Turf Show Times - 2015 St. Louis Rams Preseason: Week Four vs. Kansas City Chiefshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51333/tst-fav.png2015-09-03T22:06:30-05:00http://www.turfshowtimes.com/rss/stream/90120142015-09-03T22:06:30-05:002015-09-03T22:06:30-05:00Rams 17, Chiefs 24: Backups Show Up Well
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<figcaption>Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>If nothing else, improvement in the last game of the preseason looks and feels good. But to see it from the reserves and not the starters relegates its relevance.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> ceded the Governor's Cup yet again in a one-possession loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> tonight as the Rams get ready to reduce their current 75-man roster to a 53-man version in two days.</p>
<p>Who stood out tonight?</p>
<p>The only major name for positives on offense was....................................</p>
<p>.............................................</p>
<p>..............................................................................(this deserves a longer ellipsis honestly)</p>
<p><span>Isaiah Pead</span>. He looked lively rushing for 52 yards on 12 carries, good for a 4.33 clip, with a touchdown.</p>
<p>Aside from iPead, the ball was spread around pretty regularly, with QB <span>Sean Mannion</span> looking very erratic at times. As a rookie, Mannion looked very much like a rookie tonight. Three late drops soured the last taste of things.</p>
<p>Defensively, the spirited motivation among players trying to stand out was obvious. The secondary was flying around and popping people while the line shut much down. Kansas City only had seven points over the final two and a half quarters.</p>
<p>The bigger issue was that the Rams were held scoreless in the second half, unable to marshal any kind of consistent threat either in the air or on the ground including preseason starlet <span>Trey Watts</span> who was held to just 11 yards on five carries.</p>
<p>At preseason's end, the game's scoreline doesn't matter. The calendar's eye turns toward Saturday's deadline to turn in a 53-man roster and begin preparing to face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> in the Edward Jones Dome in 10 days.</p>
<p>The preseason's over. Meaningful football is upon us.</p>
<p>Let the games begin.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/9/3/9259541/2015-nfl-preseason-st-louis-rams-city-chiefs-recap3k2015-09-03T21:35:50-05:002015-09-03T21:35:50-05:00Rams-Chiefs Halftime Interviews
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<figcaption>Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Here's what the Rams had to say at halftime.</p> <h4>
<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">Rams</a> Head Coach Jeff Fisher</h4>
<p><strong>(On how he feels his team played the first half)</strong><br> "We like the turnovers. We got the turnovers. We got a defensive score finally, which is good. I thought (QB) Nick (Foles) put together a second drive which was good. We got (WR) Tavon (Austin) who made the big play. We got him out of the game. That’s what he’s here for. Now we’ll play a lot of young players."</p>
<h4>Rams QB <span>Nick Foles</span>
</h4>
<p><strong>(On if he feels good getting a chance to finish things off tonight)</strong><br> "Yeah, absolutely. I think just another opportunity for us to go out there as an offense and play. Just getting the reps out there together is huge for us. Just bonding together, being in the game and just getting ready for our season opener coming up."<br> <br> <strong>(On how he feels about where the offense is headed into Week 1)</strong><br> "I feel good about it. We still need to continue to improve and progress, which we will, because we have the guys here, we have the coaches that, we come to work every day to get better. I feel good about where we’re at and I’m excited about where we’ll go."</p>
<h4>
<span>Rams WR </span><span>Tavon Austin</span>
</h4>
<p><strong>(On if it’s good to finish off the preseason by making a big play tonight)</strong><br> "Yeah, definitely. Like I said, (Head) Coach (Jeff) Fisher said our plays were limited, so I had to go out there and try to make the best of something and give us a spark. I believe that’s what I did. Hopefully I just keep on doing that the rest of the year."<br> <br> <strong>(On how he feels about what they were able to do this preseason as an offense as a whole)</strong><br> "I feel like we definitely had our ups and downs, but we are bringing it together. It probably isn’t showing sometimes in a lot of these preseason games, but for the most part, we are still locked in on one mindset right now. Hopefully we come out next week and we’re going to show it. We’re going to work hard this week and hopefully we get a win."</p>
