McBride

Since the beginning of the off season Herm Edwards has preached “competition”. He achieved his goal there are several starting positions up for grabs on this team and a slew of contestants for those spots . From the 12 picks in the draft to the barrel of un drafted rookie free agents, add to the mix the under the radar free agent additions the Chiefs have made and there are many questions to be answered. There are five unsettled positions in particular that will be very interesting to watch how they play out in training camp and pre season action.

5. Right Guard: Adrian Jones vs. Tre Stallings vs. Chris McDuffie: The dark horse in this race is McDuffie a 6-4 330 pound un drafted rookie free agent out Clemson. In the end this job is more than likely going to Adrian Jones who was a fourth round selection out of Kansas in 2004 by Herm when he was with the Jets.

4.Kicker: Connor Barth vs. Nick Novak: One of the most glaring weaknesses on this team last year the Chiefs went through three different kickers .In a offense that has little margin for error the Chiefs can ill afford to miss on scoring opportunities. Barth put up some nice numbers in college if that translates in the pros the job will be his.

3.Nickel Back: Brandon Carr vs. Tyron Brackenridge vs. DaJuan Morgan: Brackenridge is the incumbent and played solid last year when given the opportunity. The front runner in this race is Carr a fifth round selection in this years draft who has impressed the coaches in the OTA’s. Morgan Has the speed to play the nickel even though he is listed as a safety. The Chiefs will look for a way to get him on the field. The winner should prove to be Carr though this battle is wide open.

2.Left Defensive End: Alfosno Boone vs. Turk McBride vs. Brian Johnston: Right now the Chiefs have Alfonso Boone penciled in as the starter but they would feel much more comfortable with him at DT. That would require Turk or Johnston to step up and take the spot . Johnston has drawn comparisons to departed Jared Allen if those comparisons have any merit he could wind up the victor.

1. Wide Receiver: Devard Darling vs. Jeff Webb vs. Will Franklin: D-BOWE is undoubtedly the best the receiver on this team but the search for his compliment across the field should be very intense. Franklin brings the most potential out of the bunch and Webb showed flashes at times last year to be a viable option like the game against Cincinnati when he went for 78 yards on 7 catches. Baltimore import Devard Darling has the most experience of the group and that could be the inside track to the starting job.