Chiefs Headliners: 3·18·24

Laddie Morse

It’s been at least five weeks now since the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII so it’s time to move on to the next season and begin to think about how this team in 2024 will be constructed. This past week, GM Brett Veach signed WR Hollywood Brown to a one-year deal so that’s where we’ll begin.

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Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is a wide Receiver who has committed to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this past week and is known for being a fast and quick player. He runs a 4.27, but some say he runs a 4.33. The reality is, he runs somewhere between those two, but all that’s really needed to know is, he plays fast and is a hard cover. For the Chiefs, in their scheme, he will provide the deep threat that Tyreek Hill provided for year and Marquez Valdes-Scantling provided for the last two. The difference is, Hollywood is a much better pass catcher, which I’ sure all Kingdom fans will be thrilled to hear. Hollywood has a drop rate of 3% while MVS had a drop rate of 7%. I know, I know, you’re thinking MVS had a drop rate that was much higher than that… and you’d be right. MVS had a drop rate of 12% in 2023 as revealed by CBS Sports and even though he got much better as the year rolled along, 12% is just too darn high. Which is why he’s no longer with the team… and Hollywood is.

Hollywood brown is a character. He’s been witnessed playing Taylor Swift songs while dancing in his office chair.

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Hollywood was once sentenced to “criminal Speeding” in Arizona but then again, I have been too… but don’t tell anyone. We Chiefs fans have had our fill of characters but at least Brown hasn’t committed any serious crimes… that we know of.

Speeding. That appears to be Hollywood Browns MO. On and off the field.

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The Kansas City Current won their inaugural Home Opener 5-to-4 over the Portland Thorn and it was one amazing game. It was also amazing because of the field they played on. Here in Kansas City, the Current, owned by Brittany and Patrick Mahomes, have built the very first stadium exclusively for women… girls… females… in the whole world! I get chills when I write these words.

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I have a daughter, whom I love dearly. I was a teacher when she was born and I began to looks for books that had females as main characters, but found few. So few that I began to save a collection of them to read to her as she grew older. She is not a sports fan, but once wanted to be a basketball player. We connected on that, and she never got her chance to shine in that sport, but now the Current has my full attention. I will continue to post current Current information on our web site… in honor of my daughter. (see what I did there?) BTW, I think the Current colors of Red and Teal rocks my socks off!

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The Kansas City Chiefs have signed a couple of players in Free Agency. The NFL Free Agency period began this past week and K.C. has signed a player who will be much more impactful than previously advertised: TE Irv Smith Jr.. With Jody Fortson, a favorite of mine, released and then signing with the Dolphins, The role of the third TE is now in the hands of Smith. He was a second round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2019 draft, the 50th selection overall. Here’s Irv Smith running the Gauntlet Drill in 2019 when I was high on him then (0:12):

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My initial take after watching this video is more about the announcer than the player. The announcer for this one was Daniel Jeremiah (DJ) and I forgot that Mike Mayock had been replaced by DJ that year. Geez, it’s been five years since that happened. Time flies….

Irv Smith Jr. is still thought to be a replacement for Travis Kelce and he just might be in the long run. Noah Gray has not impressed me since his coming to the Chiefs in 2021. Smith is out of Alabama and set a single season record at the time for TDs by a Tight End with seven. He’s strong and has played in many different positions which should please Andy Reid, plus he’s a perfect fit for the 13 Personnel strategy.

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Smith is relatively fast for a Tight End and runs a 4.63 40-yard dash. To give you a perspective, Travis Kelce once ran a 4.61 40, so Irv Smith Jr. is in that range.

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We’re still waiting to hear what will happen with CB L’Jarius Sneed. The last I heard on Sunday, was that the Titans — or the Colts –are getting close to a deal. The holdup appears to eb with a new contract that is approved by Sneed with his new team. While we’re still playing a waiting game, I do expect to hear something new today… or at least this week:

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If L’Jarius Sneed is indeed traded, the need for another CB with a high upside will be needed. Beyond that, GM Brett Veach has already moved the team into a position of not having any glaring needs. If you were to ask me which position is still in need of depth, I’d say it’s the DE position. With George Karlaftis (GK) and Felix Anudike-Uzomah (FAU) slated to start we’re good up front on the edges for starters. I was thrilled last offseason to see GK working with ex-Chiefs great DE Tamba Hali on his hand fighting:

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However, who would DC Steve Spagnuolo have to sub in when GK and/or FAU needs a breather? That may raise the level of concern high enough to make DE, or Edge rusher, a number one need when it comes to the draft. I won’t be at all surprised if Veach signs a DE who is a low cost vet prior to the draft rolling around. Once Charles Omenihu returns we’ll be okay, but that won’t be until half way through the season, at best. David Bell says early October, but I’m not so sure.

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Veach seems to have covered all his bases. We once were light at IDL, but since he’s re-signed Tershawn Wharton and Derrick Nnadi, the need there is a lower priority. A back-up QB could be the next signing… or re-signing.

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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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