<h4>Rams RB <span>Isaiah Pead</span>
</h4>
<p><strong>(On if it felt good to get a few opportunities tonight to close out the preseason)</strong><br> "Definitely, it’s always good to get out and contribute. Last game of the preseason, we need to give our fans a win and come out and do good."<br> <br> <strong>(On if it felt good to get in the endzone again)</strong><br> "Definitely feels good to get back in the endzone. Last time I did was against the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chiefs</a> in the preseason a couple of years ago."<br> <br> <strong>(On how he feels heading into Week 1)</strong><br> "I feel confident in my abilities to help the team on special teams, of course offense, running back. Just get out and get the first win for the season."</p>
<h4>Rams Linebacker <span>James Laurinaitis</span>
</h4>
<p><strong>(On how he feels about the team playing tonight)</strong><br> "Well it’s always hard…we don’t game plan for preseason, so really we have to stop them on that first sudden change situation. We can’t allow two running plays for a touchdown. I thought we responded well in the second series. We’ve been practicing really well. We had a really good week of practice considering the short week, but I’m just excited for the real deal to start."<br> <br> <strong>(On where he feels the team is going into Week 1)</strong><br> "I’m confident with what we got. We have a lot of the same guys back, same system. We’ve been practicing really hard, really well. It’s been good. But, you really don’t know until you go out there and play. I think the theme all offseason has been to start fast and what better challenge than the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seahawks</a> Week 1."</p>
<h4>Rams Linebacker <span>Akeem Ayers</span>
</h4>
<p><strong>(On if it feels good to get a few more reps tonight)</strong><br> "Just to be able to finish on a good note and have a good feel going into the first regular season game of the year. You want to know you’re going out feeling good with what you did and being able to move on from there."<br> <br> <strong>(On where he feels the defense is at headed into Week 1)</strong><br> "I feel pretty good. I think that we improve each week. We put some good stuff on film that we feel confident doing and that we know we can improve from."</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/9/3/9259425/2015-nfl-preseason-st-louis-rams-kansas-city-chiefs-recap-news3k2015-09-03T19:32:07-05:002015-09-03T19:32:07-05:00GIF: Tavon Austin Preseason Juke #2<img src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FN-tt5Ya3M2YPFB89DqqY-VU-1Y=/410x410/cdn.vox-cdn.com/fan_shot_images/397688/Rams-Chiefs_Tavon_Austin_juke_GIF_short.0.gif" />
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>That boi fast.</p></p></div>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/9/3/9258963/gif-tavon-austin-preseason-juke-23k2015-09-03T18:24:20-05:002015-09-03T18:24:20-05:002015 NFL Preseason: Rams vs. Chiefs Live Thread
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<figcaption>Kyle Rivas/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Rams close out the 2015 preseason against the Chiefs with this year's edition of the battle for the Governor's Cup.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">Rams</a> and the Chiefs square off for the Governor's Cup to close out the 2015 preseason.</p>
<p><link href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3608425/mustreads.css" rel="stylesheet"></p>
<p>What's left to say? We know the purpose. This is the major audition for the players at the back end of the roster to make their case to stick around past Saturday's deadline to get the roster down to 53 Rams from its current population of 75. We know <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/9/3/9257137/2015-st-louis-rams-53-man-roster-projection-roster-bubble-kansas-city-chiefs-preview">the likely candidates on the bubble</a>. We know <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/9/1/9241891/st-louis-rams-preseason-regular-season-aw-screw-it">the Rams aren't treating the preseason as a process to get ready for week 1</a>.</p>
<p>We know where we are. We know where we're going. But how we're going to get there, and who we're going to get there with, is yet to be determined.</p>
<p>So with the audition-ready players at full motivation and St. Louis fans coming from <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/9/2/9248797/st-louis-stadium-task-force-to-hold-fan-rally-before-rams-chiefs-game/in/9012014">a rally to support the St. Louis stadium plan</a>, it's going to be a spirited contest, even if in the end, the final score doesn't mean a thing.</p>
