Emotional Webb on track to survive

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Sep 2, 2006 by Tully Corcoran

By Tully Corcoran

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Jeff Webb's eyes frantically scanned the room.More reactionary than anything, Webb, standing shirtless in the Kansas City Chiefs locker room, appeared to be covering himself, lest he fall victim to some cruel joke.

"Did he really say that?" Webb asked."He" was Chiefs president/ general manager Carl Peterson, and "that" was, "Jeff Webb is going to make our football team."

The answer was yes. Webb's eyes began to fill with water. The first person he thought of was his grandmother, Ruby Hall, back in Pontiac, Mich., Webb's hometown.

Webb talks to Ruby every game day. He has every step of a six- year journey that took him from Pontiac to San Diego State to a sixth-round pick in the NFL draft to, when the Chiefs finalize their final 53-man roster today, a spot in the NFL.

"She doesn't say anything positive," Webb said. "She's like a coach. She's a sports nut."

Ruby won't have much to criticize today, although the grandmothers of 22 current Chiefs won't be as lucky.

NFL rosters have to be down to 53 by 3 p.m., which means a wave of free agents is about to become available. Peterson will keep a close eye on the waiver wire.

"We're always looking," Peterson said.

"We'll be interested to see who is out there. You're always trying to improve the last five players on your roster, basicically."

Some of those upgrades will come at the expense of Chiefs veterans, particularly on the defensive line, the unit Peterson singled out as being an area needing improvement.

End Carlos Hall and tackles John Browning and Junior Siavii are all in danger. All three have missed substantial portions of training camp and the preseason with injuries.

"It's hard to evaluate people like that," Peterson said.

"Carlos is one of those players. (Siavii) falls in the same category and John Browning does, too. John's been here with us a long time and John's done a good job, but he's been injured the entire time in camp. Availability is part of the game besides ability."

Peterson said the Chiefs would keep five wide receivers. Jeris McIntyre and Chris Hannon are currently Nos. 5 and 6, respectively, on the depth chart.

As for Webb, he rests at No. 4, comfortably even.

"This is a dream come true," he said.

Tully Corcoran can be reached at (785) 295-1652 or tully.corcoran@cjonline.com.