The day has finally arrived. The first preseason game tonight between the San Francisco 49ers and our Kansas City Chiefs represents the unofficial end to the offseason. That’s because the Chiefs first game of the regular season is the Official end to the offseason because IT IS the regular season. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves because that’s not for four more weeks.
Many feel that the preseason is worthless and that the games mean nothing. While that is true when it comes to counting wins and losses, the idea that the games mean nothing is misguided. In a piece I wrote four years ago called, “The 7 Meanings of Highly Meaningless Games” I outlined 7 reasons why the games aren’t worthless, Here’s a brief synopsis:
- It means that football is back– after waiting for 207 days… or so… certifiable football junkies can’t wait to watch the latest version of these Chiefs.
- It means there is evidence of a contender– fans want to see if there is even one unified series of plays that they can hang their hat on… a series that says, this team could go all the way this year.
- It means that the players who have something to prove will be proving it– fans can’t wait to see players proving they belong whether it’s draft picks or players who have hopped from team-to-team developing until they can get over the hump. For them, this is truly hump day and a hump game.
- It means that highly meaningless predictions can be confirmed by highly meaningless pundits– the same people who brought you the phrase, “But, it’s only preseason” will use the performance of newbies in these games to verify their forecasts and predictions.
- It means we can do a little AFC West comparison chopping– it gives us time to look at our AFC West neighbors and slice and dice their performances so we can feel good about our own newly acquired comrades (too Russian? Okay, I get it. How about “deified rookies?”)
- It means that the Arrowhead crowd will make stars of the players they like most– last year the Arrowhead faithful fell in love with Tyreek Hill and by the end of the season were chanting his name every time he backed up to receive a punt or kickoff simply be cause when he touched the ball special things happened.
- It means it’s time to celebrate no, no, no other fans can (my apologies to those who stutter, but I needed to make a point)– this usually means tailgating like no fans can tailgate. If you have never gotten the privilege of setting up your won mock-kitchen in the parking lot at Arrowhead and munching down your favorite barbecue while taking in the smell of 40,000 or more other people doing the same… then you have never really lived.
Here’s a quick primer on what to look for in this game:
- How may snaps backup QB Tyler Bray (#9) gets before giving way to Patrick Mahomes II (#15).
- If there are any signs that pre-ordained QBOTF Patrick Mahomes II might live up to expectations someday.
- Who starts next to DJ.
- Many eyes will be on Bryan Witzmann, the Chiefs new Left Guard to see if he looks like an upgrade or needs to be upgraded again.
- How well Dee Ford plays and if Justin Houston looks like the man he was in 2014 when he had 22 sacks.
- If RB Kareem Hunt (#27) looks like he could be a difference maker in 2017?
- How well the starting R-CB plays and who that player is (will probably be Steven Nelson, #20).
- If any TEs can catch the ball (#84, #85, #88 & #89).
- How well WRs not named Hill play (especially WR Chris Conley #17, WR Demarcus Robinson #14, WR Seantavius Jones #81)
- If Tyreek Hill (#10) goes long (going to be hard to miss this one).
Alright, enough talking. It’s time to get down to the game. Finally, the game!
Go Chiefs!
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