Chiefs: A look at the past and then… Back to the Future – I am not going to tackle the Super Bowl with this piece. I am going to look backwards though and then go back to the future. It’s a reminder of the work that must be done after the Super Bowl.
First Vision: Backwards
Finally, Deion Sanders stepped on his own tongue in a big way — he showed his idiocy on real time TV with his view of Pat Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. Don’t get me wrong: Jackson has a bunch of not going far talent unless he can keep from taking the ball himself and racking up running yards as a primary ground gainer. That’s a fact. It’s also a fact that such QB’s will get hurt sooner or later due to their method of play. He is a very talented athlete. Not a top QB talent — yet. There is no question at all vis a vis Lamar Jackson being a superior QB to Patrick Mahomes. None.
Because I wrote that, I thought I would also deal with the Mahomes v Watson talk around the NFL. I regard Deshaun Watson as a far superior QB to Jackson. Watson needs additional tools around him but largely the Offensive line which protects him needs further growth and additions. Watson does have Hopkins and Fuller as major WR targets. An OC is needed in Houston as well as a DC since Crennel is now retired.
The Chiefs 2019 Offense
Patrick Mahomes and the offense had a downturn and the recovery from that was costly but it is now showing up in the strength of the offense in the postseason. With Mahomes first hobbled and then with the trick knee injury, the injuries to the offensive line, was clearly the reason for the offense taking a step back over all. It was still superbly powerful (#3).
Penalties
Penalties as a problem reared its head in the game against the Titans. Mostly though it was encroachment calls on the Chiefs DL. There were 5 of those in the game, 3 in the 4th quarter on apparent hard counts by Tannehill. The rest of the team had only 4 penalties all game. None on the OL.
The Chiefs are firing off in all phases of the game. The one drawback that I saw was the four encroachment calls against the defensive front line (or was it five). Lyle Graversen points in a recent article at Arrowhead Addict called, “Kansas City Chiefs Fan Endure, Long Heartbreaking Road to Super Bowl,” the Chiefs offensive front had no penalties. The defensive Front was “over anxious” and that needs to be curtailed at Miami. We want them firing off the ball at the snap. Not before it!
The Offensive Line
I can’t believe how well the OL actually played as the season ended. I would give it pretty high grades especially considering how long Pat Mahomes holds the ball.
The OL surely could be a lot better but overall it closed out well. I believe an important draft pick is necessary and continuing to build a strong front 5 a top priority. Fish has made an impact and with Schwartz, given the Chiefs a solid bookend pair at OT. Stefan Wisniewski was a solid addition. I don’t have an answer as to why LDT took a step back. Ankle injuries can have a larger effect than most of us will agree with — especially for big guys. Overall though? I think the OL came together as the season closed down and that made it possible for the Mahomes led offense to attain its power and ferocity that existed in 2018.
Defense Overall
I wrote during the pre-season that I thought the defense would end up in the top 15 among all defenses. I am not sure of their final raking at this moment but they are certainly playing like a top 10 defense or better over the last 8 games.
I particularly appreciate the leadership, the mix and match depth which you address, sans Okafor, Ogbah and Speaks. It really shows how substitutions keep fresh legs on the field. Clark is truly a superior addition and that is being proven game by game.
Sorensen, Pennel and Kpass
When we talk about the players who cement the deal these three players stand out. Too often we fans jump all over the 2nd tier players but they are the base from which the “Blue Rated” players operate. They are the majority of starters in the game. Sometimes they excel or make plays that are outstanding. All three of these players — Dan Sorenson, Mike Pennel, and Tanoh Kpassagnon — did so thus far in the playoffs.
In AO comments this week, I had to take myself to task, first about the play of Eric Fisher and then about Dan Sorensen. I jump down on players too quickly and do not see the complete picture. I have been defending Fish for the second year running and I must eat my hat about Dirty Dan.
Don’t get me wrong, I do like him a lot as a player: due to his total ball awareness, effort, and moxie. He just doesn’t have the closing speed you would like (well, that’s why he is a safety, the reason is, he’s not big enough to play LB). His contract is pretty big for a role player but for this season, he has played a bunch of very good ball games and as a starter no less. Hence my tweet with the tip o’ the hat. He deserves it.
Fans often get so down on players that we can’t see everything that’s really going on. Most of us questioned the play (or lack of it) of Tanoh Kpassagnon and felt that drafting him was a mistake. The learning curve for him was very expansive but versus the Titans? He had 2 sacks, 2QB hits, a batted pass and more in a very well played game that demonstrates that the learning curve has been surpassed.
There was an article that addressed the import of Mike Pennel and in this game he again came up big time with two big stops. More importantly though, he plays well anytime he is in the game. Let me point out that I was very grateful when Brett Veach brought him on board. He is the tool that can plug the middle and stop the run: a missing piece of the puzzle for the front four. He has made at least a play or two every game that he is available. Versus the Titans, he had two sequential stops and plugged up the blocking many times over that. A great addition to the Chiefs Defense line capability.
These players are part of the “team effort” and that depth the Chiefs obtained this year, despite all the injuries, has gone a long way towards addressing being able to field 11 players on both sides of the ball and put meaningful pieces in place for Dave Toub’s Special Teams — another learning curve effort with a bunch of new players. This showed badly with two major faux pas in the week 10 game against the Titans. Toub kept at it and the result has been very solid play by the unit.