<p>This is the final chance for the Rams to answer some questions ahead of <span>a week 1 clash</span> with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> to open the season.</p>
<p>Time to close this preseason out.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/9/3/9258639/2015-nfl-preseason-st-louis-rams-vs-kansas-city-chiefs-live-thread3k2015-09-03T15:34:45-05:002015-09-03T15:34:45-05:0053-Man Roster Projection, Bubble Watch
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<figcaption>Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Breaking down the roster bubble and seeing who has the most to gain and lose in tonight's final game of the Rams' 2015 preseason.</p> <p>We've got a couple hours before <span>kickoff</span> between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">Rams</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Chiefs</a>, and since roster cuts are on Saturday I thought we could isolate the players who are looking at tonight's game as a legitimate audition.</p>
<p>First, here are my locks:</p>
<h3>Locked Down</h3>
<h4>QB: Nick Foles, <span>Case Keenum</span>, Sean Mannion</h4>
<p>I think this is already set in stone on the 53.</p>
<h4>RB: Todd Gurley, Tre Mason, Benny Cunningham, <span>Chase Reynolds</span>
</h4>
<p>The Rams went with five last year, so this would leave a 2014 slot open.</p>
<h4>TE/FB: <span>Jared Cook</span>, <span>Lance Kendricks</span>, <span>Cory Harkey</span>
</h4>
<p>Another position where they went with five a year ago. This leaves a pair open.</p>
<h4>WR: <span>Brian Quick</span>, <span>Kenny Britt</span>, <span>Tavon Austin</span>, Stedman Bailey, <span>Chris Givens</span>
</h4>
<p>I'm hesitant to call Givens a lock, but I'll ride with it here. The Rams also went with five wideouts last season.</p>
<h4>OL: Greg Robinson, <span>Rodger Saffold</span>, Barrett Jones, Jamon Brown, Rob Havenstein, Andrew Donnal, <span>Garrett Reynolds</span>
</h4>
<p>There's bound to be some argument here with as many moving parts, but these are the only locks I'm confident in.</p>
<h4>DL: Robert Quinn, <span>Chris Long</span>, Aaron Donald, <span>Michael Brockers</span>, <span>Nick Fairley</span>, <span>William Hayes</span>, <span>Eugene Sims</span>
</h4>
<p>Two spots from the 53. One notable omission...</p>
<h4>LB: <span>James Laurinaitis</span>, Alec Ogletree, <span>Jo-Lonn Dunbar</span>, <span>Akeem Ayers</span>, Daren Bates</h4>
<p>I reaaaaaaaaaaaaally struggled with Dunbar here.</p>
<h4>CB: <span>Janoris Jenkins</span>, <span>Trumaine Johnson</span>, Lamarcus Joyner, Marcus Roberson</h4>
<p>Now hiring.</p>
<h4>S: T.J. McDonald, <span>Rodney McLeod</span>, <span>Mark Barron</span>, Maurice Alexander, Cody Davis</h4>
<p>This might be the position unit I'm most comfortable with after QB.</p>
<h4>ST: <span>Greg Zuerlein</span>, Johnny Hekker, <span>Jake McQuaide</span>
</h4>
<p>Wait, no. This is.</p>
<h3>Job Openings</h3>
<p>So against the 53-man, here's the difference between my locks and how many we carried in 2014:</p>
<table border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>POS</td>
<td>2014</td>
<td>2015</td>
<td>Diff</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>QB</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>-1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RB</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TE</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WR</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OL</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DL</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LB</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CB</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>-1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Total</td>
<td>53</td>
<td>46</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>That's seven job openings for me, though the coaches likely have a few more locked in.</p>
<p>That being said, here's my bubble list.</p>
<h3>Bubble Watch</h3>
<h4>QB: None</h4>
<p>Sorry, <span>Austin Davis</span>.</p>
<h4>RB: Trey Watts, <span>Isaiah Pead</span>, Malcolm Brown</h4>
<p>Watts is the favorite here, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Rams tap either Pead or Brown. Watts has played well, but consider who he's playing against and his style. They may even go with Brown for the physicality.</p>
<h4>TE/FB: Justice Cunningham, Zach Laskey</h4>
<p>I don't see how Alex Bayer makes it this year. There is room, though, to backup Cory Harkey. And I'm leaning hard toward a four-man personnel group here to give a spot to another position.</p>
<h4>WR: Bradley Marquez</h4>
<p>Daniel Rodriguez is a great story, but it's not going to happen for the 53-man. Marquez, though, has enough athleticism to entice an extra spot here perhaps.</p>
<h4>OL: <span>Tim Barnes</span>, Demetrius Rhaney, <span>Brandon Washington</span>, Cody Wichmann, Isaiah Battle</h4>
