2016 v 2015: Better, Same or Worse – So Far
The Kansas City Chiefs have only played two games and while it’s clearly not time to do any kind of “final” evaluation, one can’t help but give it the eyeball test and wonder, are the 2016 Chiefs better, the same or worse, than the 2015 Chiefs?
Let’s begin with the offense since there is a position group there that made me think about the reason for this piece.
Wide Receivers: Worse – So Far
When the offseason netted players like Mike Williams, Rod Streater, Tyreek Hill and Demarcus Robinson the fans base got fairly excited. More importantly, they felt that Andy Reid and John Dorsey had finally done the proper amount of reflection and decided to address perhaps the one specific reason the Chiefs could not advance in the playoffs further than they did: did they have a WR good enough to be the go-to guy if Jeremy Maclin got hurt? Which he did, and they didn’t.
Over the offseason I had a number of fans argue that Albert Wilson would be better this year when I was steadfast in the idea he would never be “that” guy. Clearly, he is not only not “that” guy but needs to be sent upon his way.
While we also thought Chris Conley would be better, so far, he has not been.
Tyreek Hill looks like he might one day become a good wideout but has 3 receptions so far this year.
That leaves… drumroll please…………….. No one. That’s right, for all of John-Andy-Reid-Dorsey’s (JARD) comings and goings at the WR position this offseason… at this very moment… it looks like the Chiefs are worse off there, than they were in 2015. Even though De’Anthony Thomas had his best preseason to date, he’s been placed on the inactive list, so he can’t be counted or assessed.
QB/Offensive Scheme: Worse – So Far
It’s hard to separate the offensive scheme from the play of the Chiefs quarterback. There is obviously a change in the play calling this year which calls for longer routes. Not necessarily the bombs-away deep balls that many of us expected from watching them in training camp. No. These routes are just deeper into the secondary than we’re used to seeing. The days of dinking-n-dunking their way down the field looks to be a thing of the past. Perhaps except for the throws to WR Albert Wilson. It appears as if the thinking there is: “Let’s get Albert going” so they throw him balls on short routes, balls he can catch. Let’s not rehash “The Nothing” that the Chiefs get out of those catches (2.4 yard average per catch) because that would be fruitless. However, when considering his contributions when evaluating the success of the passing attack: it’s not working. At all. In fact, his presence on the field is hurting the team.
Tight Ends: Same – So Far
The conversation begins and ends with Travis Kelce. He’s still the bee’s knees but the improvement we may have been expecting from Demetrius Harris (2 catches) or the contributions we may have been hoping for from Ross Travis (zero catches) and James O’Shaughnessy (6 catches) have yet to manifest… but we certainly are believing that not their destiny. If you’re keeping score, that’s 11 catches for Mr. Kelce and 8 catches from any TE not named Kelce. It seems the potential is there but I’m hoping it emerges soon.
Offensive Line: Better – So Far
I know there may be some blow-back for taking this point of view but, Fisher is better this year (and I had predicted a Pro Bowl year in his 4th year quite some time ago while pleading patience on his progress), Ehinger is a wash (because if you recall LG was musical chairs last year), Morse has been Morse (pretty much the same except for his projectile-vomit-hike over Alex Smith’s head v Houston), Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (who looks like he took Incredible Hulk pills over the offseason break) and Mitchell Schwartz (who can’t be judged by a couple bad plays while blocking the NFL’s Top Player of 2015, Mr. J.J. Watt). Plus, with back-ups Zach Fulton and Jah Reid, K.C. has perhaps it’s deepest O-line in ten years.
Defensive Line: Same – So far
Jaye Howard was better last year to pick up the slack for Dontari Poe. This year, Poe has reasserted his dominance but Howard and Bailey are not playing quite as well yet. So, tie goes to the runner: samesies.
Outside Linebackers: Worse – So Far
Anytime you lose the best player on your team from a position group, even though they only played part of the season, then that group will not be as good as they were previously. Unless their replacement, Dee Ford, steps in and plays at a Pro Bowl level. Which he hasn’t. Tamba Hali has made his presence felt on a few plays but with a decreased snap count, this group will need addressing soon if Houston can not return to his old self when he returns.
Inside Linebackers: Worse – So Far
I don’t think anyone expected Josh Mauga to be missed so much. I mean… JOSH MAUGA??? Come on man! However, that’s exactly who we’re missing this year. While I would like to make it perfectly clear that I am in no way down on starter Justin March-Lillard… as a replacement for Derrick Johnson, I will do something that goes against my grain and predict that JML will be injured before the end of the season if he remains the starter next to D.J. JML’s 6-foot-0, 222 pound frame is more the size of a big safety, in fact, he is 3-inches and 3-pound smaller than the Seattle Seahawks Safety Kam Chancellor. I don’t see that working out well for the Chiefs thus, the signing of Sam Barrington who is one-inch taller and goes 13 pounds heavier.
Cornerbacks: Same – So Far
Something I thought might happen has happened with the Chiefs two starting corners: Phillip Gaines has been good enough as a blanket cover corner that teams decide to go ahead and throw at Marcus Peters. Last year teams did the same because Sean Smith was a good corner for the Chiefs in 2015. Notice I said “was.” Now, Phillip Gaines is utilizing his speed and cover ability to plant himself in opposing wideouts pockets… or at least close enough for Phillip Rivers and Brock Osweiler to throw in Marcus Peters’ direction. Peters is up to his same old trick… stealing the ball (2 INTs in the first 2 games and 10 INTs in 18 total games) and allowing big plays at the same time. It should be noted that Peters is excellent at not allowing one play to affect his performance on another play.
Safeties: Worse – So Far
The loss of S Husain Abdullah has been a bit more significant than first thought it might be. Ron Parker has not played up to his level of play in 2015. Eric Berry has only looked like the Eric Berry we’ve come to know and love… some of the time. Finding suitable back-up has been one of John Dorsey’s farm-hand tasks but he’s only been able to find old outdated machinery or new equipment with too many instructions needed to work properly yet.
So, here’s a recap:
Please don’t forget that this is in no way the final analysis of the 2016 Kansas City Chiefs but only a two game assessment of where the team “appears” to be in my eyes. What say ye?