a new pair of hands Tuesday in coach Todd Haley's continuing quest to locate an
acceptable set of wide receivers. Still unclear is who would be throwing the
ball.
Haley said it was too early to know if quarterback Matt
Cassel will miss a second straight start this weekend because of an injury to
his left knee. But he is hopeful of making a decision earlier than Sunday, when
the decision was made just hours before the season-opener at Baltimore.
If Cassel remains out, Brodie Croyle would make a second
start, this one against Oakland, after earning generally high marks in the 38-24
loss to the Ravens.
"Matt is doing everything he can to be ready," Haley
said. "I would hope I would know a little sooner this week, although right now I
can't give a definitive answer. But the player's doing everything he can to be
ready, which generally helps speed the healing process."
In the meantime, receiver Bobby Wade, a six-year NFL
veteran with stops in Chicago, Tennessee and Minnesota, was signed. The Chiefs
waived Turk McBride, who had been playing linebacker after being a starter most
of last year at defensive end.
Croyle hit 16 of 24 passes in place of Cassel for 177
yards and two TDs. But the quality of the wide receiver corps is something Haley
has fussed over all year. He's made it clear the Chiefs may be reworking the
bottom of the lineup constantly.
"We're looking and digging all the time," he said. "If
there's somebody out there we think makes us better, we're going to do what's
necessary to get that done."
Dwayne Bowe, the Chiefs' best receiver, was demoted to
third team during training camp in what appeared to be an effort to motivate
better work habits.
"I'm looking for guys that do it the way we want it
done," Haley said. "Talent is the great separator. There may be some guys who
are doing everything the way we want it done, but maybe they're just not good
enough. Then there's some guys who potentially can be really good, but they're
not doing it the way we want it done. …
"I want physical receivers just like I want physical
players at every other position and guys that help block in the run game and are
football players, not just pass-catchers."
Wade, who is 5-foot-10, made 44 starts with Chicago from
2003-05 and played for Tennessee from 2005-06 and Minnesota from 2007-08.
Altogether, he's caught 208 passes for 2,491 yards and seven touchdowns. He's
also been used for punt and kickoff returns, another specialty that's been
unsettled for the Chiefs.
Cassel, who was injured in the third preseason game,
practiced last week but appeared to be limping slightly. After reviewing film of
the Baltimore game, Haley said Croyle did well.
"I think Brodie played the type of game he had to play
to give us a chance to win," he said.