Laddie Morse
It’s a Neverending Story when it comes to the Kansas City Chiefs and their roster. Or should I say, Brett Veach. Or how about… the Kansas City Veach? Yeah, I guess that’s taking it a bit too far, especially in the Age of Patrick. I guess he is the one constant we can depend on, and count on. Wait one second… it’s really Travis Kelce who is the one constant on this roster. He is the only player who is still here from the 2013 NFL draft (and 2013 roster), which is also Andy Reid’s first draft and first year here in K.C.. Big Red has become such a fixture, he’s now doing commercial with Mahomes.
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Could Brandon Williams (BWill) be the fix like Terrell Suggs was a fix for the Defense and ended up helping to carry the Chiefs all the way to Super Bowl LIV Championship? BWill may not have the immediate impact that Suggs had, but he is certainly capable of helping this defense to make it to another Super Bowl.
I heard a recent discussion about Patrick Mahomes possibly not being able to get back to another Super Bowl unless he is paired with an elite defense. One that is a top five or at least a top ten unit. These radio hosts were batting around the idea that the Buffalo Bills have had an elite defense for several years now, but Josh Allen hasn’t been able to even get them to a Super Bowl game. They were expressing their concern that the same thing could happen to Mahomes… but also saying that if the Chiefs were somehow, someway, able to develop an elite defensive unit, the rest of the league would have to… watch out.
For now, I’ll settle for the possible greatness that comes to us in Brandon Williams. He has been elevated to the 53-man roster from the practice squad so I’ll be very surprised if he doesn’t see action this Sunday vs the Broncos.
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While BWill could be a disruptive force along the D-Line next to Chris Jones, he may have to have his snaps regulated in order to keep him fresh:
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Once again, while I don’t find PFF (Pro Football Focus) and their scoring system the be-all-end-all to understanding a player’s abilities nor performance level, they do give us a point of reference to consider. Keep BWill on a pitch count while subbing in Khalen Saunders and Derrick Nnadi, and he should return to his forceful ways of yore.
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What’s wrong with the Denver Broncos? While some Chiefs fans might reply, “Who Cares?” or “Who gives a hoot?” the answer to that question is likely to help the Chiefs beat this downtrodden franchise. Ever since Peyton Manning left Denver following the 2015 season, they haven’t beaten the Chiefs. In fact, the Broncos only beat the Chiefs once in Manning’s last season there.
Here’s a look back at the Chiefs and Broncos match-ups since the beginning of the 2015 season:
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September of 2015 was the last time the Broncos beat the Chiefs. While I don’t care enough to get into a long drawn out introspection about why the Broncos are bad — and have been bad for quite some time — it may have something to do with their inability to acquire — or develop — a great QB like, Patrick Mahomes. Here’s a look at all the QBs they’ve had since Manning flew the coup:
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1. Trevor Siemian
2. Paxton Lynch
3. Brock Osweiler
4. Case Keenum
5. Joe Flacco
6. Drew Lock
7. Brandon Allen
8. Jeff Driskel
9. Brett Rypien
10. Kendall Hinton
11. Teddy Bridgewater
12. Russell Wilson
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Here’s a look at Russell Wilson’s Stats this season:
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It doesn’t take a football genius to see that Russell Wilson is not the answer for the Broncos either, but now they’re stuck with his 5-year $242,588,236 contract. $242.58 Million clams? Oh Geez… and a very merry Christmas to you, Mr. Wilson!
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The Chiefs have their own problems to deal with, and it mostly has to do with their Offensive Tackles… well… and their DEs. It’s been suggested that the Chiefs either move on from Orlando Brown, or only offer him $8-to-$12 million per year (a far cry from the $16.7M franchise tag he’s been making in 2022). If he takes it , fine, he can stay and be in the mix for players who might win the LT position in camp next year. If not, let’s give 6-foot-5, 322 lbs. Darian Kinnard an opportunity.
As for Right Tackle, I’m hoping we can find out the verdict on Lucas Niang long before this season is over. Andrew Wylie is someone who I have always viewed as a: sometimes very good sub. We need to see Niang in game day situations asap to see if his recovery is full and complete, or if Brett Veach needs to go shopping this offseason for two Tackles, instead of one… and I say “one” because it’s my strong belief that Orlando Brown is not the answer at LT.
I’m also in favor of the Chiefs investing heavily in elite defensive players this offseason. If K.C. can develop a top level defense, that is the best way to help Patrick Mahomes right now. I’m hoping that the Chiefs don’t waste the prime years of Patrick Mahomes career and end up like the Packers did, or like the Saints have, with Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, each winning a solitary Super Bowl. It’s a bit of a nightmare to think that Mahomes would be a one and done winner of a Super Bowl. Kind of stings to even think it.
OC Eric Bieniemy has said that Lucas Niang is chomping at the bit to play. So, let’s hope he get’s that chance… and soon.
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I’ve also heard that… if the Chiefs had Mecole Hardman and Kadarius Toney playing for them last Sunday in Cincinnati the outcome would have been different. The flip side of the argument is — and I recently heard this one too — that no matter what the Chiefs would have done differently, the Bengals would have found a way to beat them.
While I recognize that’s what good teams do — they find a way to win, no matter what — I think the Chiefs still have the better roster, plus a better QB and a better HC. So, if they meet again in the playoffs, K.C. should come out on top? Right? TBD.
On Tuesday, DT Taylor Stallworth was waived and I can’t help but think it was 99% due to the penalty he garnered as a result of landing with all his weight on Joe Burrow. The Chiefs also re-signed OC Austin Reiter to Practice Squad. Now that’s a move I just don’t get. Haven’t they seen enough of Reiter to know he’ll never be what they really want him to be.
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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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