Kansas City Chiefs Depth Chart Comparison

by Joel Thorman on Jan 18, 2012 12:56 PM CST

Jamie Squire - Getty Images

We tracked the Kansas City Chiefs depth chart every week during the season and while it was usually the most boring post of the week I knew it would eventually come in handy. We've got a pretty cool look (I think, anyway) at the Chiefs roster taking a position-by-position comparison of the Week 1 depth chart vs. the Week 17 depth chart.

A few notes on what we found:

There are 27 positions listed (including special teams). 16 of them were the same in Week 17 as they were in Week 1.
Four spots on the offensive line -- left guard, center, right guard, right tackle -- were the same.
Three of the four linebacker spots stayed the same. Justin Houston moved ahead of Andy Studebaker during the season.
The quarterback, running back and safety depth chart comparisons are terrifying. Consider this your warning.

Check it out after the jump. And there's of course the caveat that the depth chart didn't determine actual playing time, and some of these guys missed games so they were replaced at times throughout the season.

Note: First line is entering Week 1. Second line is entering Week 17.

OFFENSE

WR: Steve Breaston, Jerheme Urban, Jonathan Baldwin
WR: Steve Breaston, Jonathan Baldwin, Jerheme Urban, Jeremy Horne

LT: Branden Albert, Jared Gaither
LT: Branden Albert, David Mims

LG: Ryan Lilja, Rodney Hudson
LG: Ryan Lilja, Rodney Hudson

C: Casey Wiegmann, Rodney Hudson
C: Casey Wiegmann, Rodney Hudson

RG: Jon Asamoah, Rodney Hudson
RG: Jon Asamoah, Rodney Hudson

RT: Barry Richardson, Steve Maneri
RT: Barry Richardson, Steve Maneri

TE: Leonard Pope, Jake O'Connell
TE: Leonard Pope, Anthony Becht, Jake O'Connell

WR: Dwayne Bowe, Terrance Copper, Keary Colbert
WR: Dwayne Bowe, Terrance Copper

QB: Matt Cassel, Tyler Palko, Ricky Stanzi
QB: Kyle Orton, Ricky Stanzi, Tyler Palko

FB: Le'Ron McClain, Jackie Battle
FB: Le'Ron McClain, Jackie Battle

RB: Thomas Jones, Jamaal Charles, Dexter McCluster, Jackie Battle
RB: Thomas Jones, Dexter McCluster, Jackie Battle

DEFENSE

LDE: Tyson Jackson, Allen Bailey, Amon Gordon
LDE: Tyson Jackson, Allen Bailey, Amon Gordon

NT: Kelly Gregg, Jerrell Powe, Amon Gordon
NT: Kelly Gregg, Amon Gordon, Jerrell Powe

RDE: Glenn Dorsey, Wallace Gilberry, Brandon Bair
RDE: Glenn Dorsey, Wallace Gilberry, Brandon Bair

LOLB: Andy Studebaker, Cameron Sheffield, Justin Houston
LOLB: Justin Houston, Andy Studebaker

LILB: Jovan Belcher, Demorrio Williams
LILB: Jovan Belcher, Demorrio Williams

RILB: Derrick Johnson, Demorrio Williams, Cory Greenwood
RILB: Derrick Johnson, Demorrio Williams, Cory Greenwood

ROLB: Tamba Hali, Cameron Sheffield
ROLB: Tamba Hali, Cameron Sheffield

LCB: Brandon Flowers, Travis Daniels
LCB: Brandon Flowers, Travis Daniels

RCB: Brandon Carr, Javier Arenas, Jalil Brown
RCB: Brandon Carr, Javier Arenas, Jalil Brown

SS: Eric Berry, Jon McGraw, Donald Washington
SS: Jon McGraw, Reshard Langford, Donald Washington

FS: Kendrick Lewis, Sabby PIscitelli
FS: Kendrick Lewis, Sabby PIscitelli

SPECIAL TEAMS

P: Dustin Colquitt, Ryan Succop
P: Dustin Colquitt, Ryan Succop

K: Ryan Succop
K: Ryan Succop

LS: Thomas Gafford
LS: Thomas Gafford

PR: Dexter McCluster, Steve Breaston, Jerheme Urban
PR: Javier Arenas, Dexter McCluster

KR: Javier Arenas, Dexter McCluster, Steve Breaston
KR: Javier Arenas, Dexter McCluster

0 recs | 55 comments

Comments

see kids, this is what cocaine can do for you

Chiefshero - January 18, 2012 reply

The flying Piscatelli Bros.