Second Vision: Back to the Future
Every few days, I get to thinking about the future and that gives me pause to consider where we go in 2020 after the Super Bowl. Of course we have to wait for the gate to open on the 2020 season. What begins with March will be looking how to begin strengthening the Chiefs roster.
The Chiefs have a very solid nucleus of players and the Chiefs players themselves have “Speed” as a common denominator. What I think must be done is to extend two major contracts (or an extension and tag Chris Jones. I would prefer both get resolved quickly and go from there. Next? Sign the required Free Agents from our own roster.
Tackle the free agent market and draft with the following positions needing attention with a view that Cornerback, Linebacker and the Offensive Line are the biggest needs for 2020.
The Secondary
Punjab Pundits are idiots. The Chiefs secondary is very strong and is not a weakness. It needs building on to make it even stronger and it needs new talent with speed. Here is my look:
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- Safety: At this position, with Tyrann Mathieu, Juan Thornhill, Armani Watts, Daniel Sorensen (who plays a strong hybrid at the same time), I can see going youth and speed here and getting more talent in to compete in spring training in that respect. I don’t even think it must be a draftee.
- Cornerback: The Corners are a question because we only have two returning roster members essentially. Charvarius Ward and Rashad Fenton have both shown they can provide solid play at cornerback, but neither is a proven, lock-down defender at this point in their careers — at least according to pundits.
What I saw? Solid play from Charvarius Ward and Rashad Fenton, who play their positions very well. We need to strengthen it through youth (with speed and length being the most necessary ingredients). A lot of observers will say that Breeland and Fuller did not play well enough for the money spent but down the last 6 games of the season, and in two playoff games, they have been solid players in the mix. Bringing them back? Veach and the coaching staff have to determine: value and worth.
I can say this: the Chiefs need to make a very solid pick at CB and that player should be capable of starting in 2020 or at least earning a starting role as the season progresses. This may mean that the Chiefs keep either Fuller or Breeland. Both had down seasons but both were faced with a new DC and new defensive set up. I know from PFF Bashaud Breeland is the least likely to return with a 43.9 PFF rating. Observe though, that was largely due to the play in the first 6 games as opposed to the last 10. At the same time, Kendall Fuller was a bare bit above that with a 55.3 coverage grade (PFF). This is not how either player earns retention.
Linebackers
I am not much impressed with the grading out of our linebackers. Ben Niemann (a part time player, earned the best LB grade with 59.7 rating by PFF while Damien Wilson had 55.3. These two were the best ratings among all LB’s.
However, as the closing 6 games rolled through, I watched closely of the the LB play, cannot say we suffered greatly. It may come down to a draft pick but as noted it is not a good year to need to draft a LB. Dorian O’Daniel returns but he was not deployed enough to think he has a great deal of favor by the coaching staff.
Over the last 8 games (Since week 10), the LB play has shown to be far better than PFF or Pundits care to rate. Spagnuolo will have to feed into Veach what he feels Anthony Hitchens and Reggie Ragland can provide. Ragland will be a free agent. Hitchens is pretty expensive in his own right. It might be that due to Hitchens contract that the Chiefs go with him for another year, add Wilson and Niemann and see where it goes from there.
There is a dearth of linebackers in this draft. It’s a big problem to consider for Brett Veach and Co. It is a need though and the Chiefs should make it a top priority pick. Problem is the top LB’s will be gone by about the 20th pick. I expect to see more of Ben Niemann in 2020. We’ll see where this goes. It’s possible that Demone Harris sticks around as well. Darron Lee? I didn’t see much and don’t expect him back in 2020.
Front Four?
I am unconcerned about the Front 4. They are solid and Veach must consider who to bring back for both DE and DT. The mix has been solid and how they proceed and what the cost will be will determine who comes back. We have Clark. We have Kpassagnon. Questions abound on the mix and that would include Terrell Suggs. We are in good shape though with enough guys who will want to return. We need role players behind the starters where legs get rested and we don’t miss a beat when they are on the field. Also consider backup for situations of injury replacement.
Running Back
Sure, but it is the least need with our offense and RB by committee with Damien Williams having earned the Feature Back role in this offense. I just would not make this a draftee with the first 3 picks.
Tight End
I am not dissatisfied with the player of our #2 and #3 Tight Ends. OTOH, I would like to see a draftee that can earn the spot at #2. Or if Veach can find the right player in Free Agency, he should take a serious look. I have my own thoughts on who that player might be but if they can find a new talent with the 4th or 5th pick, so be it. I can see bringing in a Free Agent player like AUSTIN HOOPER but I doubt that will happen. We’ll see. Hunter Henry is out there and he is a player to covet… beyond our purse with Super Star TE Travis Kelce already on board.
OG – both? Left? Or Right
Look. I don’t think we have major problems here. I do think we need to keep improving. I want Steve Wisniewski to return. He is a solid and inexpensive addition to the front 5. Both Andrew Wylie and Austin Reiter will return with a solid year of starter snaps. That always seems to bode well for improved play after such extensive experience.
There is a Guard out there in Free Agent land that Veach should take a very close look at but that probably entails spending money that is going to be extremely tight as it is. However: I do think protecting Pat Mahomes takes precedence so a top Free Agent OG has got to be considered. OG has got to be a top draft position as well.
We have less than two weeks to prepare for the 49’ers now. There is excellent news: no new injuries are report. The next question will arise which is how they handle the circus that surrounds arriving in Miami next week and what the game plan will, or should, be. That is fun stuff for fans and pundits alike.
David Bell — ArrowheadOne
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