<p>Man, I dunno.</p>
<h4>DL: Ethan Westbrooks, Louis Trinca-Pasat, Martin Ifedi</h4>
<p>This is also "man, I dunno" territory, but I'd be surprised if they went with less than nine here.</p>
<h4>LB: Cameron Lynch, Bryce Hager</h4>
<p>Special team openings are everything tonight, especially with future injuries untold in 2015.</p>
<h4>CB: Brandon McGee, Montell Garner, Trovon Reed</h4>
<p>The Imoan Claiborne cut tells you they're serious about isolating the options here. There's a reason.</p>
<h4>S: None</h4>
<h4>ST: None</h4>
<h3>Audition <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a>
</h3>
<p>That's 19 out of 22 in the bubble mix. Certainly, the staff has it down to much less than that, but it's difficult to decipher from the outside.</p>
<p>What will be most interesting to contrast with this weekend's 53-man is if one of these candidates plays well tonight and doesn't make it...or vice versa.</p>
<p>There was one Imoan Claiborne in the first 15 cuts. There will be several more in the next 22.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/9/3/9257137/2015-st-louis-rams-53-man-roster-projection-roster-bubble-kansas-city-chiefs-preview3k2015-09-03T12:56:13-05:002015-09-03T12:56:13-05:00Rams-Chiefs: Players To Watch
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<figcaption>Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The St. Louis Rams face off against the Kansas City Chiefs tonight. Although the game does not matter in the win-loss column, it does matter quite a bit for players on the roster bubble.</p> <p>The preseason ends tonight for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> with a home clash against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> for the <b><i><u>highly coveted</u></i></b> Governor's Cup. This game is important for the players that are on the bubble, which means that players will put on their best performance to try and make the team.</p>
<p>Here are my players to watch for the final preseason game.</p>
<h4><span>Sean Mannion</span></h4>
<p>It makes sense that Mannion will run away with the third quarterback spot. He is competing against <span>Austin Davis</span> who has only thrown five passes in the preseason. Mannion was a third round pick this year that has been pretty solid throughout the preseason. This will be a slam dunk choice, but it is always nice to see a draft pick play well.</p>
<h4><span>Barrett Jones</span></h4>
<p>Jones more than likely will be the starting center for the Rams. Is he going to be great? He could end up being a solid offensive linemen for the team. He has had problems with bull rushes, but is an okay pass blocker. <span>Tim Barnes</span> could always be the starting center, but signs are pointing towards Jones.</p>
<h4><span>Christian Bryant</span></h4>
<p>Bryant was a seventh-round pick in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">2014 NFL Draft</a>. This preseason has been his best chance to show his skills. He will have to play well enough to either make the 53-man roster or practice squad.</p>
<h4><span>Isaiah Pead</span></h4>
<p>If you would have told anyone before the season that Pead could see snaps against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> in week one, no one would have believed you. Now with the team's top three running backs more than likely not playing in week one, the team appears to be forced to use Pead, maybe only five or so carries or perhaps more. If Pead plays well this week, this would at least make me feel better about him playing.</p>
<h4>Isaiah Battle</h4>
<p>When the Rams drafted Battle in the 2015 NFL Supplemental Draft a couple of months ago, the team stated their plans to redshirt him. After watching him this preseason, I can see why. Now, maybe I have just seen a few bad plays, but right now he looks rough. Battle does need to develop, and if he is not going to play much in the season, then it would be good for him to play a long time tonight so that he can develop<span>.</span></p>
<h4><span>Ethan Westbrooks</span></h4>
<p>Westbrooks was the surprise of the preseason last year. Obviously, he did not play too much, but the Rams kept him along to groom him as a successful defensive lineman. However this season, he changed positions from defensive end to defensive tackle and has struggled since. Can he regain the magic? Will the Rams keep him around for another season? We will find out soon.</p>
<h4><span>Louis Trinca-Pasat</span></h4>
<p>Normally, when I watch preseason games I keep an eye on players that I think will make the roster. While I was watching a couple of other players, he kept showing up during last week's game. I liked seeing him getting in to the backfield. I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on the UDFA, but he is an interesting player. Also, as I was looking in to the player, I found some <a href="http://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2015/5/2/8536569/louis-trinca-pasat-defensive-tackle-nfl-draft-2015" target="_blank">good info on him that you can find here</a>.</p>
