Chiefs: Dynasty Adversity – by Dan Guinn, KCIRONFAN – In my last article, I talked about fan adversity and what this team has taught us. Yet, as we look at the Chiefs right now, we have seen some strange changes transpire. However, what is more strange has been some fans, and opposition fans reactions. It has many of us scratching our heads and questioning if people are seeing the full picture. After all, if we are winning big, so why are we concerned? Moreover, how can anyone take shots at us?
Winning big or not, the doomsday sayers are out in force against the Kansas City Chiefs, who now, according to some, despite a winning record, say we are trending downward. “Something’s off with Patrick!”, “They only have a run game,” “They’re beginning to lose their championship edge.” Or even to one of the more ridiculous and laughable takes I stumped upon is, “All they have is Kelce.” Huh?
Football fandom is vicious at times, lose one game, or change your style of performance, and the critics seem to see blood! They see a chink in the armor to exploit with words. Yet, what is really going on with the Chiefs? Is there any truth to these notions?
Questions and Reality
Let’s admit it, the offensive line has struggled, but the Chiefs have acknowledged this and vowed improvement. The very next game they bounced back. As Clyde Edwards Helaire stated, “It was the mindset… it all starts up front. Likewise, “The O line took it personally!” we heard from Patrick Mahomes. Yet for many, even though this run offense is powerful, it still raises questions. The air attack has diminished, for starters. Why are we not passing? Where’s the offense we have come to know and love? Some may be under the impression that Patrick himself is changing. While fears may somehow circulate that Patrick Mahomes might be becoming a dreaded Reid “system quarterback” and our lethal offense is somehow in decline. We need to check these notions against reality.
If you have been monitoring Chiefs pressers, we hear such reasons as, “That’s how teams are playing us.” This particular statement, coming from Mahomes. How are they playing us? The answer is both simple and complex. Firstly, we are regularly seeing teams change their defensive strategies to match the Chiefs. Moreover, we are not only seeing defensive changes, we are seeing offensive changes as well. Teams, on the offensive side of the ball realize that they cannot keep pace with the Chiefs unless they play more aggressive and take advantage of whatever chances are given. Teams, on the defensive side of the ball, realize that they cannot hope to stop the air attack if they don’t sell out in some way. We see defenses often constantly rushing four and disrupting deep timing as much as possible.
What it Means to Be Great
We also should not discount the strength of the Chiefs early schedule. Four of the seven teams were playoff teams, all with seriously competitive defences. The remaining three were our regular division opponents who are perhaps more familiar with us than anyone else. Such a mixture is often too much for some teams to even think about repeating. Yet, the Chiefs are not only managing, they are excelling, but not without changing character. What we should be realizing is that this team is facing the hazards of what it means to be great. They are learning what it means to be growing into a dynasty. In this league, you can’t just run the same blowout offensive style year after year and expect not to be challenged. Someone will figure you out, and teams will copy you. Teams will study your film, learn your tricks, gadgets, and tendencies and even use them against you.
The Consummate Transformation
Therefore, the only thing that would kill the Chiefs, would be to stay stagnant. So it should be no surprise to see that Reid is constantly introducing fresh new concepts nearly every single week to continue to stay ahead. Even if that means a masterful run game, no doubt drawing on the run mind-skills of offensive coordinator of Eric Bieniemy. So to this end, we should not see Reid’s offense as just a system, but rather an ongoing technical masterpiece. A body of work that seeks to adapt and stay ahead of the rest of the league… constantly. That’s how Reid got the Kansas City Chiefs to the summit in the first place:
It should also be evident that the Chiefs were never comfortable with a loss and are learning how to win both on the ground and the air. So that no matter what is thrown at this team on the field, they can handle it. They can assault you and brutalize you on the ground and they can destroy you through the air. They can also play both. So although, they are sometimes throwing underneath and checking down, because teams are selling out to try and prevent the big plays against us, what we should be realizing is that teams fear the Mahomes attack.
Respect and Coaching
One thing we can expect and respect is that our coaching staff is being honest with itself. They are consistent and steady, working and adapting the plan. The front-office, under Veach, is on the exact same page. We see some pressure is being alleviated from the offensive line challenges by bolstering the run with the addition of Le’Veon Bell, who should maximize those short yardage and goal line situations. The offensive line doesn’t have to blow everyone off the line, they just have to blow everyone off the ball opening the holes for Bell and Clyde to exploit. It should not be forgotten that Bell likewise will presumably help in the vacancy of Watkins and Sherman in the pass game, for the time being.
Yet, along with this, another thing that should not be forgotten is that the Chiefs continue to thrust ahead in something that cannot be taught, namely speed. The utterly lethal Legion of Zoom has just been upgraded even a bit more, which is totally insane to imagine. Even just thinking about the 40 times of each of the two fastest WR and now top RBs: Tyreek Hill 4.29, Mecole Hardman 4.33. Clyde Edwards-Helaire 4.6, and now Bell, also at 4.6. As Mecole was heard in practice:
“Do you feel fast? I feel fast!“
Adaptive Football
Yes we do! Yet, there’s one more to think about. What about Byron Pringle? His 40 time is a blazing 4.46. He’s right behind Hardman, and he has shown how he has slash ability. His cut and run 102 yard kick return made it clear there’s another hidden speed force in the red and gold. The lethal Legion of Zoom is rising! Will the Chiefs continue to leverage that speed on the ground or in the air? Or will they just wield their weapons as they need them against the weakness of each opponent? I suggest that it is both. I suggest that the Chiefs have been assembling a juggernaut that the world has never seen before. One that matches whatever is thrown at them and is built to play adaptive football. Are we a run team? Are we a pass team? Yes!
The Steadfastness
Sometimes people mistake this Chiefs confidence in their speed and abilities as arrogance. More often than not, especially from the leaders, what we hear is not arrogance, but honest consideration of their strengths as well as their weaknesses. We know that we have these skills, we have this speed, and we have the plays, play calling and power on both sides of the ball and we also know our weaknesses and where we need to grow. We know it. We are experiencing the growth of the dynasty phase right before our eyes. The adversity is fueling the changes and the steadfastness is getting it done!
Dan Guinn – ArrowheadOne
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