Mr. Smiths Go To Practice … Thursday Cup O’Chiefs
If your initials were K.S., then the spotlight fell on you at the Chiefs on Wednesday.
Kenny Smith spent his first day with his new teammates, signed by the Chiefs as a backup nose tackle and filling the roster spot that came open with the trade of Tank Tyler. For the 32-year old Mississippi native, it’s his first week on an active roster in six years.
Kolby Smith was back on the practice field for the first time this season, as the Chiefs activated him from the Physically Unable-To-Perform List. That’s where he’s been residing since the start of training camp as he rehabbed his right knee. He suffered a torn patella tendon in that knee against Tampa Bay last November 2nd at Arrowhead Stadium.
While these guys play on opposite sides of the line of scrimmage and have traveled very different road to get to the Chiefs practice field on Wednesday, they share one common trait: patience. Without it, both Kenny and Kolby Smith would have gone on to their next careers some time ago.
“Once you’ve got a dream, you don’t ever give up on it,” Kenny Smith said. “I never let go of it. I just kept pushing myself.”
Chiefs fans would be dreaming if they thought the addition of either Smith will make much of a difference for the ‘09 Chiefs. Between the two, Kolby Smith would have the best chance. Right now, the offense needs all the help it can get and he’s shown in the past that he can run the ball.
But Smith is not yet on the active roster. By activating him, the Chiefs now have three weeks where he can practice with the team. At any point on or before November 10th, the team can pull him onto the 53-man active roster, send him back to the PUP List for the rest of the season, or release him.
When Todd Haley speaks about Kolby Smith, it’s not hard to read between the lines and see that the Chiefs plan to activate him at some point. It’s not really a question of if, but when.
Kolby was just happy to be on the practice fields and in the mix with his teammates. He’s been forced to run and do conditioning drills on an adjacent field. Like a sick kid who’s tormented by his bedroom window overlooking a playground, Smith could only watch.
“I got lonely over there,” Smith said. “It always seemed to be me and Cedric (Smith, the Chiefs strength and conditioning coach). Sometimes I would get some visitors with guys getting nicked up in practice or the games, but nobody stayed very long. For the most part it was lonely and it feels great to be part of the family again.”
Before the Chiefs went off to training camp in Wisconsin, Smith was sure he was going to be cleared to practice and play. When he wasn’t, that was the low point on the comeback trail for him.
“I thought I was ready but they didn’t agree,” he said. “That was hard. I was shooting for the start of camp. I had to get my mind right and create a new finish line.”
Smith knows he was not quite ready to play a game on Wednesday. “I’ve got to work on some technique, some little things; get back up to speed on changes and knock some of the rust off,” he said. “I’m not where I want to be, but I’m almost there.”
Somebody asked Smith if he was going to ease his way back into the practices.
“You can’t ease through this game,” Smith said. “I just want to go out and go full speed. My goal is to go out there and help the team win, whatever that means, whether it’s running, blocking, special teams.”
Kenny Smith won’t be easing into anything either. We aren’t quite sure we have all the pieces of what he’s been through the past six years, other than the fact he’s not been on the field for a game since the 2003 season with the New Orleans Saints, who selected him in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
He played in the 2001-02-03 seasons with the Saints. From the 2004 season, it’s easier just to give you his transaction log. It’s lengthy:
- August 19, 2004 – Saints place him on IR list with a torn rotator cuff.
- February 23, 2005 – Declared unrestricted free agent (UFA).
- March 31, 2005 – Signed with the Oakland Raiders.
- September 4, 2005 – Placed on IR list by Raiders with knee injury.
- March 11, 2006 – Declared UFA.
- March 7, 2007 – Signed with the Tampa Bay Bucs.
- April 30, 2007 – Released by the Bucs.
- June 8, 2007 – Signed with the New England Patriots.
- August 22, 2007 – Released by the Patriots.
- April 23, 2008 – Re-signed by the Patriots.
- August 30, 2008 – Placed on IR list by Patriots with bicep injury.
- April 23, 2009 – Re-signed by the Patriots.
- June 4, 2009 – Released by the Patriots.
- October 21, 2009 – Signed with the Chiefs.
