Chiefs Training Camp Battle: Center Position
The Kansas City Chiefs have a battle behind the scenes with one of their most important positions.The Chiefs have plenty of position battles that will happen when training camp starts on July 23, but most are for the backup positions. For example, we know who the starting linebacker is in Nick Bolton, but whether the […]
The Kansas City Chiefs have a battle behind the scenes with one of their most important positions.
The Chiefs have plenty of position battles that will happen when training camp starts on July 23, but most are for the backup positions. For example, we know who the starting linebacker is in Nick Bolton, but whether the other guy is Drue Tranquill or Willie Gay Jr., we don't know.
Same with the receiver groups, as we know who the main three receivers will be, but five other guys are fighting for those last three spots. The same goes for the center position. It may not seem like there is a position battle to be had, but there is.
Sure, Creed Humphrey is the best center in the league, so we know he will be the starter no matter what; however, two guys behind him are jockeying for that backup spot. Here is who they are:
Austin Reiter has been with the Chiefs before, so he has the upper hand there when it comes to this battle for the backup position. Reiter started 32 of 42 games for the Chiefs in three seasons and was an okay center. However, things happen, and players get worse. He isn't a starting-caliber center anymore, which is why he signed with the Chiefs to be a backup.
Reiter was part of the debacle that happened in the Super Bowl, where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers absolutely destroyed the Chiefs' offensive line. Reiter allowed two pressures in that game but was actually one of the guys up front who played well. Now, after having a sub-par season in Miami with the Dolphins, he is back in Kansas City. But he has some competition for the backup spot.
Reiter will be battling undrafted free agent signee Anderson Hardy from App State. Just because Reiter isn't a rookie and has been with the team before doesn't mean he is guaranteed a spot on the 53-man roster. In fact, I could see Hardy taking his job.
Hardy has the fact that he has nothing to lose on his side. He is a likely practice squad player who didn't get drafted, fighting for a spot, which is very dangerous. Hardy is also way cheaper than Reiter, and if he produces the same as Reiter, why not keep Hardy?
Reiter could come into camp and absolutely kick some butt when it comes to that position battle, but that doesn't mean it isn't something to watch for in camp.
Chiefs Training Camp Battle: Offensive Guard
The Kansas City Chiefs have a position battle that will take place in training camp at the offensive guard position.
Featured Image Via Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
