CHIEFS: “My Year of Living Dangerously” — I predict the Chiefs #RunItBack in 2020!

CHIEFS: “My Year of Living Dangerously” — I predict the Chiefs #RunItBack in 2020! – in this season of woeful tidings (Covid-19) the Chiefs are positioned to make a run at a repeating as NFL Champions. Not many teams have achieved winning back-to-back titles, but I ‘m predicting that the Chiefs accomplish this feat in 2020.

The Short List of Precedents

Green Bay did in 1967 and 1968 and of course with victories, first against Chiefs followed by a win versus the Raiders, something with which I am intimately aware of since I had become a Chiefs fan in those early years of the AFL. The Packers pair was followed by the Dolphins in 1973 and 1974. The Steelers accomplished the feat on two different occasions with the 49’ers, Cowboys and Broncos adding to the list before the Patriots won back to back titles in 2004-5.

Disadvantages

1. It’s not a surprise that winning back to back Super Bowls is extremely difficult. In the second attempt every team that faces the champion is looking to knock them off their square.
2. Good fortune must be applied during any season. An off game at the wrong time would cost a team the ability to even reach the conference championship, let alone the Super Bowl. Lady Luck has got to play a factor.
3. Player mix becomes a factor as people leave, cashing in on their newly acquired credentials.
4. Team injuries in any year can cause a team to falter during the season and play with less efficiency.
5. Coaching Staff Changes also play a significant factor.

The Chiefs Advantage

The fact that this season’s early months are marred by the Covid-19 epidemic does play a role. Normal Team Building was made difficult in the important scouting phase which was locked down after the combine.

The Chief’s Roster Stability

In 2020’s offseason before the draft, the Chiefs have retained 20 of 22 starters which is crucially important for continuity. Beyond the 22 starters, are crucial players that are important at their positions and who have returned to the roster. This is of extreme importance. One such signing, as an example, is Mike Pennel (DT).

Some changes on special teams is going to occur since Dustin Colquitt has departed. I am not worried a bit about that since we already have his replacement in house. Even changes to the return specialists could change at least to a degree. The less we gamble on the health of Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman, the better.

Roster as an Advantage – A First Look

I think it’s crucial to observe that the Chiefs did what appears to be the impossible despite being the last pick in each round: they improved with top quality talent with top quality talent… especially with the first three picks. All of three players should be viewed as Round One quality players.

Position Groups: Strength and Improvement

I started going through each room and covering, for the third or fourth time, what I think about each player in each group. It’s water under the bridge with this roster. Even since I last wrote about it, things are changed.

We have a new Punter, QB, DE and CB, reworked contracts or extended them and each item right down to the latest is a move which provides improvement for the position groups. At the same time, the additions from the draft, signing Free Agents and bring aboard a talented group of UDFA’s instructs me that Brett Veach, his scouting crew and Andy Reid with the coaching staff are already piecing together a championship team.

In many ways, the draft, is Brett Veach working miracles. Teams that win the Super Bowl are not expected to build the team with top draft picks. In 2020, Veach did exactly that with Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Willie Gay Jr., and Lucas Niang. All three are likely starters in 2020, if they give Lucas the start at LOG.

Quarterbacks: Improved

Adding Jordan Ta’amu sets the stage, as his play is similar to that of Pat Mahomes. The added value is also that Ta’Amu can easily emulate other swift-and-shifty QB’s such as Dak Prescott, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson or Lamar Jackson. This value-added expansion bodes well for the Chiefs defensive preparations for opponents. I see Ta’Amu as the current candidate for the future as the Chiefs QB #2. Note: in 2019 the Chiefs used CB Alex Brown to prepare for opposing QB’s. In 2018 they used CB Tremon Smith.

Running Backs: Improved

First round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire will end the season as the Chiefs next feature RB. Free Agent signee Deandre Washington gives the Chiefs a totally solid 1-2-3 punch. In season, CEH should supplant Damien William’s starting as the feature back if he doesn’t by the season opener.

Offensive Tackles: Improved

The Chiefs have added Lucas Niang in the3^rd round. Niang had a surgery after playing with an injury in 2019 and would have likely been a round 1 pick otherwise. He is probably going to take on the SW/T role and is probably a future starting tackle. Add UDFA Nasir Durant (OT), who should make the team, at least on the PS. Note: Durant signed with the Chiefs for a hefty amount of $150,000.

Offensive Guards: Improved

Returning as starters in 2020 are LOG Andrew Wylie and ROG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. The Guard position boasts another starting level player in Martinas Rankin. Also added was a role player in Mike Remmers. I cannot anticipate that Lucas Niang will take on LOG but that would be a real coup if it happens. Lucas Niang is very competent and didn’t give up a single sack in pass protection during his three years as a starter. Martinas Rankin could be the SW/T.

