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NFL Roster Cuts 2011: Anthony Becht Becomes Savvy Signing For Kansas City Chiefs Given Tony Moeaki Injury

It's cut day over the next 24 hours, and the Kansas City Chiefs will be making difficult roster decisions to pare down to the best 53 players to head into the regular season with. At tight end, the decisions were supposed to be easy since Tony Moeaki exhibited such incredible potential in his first year in the league. He's been compared to Dallas Clark by Peter King this offseason and his development as a receiver is key heading into this year for Matt Cassel and the Chiefs passing game.

Yet early injuries to Moeaki has the position in a state of flux. Neither Leonard Pope nor new signing Anthony Becht are known for their hands. Instead, they're both strong blockers with great size that should bolster the Chiefs running game. But by bringing in an extra veteran tight end with some training camp time to go, Scott Pioli made sure the Chiefs had another option at the position in house in case something happened to Moeaki. And it did.

Certainly, the Chiefs didn't bring in Becht to handle what Moeaki normally does in case of injury. But he's capable as a pass catcher and rounds out a suspect offensive line well given the injuries to right tackles Barry Richardson and Ryan O'Callaghan. If the Chiefs had not signed Becht, they'd have Jake O'Connell playing a major role early in the 2011 season and that's not something anyone should feel comfortable with.

At this point, Moeaki, Pope and Becht should all make the final roster. Charlie Gantt and Cody Slate are both options for the Practice Squad should no other team sign them.