Chiefs Release Bradley; Send Cottam To IR
When Todd Haley was taking about his team dropping passes in Sunday’s game against Cleveland, he said this:
“Anybody out there running routes his job is to catch the ball and block in the run game. That’s about it. It’s not to look pretty, it’s not to run the best route, it’s to block in the run game and catch the ball when we’re throwing it. That’s it. We need to catch the ball or find somebody who will catch the ball.”
Which would also mean moving out those having trouble catching the ball. That’s one of the reasons veteran WR Mark Bradley was sent packing on Tuesday, 48 hours after he dropped three passes in the loss to Cleveland. To fill his roster spot, the Chiefs re-signed sixth-round draft choice Quinten Lawrence for the third time this year.
Bradley played in 23 games over the last two seasons with the Chiefs, catching 54 passes for 700 yards and six touchdowns. He could have saved his spot on the roster if he had produced anything as a returner last week against Cleveland. But Bradley had seven kickoff returns for 123 yards.
TE Brad Cottam had his best game of the season against Cleveland, catching four passes for 62 yards. At the end of one of those catches, Cottam was tackled hard and landed on his head and the back of his neck. The blow didn’t keep him out of the game, but after more x-rays and tests on Monday, the Chiefs decided to end Cottam’s season two games early, placing him on the injured-reserve list Tuesday.
Cottam’s move makes for 10 players on the IR-list, including seven who got on the field at some point during the 2009 season.
In eight games, Cottam caught nine passes for 120 yards.
I hope the kid is okay. I was afraid he was hurt when he landed…but was glad he got back in the game afterwards. That’s alot of weight to be coming down on your neck like that. I hope it isn’t too serious.
getting well is priority, good move my the chiefs.
that being said, I have thought all season that cottam was the best TE that we had on this team. he must not practice that well or something for his playing time to be deminished this year….yes im still on the pioli/haley band wagon for next year too, but i didnt really understand this one….
maybe it was his run blocking…??
Too bad that Mark Bradley didn’t pan out. The guy just didn’t seem to put forth the effort…surprising after his failure in Chicago.
At TE, I’m not convinced that we have what we need on the roster. As a third round pick, Cottam needs to product more.
…..”And the hits just keep on comin’…..
Lawrence needs to be on the roster. The knock on him in training camp was his hands mostly. Well, Bradley and Wade have dropped darn near half the passes thrown their way so at least with Lawrence we get a guy with speed who MIGHT factor into the future. Bradley (and Wade) is a UFA after this year anyway so we just made the move two games early.
Too bad about Cottam. He looked like he was about to break out. He was injury prone in college too, but if that fall was as bad as it sounds, you can’t really be upset with him about it.
I agree, Colby. If nothing else, Lawrence can take a man deep with him on every play. The kid might pan out if he could get the “reps”. At this point, what is there to lose?
Bradley? Oh well. No tears shed here. A WR that can’t catch a ball that is right in your hands? Not much help. I just hope the other WR’s are taking notes here. Don’t catch the ball…then look for another job. Kudos to Haley.
“We need to catch the ball or find somebody who will catch the ball.”
Absolutely. I like it.
Sorry. My tolerance for players that can’t do what they’re paid to do has worn thin. You know, if I F’ed up at my job repeatedly…I’d be fired, too. And rightly so.
Chiefs cut Bradley. Hmmm. Well, there goes the latest P/K return man. How many have been used at those tasks thus far in 2009?
Answer: The coaching staff hasn’t a clue.
That’s it Todd——no more or no less —a little football ,who wants to play and are YOU ready , otherwise , see you latter ….
Fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay .
Make’s you wonder if he was on the phone getting advice from _____ _______ , before the game ?
On NFL.com they have Jamaal Charles as one of the Ground players of the week. If you thought Jamaal did a good job last Sunday place you’re vote for him as the one bright spot in this lost season.
I hope now Pioli understands signing a guy like Dez Bryant in the first round is a premium. Put him in the line up w/Bowe and Chambers we got a pretty good receving core. Spend the two 2nd round picks on lineman would solve the o-line problems. As for Bradley good riddens. Wade will join him at the end of the yr as well. Bottom line Bradley got good speed and size but just doesn’t seem to have what it takes to be a productive receiver. Moving Lawerence up makes sense he’s got good speed can continue to improve as return guy and he’s young. Drops with him is acceptable for vets like Wade and Bradley absolutely unacceptable.
Not sure drops on the pro level is acceptable, ED. My grandson is 8 and has an upside and could drop passes like Lawrence, not sure I want him playing WR for the Chiefs just yet. I was hoping Long would get the next try at KR or PR, he can at least hang onto the ball. Lawrence looks like Williams and McConnel, all draft choices who have a future and no presence.
I would like to have seen them let go of Lance Long or perhaps Bobby Wade before Bradley. To me he seems to be a better receiver.
I do recall last year towards the end of the Saints game when we had a chance to come back either for the tie or a win and he disappointed with a super easy drop where he had nobody on him.
We’ll see what happens
aPauled – Brad Cottam hasn’t produced much because he has been inactive for most of the games. Cottam really started looking good at towards the end of the season. I was really hoping to see more from him this season then Haley doesn’t activate him and puts in Jake O’connel who hasn’t caught one pass all season.
Gotta love the process…
Good-bye to WRs that can’t catch…especially veterans!
Yea Scott C, I would have liked to see Cottam over all of the other losers Haley brought in, for one he had a year of tutelage under the best damn TE in the NFL, Tony G. Im sure if he was given more of a chance he could have produced more then the other TE’s did this year. Hopefully he gets a chance next year…