Weaknesses… double-takes (did that really happen?)… and have we been tricked or fooled into thinking this would change? That about covers my first response to a preseason game that was satisfying on one hand… and anything but on the other.
Sure, the Kansas City Chiefs won… I mean… they lost. They lost, right?
17-16 Seahawks was the final.
That Trevone Boykin 53 yard “Hell, Mary!” catch and burn (should be, “Hell, Malcolm!”) at the end of the game for the win was enough to make any Chiefs fan want to spit… even if you have dry-mouth. It was Malcolm (Jackson) in the middle of this mess for sure. Come on, you can’t just knock that pass down?
What was a solid but purely unspectacular performance for the first team offense and defense… except for the fact that Marcus Peter reminded us why he should be considered one of the best cornerbacks in the league with his interception at the end of the Seahawks first drive… turned quietly into a long drawn out practice between theses two teams (don’t you love run-on sentences when they work? Well, at least it worked out better than things did for the Chiefs).
Watching Spencer Ware blast into the end zone was one of those “blinks” because if you missed the first 5 minutes of the first game, you missed perhaps the whole reason you came. For me that was to see if the Chiefs would be going long. The result: they came up short, on the going long.
You can reason that they were there to evaluate the second, third, fourth and fifth team players. So, you might have also felt “hoodwinked” if you went to this game (or watched), hoping for more first team action.
Oh snap… and just like that, we’re talking about the second teamers.
Dezman Moses had a good game but also missed some possible sacks by over running the quarterback. Dadi Nicolas looked good in limited action and actually ran the QB down from behind once. David King looked better than anyone expected and it was a bit of a showcase for him because he’s not likely to make the 53 man roster but is probably headed for the practice squad. When he was on the field, every time you turned around he was making a play.
If there were other Chiefs players trying to fight for a job, or a roster spot, the number could be considered, lesser-than more than greater-than.
Chinks included Dee Ford. Our Mr. Ford still has time to correct the error of his ways but I’m not seeing the natural speed, quickness and intuitive play that I saw from him in college. Call him Mr. Tentative. He could be found not setting the edge multiple time. He could be found looking out of place… and the Seahawks players took advantage of it. For now… especially in light of the other positive player who came in at his position and played better than he did… he is a chink in the armor for this team. And… he will be needed, to be much more than that.
Rod Streater made the play of the game. He was lined up outside and ran a post down the sideline, being fouled all the way, when the 35 yard laser from Nick Foles arrived both he and his defender went up at the same time and Streater turned towards the middle of the field then all the way around to make the catch and a sensational grab it was. If you haven’t seen that play… look it up. It’s worth your time. Here it is.
That play made me think, “We’ll, Rod Streater just made the roster.” After all, those were exactly the kinds of plays missing from the wide receiving corps last season (especially when Jeremy Maclin was hurt at the end of the season), at least from anyone not named Jeremy Maclin or Travis Kelce. Adding another WR to the mix who can be a playmaker, especially in the red zone, and this offense will be a tough to stop.
So, as far as the wide receiving corp goes, the list of “locks” looks like this: Maclin, Hill, Streater, Conley… and two more who are yet unnamed and unknown.
On defense, DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches looked impressive to me. He had a solid game but not outstanding. CB Steven Nelson looked like he was over matched at times. That’s rather disconcerting. No matter who was on the field for the Chiefs front seven, it looks like DC Bob Sutton is planning on bringing the house, one brick at a time… at least until Justin Houston returns. The problem on Saturday was that too many times, once the penetrator got to his destination, he’d over run the QB or the RB. Pressure is great, striking gold is better. So, there was very little in this game that could be termed, golden.
However, Chiefs second year WR Da’Ron Brown did have a wonderful catch and run down the seam in the middle of the field before the Seahawks defense caught up with him 25 yards later. Still, that was more like a bronze metal than winning the gold. As far as catches go, Brown was one and done.
My biggest criticism of the Chiefs in this game is reserved for the coaching staff. Why oh why does Andy Reid continue to go into the “Let’s Not Lose” mode? Can he not see that it’s like asking kids “not” to think about the color blue? The moment you ask them not to do that… they go right ahead and do it. The Seahawks were making every effort to win at the end, and the Chiefs were making every effort to end the game before they lost. It’s an old “tried and true” method that’s lost all of it’s truthfulness and trustworthiness. Can’t you teach the fundamentals of the game better when you’re attempting to win the game? Saying that the players should just execute whatever you call and not worry about the score because it’s preseason, doesn’t get the desired results: training players how to win in every situation.
I simply can not support any method of coaching which does not place the goal of winning first and foremost. If you want to evaluate someone… do it while they are winning. Everyone wins in that scenario.
Done… now I’m got off my high-horse. Thank you very much.
Are we all thrilled that… FOOTBALL IS BACK?!
I am, honest. Go Chiefs!!!!