He left the Saints after the 2004 season and signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Oakland Raiders. But he ended up spending that ‘05 season on the injured-reserve list. He was out of football completely in 2006, signed with Tampa Bay the next year, but lasted only a few weeks in the off-season. Smith signed with New England that year, but did not make the team. He was back in ‘08, and ended up on the injured-reserve list before he was released last spring.
Smith also missed time because of the death of his mother. He played in 30 games for the Saints, with 10 starts. He has career numbers of 69 total tackles, 4.5 sacks and two recovered fumbles.
All that was a long time ago; his days, weeks, months and now years have been dedicated to getting back on the field. It has been a long journey. Like any player who went through the Patriots system over the last few years, he’s on the radar screen of the Chiefs, whether he played or not. GM Scott Pioli twice signed Smith in New England and the big man knew once Pioli came to Kansas City he had another option.
“He told me to stay ready and that’s what I did,” Smith said. “It gets frustrating waiting and sitting back every Sunday and watching games and seeing guys who you know you are better than. I just kept pushing myself. I knew what I wanted in my life.
“Football is the thing for me, so I just kept at it.”
How does he fit into the Chiefs defensive picture? That remains to be seen. Having not played for six years certainly puts Smith at a disadvantage. His multiple stints on the injured-reserve list raises questions about his ability to stay available.
That’s down the road. Right now, Kenny Smith is just happy to be on the field. So is Kolby Smith. On one day at least, their patience has been rewarded by the bump and grind of practice.
SIGNINGS, HONORS, INJURIES & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE
- BEARS – LB Pisa Tinoisamoa will miss the rest of the season with a right knee injury.
- BROWNS – signed TE Michael Gaines.
- BUCCANEERS – claimed G Shawn Murphy on waivers (Dolphins); WR Kelly Campbell released.
- PACKERS – signed RB Ahman Green; placed RB DeShawn Wynn on the injured-reserve list (knee).
- RAMS – signed OT Phil Trautwein; released WR Nate J ones
- TEXANS – signed LB Jamie Winborn.
FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY
On October 22, 1961, the Dallas Texans lost to the Oilers 38-7 in front of a crowd of 23,228 at Jeppesen Stadium in Houston. When QB Cotton Davidson and WR Chris Burford connected on a 42-yard first-quarter TD pass, the Texans were off and running. But they never saw the end zone again, as the Oilers ripped off the next 38 points, as QB George Blanda threw three touchdown passes. Burford finished the game with six catches for 99 yards. The quarterback duties for Dallas were split between Davidson and Randy Duncan and neither one got much done for the Texans. Houston had a pair of receivers go over the 100-yard mark as Bill Groman caught four for 123 yards and Charlie Hennigan had four catches for 108 yards.
On October 22, 1967, the Chiefs beat the Houston Oilers 29-14 in front of 46,365 fans at Municipal Stadium. The Oilers scored on offense, defense and special teams, and were able to overcome a very good defensive effort by the Chiefs. Houston had just 127 yards in total offense and picked up only seven first downs in the game. But Oilers CB Zeke Moore returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown, S Jim Norton took back an interception 23 yards for a score and RB Sid Blanks caught a 39-yard TD pass from QB Pete Beathard. RB Mike Garrett had a pair of touchdown runs from two and five yards.
On October 22, 1972, the Chiefs lost the Philadelphia Eagles 21-20 in front of 78,389 fans at Arrowhead Stadium. Down 21-6 at half-time, the Chiefs made a second-half comeback that fell just short of victory in front of a full house. The Eagles jumped to the early lead thanks to three TD passes by quarterback Pete Liske in the first 20 minutes of the game. The Chiefs only points in the first half came on a pair of FGs b y Jan Stenerud of 31 and 37 yards. They finally reached the end zone with an 11-yard TD run by RB Ed Podolak and a 20-yard TD pass from QB Len Dawson to TE Willie Frazier.
