Laddie Morse
The Kansas City Chiefs are beyond the half way point in their 2022 season so it’s time to take stock of who have balled out. I agree with David Bell (big surprise) that the Chiefs coaches have been extra special this year. In David Bells’ article just yesterday here at ArrowheadOne called: “Chiefs Futures: A Look at the Current DL & the 2023 Draft” he said of the defensive coaches:
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“DC Steve Spagnuolo and his staff are doing the work. Those coaches proving the close in work are: DL Coach Joe Cullen, LB coaches Brendan Daly and Ken Flajole, Safety Coach Donald D’Alesio, and DB coach Dave Merritt. I may be leaving out other coaches, but I thought special recognition needs to be directed to each of these men.”
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The Coaches are listed above to give them Kudos where Kudos are due. Many think of the Chiefs defense as being limited, or at least the fly in the ointment. Steve Spagnuolo’s defenses are known for progressing throughout the year and while some of that may be going on this year, they’ve also played some dang good football already.
DL, Chris Jones
Let’s begin with the Chiefs best defender: Chris Jones. CJ ended the 2021 season with 9 sacks and he already has that many sacks this year. This season, he’s being talked about in the Defensive Player of the Year tones. DPoY of the NFL.
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Schwartz says the Chiefs would probably have the 32nd ranked defense without Chris Jones and that this may be the reason he doesn’t get more recognition. Schwartz knows how good CJ is having gone up against him in practice for several years in K.C..
Aaron Donald, who Jones is often compared too, or said to be right behind, has 5 sacks this year compared to CJ’s 9 sacks.
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LB, Nick Bolton
A few short months ago, Nick Bolton was the backup to Anthony Hitchens. Remember him? I know, you do, but you wish you didn’t. Me too. Bolton has made us forget a lot of bad things that used to happen in and around our Linebacking corp. Willie Gay is responsible for that LB ascension as well. Bolton is not only 6th in the NFL in tackles but now he’s been nominated for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award along with: CB Patrick Surtain II, RB Austin Ekeler, and DL Maxx Crosby.
It almost sounds like a cheap shot to say, Nick Bolton is having a great year. However, he is, so I did.
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OC, Creed Humphrey
Seems like almost every weekend Creed Humphrey is mentioned as the “Best Center in the NFL.” While he’s not been perfect this year, he’s nearly flawless in his approach to the game… and this is only his second season. Many may point to Travis Kelce’s brother, Jason Kelce of the Eagles, as the best OC in the NFL, and I’d have a hard time arguing otherwise, but there’s no denying that the combination of Humphrey and Mahomes up the middle of the Chiefs offense is a match-up made in heaven.
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Here’s Creed from a year ago vs the Giants:
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WR, JuJu Smith-Schuster
Sure, JuJu was out with a Concussion last weekend, but he’ll be back to run the WR#1 routes and re-assert himself as Patrick Mahomes favorite WR, no matter how you define the #1, #2 or #3 receiving roles. JuJu has said early in the season that he’d like to return to Pittsburgh, but lately, he’s stated he’d like to return to the Chiefs, and I’m hoping he does. JuJu has made it clear (from the Kansas City Star):
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“I would love to stay here, to be honest. This offense is unbelievable; the coaching staff is unbelievable. If it was up to me, yeah, of course, why not?”
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If you and GM Brett Veach can swing a deal, I’m sure most of Chiefs Kingdom would like you to stay as well, and I’m also sure most of Chiefs Kingdom doesn’t mind my talking for them. Smith-Schuster has an incredibly good attitude, which can be seen in any of his pressers:
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At 6-foot-1 and 215 lbs. JuJu gives Mahomes a large target to hit over the middle, along with that of Travis Kelce.
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TE, Travis Kelce
Travis Kelce is now being considered the best Tight End of all time. He’s even being considered that by national pundits. It’s hard to disagree with something we’ve known here in K.C. for a long time now: he’s the best ever, period.
That’s just one lone play in which Travis Kelce brought home a victory. It’s happened so many times now, they’re beginning to blur together.
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QB, Patrick Mahomes
When all the Autumn leaves have fallen,
When all the Summer air is gone,
We turn to a game we’ve followed, a lifetime,
We change the last word of an Anthem, making it our song.
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When all the superlatives have been spoken,
When all the comparisons have been made,
We turn to one who finally gives to us,
What we’ve waited decades to have deservedly claimed.
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When all the competitions have been ended,
When all the pundits have been convinced,
We wave our arms like a sharpened hatchet,
We roar in unison and crown you prince.
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When all the niceties have been rendered,
When all the poetry have been sent,
We look to you to calm our jitters,
We hold your place and arrive content.
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Thank you Patrick Mahomes for delivering us from our decades long QB nightmare.
Happy Thanksgiving Chiefs Kingdom!
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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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