Chiefs Are Moving Right Along

The Chiefs Are Moving Right Along

by David Bell | December 30, 2018

Okay, we are here. We need to go “over there”. Over there is a place the Chiefs have not been since 1971… the year they should have returned to the Big Bowl. So, the Chiefs are moving right along….

Injuries to be Reported

The injury list was a bit longer after last weekend but, nothing appears to have arisen to form a more significant effect than has already been experienced. Most players are back to full practice, with the most significant injury being that of Sammy Watkins (not including players on the IR).

• Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has returned to practice — I don’t know what this means but if he doesn’t play. I can’t see him getting ready more quickly by sitting on the bench. LDT is not listed on the injury report but is still listed on the injured reserve list. We won’t be seeing LDT this week.
• Sammy Watkins was in a boot — now sans boot. Reid said it was precautionary. Bottom line though is just this: Watkins did not practice this week so we won’t be seeing him on Sunday.
• All other players were listed as “Full Practice” on Thursday including Kendall Fuller and Eric Berry. The list of players not available for extensive periods of time include LD-T, Eric Berry, Cam Erving, Mitch Morse. Even with 2 and 3 offensive linemen out the Chiefs have weathered a significant storm of injuries.

Wide Receivers

Since Watkins is not going to be ready for the Raiders game,beyond Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs will go with Chris Conley, Kelvin Benjamin, Demarcus Robinson and Charcandrick West as the primary WRs.

Running Backs

Nothing here has changed since the departure of Hunt. Damien Williams has played well in place of Hunt. Darrell Williams has had his moments. Spencer Ware is ready to go. We at least can mount a running game. Damien Williams has played well enough to earn a 2-year contract extension this week.

Til I’m Blue in the Face, but I what I said about this “Defense” still stands

Bob Sutton’s defensive sets are plain stupid. His philosophy is plain stupid. It doesn’t work, has not worked and demonstrates his ineptness as defensive coordinator. I am calling myself “Blue in the Face” and cease to be able to express my contempt for Mr. Sutton.

What I have observed about Andy Reid’s game prep and play-calling still stands

After almost a full season in which Andy Reid’s offense has been in play, the rest of the NFL has caught up with him. He doesn’t adjust his game plan or play calling accordingly. He is to convinced of his own genius and is unwilling to question the results. He is not, apparently, capable of in-game alterations of play-calling dependent upon what the opposing defenses are doing to counter the strengths of the Chiefs offense. This is a characteristic behavior of Andy Reid which is a “cost” due to the lack of adjustment or over-belief in his own “genius”.

A Mini-Youth Movement

For the Oakland Raiders contest, expect to see a lot of Charvarius Ward and Tremon Smith. I don’t know if Ron Parker and Orlando Scandrick will be active or not but, all intimations to me are that both will be seeing a lot of snaps. Meanwhile, we should see Jordan Lucas also getting time with Kendall Fuller and Steven Nelson booking starter role type snaps as would be expected.

Yeah, I know that Ward was severely tested last week. I know if he is on the field he will be severely tested this week. Smith as well and Lucas too. I am not sure that Carr is the QB that can take advantage of it. We’ll see. Carr has played well of late.

I wish we had Armani Watts to add on for the late season mini-youth movement. Sigh.

Prediction? Chiefs 34.5, Raiders 18.2

David Bell – ArrowheadOne

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