Chiefs: Check Two, Acknowledge
Four, Subtract One, Add One?
by David Bell
A Defense is Gel’ing but It Is Two Weeks Away at Least
In the midst of the first two games we have seen a very powerful force against two top teams and averaged 40 points per game by the offense. Both opponents had good defenses. So when it comes time to examine problems that need to be addressed, we are all looking at the defensive side of the ball.
At the same time, reading all the glowing reports from all the punditry from the NFL Good Morning Football program to ESPN to the newspapers including the Star, the Cleveland Plain Dealer all the way to the Washington Post and Times… the writers have been telling wonderman stories about Tyreek Hill and of course Patrick Mahomes. Or Travis Kelce or Sammy Watkins (while several writers at the various internet sites were wondering if the Watkins signing was a stupid expense that Brett Veach would never live down). Or how about the critique of the Offensive Line and Erving was a sad sack, and it should be this or that – compared to reality – and the reality is that I said the offensive line would move up in rankings from 15 or 16 to near 10 and that is what they have done. The Offensive Line is Deeper now that we have had it. Later, we have added two more men who look very good in Wylie and Boetger and we certainly have the talent to fill in with some degree of equanimity.
Over on defense: I focused the past two articles prior to actual game on Sunday.
We are witness to a defense that is struggling and there are obvious reasons. We have been critical of players who are playing and critical of those we think should be getting in the game. Many of us have burned the image of Defensive Coordinator Bob Sutton in effigy and buried the ashes, and I have personally dug a whole for Head Coach Andy Reid. The truth of the matter is, we are all second guessing. We are all sitting back calling the game situation as if it were our job on the line and it isn’t the case.
So what indeed should we observe about the weakness on Defense? I have an approach to what will be for the secondary. It is a major part of the problem right now. The answer is of course, Eric Berry takes the field and performs at his best the rest of the season.
Brett Veach snapped up Ron Parker at a Vet Minimum ($630k) plus incentives. Go back to the point when Parker was looking to pick up the big check. In the end it didn’t work but for KC at that kind of money, Parker is a bargain and has shown this in the first two games of the season. He has also shown that he is a player who can not play as an island, vis a vis Parker without Berry on the field. In essence, for the Chiefs Safety role, with Berry back, the back end of the defense is very strong.
What’s missing? The #3 Safety
With Berry out, the shift of players occurs. One thing that doesn’t work is putting Eric Murray in the #2 spot. We know this. We see it. Okay Bob Sutton – it’s time to give Armani Watts his shot under the light of NFL Scrutiny. Eric Murray is not the answer — put that in the book. Berry’s absence is about to end.
Check One: The Berry Factor
The rumor is via Ian Rappoport and other NFL pundits is that Berry can now start practicing and might be available in week four. That would give the Chiefs secondary a huge lift of air over the wings.
The #Chiefs and #Bucs are both 2-0 and both could be getting healthier: KC S Eric Berry (heel) is improving and could practice this week, while first-round DT Vita Vea could do the same. Too early to know their status for this weekend, but positive signs.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 17, 2018
Check Two: Daniel Sorensen
Daniel Sorensen was said to be 6 weeks out 2 weeks before the first game. I believe it is more like 8 to 10 weeks. I can see him ready to play in week 9 but I think it is unreasonable to expect the mid point of the schedule at week 8. The Bye week doesn’t help here either. Presuming Dirty Dan is back in week 9 strengthens the Safety role another level. Sorensen played well when on the field with Berry or in a nickel or dime role or some hybrid Sutton formation and it worked. Spotting him in the right situation gives you coverage by 3 back end players but Berry in the box and Sutton half way in between.
Acknowledgement One: Armani Watts
Sitting in the wings, is the Chiefs 4th round draft pick, Armani Watts. The young man from Texas A&M is ready to play. He dropped in rankings for the draft at least one level and perhaps two – I think he is a round 2 type pick and from what I saw in the pre-season, after the first game? He found himself at NFL speed and ready to play. Sure, game four of pre-season was very good for him but it demonstrates for me that Watts should be getting snaps now. I think he is a future starting Safety for the Chiefs and getting him ready and playing against tough competition is necessary to do so. Watts needs snaps now and Reid can do that by ensuring he gets spot snaps now.
Acknowledge Two: Dorian O’Daniel
Watching the Steeler game a second time convinced me of another thing: when the nickel type situation is in place and you need speed to cover RBs, Dorian O’Daniel should be on the field. He is a head above Terrance Smith. DOD is a willing tackler and a good defender. He is not a starter in playing weight in my view but we need these young guys contributing now where their talent fits the situation.
Acknowledge Three: The Conley Fumble
Had Chris Conley not fumbled, the Chiefs likely would have driven for another score of some sort. The Steelers wouldn’t have good field position and certainly would not have scored the TD after the fumble. Worst comes to worse? A Colquitt punt, backs the Steelers up and they don’t have the field position they received due to the fumble. Though giving up yards, the second half defense would have given up one score, not two.
Checkmate by Addition?
Forecasting Bashaud Breeland to the Chiefs? I don’t know. Would it be an over-the-top acquisition? The Checkmate? Or is he not a fit for the Chiefs for some reason we don’t know? The answer to this is, well, I don’t know.
A Super Bowl appearance informs me that if you intend to win, you need sure bets. We don’t have the defense that can yield that result. It may get there and I highlighted several factors. But I don’t know. This, as I said months ago, is a better roster than we think. It has improved since then.
Still, if the Chiefs are going to win the Super Bowl, having Breeland on the field opposite Fuller would make for strong outside pair. Backed with Nelson and Scandrick and get Smith some snaps! I know, right? as they say. Does anyone see this as what could be up to hiring Breeland and that Breeland would be icing on the cake? Maybe it’s just me but I can see it so I am sticking to it.
Subtraction One: Eric Murray
Murray is not an Answer, he just is not. Post game review, I gave him a pass on a TD. But that is ot why I say that he is not the answer. I really cannot see him on the 2019 Roster. For 2018 he is a depth player and that’s it…maybe the last guy and a S/T performer. But not Safety 1-4 in my view.
Acknowledge Four: Pass Rush and Blitz
There was too much to cover in this single piece. I touched on all of what I believe the factors are and what the future portends. Next up will be the pass rush and Blitz – a completely separate article.
This is the FINALE
The Chiefs defense will improve. The Chiefs defense is better than we think and it has not yet gel’d. There is no doubt in my mind about this. Patience is a tough thing to learn. I am a slow learner.
David Bell – ArrowheadOne
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