Chiefs coach likes the look of Kingston native Greenwood

Despite facing long odds, Kingston-born linebacker Cory Greenwood is making a name for himself at Kansas City Chiefs camp.

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The undrafted National Football League prospect, picked third overall by the Argos in the CFL draft this summer, has opened the eyes of the Chiefs coaching staff with his play on special teams this summer.

Chiefs head coach Todd Haley praised Greenwood, who also has made three defensive tackles in three pre-season games, for his efforts during a news conference on Tuesday.

“This Cory Greenwood, for instance, (is) a little bit of an unknown guy that all of a sudden has made us take notice because he continues to run down on special teams and make plays,” said Haley, whose team hosts the Green Bay Packers in its final exhibition game Thursday night. “So all of a sudden if that’s something he’s got a chance to be real good for us at, then you’ve got to start talking about how do we get him on the team.

“If he’s on the team we know we’re not going to carry 14 specialists, we’re going to have to put guys on the team that can do both or at least backup both. He’s in the mix.”

Greenwood, named the top defensive player in Canadian university football last year for his play with the Montrealbased Concordia Stingers, didn’t sign with the Chiefs until almost a month after the NFL draft, weeks later than most undrafted free agents. The Regiopolis- Notre Dame graduate, 25, came to terms with the Chiefs only after they decided to release an American linebacker, opening up a roster spot.

Of the six Canadian university players signed by NFL teams this off-season, just two — Greenwood and Oakville-born offensive lineman Joel Reinders of the University of Waterloo (Cleveland Browns)– remain with their respective teams heading into the final week of pre-season play.

Reinders also was snapped up by the Argos, 26th overall, in this year’s CFL draft.

All NFL teams, now carrying a maximum of 75 players, have to reduce their rosters to 53 players by Saturday.

If Greenwood makes the Chiefs, he’ll have quite an introduction to the NFL.

The Chiefs open the season on Monday Night Football — televised across Canada and the United States.

In that game on Sept. 13, the Chiefs host the San Diego Chargers at the new Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

The Chiefs’ closest game to Kingston is the following week — Sept. 19 in Cleveland against the Browns.