[Kansas City.com] Tonight’s preseason game between the Chiefs and St. Louis Rams may not mean anything aside from temporary in-state bragging rights, but it could seal the fate of 16 players Kansas City will have to move on by Tuesday in the first round of cuts.
The Chiefs must trim their roster to 75 Tuesday and then get to 53 on Sept. 2. Survive this game, which will feature the starters more than any other in the four-game schedule, and the backups are assured plenty of game time in the preseason finale Thursday against the New Orleans Saints.
Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson said it’s not impossible that a player on the verge of being cut can stick around with one good preseason performance. The most competitive spots on the roster, he said, are at offensive and defensive line and wide receiver.
One of the most interesting story lines tonight will be the fight for the fourth receiver spot. Rookies Jeff Webb and Chris Hannon appear to be the front-runners, but neither has had much of an opportunity because of the offense’s struggles in the first two preseason games.
“There will probably be, at the end of the day, 10 new faces here at least,” Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said. “I said that when I first got here. Most teams are going to turn over at least 10 to 12 guys. That’s what happens. Hey, as it looks right now, there will be some new faces here whether they came from free-agency, whether we drafted them – they’re going to make the football team. That’s a good thing. It means you upgraded your team.”
Peterson will meet with front-office personnel Sunday night to start making decisions on cuts. They’ll review film earlier in the day and will probably start releasing players Monday. Peterson said there are a couple of players the club will try to move through trades.
