Demo Demoted

Today the Kansas City Chiefs made another roster move. This particular move caught many off guard, me included. The Chiefs released inside linebacker Demorrio Williams.

Demo was signed in 2008 as a free agent from the Atlanta Falcons. After registering 70 tackles in 2008, he set a career mark of 142 stops in 2009. In 2010 Demo lost some playing time with the signing of UDFA Jovan Belcher and lost even more time in 2011 as Belcher took over the starting role and saw the majority of the defensive plays. He has totaled 25 tackles the last two seasons.

As I said this was a surprising move, but when you look at it, it makes a lot of sense for the Chiefs. Demo was entering the final year of his 5 year contract this season. The Chiefs were going to owe him $1.7 million, freeing that money up to spend on another potential free agent or draft pick. Since Belcher has come on strong and getting more and more playing time from Demo, he was too expensive to keep on the roster for special teams and reserve purposes. The Chiefs currently have 4 ILB’s on the roster: Derrick Johnson, Cory Greenwood, Brandon Siler, and Caleb Campbell. Belcher is a restricted free agent and will be back with the Chiefs next season.

Greenwood has been a solid special teamer and Crennel and Co. seem to be really high on his development. Greenwood comes a lot cheaper than Demo and will be able to match the production. Siler played well before tearing his Achilles tendon in his short stint in red, but also with his time in San Diego. Campbell is the only unknown.

I still expect the Chiefs to sign or draft another ILB in the later rounds in the coming NFL Draft, but ILB is not a priority for the Chiefs at this point. 4 players probably isn’t enough depth at ILB but also LB’s make up the majority of special teams units.

As I mentioned earlier this saves the Chiefs money. They can now be even more aggressive in free agency, maybe landing one or two top tier players (Manning and Soliai anyone?).  I wish the best of luck to Demo wherever he ends up, because rest assured he will find another job. This move just made too much sense for the Chiefs not to make.

What says you Chiefs Nation?

-J