By By KEVIN TRAVIS
Sports Editor
Terrance Copper has been in the NFL for six years now. That doesn’t mean he wasn’t sweating it out just a bit on “cut” day.
“You always have that sense of urgency,” Copper said. “Nothing is guaranteed so you have to give it your all.”
Copper did survive Saturday’s cuts when NFL teams had to trim their rosters to 53 players. He’ll be playing in his sixth year in the league, but his first with the Kansas City Chiefs.
“You never know (about making the roster),” Copper said Saturday evening. “I was praying that I was going to make it. I’m just blessed to have made it again.”
Copper, a former standout with the Washington Pam Pack and East Carolina Pirates, had a solid camp. However, he played in just two of the preseason games, finishing with one catch for 12 yards.
“I think I could have done better, but that’s how I feel after every game,” Copper said.
The 6-0, 207-pound receiver/special teams ace has 46 receptions for 600 yards and six touchdowns in his career. Copper also has 41 special-teams tackles and 26 kickoff returns for 502 yards (19.3 average).
While he would love being a big part of the passing game, Copper said he’ll do whatever the coach wants him to do.
“I’m hoping to get the chance to play receiver, but I know I’ll have a role on special teams,” Copper said. “Whatever role they want me in, I’ll do.
“I just want to win. Whatever I can do to help the team, that’s what I’ll do. My personal goals don’t matter if we’re not winning.”
The Chiefs haven’t experienced much winning lately. They went just 2-14 a year ago. Copper said getting a win early in the season is important.
“We have to win early,” Copper said. “We haven’t won in a long time. Losing is contagious, but so is winning. We have to get that win early to start off right.”
The Chiefs open the season next Sunday at Baltimore. Playing the Ravens is no easy task.
“They are a good team, but all the teams in the league are good,” Copper said. “There’s not a team in this league that isn’t tough.”
Kansas City was hoping to get some wins in the preseason, but went 0-4. Copper said his team can’t worry about that.
“The preseason really doesn’t matter,” Copper said. “That’s more about a time to evaluate players. The games don’t count.
“Now they count. We need to keep improving. I think we have a great chance.”
Copper is anxious for the regular season to kick off.
“I’m very excited,” he said. “Preseason was a struggle. I think we had one of the toughest camps in the league. Now everybody is ready to play in games that count.”