On October 22, 1978, the Chiefs beat the Cleveland Browns 17-3 in front of a crowd of 41,157 at Arrowhead Stadium. The victory ended the Chiefs six-game losing streak and the hero was RB Arnold Morgado. Largely used on special teams, the second-year back from Hawaii came off the bench to run for 74 yards and two touchdowns in the Chiefs. Morgado said afterwards it was his first two TD game since the seventh grade in Honolulu. K Jan Stenerud added a 21-yard FG for the Chiefs. Overall, KC’s running game had 190 yards, as Tony Reed carried 14 times for 97 yards. The Chiefs defense forced three turnovers.
On October 22, 1989, the Chiefs beat the Dallas Cowboys 36-28 at Arrowhead Stadium in front of 76,841 fans. The Chiefs jumped to an early lead on the running legs of Christian Okoye, who had TD runs of two and 13 yards. Later, they added a four-yard TD run by RB James Saxon, a five-yard run by QB Steve Pelluer, a safety by LB Rob McGovern when a blocked punt went through the end zone and a pair of field goals. Okoye finished with 33 carries for 170 yards. QB Steve DeBerg was 17 of 22 for 237 yards.
On October 22, 1995, the Chiefs beat the Broncos 21-7 at Mile High Stadium in Denver. RB Marcus Allen became the fourth RB in NFL history to score 100 rushing touchdowns. Allen scored on a one-yard run in the third quarter and finished the game with 121 rushing yards and 21 carries. He was the first Chiefs running back in 21 years to go over 100 rushing yards in Denver. QB Steve Bono ran for a one-yard TD and threw a 14-yard scoring pass to WR Lake Dawson. CB Dale Carter had a pair of interceptions, while DE Neil Smith contributed 2.5 sacks. Allen joined Walter Payton, Jim Brown and John Riggins with 100 rushing touchdowns or more.
SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …
Born on October 22, 1938 in Oklahoma City was C Jon Gilliam. He joined the Texans in 1961 and played seven seasons with the franchise (1961-67). He played in 76 games and was the team’s starting center for six seasons. Gilliam retired after the 1967 season.
Born on October 22, 1955 in San Antonio was CB Gary Green (left). He was selected in the first round of the 1977 NFL Draft out of Baylor. Green spent seven seasons (1977-83) with the Chiefs, appearing in 100 games and making 99 starts. He grabbed 24 interceptions, and returned one for a touchdown during the 1982 season. Green also recovered eight fumbles. Green finished his career with two seasons playing for the Los Angeles Rams. Green is now the head football coach at Sam Houston High School in San Antonio. His son Gary Jr. played at Kansas.
Born on October 22, 1979 was P Nick Murphy. He joined the Chiefs in 2004 and punted in two games. He kicked four times for a 47.3-yard average.
Hopefully Kolby can provide a spark in the run game. Even though behind that o-line its hard for any running back to make some positive yards getting hit in the backfield. Hopefully he still can make something happen even push LJ to keep running hard. So we’ll see how things turn out because I think Kolby we be active Sunday.
I agree, ED. Only disagreement is that I don’t think they’ll activate Kolby until after the bye week. That will give him another couple of weeks to practice with the team. I could be wrong, though…and actually hope I am. The sooner he gets on the field, the better. The big question is, will Haley give him the ball? He hasn’t given it to anyone other than LJ up to this point.
I’d like to think having Smith back would push LJ. So far, LJ seems to know that he’s going to get all the carries in the run game. A little fear of losing his job might light a fire under his ass…because I haven’t seen much evidence of one thus far.
I seriously doubt LJ will be a Chief next year. I know I keep harping on it, but I sure would like to see some of the RB’s that WILL be here next year get some chances. We’ll never know how these guys can play in a game…unless they get to PLAY in a game.
I say once Kolby is active, LJ is one 2.3 yds per carry game from being benched.
Back up, 32 years old, has not played in 6 years and of course, from NE Pat and worth a writeup. How desparate is Pioli and the Chiefs?
We have 1 win, thats how desperate. lets bash them for trying why dont we!!
and lj will not be benched. but may see a little less time, but I dont think anyone will complain about that. I dont think it matters who is running back there, with this line, no one is going to be good…
gorillafan says:
” I dont think it matters who is running back there, with this line, no one is going to be good…”
That could very well be. But, we’ll never know if we don’t try.
