Chiefs Host Bengals, Preseason Game 1: OPEN THREAD

Chiefs Host Bengals, Preseason Game 1: OPEN THREAD – The time has finally arrived: Kansas City Chiefs football! The season of great expectations is about to get under way. So, without further adieu, lets take a peek at the numbers we’ll all want to keep and eye on today. These Chiefs numbers are newbies, rookies and some bubble players who are hoping to make their mark today.

You’ll notice some numbers are designated for Offense, and some for Defense, because the Chiefs use duplicate numbers in some cases.

There are plenty of other numbers who fans will want to pay attention to, but I’ve selected players who are primary to the process of making the team, or making the team better immediately. The Chiefs new #55, Frank Clark, is not listed here, but I figure guys like him, most everyone already knows.

Now, most of these numbers/players will not be seen until the second quarter rolls around. In the first quarter — while the first unit is on the field — I’ll be keeping my eyes on Charvarius Ward, #35, to see how well he mirrors his man. The same goes for Bashaud Breeland, #21.

Note: If Morris Claiborne has been given #21, then we may end up seeing Breeland in a different number today. If not today, then by the next preseason game.

I’ve been a fan of WR Marcus Kemp, #19, for two years running so I’ll be hoping to see him ball-out in this game. He can make some sensational looking catches and he was on the 53-man roster last year so this is not a man-crush on a player who is just a workout warrior and/or just a training camp wizkid who is all flash and no flame. 

Last year the Chiefs used their last pick in the draft to take a defensive lineman named Kahlil McKenzie, #66, and then convert him to an interior offensive lineman. Consequently, I’ll be wanting to see if there’s any real bite in this dawg. 

This game will be an excellent opportunity to get a good look at all 90 players on the Chiefs roster since head coach Andy Reid has said, “everyone will play.” The interior of the Offensive line is a good place to keep an eye on since the Bengals have stellar DT Geno Atkins gunning for the Chiefs golden boy, Patrick Mahomes. The interior line will feature two new starters since last September so this is a key area of focus. Andrew Wylie, #77, should start at Left Guard and Austin Reiter, #62, will likely go at Center.

My crystal ball has revealed that most fans will want to see how the Chiefs first pick in the 2019 draft, WR Mecole (muh-COLE) Hardman, #17, will do in his first game. Although he’s had some drops in camp, that is to be expected from a rookie, any rookie. However, he’s also had some nearly spectacular plays in camp, so fans will want to see if that translates to games. I know I will.

If you can split your eye-time, you may want to kept one eye fixed on the sidelines, while the Chiefs are on defense. That’s because K.C. now has a new crew of coaches who have been much more hands-on and much more animated, than the previous regime. Their involvement in the progression of the Chiefs defense will be as responsible as any other factor in the Chiefs overall defensive success in 2019… and since we all know that the expectations are for this team to make a run at the Super Bowl, the development of this defense will mean everything in their ability to make that dream a reality. Now, that’s simply because everyone across the league already knows the Chiefs offense can get them there. So, we need to see if the D is also up to the task… and the coaching off the field, will be as critical as the D’s performance on the field.

So now… it’s time to strap it on, and go hit somebody (clearly, I’m referring to the players… not the fans. I don’t want to be misinterpreted as inciting any kind of violence)!  😜 😜 😜 Go Chiefs!

Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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