Section B·Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, September 8, 1999
Chiefs open season with new halfback
Anders will start ahead of Morris against Bears
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs will open the season with a different starting halfback for the fourth time in four years, Coach Gunther Cunningham said yesterday.
Kimble Anders will start at halfback and Tony Richardson at fullback when Kansas City enger on the screen Sandor.
opens its season Sunday
at Chicago,
Cunningham said.
at Chicago,
Cunningham said.
Anders led
Kansas City with
74 yards on 15 caries
in four exhibition
games. His
average of 4.9 yards
per carry was top
among the team's running backs.
Kansas City's last three previous opening day starters were Marcus Allen in 1996, Greg Hill in 1997 and Donnell Bennett last season. Bennett is now listed as Richardson's backup at fullback.
"I am so pleased about Rashaan Shehee," Cunningham said. "I challenged him hard in my office about a lack of toughness, and he looked me in the eye and said. That's the last time you'll ever say that about
Bam Morris, the late season starter at halfback in 1998, is second on the depth chart behind Anders but could be challenged for significant playing time by Rashaan Shehee, Cunningham said.
me.'
"So far he's right, but I'm sure
Bam will pick it up and go, too."
Whoever's in at running back will line up behind Kansas City's three top interior linemen for the first time since the first week of the 1998 season.
Left guard Dave Szott rejoins center Tim Davehard and right guard Will Shields after missing 15 games last year with a torn biceps tendon.
"We have our inside three intact," Cunningham said. "I personally had some tough games against them when I was (a defensive assistant) with Oakland and San Diego, so watching them play every day makes me feel good."
With first-round pick John Tait still unsigned at left tackle.
Chiefs on Monday signed free agent Sammy Williams to a two-year contract. The 6-foot-5, 318-pound Williams was released Sunday by Baltimore, after spending all of last year on the disabled list.
Ravens' disabled list.
Defensive tackles Chester McGlockton and Dan Williams could be ready for Sunday's game against Chicago, Cunningham said. McGlockton missed the final two preseason games with a hamstring injury but is still listed as a probable starter, while Williams — a holdout in 1998 after being designated the Chiefs' franchise player — sat out the preseason with a thigh injury.
"Cherie made it through the whole practice," Cunningham said. "He didn't take as many snaps as everyone on defense. We wanted to see how he did in a team environment."
To make room for Sammy Williams, the Chiefs released offensive guard Donald Willis.