LJ has never been a ‘make you miss’ running back. He was a ‘run you ass over’ type. Which is great, with good blocking. But, we obviously don’t have good blocking right now.
We need to try someone with some moves…and some speed. The ability to get outside and go.
Our running game has sucked all year. It was better against the Redskins, but was still pretty pathetic. It only looked better because the other games were so terrible.
I’d just like to see them try something a little different than giving it to LJ 20+ times and calling that their running game.
Guys, have you been reading all recent posts:
1. The Chiefs were left in such bad condition no one left by herm can even play in the NFL much less a 1-5 team like the Chiefs.
2. Everything, and I mean everything Pioli/haley do is perfect and cannot be questioned by “true fans”.
Do you not see something wrong with this picture. I know it is a honeymoon period for Pioli/Haley but, folks, get off your knees. Pioli did nothing during free agency and loves anyone who wore a NE uni even if they did not play. Haley cannot “coach up” herm’s old guys just cut. You have already heard my view of the draft. Folks, I love you guys, but the current organization of the Chiefs do not seem to have a plan except to get read of all the herm youth as quickly as possible, that translates into multiple year of REBUILDING (losing) preparing for some fantasy Dynasty while they re-invent how it is done in the NFL. How silly have we become?
The LJ bashers are back early again I see……If u wanna make a case for some1 who is not performing than it should be Cassel. But when ever some1 metions his name its “he gets no block or he is tough”. That guy is not tough, matter of a fact QBs arent tough they are the most protected player in the league….if there was 1 it would be Farve hands down. Me personally I hate QBs they are all babies,complain 2 refs whenever they are touched. We have all seen what LJ can do with a great line..he puts up HOF numbers…Cassel on the other hand, dont know yet but the Patriots have a pretty good line up there in Boston and he was par at best with a great supporting cast.
Our o-line is not that bad. Lest we forget, we have played the “monsters of the midway” defenses 4 of our 6 games thus far. I see a slowly improving o-line. Our up front guys are still getting aclimated playing as a unit. Heck, with the new Haley offense & terminology I’m surprised we have competed with several of the goliath teams thus far. Granted our defense has improved & is carrying the bulk of the load.
I think Haley will give LJ the majority of the carries up to bye week. If he does’nt make his mark by then, I see a change in our running back personnel. It will probably be a mix of Charles & Savage. Neither one of those guys is big enough to take the beating like a featured back can. Maybe Colby Smith will have an impact & get us back into the run game.
My predictions: I agree as well, LJ will not be a Chief next year.
Kenny Smith will have no impact as a Chief. Ever…
The Chiefs will beat the Chargers Sunday. Rivers has a bad day.
Yes, It will rain today.
Go Chiefs.
Great points el cid..it is the coachs job 2 coach players…but Haley takes the route of getting rid of players. Hey Belichick won with a bunch of no-namers, if your going 2 build the same enviornment here in KC then coach these no-namers here up. Or is it 2 much of a task for Haley? Only time will tell….or an easier schedule then I guess the fans will be tricked into taking the fools gold that we are headed in the “right direction”.
el cid,
i get your point and agree to a certain extent. but, the past few years we got rid of alot of good players, before herm. herm and carl brought in “good talented” players. they stuck with them, didnt trade or release no one. they just kept saying were a your team and bla bla bla. So, in my opinion we went down that road with those same players and it did not work. reasons?, herm sucked and some of our players sucked.
so if pioli and haley keep moving players, im for it. we cant get worse and we cant be good keeping who we have.
el cid
Yes ,well said , except the new NT , has some +++
Sometimes, y’all just make me laugh.
1) Cassel ain’t a pussy. Takin a lot of hits and is still gettin up. And to date I haven’t seen him beggin any refs for a roughin the passer penalty.
2)Kenny Smith was not brougth in here to be a starter. Edwards obviously has won that spot for the time being. But Edwards needed someone backing him up so that is what Pioli went and got. He also got another one on the PS just in case Kenny doesn’t work out.
