Thursday, August 21, 1997
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 5
Chiefs leave room for Henley after trimming
Former Hawk beats veteran to clinch spot
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — This time of year, every coach in the NFL says the same thing. Marty Schottenheimer, judging from the lump in his throat, really means it.
The head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs released 10 players Tuesday, including J.J. Smith, a Kansas City native and former
Kansas State star who put in a solid year trying to rebound from severe knee surgery.
"They're all tough. But that one was particularly difficult," Schottenheimer said, Smith, who made the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent in 1995, was disappointed, the coach said.
"That's one of the hard things about this thing," he said. "You take a young man who has devoted all that time to play in this league. I don't even know how much they pay me, but it ain't enough to do that kind of stuff. It's tough."
"I just don't want to talk right now," he said.
a teary-eyed Smith politely declined to be interviewed as he left Arrowhead Stadium.
heimer said.
Smith's misfortune was probably good news for another local favorite, June Henley. The rookie from Kansas, the Jav-
hawks' all-time leading rusher, had been locked in a battle with Smith for a backup win.
Also cut were backup quarterback Steve Matthews, defensive tackle David Barnard, safety Eddie Cade, tackle Wendall Gaines, wide receiver Eric
backup running back spot.
"We felt J.J. was not going to make our football team and we felt if we went ahead and released him now it might afford him an opportunity to get a position somewhere else," Schotten-
Smith
linebacker
James
Burgess,
defensive
end Bryan
DeGraffen-
reid, running back Jesse Haynes,
and defensive tackle Billy Lyon.
Burgess, DeGraffenreid,
Haynes and Lyon are rookies
Smith, who gained 2,210 yards on 491 carries for Kansas State, returned a punt 50 yards for a
touchdown in an exhibition game against Washington during his rookie year and became an instant fan favorite.
But he suffered a severe knee injury during the offseason program in 1996 and spent the season on the injured list.
Schottenheimer said the injury was not a factor in Smith's release.
"Without any question he can play in the NFL," Schottenheimer said. "He had quickness. He has speed. He's developed the ability to catch the ball and he's always had excellent running skills. He was very disappointed, to say the least. He's very disappointed."
Henley, a bigger and more versatile back, still has not guaranteed himself a spot on the team, Schottenheimer said. All NFL teams must get down to their 53-man rosters on Sunday.
"We may be light on running backs," said Schottenheimer, who is thinking about keeping seven wide receivers.
"He's got more size, which affords him the opportunity to be a blocker. He does not have the quickness in his running style J.J. has. But he does have very good hands, and can catch the ball. It was a tough call."
As a three-year veteran, Smith could not be placed on the practice squad. But Henley could.
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