Chiefs Headliners: 5•9•24

Laddie Morse

A lot has changed with the Kansas City Chiefs in the past month. It was about that long ago that Rashee Rice was seen racing down a Dallas Freeway, causing an accident then walking away seemingly without a care. So, that’s where we’ll start today.

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On March 30th of this year, Rashee Rice was reportedly racing 119 MPH in a Lamborghini  with his ex-team mate who was driving in a Corvette. Rice is represented by Texas State Senator Royce West who said in the days after the incident:

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“Mr. Rice acknowledges his actions and feels deeply

for those injured as a result of this accident.”

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“Accident” does actually describe what happened there. Rashee Rice has gotten himself into some more hot water with the police in Dallas — again — as he’s charged with assault for hitting a cameraman in a club this past week.

Some have wondered if it would be best for Rashee Rice to leave the team? Others have suggested that this situation with Rice is a lot like the case of Kareem Hunt’s.

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Others still think the Chiefs brass hides their head’s in the sand whenever something like this happens:

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It’s much closer to reality that if the Chiefs or the NFL did take action against a player before they are dealt with by the law, then their actions could cause another action taken by the player verses the team or the league. So, to avoid a lawsuit later, they take no action before the law deals with it.

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It looks like Travis Kelce is getting ready for his life after football to me. Apparently, Lisa Foxx thinks the same way:

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I also got a lot of negative feedback recently for posting this on Twitter:

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Do you agree that I should keep my mouth shut when it comes to our football players, especially the one’s who have taken up the mantle of “hero?”

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I apparently upset a lot of Twitter fans and got no fewer than 100 replies to my tweet.

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I was called many things yesterday for posting the above. Like:

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Lisa Foxx posted a couple of positives:

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DB, Jaden Hicks was selected with the 133rd pick in this most recent NFL Draft (2 pick behind TE Jared Wiley) by the Chiefs. He had a very good Rookie Mini-camp last weekend and some have suggested that he’ll be the one to take L’Jarius Sneed’s place, and role, in DC Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.

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DraftBuzz.com writes this about Jaden Hicks:

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“Highly versatile, displaying proficiency in multiple alignments with minimal drop-off in effectiveness, a sought-after trait in the NFL. Exhibits advanced ball-hawking skills, with a natural ability to disrupt passes and secure interceptions, showcasing his secondary prowess. Smooth hip transitions and fluidity in movement allow him to shadow receivers and navigate the field with ease, critical for coverage schemes. Football IQ off the charts; Hicks anticipates plays, showing an understanding of offensive schemes and player tendencies.”

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DraftBuzz.com goes on to say:

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“Aggressive in run support, demonstrating the ability to diagnose and disrupt plays from the backfield to the line of scrimmage. Effective in zone coverage with an instinctual understanding of spatial relationships and route anticipation, enhancing his pass defense capabilities. Possesses a quick burst and aggressive approach to the blitz, adding value as a pass-rusher from the secondary. Physical attributes align with NFL standards, offering the length and agility needed to compete at a professional level.”

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Hicks was a third year player (called a Redshirt Sophomore) at Washington and although he grew up in Las Vegas, where he played his High School ball, he was not a Raiders fan. That’s a good thing because he’s part of Chiefs Kingdom now. Here’s Cole DeRuse of
“How ‘Bout Those Chiefs” on Jaden Hicks (0:43):

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Is anyone 100% comfortable with either Kingsley Suamataia or Wanya starting at Left Tackle right now? Some fans don’t want to see the Chiefs 2023 LT, Donovan Smith return, and I may have been one of those fans. Previously. Previous to what? The draft. Although the Chiefs selected Kingsley Suamataia with the their 2nd Round pick (#63), he looks more like a developmental Tackle to me and he has only played on the left side for one season… last year.

While the Chiefs may be fine waiting until training camp to make their mind up — because camp is when the pads come on and the running game ramps up — many fans, like myself, want to know sooner than that. Consequently, I think Donovan Smith should be re-signed… and… I think David Bell agrees with me.

It may be a good idea to re-sign Donovan Smith for another reason: he was better than Orlando Brown Jr..

I know that may sound like a case of “That’s not saying much” but if Donovan Smith helped the Chiefs win a Lombardi trophy that has to mean something. His play improved in the post season and that’s what’s really important. What do you think?

Here’s a breakdown of the Donovan Smith signing last year (8:43):

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Jared Wiley has been pre-crowned the new King of Tight Ends in Kansas City. I don’t think that’s fair so let’s not do that. Good thing no one did that to Travis Kelce or to Tony Moeaki when he came in after Tony Gonzalez. Wiley is supposed to be the new Travis Kelce and I don’t think that’s a fair comparison. Here’s an analysis from KCSN (0:38):

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What say you?

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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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