Chiefs at Bears: Preseason Game 1, OPEN THREAD

Laddie Morse

While Preseason games don’t mean anything at all… in the standings, they do mean something. Mostly to the players trying to make the team. So, let’s dig into the Chiefs players battling for a position on the roster and see what this game might mean to each of them. Sure, it may mean they make the 53 man roster, or even the Practice Squad for the Chiefs, but these Preseason games can even mean more than that

Ronald Jones, RB

Jones isn’t having the best camp and Eric Bieniemy even called him out a bit in his presser earlier this week. As Andy Reid has often said, The Preseason games are a good way to get your performance on tape” for other teams to look at. It’s been suggested that RJones may end up on the trading block like Carlos Hyde a couple years back. While most fans will be lock-eyed on Isiah Pacheco, it is Ronald Jones you should be watching.

Rashad Fenton, CB

We may want to keep a close watch on Fenton to see if he is “all the way” back from his back injury. Back injuries are not as easily overcome. Charles Goodman at Chief Wire quoted GM Brett Veach:

“Fourth-year CB Rashad Fenton, who dealt with a back injury that kept him out of some games late last year, is currently rehabbing from a surgical procedure done this offseason.”

A surgical procedure on a back is no small matter. Watch him and see how he responds as this it may mean a lot to 4th round pick Joshua Williams who has been filling in admirably in Fenton’s absence. On Thursday, Charles Goldman said this about Williams:

“On Thursday, the Chiefs started to see one of his [CB, Trent McDuffie] rookie counterparts settle in a bit more. Joshua Williams made this really nice play on Skyy Moore during team drills knocking the ball free before the rookie WR could gain control.”

Yes, watch for Fenton… and watch out fo Joshua Williams.

Looky, Looky, We Gits Da Rookie(s)

With so many rookies anticipated to start for K.C. and so many of them battling for a roster spot this year, it’s a good idea to keep your eye’s pealed for the rookie class including:

#21 – CB Trent McDuffie (mentioned above – Round 1)

#56 – DE George Karlaftis (Round 1)

#24 – WR Skyy Moore (2nd Round)

#6 – Safety Bryan Cook (Round 2)

#54- LB Leo Chenal (3rd Round)

#48 – LB Mike Rose (UDFA)

#43 – LB Jack Cochrane (UDFA)

#23 – CB Josh Williams (4th round)

#75 – OT Darian Kinnard (5th Round)

#35 – CB Jaylen Watson (6th Round)

#10 – RB Isiah Pacheco (7th Round sensation)

#13 – Nazeeh Johnson (7th Round)

Jumping Jack… Off-sides

Let’s keep an eye on Patrick Mahomes and his ability to make opposing DL jump off-sides.

It is a “probably means nothing” situation, but Head Coach Andy Reid has already revealed:

Some pundits are already speculating that Patrick Mahomes will get one drive — along with all the number ones — and then be taken out of the game. Considering all the other new pieces on the offense, I can see him giving Mahomes at least two drives and like Reid says, maybe the whole first quarter.

For those still thinking about DT Danny Shelton and his signing with K.C. last week. Of course we won;t see him in any action vs the Bears today, but Reid addressed the signing of Shelton on Thursday:

“I think we’ll get a lot out of him. He’s a big guy. He’s a big kid, right? He’s really a gifted athlete, for as big as he is, he’s a gifted athlete. He’s had some real productive snaps. He was with the Giants last year and had some productive snaps there. He and I could probably afford to lose a couple (of pounds) and I think he’ll do that as we go forward.”

Shelton is 6-foot-2 and goes 345 lbs. so you can see why Reid might say Shelton needs to lose a few.

The Bears are their fans are hoping their young QB, Justin Fields, can make the necessary changes to becoem a first rate, top tier, QB in this league. SportsMockery.com says:

“… Fields had a bad habit of lingering on his first read, holding the ball. That led to unnecessary hits, sacks, and fumbles. He hadn’t yet learned the importance of timing and rhythm in the passing game.”

Mahomes has become one of the best at pre-snap reads and the Chiefs will still employ a player such at Mecole Hardman to circle Mahomes once and head the opposite direction giving Patrick the chance to determine the coverage being applied by the defense.

The Chiefs at the Bears.

The biggest issue today might be the troubling shape of the turf at Soldier Field. Here’s praying it holds up and no one gets hurt! Unless they re-sod the field before Saturday, things could get ugly.

Chicago Gametime Weather

Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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