3)Had hopes before season started that a spark of the old LJ would be back. Hasn’t happened. Yeah, OLine is not real good. But when we sitting behind our tv’s can see a possible hole to squeeze through and sit there and watch LJ run into the back of somebody there is obviously an issue there. Who knows, maybe Haley really doesn’t like LJ and therefore has not used the bench method to stimulate professional growth like he has done with Bowe. I don’t fully believe that Charles is the answer. Battle? Maybe. I just hope that Haley gives Kolby a fair shake. See if has the vision to work around our lines deficiencies vice accentuating them.
el cid,
Haley and Pioli are not perfect. I don’t see anyone claiming they are. I think they have a plan. But yes, it will take some time to get it all in place.
When Pioli and Belichick teamed up in NE…the first year wasn’t pretty, either. It takes time. But look at the end result there. I truly think that will happen here, too. The shape the Chiefs were in, though? Wow. Lots of work to do. Remember when Haley first arrived here? When he was asked about the talent level? He said, “Well, the Punter is good”. Unfortunately…he was right. And that’s pretty much where they had to start.
Someone pointed out a day or two ago…this is just year one of the Pioli/Haley rebuild. And they got a late start, at that. It’s just that we fans have been going through this “rebuild” BS for years now…so it sucks. We want to win, not rebuild. Again. Or still. Or whatever you want to call it. So while us fans have been going through it…Pioli and Haley have not. They just got here. Which means yes, we have to go through another lousy, stinking year of rebuilding. I hate it, too. Trust me. But seriously, I think you will see a much improved team on the field next year. I think we’ll see decent improvement as this season goes forward.
And all I can say about the “Herm youth” you spoke of…is that most of them were just not very good football players. They played on a team that won 6 games in two years. Personally, I like the fact that the men in charge now recognize the fact that that is simply not going to cut it anymore.
As for the “coaching up”? I would say this…you can’t “coach up” a player that does not WANT to be “coached up”. Some players want to be the best player they can possibly be, and are willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve that goal. Other players seem to be content being average, do the minimum, and just want to do whatever they have to do to “get by”. But, you’re not going to see that type of player wearing a Chiefs uniform anymore. That’s where Pioli and Haley have started. We won’t see immediate results…but we will down the road. I’d bet on it.
So we give up a young promising DT to sign a 32 year old off the street? I didn’t think Tank was the next Albert Haynesworth but he was decent. This mismanagement of players reminds me why I hate professional sports. If its not a hockey GM trading away T-Mac for nothing, its some pompous jackass trading away the best TE ever and plenty of young players so that they can barely win 1 game against the horrible redskins. Pioli Sucks and so does Haley.
Alexthe”GREAT” says:
“The LJ bashers are back early again I see”
I’m not bashing LJ. He simply is not getting the job done, and I’d like to see someone else get a chance. Will they do any better? Who knows? But, I would like to find out. At some point, we need to see what these other RB’s can do with the bulk of the carries for a game or two.
The only one I see doing any “bashing” around here is you. Cassel, Haley, Pioli, Chiefs fans, and the Chiefs in general. The rest of us are just having a discussion.
To say that LJ suffers because of a weak offensive line, but Cassel should succed even with a weak offensive line just doesn’t make sense. If the line sucks, it’s going to be hard on BOTH the RB and the QB. They’re both affected the same.
The offense is just now really getting into a rhythm, let them grow.
Is Kenny Smith going to be the “Oh my god I can’t believe we ever played without him” savior of the defense? No. That’s not why they got him. They got him because he’s an actual, real life, experienced nose tackle who’s played the position before and knows what it’s about. He may play here and there, but in the mean time he can help TEACH the other players the position.
The real question of the day is this: How will the Smith’s names appear on the back of the jerseys? They can’t both be K Smith can they? Do they then use middle initials? Inquiring minds want to know!
Pimpsean- Right on! You have a keen eye.
We should never have traded TG. He would have been good for at least 1 win (gets us to two), he didn’t want to be here (so what), and we should have let him leave after the season with no compensation. Much better planning!
