We continue on with our positional previews for the Kansas City Chiefs 2010 season.
The cornerback edition of our preview doesn't have as much drama as others. The starters are set and the others will be fighting for reserve roles. There could be a battle at nickelback but one rookie is coming out as the early leader.
Brandon Flowers
No doubt Brandon Flowers is a starter in 2010 and the top overall cornerback on the team.
When talking about Flowers and his play in his first two years in the league, you have to remember how terrible the Chiefs' pass rush has been. It's been non-existent.
Flowers would be in the mix for All-Pro talk entering his third season if it weren't for the guys ahead of him in the AFC -- Darrelle Revis and Nnamdi Asomugha.
Flowers is your starter, the best corner on the team and that won't change anytime soon.
Brandon Carr
The lesser of the two Brandons -- but that's not a bad thing. Carr was a fifth round pick and has started every game the last two seasons, so he represents incredible value.
Carr is the starter in 2010 opposite Flowers but has a little more work to do than his counterpart.
Carr's 2010 season will go a long way to determining just how complete the Chiefs secondary will be.
Javier Arenas
The rookie has been holding down the nickelback spot.
As we've said before, he comes from a Nick Saban coached-defense (also a former defensive backs coach) which is familiar to Scott Pioli, who worked with Saban years ago.
I like Arenas a lot and I've gone out on a limb to say I think he'll be the best rookie. After watching camp this weekend (and seeing Dexter McCluster and Eric Berry), it'll be a tall task for him to be the best.
Maurice Leggett
Leggett has a spot on this team, though probably not as a starter.
When Flowers' was hurt during OTAs, Leggett filled in for him. Leggett also has experience as a nickelback.
He's not guaranteed a spot on the team but he would definitely be a surprise cut.
Jackie Bates
Bates had an interception in Sunday's edition of training camp.
He was signed, released and then signed again with the Chiefs so there's something there the Chiefs like to bring back. He knows the system now so he probably has an edge over some of the other guys looking to fill out the Chiefs cornerbacks.
Travis Daniels
He's another guy that was signed, released and then signed again. He has familiarity with the Chiefs staff prior to arriving in Kansas City. He's the Chiefs' tallest cornerback, so I wonder if that plays in anywhere.
He'll need a strong training camp to make the team. The Chiefs waived him on the final day of cutdowns last year. If he's playing at a similar level as a rookie, I'd imagine the Chiefs would go with the upside and pick the young guy.
Mike Richardson
You may not hear his name often, or ever, but he's in the mix as well. Richardson is a former Patriot so he understands the way the Chiefs operate.
He's also coming out of Notre Dame, when Charlie Weis coached there, so I wonder if that gives him an advantage.
Like a lot of these other young corners, he has to do several things well (cornerback, nickelback, special teams, etc)