TRANSACTIONS
Chiefs cut their ties with Siavii
Defensive tackle — a top pick in 2004 — and rookie QB Printers are among those released.
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
The Chiefs waved goodbye to defensive tackle Junior Siavii, quarterback Casey Printers and 20 other players Saturday as they trimmed their roster to the NFL limit of 53.
None of the moves were surprises. Siavii, the Chiefs’ top draft pick in 2004, fell out of favor with head coach Herm Edwards a long time ago because of his inability to practice, and Printers because of his wildly erratic play.
The Chiefs also released, among others, defensive end Carlos Hall and halfback Quentin Griffin and placed defensive lineman John Browning on the injured-reserve list, but those moves appeared imminent as the preseason progressed.
This roster might not be identical to the one that assembles Monday for practice as the Chiefs prepare for next Sunday’s season opener against Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Chiefs may put in a waiver claim on one or more of the hundreds of players released around the league.
“Anything can happen,” Edwards said. “There are 620-some guys going to be released today. There are a lot of things that can happen.
“It’s like playing poker. You never show your hand. We’ve got our 53 guys, and we’re sitting pat with them. They’re the guys who are supposed to be here.”
The Chiefs kept three halfbacks in addition to starter Larry Johnson. They traded for Michael Bennett, who will be Johnson’s main backup. They also like the special-teams skills of Dee Brown and the developmental prospects of rookie free agent Derrick Ross.
“Sometimes you can fall into a trap of saying, ‘Well, we don’t need four running backs.’ ” Edwards said. “We need good football players. You keep your best players.”
Another rookie free agent, Chris Hannon, is among the five wide receivers. Eddie Kennison and Samie Parker will start, and Dante Hall will play when the Chiefs go to a three-receiver formation.
Hannon and another rookie, sixth-round draft pick Jeff Webb, are the spares. Edwards said he is comfortable with two young players in those spots.
“We kept two young, talented players we felt were an upgrade for us,” he said. “They can help us on special teams. They’re here, and rightly so. They had good springs followed by good training camps. They have an upside. They will get better.”
The position is one where the Chiefs will look closely at the waiver wire.
“At this point, we feel good with our five guys,” Edwards said. “I’m not saying we won’t look at some players.”
Siavii, Browning and Carlos Hall rarely practiced in training camp. Edwards took that as a sign, particularly in the cases of Siavii and Hall, that he wouldn’t be able to count on them.
“If you don’t get on film, that’s not my fault,” Edwards said.
Siavii is the latest in a line of recent high-round defensive tackle draft picks that failed to develop. Edwards clearly wasn’t in a mood to wait for Siavii, a second-round pick in 2004.
“He’s probably a guy who for us wasn’t going to fit into what we do,” said Edwards, who wouldn’t elaborate. “He just wasn’t going to fit.”
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The Chiefs made the following player moves Saturday:
Injured reserve list
DL John Browning
DB Alphonso Hodge
Released
OL Thomas Barnett
DT Shane Burton
DB Scott Connot
WR Nate Curry
TE Aaron Golliday
RB Quentin Griffin
LB Brandon Guillory
DE Carlos Hall
OL Johnathan Ingram
DB Chris Johnson
LB William Kershaw
WR Jeris McIntyre
DE Clint Mitchell
RB J.R. Niklos
OL Jeremy Parquet
QB Casey Printers
DL Junior Siavii
RB McKenzi Smith
DL Zach Ville
DL Stephen Williams