Keeping Tank Tyler should have been a no brainer. He was a mediocre talent that hasn’t improved much since he was drafted (fits right in), and it was well known that he would rather be rapping than tackling. You just can’t have too many of those guys on the roster! Besides, because of him, we were able to win 3 games the last two years…
They didn’t trade Tank to create a roster spot for a NT that won’t be here next year. Get real. They traded him for the draft pick to maybe get someone that can actually improve the team. The fact is, there still isn’t a lot of talent on this roster. Past regimes were terrible talent evaluators. It is getting fixed this year, but perhaps they can clear the underbrush, stockpile some picks, and restock the roster with actual talent.
You mention Haynesworth…how is that working out for Washington? Put them over the top? Sure tied up a lot of cap space for one guy to not have a great impact on the team. They are the poster child for reckless signing of FA’s with a name. I like the path we are taking. Yep, we suck right now, but it will change even next year after they have a full free agency period and a good draft.
Kenny is hardly a seasoned veteran brought here to be a leader and teacher. He is a stop gap, pure and simple. I guess Haley was not kidding when he said that they were willing to take anyone off the street. Tank and Bernard were trading pawns. This season was scraped a long time ago in hopes of next season. Who knows who else Pioli was trying to pedal right up to the trade deadline. I haven’t decided what I think of Pioli just yet. It has been up and down so far IMO. I do like Haley though, unfortunately that is probably the kiss of death for him.
One of the things we have to think about is the fact that this years draft was done with Herm and
Carl’s scouting department. Scott and Todd didn’t know if our lack of production with current players was lack of talent or poor coaching. I look forward to better picks next year and a better team
So besides all the bad draft picks through the Herm regime….who would you say is the best pick they made? I would have to say Flowers was the best pick by far.
Well I would have to say that Colquit was the best drafted player because Haley said so… Funny thing is now he isn’t even the best player on the team, they went out and drafted Succop who is now the best player on the team.
I just wish the season would end so that we can compare the almighty cassel’s numbers to thigpens numbers from last years mediocre team. it’s practically the same offensive line and RB(s) same receivers basically with different last names except for Bowe. If the numbers aren’t comparable then I would have to say that Cassel was a reach, because they are both on level ground now, except for TG being gone which was alot and maybe Pioli/haley have thought about that and figured they could use that as an excuse for Cassel not doing what thigpen did last year??
Answer this if the chiefs only win 1 game this year or maybe 2, what excuse will the fans that wanted Herm’s head be??
Here is a list of QB’s (name withheld) and some of their stats. Based off of this information, pick the one that you would prefer to be leading this offense. Names will be provided later in the day.
Player Comp Pct TD Int Rate
A 61.3 5 3 83.9
B 57.1 7 2 82.2
C 56.3 5 2 80.7
D 59.1 8 7 78.3
E 59.5 5 6 73.0
F 54.8 5 8 62.0
arrowhead78,
our excuse is they only had 1 draft, 1 season. herm ole buddy had 4!!
B n SC,
I would not change a word you said!! good post
Kiowa,
I would have to pick flowers as well. Colquit is very good, but a CB that good that young to me is a lot harder to find, and or get
Rodeo John,
NAMES?
gorillafan… Edwards coached the Chiefs for just three seasons. But obviously it seemed longer to you!
it was 3, my typo, my bad. but yes it seemed alot longer than 4 anyway to me
Stats are very misleading nowadays…QBs rather take a sack than 2 throw the ball out of bounds and lower thier completion percentage.
“Answer this if the chiefs only win 1 game this year or maybe 2, what excuse will the fans that wanted Herm’s head be??”
No excuse needed. I think the win total will surpass 1…or 2…or even 3…might look like 4 or 5 wins total. Each coach’s body of work evaluated separately. The previous coach was justifiably removed for reasons that have been discussed at length. If this coach does the same or worse, should he not be called into account as well?
Sorry bout the delay on those names…here they are:
Player Comp Pct TD Int Rate
A David Garrard 61.3 5 3 83.9
B Matt Cassel 57.1 7 2 82.2
C Shaun Hill 56.3 5 2 80.7
D Carson Palmer 59.1 8 7 78.3
E Trent Edwards 59.5 5 6 73.0
F Kerry Collins 54.8 5 8 62.0
And by yards thrown, Cassel is the lowest ranked man out of these six. But you know what…I would rather have him than any of the others.
Because a QB that doesn’t throw for yards is more valuable??