Laddie Morse
The Kansas City Chiefs went into the game with the Raiders in Las Vegas with holes needing to be filled at the Wide Receiver position. Rookie Rashee Rice stepped up and so did TE Travis Kelce, soooo… has the problem been fixed there with the Chiefs receivers? Not nearly, I’d say. Just yesterday I published a piece called, “Chiefs Beat the Raiders, 31-to-17” in which I said:
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“While I don’t think this game answers any of their
WR question marks, it’s a helpful place to start the
conversation.”
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While I still think that’s true, the fact that Rashee Rice had 107 yards receiving goes a long ways towards offering a solution. Here’s a play in which Rice cranks up the volume and turns his crossing route into 6 points while breaking a tackle down the sideline:
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Although Rashee Rice can’t fix the Chiefs WR room all by his lonesome, his ascendence goes a long way towards answering this problem. And yes, K.C. still has a problem at WR.
If you are in doubt about this ‘Problem” as I’ve stated it, ask yourself this question: if Rashee Rice is placed in the IR List for the rest of the year tomorrow — God forbid — who do you think steps up and takes over at WR???
Don’t overreact or start cutting yourself just because you don’t have a good answer to that one. There have been many possible solutions already this season. Let’s take a look at some of them:
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Notes:
Hardman has 9 receptions this year including the one with the Jets.
Toney has 22 receptions this season, and has played in 10 games.
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Not mentioned here was WR Justyn Ross. Ross has a contract that goes through the year, 2024 so he may end up being an answer, but not this season. Just yesterday, Ross had his criminal case diverted. Johnson County District Attorney’s Office has confirmed that Ross no longer faces criminal charges and his application for diversion in his case was granted.
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Some will ask, why hasn’t GM Brett Veach traded for a great WR by now? The answer to that one is likely complex. If the Chiefs had tried to trade for a great WR, the other team would probably be wanting too high an asking price. Then there’s the compensation — cap space — for that great player. Sure, you can argue that we never should have traded Tyreek Hill or that the Chiefs and CEO Clark Hunt should just cough up the money for a great WR in a trade, but if it’s not possible, then I trust in Brett Veach, and I agree… it’s not (wasn’t) a possibility at the trade deadline.
Some might claim that the answer is to run the ball more. While I hope that this is part of the play-calling solution, it can’t be all there is. K.C. had 298 yards passing, but only 69 yards rushing in the game in Vegas on Sunday. So, it’s hard to see rushing — alone –as the only solution.
The answer appears to be sticking with Rashee Rice and Skyy Moore… for now. Can they get us to another Super Bowl? That has yet to be seen, but let’s not count the best QB to come along in an age, out. The ascendence of Rashee Rice has me encouraged… but at the same time, I still have my doubts that he alone can be the total solution, even if he and Travis Kelce team up for more great games. We need more input into the receiving corp and more consistency. What do you think?
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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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