<h4><span>Stedman Bailey</span></h4>
<p>Bailey has been pretty quiet during the preseason. He appears to have a role with the Rams offense, but who knows how big of one. It will be nice to see Bailey catch a couple of passes.</p>
<h4><span>Demetrius Rhaney</span></h4>
<p>Rhaney was one of three players competing for the starting center role. It appears as this Rhaney has lost the center battle and will be competing to be the sixth man on the offensive line. Last week, he played solidly against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a> at right guard, and this week he will gain more experience against the Chiefs. With the Rams depth on the line, Rhaney could play significant time during the regular season.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/9/3/9254051/st-louis-rams-kansas-city-chiefs-preview-players-to-watchTevin Broner2015-09-03T09:38:21-05:002015-09-03T09:38:21-05:00Chiefs Sizing Up Rams In Governor's Cup Clash
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<figcaption>Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Getting the inside info from <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Joel%20Thorman" target="new">Joel Thorman</a> of <a href="http://www.arrowheadpride.com/" target="new">Arrowhead Pride</a>, the SB Nation community for fans of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/kansas-city-chiefs" target="new">the Kansas City Chiefs</a>.</p> <p>The only thing standing between now and regular season football is <span>tonight's episode of Governor's Cup Paradise</span> between the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">Rams</a> and the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chiefs</a>. With the Saturday deadline to get down from 75 to 53 Rams on the roster, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/9/1/9240763/2015-st-louis-rams-75-man-53-man-roster-cuts">tonight's a key audition for roughly two dozen or so guys at the back of the roster</a>.</p>
<p>To try to feel out what kind of opposition those guys will be facing for the majority of the game tonight, I linked up with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Joel%20Thorman" target="_blank">Joel "Winterbone" Thorman</a> from <a href="http://www.arrowheadpride.com/" target="_blank">Arrowhead Pride</a>, SB Nation's community for fans of <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/" target="_blank">the Kansas City Chiefs</a>.</p>
<p><b>How are the returns on offense so far? You guys have been low in terms of yardage, but outperform similar teams in points. Any indication of a big jump coming offensively in 2015?</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I'm not quite sure what to make of the offense honestly. The first two weeks of the preseason the Chiefs offense looked pretty average, at best. But then last week they came out and looked just terrific. I mean, it was one of the best stretches I've ever seen the Andy Reid-led Chiefs offense look, so that's really encouraging. This is the third year that the entire coaching staff and Alex Smith have been together. They have one of the league's top tight ends and Alex Smith loves to throw to tight ends. Jeremy Maclin's speed works well with Alex Smith. And then there's Jamaal Charles who is gonna do what Jamaal Charles does. So, yeah, I do think this offense will be better than last year when they were ranked 16th in scoring. But ultimately this isn't a high-flying, deep-ball offense that will be scoring 35 points a game. It still starts with the Chiefs defense.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Defensively, though, you guys have been monsters. With the additions from the draft, what are the expectations on that side of the ball? How much better can you guys get on defense?</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>They should be really good again. History says Justin Houston probably won't have 20 sacks and Tamba Hali could be entering his final season. But the Chiefs have so many other pieces to be excited about, along with real depth. The secondary should be nails. Sean Smith, who is the top corner, will be suspended the first three weeks of the season but the Chiefs have last year's third round pick in Phillip Gaines and this year's first round pick in Marcus Peters to replace him. That means the Chiefs will be going three deep with corners that look legit. The depth at safety? Eric Berry and Tyvon Branch are second team safeties. I think that says a lot. The Chiefs will be missing Dontari Poe early on this season as he had back surgery but they return Derrick Johnson and Mike DeVito so the run defense should be better. I think it's safe to say this is a top 5-10 defense next season and will be a major reason the Chiefs do or don't make the playoffs.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Speaking of the draft class, how does it look through three preseason games? How has Mitch Morse looked with the move to center? Any late-round gems blossoming to this point?</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>The draft class is coming along nicely. Probably the best of the three that GM John Dorsey has had so far. Let's bullet point this:</p>