Offensive Center: Work in Progress

Austin Reiter did not have a good 2019 and a lot of that was due to OL instability and the injury plague, especially at OG. The players all return save Stephen Wisniewski. Nick Allegretti gave Reiter a tussle in 2019 for the starting job in the preseason and I expect the same will be true in 2020. Add UDFA Darryl Williams (OC/OG)-from Mississippi St to the mix. Williams is a natural guard but played center in 2019.

Wide Receivers: Solid

The Chiefs have the top ranking WR group. We are blessed at the Kingdom. Returnees and new additions from the UDFA’s forecast a good competition as well. When Veach rewrote a Sammy Watkins contract and then re-signed Demarcus Robinson, I could then say: Veach is a “Magician with Rabbits and Hats”.

Tight Ends: Improved

It’s difficult not to write volumes about the top NFL TE Travis Kelce.

The Chiefs return Deon Yelder too. It is my hope that the signing of Free Agent Ricky Seals-Jones “seals” the deal. Next up? Get Travis Kelce extended for the duration of his career and hope that Seals-Jones gives the added receiver “threat” that is needed.

Defensive End: Improved

Already a strong group but now we add Mike Danna, a 5th round draft pick and then top it off with DE Taco Charlton, who’s anticipated cost is less than $2M. Charlton rejoins collegiate teammate Frank Clark. Frank Clark assures the fans they won’t be sorry about this signing. That should tell you who will be kicking butt as necessary.

Defensive Tackles: Improved

Stone Cold Chris Jones returns and the group also boasts Breeland Speaks, coming off his lost season due to injury. I was highly pleased with the solid contribution of draft picks Khalen Saunders and Derrick Nnadi and smiled all the way to the bank when Veach was able to bring Mike Pennel back for 2020, another feather in Veach’s cap.

Linebackers: Work in Progress

Harping on LB’s since 2016 might be considered my “Forte” but my voice has not reached the Halls at One Arrowhead Way… maybe until now. Brett Veach brought in two LB’s to fix the problem and it hasn’t materialized (Hitch and Rags). For 2020’s draft, I called for pulling in Zack Baun. Veach went one up on that by selecting Willie Gay, Jr. in the second round. I couldn’t find any indication that the Chiefs were looking to draft him. His selection shows that what I don’t know, I just don’t know. I like this pick very much. The Chiefs fielded Damien Wilson, Anthony Hitchens, and Ben Niemann. Darius Harris was injured but will get his chance in 2020 as will 2nd year player Emmanuel Smith. Harris as he has skills and could take over a starting job. Also added are a couple of UDFA’s in Brian Wright and Omari Cobb.

Cornerbacks: Work in Progress

The team returns Charvarius Ward, Bashaud Breeland (4 game suspension + ?), Rashad Fenton and Alex Brown. Veach also signed Free Agent Antonio Hamilton for CB depth. The young talent mix is good. Veach drafted CB’s L’Jarius Sneed, Bopete Keyes and UDFA corners: Lavert Hill but I think that the promise with Javaris Davis. His 4.39 speed and defending against an over the top, smaller speedster WRs, might find a spot for Davis on this roster.

Safeties: Improved, Solid

It’s not difficult to see that the Safety group as totally solid and it is. Brett Veach added to the mix with the selection of L’Jarius Sneed our Round #4 Draft Pick. I do think Spagnuolo will figure a way to continue his subterfuge in the secondary mix and Sneed will play a role very quickly as a CB or Safety. Rodney Clemons (6-0, 210), SMU UDFA has potential. Tyrann Mathieu, Juan Thornhill, Dan Sorensen, and Armani Watts make this the deepest room in the house.

Specialists: Work in Progress

The loss of Punter Dustin Colquitt is big but, two UDFA’s, 2nd year pro, Tyler Newsome – ND, who has the inside track and Rookie Tommy Townsend – Florida, vie for the spot. LS James Winchester and PK Harrison Butker return.

The Brett Veach Factor

Finding quality players on other rosters, and seeking to get them on board is part of what Veach excels at. To use an example, Veach signed Harrison Butker from another team’s PS. Fabulous move for the Chiefs. Veach has traded to get players such as Charvarius Ward from the Cowboys for Parker Ehinger. not to mention Kendall Fuller in Alex Smith trade. Among those who know football with whom I communicate regularly despite they are for other NFL teams, they doff their hat to what Brett Veach has accomplished as GM of the Kansas City Chiefs.

My Opinion, My Prediction

The Chiefs are poised to win their 2nd Super Bowl in a row and be added to the short list of back-to-back champs. Do I believe? Oh Yeah! #RUNITBACK!

David Bell — ArrowheadOne

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