That should be the name for our team this season.

ChiefWarPaint - January 18, 2012 reply

What happened

to all the AP fans who holding out for Cameron Sheffield’s emergence prior to drafting Houston? That was cute while it lasted

KansasCityShuffle - January 18, 2012 reply

watch him go to the chargers can become their best pass rusher

like how gaither became their best LT

Chiefshero - January 18, 2012 reply

So over it

So our second string LT was good enough to start for the Chargers? How is this a bad reflection on us? Yes, I know B Rich blew balls but exactly how many games has Gaither played at RT?

KansasCityShuffle - January 18, 2012 reply

he join the chargers

protected rivers long enough
and they had their late season surge

if he was there earlier, the chargers would be in the playoffs

Chiefshero - January 18, 2012 reply

So Gaither

would have blocked Seymour?

KansasCityShuffle - January 18, 2012 reply

hell yea

better than brich

Chiefshero - January 18, 2012 reply

hell a tree could have blocked seymour better than brich ever could

Chiefshero - January 18, 2012 reply

I was thinking a snowman

Would improve our right tackle position. Also, it could be taken with a late round pick… Or just built by the team

TheDudeAbides007 - January 18, 2012 via mobile reply

So, if Gaither was in San Diego earlier,

he would have blocked Richard Seymour as a Chief? Not sure you can have it both ways. Seymour blocked two field goals in week 16, and Gaither could have done nothing about it.

neiowakcfan - January 18, 2012 reply

i was saying that if the chiefs kep gaither, he would have prevented seymour from blocking

compared to brich who let him through

Chiefshero - January 18, 2012 reply

Doesn't BRich play RT?

Seymour was lined up on the other side.

neiowakcfan - January 18, 2012 reply

Dude the point is that Gaither never got a shot here.

We cut him, San Diego jumped all over him, he started immediately for them and dominated. I mean dominated.

Our tackles are questionable and the “depth” along the whole O-line is appalling. Cutting Gaither was a ridiculously stupid move and there’s really no way around it.

bamachief5558 - January 18, 2012 via mobile reply

No, he didn't dominate.

He played better than their backup LT, who was subbing for the injured starter. What I saw of him, they couldn’t run to his side. SD jumped on him because they had an injury hole, but he was far from being in demand before the season started and Pioli signed him. Would not surprise me if he’s cut when SD has their starters back.

Brsrkr - January 18, 2012 reply

Dude

Maybe not run blocking, but the guy was lights out in pass protection. I mean I saw it lol I’m not gonna argue about it. I watched him stonewall I blitzing Ray Lewis and force him to the ground. Barry Richardson couldn’t do that, so I don’t really understand how any reasonable Chiefs fan could say cutting Gaither wasn’t a bad move.

bamachief5558 - January 18, 2012 via mobile reply

Ha, I didn't say it wasn't a bad move...

But you made it sound like Gaither turned into the best tackle in the world, and he didn’t. But yeah, I wish we hadn’t cut him.

Brsrkr - January 19, 2012 reply

The real hurt was

the Chiefs letting Waters go. NE scooped him up and moved him to RG, where he was an immediate upgrade to their line.

David Winton - January 18, 2012 reply

I watch Waters every time I watch the Pats play.

I personally believe he’s the weakest link on their entire O-Line. I respect the guy, but most of us knew when he was here that he was declining sharply, and nothing changed about that.

I’ve got no problems infusing the young blood and letting Waters contend for a championship.

bamachief5558 - January 18, 2012 via mobile reply

David Mims is the reason Gaither was released

Look, Gaither was in camp from almost the very start. He was in for all the pre-season games, and 11 regular season games with multiple practices in between games. The Chiefs cut him for one reason and one reason only: to protect David Mims. Plain and simple. David Mims is the future, Gaither was not. Nothing personal, just business.

Big Daddy Booster - January 19, 2012 reply

I'm not entirely sure

anyone is really trying to block Seymour here:

LG appears to be on the ground, LT is engaged, and Seymour doesn’t have a hand on him.

neiowakcfan - January 18, 2012 reply

look at the 2nd blocked FG

Chiefshero - January 18, 2012 reply

I thought the was the second one... my bad.

Having a hard time getting a good view of the other one.

