Chiefs: GM Brett Veach
is Working Overtime
by David Bell
The Kansas City Chiefs General Manager has been working overtime and he’s needed to. He’s not only continuing to work on the defense, he’s still working on the offense as well.
Jeff Allen: Re-signing with the Chiefs
Jeff Allen is going to re-signed with the Chiefs. He never should have left but, followed the money to Texas. Now he is back according to Mike Garafolo, if Allen passes the physical he will be back in the Red and Gold. If Allen is ready to play, he is a solid addition to the Chiefs front 5 — he was a round 2 pick by Pioli in 2012.
Pending reunion: The #Chiefs will sign G Jeff Allen if all goes well with his physical, source says. Allen began his career in KC before signing with the #Texans as a free agent. Chiefs need interior OL help, especially with G Lauren Duvernay-Tardif on IR.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 16, 2018
In March of 2016, Allen had a tearful departure. He knows Reid, he knows the offense and with LDT out and Mitch Morse suffering another concussion, it is a very nice addition of a good football player to the Active Roster. In his career with KC though, he did suffer injuries and was released to F/A. At Texas, Matt Connor of FanSided points out, he made 26 starts in a row.
Batting Around the Veach Ball
What ever we say, we can’t say that focus on defense in the draft wasn’t appropriate. The Chiefs went almost all defense. What ever we might have thought, that focus was totally needed. The Chiefs drafted late enough, with not enough picks in the draft to cover the need. This does not mean they did not draft well.
The Breeland Speaks Game
A lot of criticism is deserved when leveled at the defense. Sure, Breeland Speaks erred but considering the idiotic NFL rules protecting QB’s and players getting ejected for making plays, then Speaks reaction is understandable. He did not lose this game. The Chiefs had ejections affecting the team versus the Jaguars. Everyone is aware of the cost of such penalties called — the Chiefs players have verbalized their confusion about this uncertainty. Breeland Speaks erred — but he did not lose the game. In fact, Breeland Speaks played his finest game so far as a Chief: 6 Tackles, 1 Sack. C’mon. Let’s move on.
What Does Veach Do Now?
Today’s activity is reinforcing the offensive line. Brett Veach had the opportunity and if things work out the Chiefs add back a good offensive lineman.
What the Chiefs do now? I hope Veach is able to make a meaningful trade Or signing or both and both to get meaningful players to the defense. I know, that is something he is working on — accomplishing is highly questionable. The Defense had enough holes that it was impossible to get the personnel in house to make it solid. Yet I can’t say that there is one particular player that must be replaced.
Here is what I think: Patrick Peterson is available. Brett? Go get him. It solves a short term weakness and is within realm of providing a longer term solution.
Inside Linebackers
When we discuss ILB’s over the last 3 games and in this particular contest with the Pats? A lot of complaint. Let me make a point: Three different ILB’s were involved in 3 sequential plays that forced a Patriot FG late in the game.We aren’t going to find that 6”2″ or so, big, tough and fast ILB at this point. But, there is a “But.”
The Safeties, the Safeties
Who am I going to nail, Lucas who should have made that INT and didn’t? Fuller for letting a receiver get behind him? etc. Murray is out with Injury. So is Sorensen. So is Berry. I thought Lucas played well for his second appearance as a Chief. So here we see one problem that can be solved by having Eric Berry back on the field. He makes the whole defense better. He is superior in run defense support. He makes his opposite a better safety. He covers receivers up in the box or over the top.
It’s All Mixt’d Up!
Doing historical and genealogical research, you often find that this or that ancestor is mixed up with another person of the same surname in the same state and county and you have a puzzle to solve. So a friend coined the above rejoinder. But it applies here too! Right now, a mix of so many things that I can’t nail down one piece, one player. Missing pieces hurt a lot: Houston, Kpass, Murray, Berry, Watts, Nelson, DAT, Sorensen, LDT: Who’s missing?
In fact, the news yesterday about Allen solves the problem of LDT for the duration of the season and Mitch Morse in concussion protocol. I already mentioned the Berry Effect in a complete article focused on his absence and noting it here is just addition to that article. We can look forward to Kpass, Murray, Berry, Nelson and Houston getting back on the field. Soon… very soon I hope… and adding Allen.
Ford: Good Haven for the Blame game
Dee Ford is not the problem. Ford is not just playing well in a contract year. C’mon! Ford had a very nice 2016. KEEP IN MIND: he was playing behind Houston and Hali. This meant til Houston went out at the end of 2016, he as not getting starter snaps. He ended up with 10 sacks. yes, 2017 was a lost year due to his back injury. But 2018? I see what I saw at the end of 2016 — including the last defensive play of the regular season where he had a pass defense that ended the game. In 2018, so far, Ford has played as well as any OLB in the NFL. His play at the end of 2016 and now in 2018 is very, very good. Enough nonsense.
Houston? He’s not the Problem Either
I am not going to say that Houston hasn’t been his old self but to state he is not playing well is a mistake: he is doubled teamed on almost all snaps. Hamstring? Yeah but that doesn’t suddenly make him injury prone.
All Parts Form the Whole
It is obvious to me that fans are fickle. During the game before the 2nd quarter was over, we were blown out. No one player or coach lost the game. On offense, Mahomes and Co. were stopped short 3 times. On defense? The Chiefs couldn’t find a way to stop Brady. Am I satisfied with what the defense is doing? Nope. But we are severely lacking personnel on the injured list and most of it related to defense.
I am not blessing Sutton nor stating go to the 43. I am not saying Sutton is the problem, though he is the most visible person to blame. I do know that Bob Sutton’s last year or two in NY were very good. I know the Chiefs had a good defense up to 2016. After that? A lot was lost and a lot of the loss was countered by new additions. Such as Ford. There are reasonable problems and considering the personnel out to injury, the Chiefs basically have done well.
Chiefs Have a Top Notch Offense
The offense came close to winning it in the end. That is serving notice especially after an ignominious first half. They scored 31 points in the 2nd half.
The Bottom Line
No single choice or event lost that game. They all lost it… I am good with what happened even at the close and losing it by a Field goal. During the 1st half, I kept saying let the Chiefs play. See what happens after the half and so on. But we are fanatics. We get on a roll and won’t accept the facts. We suddenly are wiser, smarter, faster and superb evaluators of talent for the draft and for managing financial resources.
The Chiefs still have a strong, very good roster. Let’s hope Brett Veach makes a trade, pulls off a miracle deal to get a game changer in house — like CB Peterson from the Cards. Then get Berry and Houston get back. Bailey, Speaks, Ford, Houston and Jones in the mix? Add Peterson? All things might turn on that simple combo.
Oh yeah… at 5-1, we are doing this with a first year QB who has 16 TDs and came from behind to lead the Pats in Foxborough in the 4th quarter.
Do I think we need to fairly appraise the truth of the matter with the defense? Or even Brett Veach had his draft and player moves? Or, the move he might make now? Uncle, you bet!
David Bell – ArrowheadOne
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