Just weeks ago, many in Chiefs Kingdom were ready to run Brett “Maverick” Veach out of town on a rail. To listen to the naysayers, the 2021 draft, still a month away, was a loss already. Now, with less than a week until the big show in Cleveland, Patrick Mahomes II has a brand new offensive line to protect him, and Veach proved once again that he plays three-dimensional chess while other NFL GMs are still struggling with the basics of tiddlywinks and checkers.
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In other news, the Chiefs lost a legend, another future member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame hung up his cleats, and the NFL big wigs masterminded a plethora of rule changes for the coming season, too, and it’s all about the numbers.
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Let’s get to it.
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This Week In Chiefs News
The Chiefs Lose a Legend – The man who set the standard for hard-nosed, hard-charging, gritty Chiefs tight ends, passed away April 16, 2021 at the age of 82. The 5× AFL All-Star, 6× All-AFLer, AFL All-Time Teamer, 3× AFL Champion, Super Bowl Champion (IV), and Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer amassed 198 receptions, 3,101 receiving yards as a Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs between 1962 and 1970.
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I penned an article on Arbanas a while back called, “Chiefs Fred Arbanas: Give That Man A Gold Jacket!” after prodding to go down a rabbit hole instigated by either fellow AO writer, David Bell, or fellow AFL/NFL history geek, @chieflybrandt. I’m not sure which, but I’m glad I ventured down it. The article was one of the most personally satisfying pieces I’ve ever written for ArrowheadOne.
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I like to envision a Valhalla-like stadium where our gridiron greats go when they pass. Reverted to their former selves in their prime, they go to war with one another each Sunday, and spend the other days and nights rabble-rousing, drinking, and sharing tales of their glory days. If this is true, defenders need to watch out. Although Arbanas could only see out of one eye, they won’t see him coming.
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Mr. Smith Leaves Washington … and The NFL – Alex Smith announced his retirement from the NFL, last week. Though drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft (first overall) and finishing his career with a no-named team out of Washington, Smith’s best years were as a Chief between 2013 to 2017. Along with Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, Smith brought back a sorely lacking winning mentality to the Chiefs. Reid and Smith turned a team that went 2-14 the previous season, into a 11-5 team the next season, and a perennial playoff attendee for the remainder of Smith’s time as a Chief.
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Current Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes heaps credit upon Smith for his development as a quarterback during his rookie year as Smith’s backup, “I learned a ton from Alex Smith. I attribute a lot of my success, especially so early in my career, to him.”
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Chiefs HC Andy Reid let Smith know that there’s always a place for him on the sidelines of Arrowhead. In fact, he called first dibs.
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Thanks for everything, Alex! I dare say, you will be the only NFL quarterback ever to claim that his backup was Patrick Mahomes.
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Mr. Brown Comes to Town – In a masterful art of the deal, Chiefs GM Brett Veach finagled a top-tier offensive left-tackle from the Baltimore Ravens, 6-foot-8, 344lbs., OT Orlando Brown Jr.. K.C. is sending Baltimore 2021 picks, #31, #94, and a fourth-round, #136, along with a 2022 fifth-round pick. In return, Kansas City will get: Brown, the Ravens’ 2nd-round pick, #58 this year and their 2022 sixth-round pick!
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Brown, a 3rd round pick (83rd overall) by the Ravens in the 2018 draft is the son of ex-Raven offensive-tackle Orlando Brown. Brown Jr. was a Pro Bowler for the past two seasons.
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Elsewhere Around the League
Please Take a Number – the NFL owners met last Wednesday and approved several new rules for the 2021 season. Perhaps the most significant one, certainly the one generating the most buzz on the interwebs, is the rule that expands jersey numbers for certain positions.
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Other rules implemented include:
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Passed a one-year experiment to make it easier to recover onside kicks. Receiving teams on kickoffs will be limited to nine players within 25 yards off the ball. Last season.
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- Eliminated overtime in preseason games.
- Changed a rule that forces a loss of down if two passes are complete behind the line of scrimmage.
- Changed a rule that ensures enforcement of all accepted penalties during successive try attempts.
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The owners also tabled several rules, including a rule that would expand the area where players can block below the waist and a rule that would push back interviews for general managers and head coaching positions until after the championship round of playoffs and prevent hires until after the Super Bowl.
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The owners also gave notice that taunting will be a point of emphasis in 2021. It does not direct the emphasis at celebrations, but toward acrimonious interaction among players (Cheetah, I think they’re talking to you!).
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Rob Gronkowski Sets Guinness World Record – Future Hall-of-Famer Rob Gronkowski returned to his alma mater, Arizona and set a world record highest altitude catch ever at 600 feet. Gronkowski joins fellow teammate, Tom Brady, in the record book. Brady unofficially holds the record for having the most referees in his pocket at a time.
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Gronkowski’s stunt further solidifies his position as the third best tight end to play the game … far behind former-Chiefs Tony Gonzalez and current Chief Travis Kelce.
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Chiefs Player Tweet of the Week
Honey Badger is a character! However, I’m ever so grateful he’s our character. Make it happen, Mr. Veach!
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Chiefs Fan Tweet of the Week
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I usually only include one fan tweet, but this gem was just too tempting.
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Sorry, guys, I just can’t help myself. Last one, I promise.
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Chiefs Quote of the Week
“You don’t have to be the biggest, fastest, strongest player out there. You can’t control your height. You can’t control your athleticism compared to your competitors. But you can control your effort. You can control your attitude. You can control your work ethic.”
– Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes (BTW, Mecole Hardman, he’s talking to you).
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Chiefs Blast from the Past
The Nigerian Nightmare – defenses crumbled when he rumbled.
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Random Chiefs Statistic of the Week
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Dad Joke of the Week
I realize that many of you aren’t fond of my Dad Joke of the Week, but, please try this one on for sighs:
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I’m reading a horror story in Braille.
Something bad is about to happen. I can feel it.
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A Reason To Celebrate This Week
What’s up, Doc? This Friday, April 30th is National Bugs Bunny Day. That’s what’s up.
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America’s favorite wascally wabbit appeared in his first short film over eighty years ago on April 30, 1938 in Porky’s Hare Hunt and has entertained generations of children ever since. To help you celebrate, please indulge yourself in this clip from a classic Bugs Bunny short, Open Season.
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A Smile To Start Your Week
She’s going to be a brilliant actress one day!
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Michael Travis Rose — ArrowheadOne
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