Kansas City Chiefs Ransom Hawthorne

The Next Generation: Chiefs Hope For a Better Year

Ransom Hawthorne August 2, 2017 No Comments

The Next Generation:

Chiefs Hope For A Better Year

 

When it comes to the NFL, major improvements rarely come from existing starters. While it would be nice to see Justin Houston and Derrick Johnson stay healthy, there’s no guarantee that will happen. While it would be great if Hill got even better (despite increased attention from defenses) and Conley finally broke out, it doesn’t seem terribly likely. The best course for new success is new starters. After the first few days of camp, we’re starting to see a few of these emerge.

 

WR Seantavius Jones (Stretch)

At 6‘3” 209lbs, Jones is a huge target. Add in his 38.5” vertical, and it’s easy to see how he got the nick-name Stretch, because of his ability to reach the ball, just about anywhere you put it. He may not be quite as fast as Chris Conley, but he seems to be a little more fluid and, so far, he’s producing more in training camp. If Stretch can carry on his eye-opening performance through preseason games, he has a chance to earn some starts and add some production. Even if he doesn’t start this year, Jones is a great piece for the future, as his talents pair well with Mahomes style of play.

 

 

 

 

DE Tanoh Kpassagnon (Special K)

While you don’t hear a lot of updates, from training camp, about the players in the trenches, I’ve heard enough about Special K to peak my interest. Bob Sutton has been moving him all over the defense in practice. Maybe you could say this is for versatility, but they don’t seem to do this sort of thing with your average DE. They’re basically treating him, albeit in practice, like a star player. Moving him around to get him the best match-ups. If teams have to game plan for Jones, Houston and Logan, I suspect Special K will be reaping the benefits and wreaking some havoc.

 

 

 

 

OT Bryan Witzmann

When Chiefs give somebody an extension, it makes you pay attention. When that same guy is getting a bunch of reps with the first team, it really makes you take notice. Witzmann has the size, length and agility to succeed at OT, but Chiefs are trying him at LG. If he’s able to hold down that spot, once Ehinger gets healthy, he could offer a significant upgrade in the run game over Fulton. Standing tall, at 6’7”, Witzmann shouldn’t have any trouble fitting in to Chiefs Zone Blocking Scheme.

 

 

ILB Ukeme Eligwe

Special Team’s coach Dave Toub has had some pretty good things to say about Eligwe, but perhaps the most telling was this:

“He may not be with me a long time, because he may end up on defense. He’s that good.”

Those are big words from a guy not known for being effusive with praise. With Chiefs giving all the ILBs reps with the first team, Eligwe has a chance to win, not just a roster spot, but a starting job. Here’s hoping Dave Toub is right, even if it hurts STs a little bit.

 

 

 

 

RB Kareem Hunt

Hunt still has to show it in preseason games, but he’s standing out in practice and excelling as a passing target. That’s good news for the Chiefs and great news for Alex Smith. If Chiefs can build a stronger run game this year on the backs of a solid OL and improved RB core, it can only help the offense. Toub has also been giving Hunt a look at KR. While Hunt isn’t the speed back you’d traditionally use for that role, he’s tough to bring down, so I could seem him getting a rep or two there if Chiefs need to spell DAT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can some fresh blood propel the Chiefs to that elusive championship game? It remains to be seen. However, in a league as tough as the NFL, change is often a good thing. Those who fail to adjust tend to be quickly left behind. Of course it’s still a bit too early to tell, but if we see the same things from these players in preseason games that we are seeing right now, I’ll be a lot more optimistic about Chiefs’ chances this season. Go Chiefs!

 

 

 

 

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