Game Week: Ups and Downs,
Shift, Downer and “Yeah, I Did!”
by David Bell
It’s Week One
The Chiefs have been prepping for week one since before the 4th Pre-Season Game. That game was important because of the high level of competition for the the 53-man roster. There were Clear Winners and Losers. But Equally important is the aside news of the GM and his staff making crucial changes on both offense. I highlighted the shifts as yesterday but add the today for your consideration.
The Defense
- 1. NT Williams and Nnadi (two New, one a draftee, Williams comes back home)
- 2. ILB Ragland (2017 addition) backed by Niemann(UDFA)
- 3. ILB Hitchens backed by Smith (Hitchens from ‘Boys; Smith stays with it)
- 4. OLB Ford backed by Speaks (Speaks a draftee)
- 5. OLB Houston backed by Kpass (no change)
- 6. CB Nelson, Scandrick, Ward (Scandrick a signing, Ward trade–UDFA)
- 7. FS Ron Parker, Watts, Jordan Lucas (former Chief is back, UDFA, 7th round for Lucas)
Changing Mix On Offense
(Ups, Downs and Shifts)
- 1. Darrel Williams made the roster and is #4 behind Damien Williams, both new to the Chiefs 2018
- 2. Henne is the only QB besides Mahomes on the roster (that’s a freed roster spot)
- 3. Kelce is backed by Ellis for week 1*
- 4. Kemp is 3rd WR behind Watkins (Big Free Agent Signing) and Conley
- 5. Hill, Robinson and DAT** are listed at the other WR position
- 6. Wylie moves to start at LG***
- 7. Erving moves back to SW/T****
- 8. Ike Boettger is signed and immediately becomes LG #2
- 9. Kahlil McKenzie becomes the #2 RG
- 10. Witzmann is released
- 11. Austin Reiter is acquired and is the #3 OC Behind Devey*****
* Harris will be TE #2 beginning week 2.
** I still don’t see the point for DAT
*** A week before the first game of the season, Wylie, an invited player, takes over as the starting guard. This is unusual because Reid has shown that he wants his OL playing together at Week 1 of Pre-season Games.
**** Erving becomes SW/T- This is probably the right move. Erving should be a tackle not an interior lineman(Physique). He is versatile and has now played all positions along the Chiefs OL as well. The latter part I am not fond of but he is not going to displace Fish or Schwartz. Further, next year the 5th year contract comes into play.
***** Next move? Here I think it must be that Devey Departs and Reiter becomes OC #2 — Ransom’s assessment.
To summarize, this all occurred in the final day before opening day. Indeed, most of this occurred Thursday-thru-Saturday. A bunch of shifting. As an end result though? I like Wylie enough at OLG and I think Erving fits as an OT anyway.
In the process of making final cuts, veterans were not immune. Witzmann was then cut and probably Devey will be as well. I doubt that Veach is done yet. We’ll see where all this goes week one.
The Downer
Eric Berry’s status is questionable for week one at least. Reid made comment about this and due to Berry’s not practicing, and it’s Tuesday, if he is not on the field Wednesday, then I think that decision will be the end result.
I am not happy about this but this is the Chargers. Reid and Company are traveling west for the game. Let’s hope the current moxie going on versus Phil Rivers continues and the Chiefs gain a win in week one. “Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison”, the first six weeks are brutal.
The Secondary Question
No doubt you have been considering all that has occurred. Brett Veach brought on David Amerson and that didn’t work. Amerson was one of the Veteran Cuts. On the other hand Veach did go and get Scandrick who adds experience to the Cornerback situation. In the draft process, he apparently targeted Central Arkansas Safety Tremon Smith for the draft — I cannot think that Smith was an oversight — he was as much a target as Watts.
Prior to roster cuts, Veach made a move to obtain Charvarius Ward from the “Boys.” This is a young UDFA but according to all involved, Ward was going to make their 53-man roster. Kansas City had an offensive lineman to give and thus a weak point in the draft and roster depth prior to Veach’s arrival was used to get Ward. This is a good move and Ward has a lot of promise albeit with no NFL experience and a totally under the radar player… but then so was Smith.
In the Alex Smith trade, the Chiefs brought in CB Kendall Fuller. On the roster already was Steven Nelson and that is where a third player was needed which — early on — was Amerson. Veach cut bait on that but had in the meantime brought in Scandrick.
Veach also used a 7th round pick to trade to the Dolphins for Jordan Lucas (Safety — big on S/T’s).
Is this enough? No, it is not going to counter the prowess of Marcus Peters and his departure. I have commented all I wish to about Peters leaving. I read a remark today from a fan which characterized Peters and his marriage to the Chiefs properly, by relating Peters to a man marrying a glamorous, amorous, cheating woman, a gal who was going to cause constant household turmoil, and then she was going to throw the man over for a favorite fling anyway. Peters was always going to go back west. Good Riddance! Fish or cut bait? Brett Veach did the right thing.
The Strengths?
Allen Bailey is back on the front three. I like Williams and Nnadi at NT. Chris Jones is a monster. OLBs? We are stronger than we have been in recent memory. Yes, I am pleased with what I see from Speaks and Kpass. ILBs: I have been very positive about Ragland and supportive of going to get Hitchens. Eligwe was a veteran cut but I am very impressed by Ben Niemann whom I regards as the the third ILB. Terrance Smith rounds it out. On offense? I like the OL that is being forwarded. The Chiefs are going to have to live with a break-in period with Wylie but it will be up to Bieniemy to counter it and I am now a believer in our young, new, starting QB and the tools he has to exploit.
You Thought I Was Going to Pick
the Chiefs in Week One?
Well, yeah, I did… and it goes with my early 11-5 prediction. What I believe is that early, the Chiefs will be ahead of their opponent. We have ground clearance and I think the moose to move no matter who. I expect it to be a back and forth contest and both sides will be fumbling with the new rules at the same time.
The Chargers are going through the same process with newbies, and I think the Chiefs roster is deeper even with FNGs.
Chiefs over Chargers, 23-19.
David Bell – ArrowheadOne
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