Chiefs Chatter That Matters

Chiefs Chatter That Matters

by Laddie Morse

Winning the Arms Race

When Patrick Mahomes stepped up into the pocket on Friday evening, and pitched a 70 yard bomb to Tyreek Hill, it mattered. Sure, the Chiefs needed a shot in the arm and the 6 points because they were behind 14-to-3 at that point but, that’s not why it mattered so much:

That play, will force Defensive Coordinators throughout the 2018 season, to prepare for potential plays over the top. Tyreek Hill was able to get behind the defense with his speed but Alex Smith was only capable of throwing the ball so far. Now, with Mahomes behind center, DCs will lose sleep designing game plans to keep from being beat deep over the top. If Sammy Watkins can produce a TD like that then it will force even more pre-game prep and open up the middle of the field for Travis Kelce and the rest of the wide receiving corp.

A simple preseason play. A meaningful move, well executed, by the Chiefs.

Kansas City Has Gone to Orlando

While the move to fill the Chiefs holes in he secondary may have been helped by signing veteran corner Orlando Scandrick, I doubt he’ll be much of a difference maker for the Chiefs in 2018. Looking over Scandrick’s record you’ll find that he was injured frequently and only ended up playing in less than half of the Cowboy’s game during his 9 year career in Dallas. Here’s what one Cowboy fan had to say about Scandrick:

Matt Lane over at AP says that Orlando Scandrick’s success will depend on the role he plays. If they keep him in at the slot, and move Fuller to the corner, it may pay dividends but, not huge dividends.

So, the move to sign Orlando Scandrick, could help, if handled correctly.

Hot at the Corners of Arrion and Tremon

Arrion Springs and Tremon Smith are rising up the CB Depth Chart based on their play. While Tremon has been expected to win a spot on the roster because he was a draft pick, his play on the field is winning his spot on the roster regardless. Arrion Springs is a 6-foot-0, 205 lbs DB who apparently got some snaps at Safety in the game vs the Falcons:

Craig Stout spells out how Springs has not only been good in coverage but come up to make plays versus the run:

Springs is getting noticed by many of those who cover the Chiefs:

Rookie Tremon Smith is getting even more attention:

Roster Busters: A Good Problem

The Chiefs have a number of players who are knocking on the 53 Man Roster door and while it’s exciting to see that happen, it means a lot of tough decisions for Reid and his coaching staff. Let’s examine a few of the players knock, knock, knocking on heaven’s door:

• RB Darrel Williams
• WR Gehrig Dieter
• WR Marcus Kemp
• WR Byron Pringle
• ILB Ben Niemann
• OL Andrew Wylie
• QB Chase Litton
• TE Jace Amaro
• TE Alex Ellis

[This list is not meant to be exhaustive but only highlights the players I’ve seen talked about a lot, and who have been impressive to me]

What’s critical to remember about these players making the 53 man roster is… if they do make the team it most likely means a veteran, or a player we’re used to seeing on the roster, will be displaced and released. All of the players mentioned here have had a good enough Training Camp — and Preseason games — to be snatched up immediately if the Chiefs try to move them to the practice squad (PS). The player I’d be most sad to see cherry-picked off the PS is RB Darrel Williams. He’s progressed so much that I can see star potential in him. 

The Return of “The Wall”

In the first two preseason games, there’s a positive pattern that the defense has displayed and that is the return of “The Wall.” When the opposition gets down to 4th and short, the defense is able to step up and shut them out. The last time I’ve seen the Chiefs be able to create that kind of defensive stand was 3 years ago when Dontari Poe was on the healthy side and the Three Musketeers were all still in red & gold. NTs Xavier Williams and Derrick Nnadi are giving me hope that those days are here again. Go Chiefs!

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