.

4. Three members of the Chiefs 2012 draft class were part of Friday’s transactions. Wide receiver Junior Hemingway and defensive lineman Jerome Long – both seven-round picks – were waived and fifth-round defensive back De’Quan Menzie was placed on injured reserve.

5. The Chiefs went with no fullbacks and kept four tight ends. Tight ends Tony Moeaki and Jake O’Connell each flexed into the backfield this preseason and running back Nate Eachus saw spot duty at fullback when the Chiefs were thin on numbers at the position.

6. Five running backs were kept, though sixth-round draft pick Cyrus Gray has missed the past three weeks with a hamstring injury.

7. Just seven offensive linemen were kept on the initial 53-man roster. That decision leaves rookies Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson as the only reserves. There is no backup center, but starting left guard Ryan Lilja practiced snaps earlier this preseason.

8. Three nose tackles were kept as Anthony Toribio rehabilitates an ankle injury. Also on the defensive line, Ropati Pitoitua beat out Brandon Bair and Amon Gordon as the third defensive end behind starters Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson.

9. Two undrafted rookies made the initial 53-man roster: former Kansas State safety Tysyn Hartman and former Colgate running back Nate Eachus.

10. Andy Studebaker, Cameron Sheffield and Edgar Jones join Justin Houston at outside linebacker while Tamba Hali serves his one-game suspension. Studebaker is the anticipated spot-starter, but Jones and Sheffield flashed pass rush ability during the preseason. All three could have a role against Atlanta.