Chiefs: Coming Out, Coming Up

Chiefs: Coming Out, Coming Up

by David Bell

In the previous two articles after dealing with my terrible two temper tantrum, I gathered more information that supports my conclusion. Here, I support players added who are contributing and maybe won’t ever be a player beyond the average starter of the NFL level of play. All teams have those players. Not every one is going to be a pro bowler like Dee Ford should be this year.

Coming Out, Coming Up

1. Re-Emergence – OLB Justin Houston‘s injury is a hamstring not a major, season ending catastrophe: he will be back. In fact, I think he could be versus the Cardinals if they want to have him ready for the Rams. They may hold him out of that game because of the budding success of an “emergence or perhaps use a limited break in game with the Cardinals for the same reason. Back with a Fervor? I’d count on it –if not, we have backed the wrong player with a $20M ‘mis-investment’.

2. Emergence – OLB Breeland Speaks: No matter how you look at what Breeland Speaks brings to the table, he is making plays.

3. Re-Emergence – SS  Eric Berry: No, I have no inside info. I am sitting here waiting for his return the same as you. I can’t believe that the Chiefs know that he won’t really be back — in other words they are timing it to give him time to heal the heel and finish the season strong.

4. Emergence – CB Kendall Fuller: Fuller was acquired in the Smith trade and has been solidly contributing both inside and out. He is best in the slot but good outside or inside.  He is performing, especially after the past two weeks at a very high level of play. He may be best in the slot is where he is most comfortable, but PFF’s ranking doesn’t break that down but does rank him #2 over the 2 week stretch.

Kendall Fuller was the 2nd Best CB in the NFL the past two weeks according to PFF.

5. Emergence – CB Steven Nelson: Nelson has quietly been doing heavy lifting for the Chiefs, week in, week out. He is a solid cornerback that gets little fan fare but deserves it. As far as his work coming to fruition? Week 9 versus the Browns was his top performance. He had 8 tackles, 2 or 3 pass breakups and some pass defenses to boot. Currently he is the 14th rated CB in the NFL according to PFF.

Steven Nelson had 99% of the snaps on defense in the game against the Browns.

Honorable Mention – CB Orlando Scandrick: I can say that there are other players playing solid ball but Orlando Scandrick needs mention here. He is above the journeyman level of play– steady and dependable at the basic CB level. Not every man on a team is going to be pro-bowl but providing the basic “service”.

Honorable Mention #2 – FS Jordan Lucas: Lucas was added by Veatch at the time as a precaution. At worst, you could expect a top performer on Toub’s team of special lunatics. But Lucas has added “flexibility” and except for the Cleveland game has played well and is a good addition to the back end of the defense. I don”t know where that goes because Eric Murray is playing well enough to stick around. Seth Keyser covered Murray in his article in the Athletic on Thursday.

Additional Factoids

A look at some Factoids that must be considered. I did the point total over the 3 games and that in itself is a good indication of success — 54 total points.

Seth Keyser took a look at defense successes: for example, 3rd Down and Long (7 yards).

And Success at 3rd and Medium (3-6) yards — Chiefs rank 5th:

A Brave New World – The Future?

For the future, consideration must be given to Armani Watts, Charvarius Ward and Tremon Smith, to mention just 3. This season’s Defense will end up ranked very low. I have not covered poor run defense, the exposed ILB corp and basic overall poor tackling. However, the resulting view of the Chiefs defense is that after the Bye Week, with what is going on with emerging players and players returning to the field, you should see a defense doing well, perhaps playing at a 2nd tier level defense though they will finish rated far lower. We have what we have — holes, warts, and all but the emergence of new players and the upcoming re-emergence will be, in my skewed Chiefs fanatic view, a significant improvement.

Now, who to draft in round 1? Ah, not yet.

Take it to the bank….!

David Bell – ArrowheadOne