But if this is it it looks like B-Rich is on the ground, Pope falling, and Hudson underneath Seymour. Good call.

neiowakcfan - January 18, 2012 reply

isn't that Maneri under Seymour?

Hudson is standing up in the middle

stagdsp - January 18, 2012 reply

yep, looks like 68

and 61 turning back wondering what the hell happened.

neiowakcfan - January 18, 2012 reply

the first picture talks about what the Chiefs mentioned

they had that bunch formation that made it tough to block them all

stagdsp - January 18, 2012 reply

Maneri got knocked on his ass both times.

BRich plays LT on field goals and Albert moves to the right side because that’s the holder’s blind side.

The problem was that we had our lightest and newest tackle (Maneri) lined up on the inside over Seymour on both tries.

Brsrkr - January 18, 2012 reply

And it appears that TJ is playing RT.

So, of course, we need to move TJ to his natural position of Right Tackle.

severn58 - January 18, 2012 reply

I didn't know players had natural positions

are they wild beasts or something?

Chiefshero - January 18, 2012 reply

Too bad

The depth chart never meant anything or this post may actually have some relevance.

Matt_Grbac - January 18, 2012 via mobile reply

Piscatelli should've just laid his feet

right into the head of Johnson for his hit on Berry.

XtaC69Chief - January 18, 2012 reply

Chiefshero - January 18, 2012 reply

Protect those knees, Sabby.

Brsrkr - January 18, 2012 reply

Piscatelli, from the top rope...

Aw yeah, it’s the infamous Guido Drop!

Tomahawk29 - January 18, 2012 reply

Piscatelli will be our best saftey next year....

I hear he signed on with “mouth of the south” Jimmy Heart

Brian Harris - January 18, 2012 reply

Frank Reich and Pete Metzalaars

Both fired in Indy.

Let’s get them…maybe some of that Bills SB magic will rub off on us. But our ending will be a lot different this time around.

Matt_Grbac - January 18, 2012 via mobile reply

btw anybody read that article on the right side discussing the phone scandel?

one question: Is haley a jew?

Chiefshero - January 18, 2012 reply

I'm sorry?

one question: Is haley a jew?

severn58 - January 18, 2012 reply

sb nation was talking about arrowhead being full of nazis

since haley was being persecuted, I was making fun of the article

Chiefshero - January 19, 2012 reply

Haha what a random question to ask.

craig in calgary - January 18, 2012 reply

oh boy

do you have a follow up question to put that first one into some kind of context?

neiowakcfan - January 18, 2012 reply

Haley is Matisyahu's 2nd cousin...

SFLChief - January 18, 2012 reply

What?

Phone scandal?!

Tomahawk29 - January 18, 2012 reply

The difference between starters and depth:

Stuntman1429 Its Jan.18 and women r sunbathing at the pool in the neighborhood. I must b in fla. Beautiful weather in the winter.

Michaelngersoll Just took a dresser apart, lugged said-dresser up the stairs into my room, then reassembled aforementioned dresser…sweaty

GenericBrand - January 18, 2012 reply

more like the difference between the #5 overall pick

and training camp fodder

reedeasy - January 18, 2012 via Android app reply

Pretty much

LadyChief - January 18, 2012 reply

Rob Lowe on twitter hearing Peyton Manning

Is RETIRING! he himself said he hopes he’s wrong. This appears to be a rumor but interesting at that.

jcrunninwild - January 18, 2012 via mobile reply

Yep "his people" say it'll happen today.

Move over Schefter for Rob Lowe…who am I kidding.

GenericBrand - January 18, 2012 reply

Ya think?

sportsguy33 Bill Simmons
Today, Rob Lowe announced Peyton Manning’s retirement and Mark Wahlberg announced he could have stopped 9/11. Your move, Liam Neeson.

neiowakcfan - January 18, 2012 reply

Brett Farve retire?

Or is it an actual retirement? Either way F@<% the colts

TheDudeAbides007 - January 18, 2012 via mobile reply

all I can say is.

This picture is my new wallpaper.

SwimCoach - January 18, 2012 reply

I can't wait to see David Mims in live action this season.

Given this kid had his first full year of true coaching, will have the OTA’s to further refine his blocking techniques, and some valuable playing time, David Mims will be a star in the league for years to come. Size, speed, strength, intelligence, did I say size? Go Mims

Big Daddy Booster - January 19, 2012 reply

Arrowhead Pride