<ul>
<li>CB Marcus Peters, as mentioned, is likely to be an early season starter. He looks like the real deal.</li>
<li>C Mitch Morse was a surprise pick but he's one of those guys that football people love because he's capable of playing multiple positions on the line. He looks like the opening day center.</li>
<li>WR Chris Conley is one of those athletic freaks. He will have the opportunity to potentially be the third receiver at some point this season. Playing receiver for Andy Reid is hard so he might take a little more time.</li>
<li>CB Steven Nelson could be a future nickel back but it will be tough to get on the field this year with the depth at safety.</li>
<li>The Chiefs have struggled to find strong side LBs in the Andy Reid era but they found one in Georgia's Ramik Wilson. He has a shot to unseat LB Josh Mauga for the starting job.</li>
<li>LB DJ Alexander, another Oregon State player like Nelson, plays Derrick Johnson's position. But he won't be seeing defensive action this year.</li>
<li>TE James O'Shaughnessy is athletic and comes from a small school so I didn't have high hopes for him early on. But turns out, he's probably the No. 2 tight end until Demetrius Harris gets healthy.</li>
<li>Sixth round pick DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches and seventh round pick WR Da'Ron Brown won't make waves this year but have the potential to be contributors down the line.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Obviously with game four, we're going to get a long, long look at the tail of the 75-man roster. Who has played their way into contention for the 53-man? Any UDFA surprises? Who should Rams fans be prepared to recognize?</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>He won't play because he is hurt now, but my favorite UDFA so far is LB Justin March. He reminds the Chiefs a little of Bart Scott. Too bad he just went to IR. Another player to watch for is WR Fred Williams, who leads the team in receiving this preseason. He's one of those guys whose names hardcore Chiefs fans might have recognized heading into this season because he spent two years on the practice squad but he kind of came out of nowhere this preseason. We weren't counting on him for a potential roster spot.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Overall, what are the expectations for 2015? The last two decades have been pretty volatile for you guys since the end of the Marty Schottenheimer era. Are you confident that Andy Reid has put you guys on a more stable course for success? The 2-win 2012 isn't all that distant. How surprised are you at the turnaround and how assured are you that it's firmly in the past and that the challenge is no longer to turn into a perennial winner but rather about how far you go in the postseason?</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Andy Reid has stabilized the franchise with 20 wins in the last two seasons. It's not a flash in the pan thing either like it was with the 2010 Chiefs. This team has legit depth. They're going to cut players that end up playing for other teams. That hasn't happened in a loooong time in Kansas City. This is the third year so I think expectations are ramping up a little bit. The Chiefs have not won a playoff game since 1994 (I know) so the goal remains getting into the dance and winning one. We all have our opinions about Alex Smith and whether the Chiefs can make a Super Bowl ... but just win a damn playoff game first.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Thanks to Winterbone for the time.</p>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/9/3/9254983/st-louis-rams-kansas-city-chiefs-preview3k2015-09-02T13:15:40-05:002015-09-02T13:15:40-05:00STL Stadium Fan Rally Prior To STL-KC<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://lockerdome.com/7475583080735553/7996790448464401">St. Louis Stadium Task Force To Hold Fan Rally Before Rams-Chiefs&nbsp;Game</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>This will definitely be worth paying attention to...</p></p></div>
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2015/9/2/9248797/st-louis-stadium-task-force-to-hold-fan-rally-before-rams-chiefs-game3k