Chiefs: Oh the Places We’ll Go, 8·24·21

Like any other Chiefs fan at ArrowheadOne, I dream dreams about K.C. signing sensational Free Agents like DT Jarran Reed, even though I know it’s not possible… wait, what? You’re kidding me. How Kewl is That! However, I also dream dreams of the Chiefs drafting, like, two offensive linemen who are so good, all in one year, that they become starters… and I know it’s not possible but… wait, what? You got to be kidding me AGAIN! Oh Come on! Is this a dream or can somebody pinch me please.

I know, I know,,, I dream dreams of a Magic Chiefs Kingdom where they have the best quarterback in the league and everybody knows it and… wait, what… oh you can’t be serious… I must have been living under a rock! I guess so… Rock on Chiefs!!!!

.

.

The last time we saw this offense in action — in a game that mattered — it wasn’t a pretty picture. At all. Tyreek Hill couldn’t get loose enough… because the OL protection was so bad (7 catches for 73 yards and no TDs). Travis Kelce could get loose for long enough… because they plastered him like drywall (10 catches for 133 yards, but zero TDs). While those two were good for 17 receptions, the rest of the Chiefs receivers, including RBs, had but 9 catches total. Not good. Not good enough. At all.

.

When Andy Reid and company went back to study the tape, and the stats, that must have been the #1 glaring need in their minds. If you look at so many of the moves that GM Brett Veach made this offseason, on the offensive side of the ball, aside from the obvious OL choices — which were stupendously awe-inspiring — those moves were designed with the idea that the Chiefs would gain a third, a fourth, and a fifth, dependable receiving option. Ways to improve your reception –> expand you bandwidth. Boy, oh boy, have they ever.

.

Part of that was for Andy Reid to re-design his ever evolving offensive scheme — which no one had figured out until the Bucs did it in SB LV — to include other short route receiving options. Guys like Cornell Powell (who may not be useful until the last half of this year), Noah Gray, Jody Fortson, Daurice Fountain, bringing Blake Bell back, and even the signing of RB Jerick McKinnon, who has 1,237 receiving yards to his name.

.

Check.

.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire had all of 64 yards rushing in the Super Bowl, and besides Patrick Mahomes — who had 33 yards rushing — the only other rushing yards, all totaled up, came to 10. Ten rushing yards, 5 credited to Tyreek Hill and 5 to Darrel Williams. Consequently, many of the OL moves this offseason were al meant to improve the rushing attack.

.

Check. Check.

.

What stands out is… the Chiefs whole approach to the game was not good enough to win. Andy Reid had gotten way to used to the idea that, “Well, Patrick will just go win it.” For the most part, and a high percentage of the time, that’s been true. Now, we can expect to see a different offense in Kansas City, one that relies on other tight ends, other wideouts and other RBs, to all be receivers… besides Hill, Kelce as well as CEH. An offense that also has a greater chance or running the ball successfully.

.

Check. Check. Check.

.

.

The NFL has expanded the rule that you can’t block below the waist and it’s had an effect on the Chiefs already this season –> ON THE DEFENSIVE SIDE OF THE BALL. Now, you can’t go low, even if you’re a defender trying to avoid an onrushing Woolly Mammoth Offensive Lineman. From ProFootball Talk:

.

“On a play that would have looked perfectly normal to anyone who hadn’t read the new rule, 49ers offensive lineman Corbin Kaufusi was attempting to block Chiefs safety Will Parks on an outside run. Parks went low in an attempt to avoid Kaufusi and make the tackle, and because Parks hit Kaufusi low, Parks was flagged for an illegal low block, a 15-yard penalty.”

.

We all know they’re going to be watching that more carefully, so why bring that up here? Because, my not so young padawan, last year’s OL was very good as laying those low down low blocks when they sent their OL pulling into space… but this year it’s not only not allowed, but this year’s collection of very talented Woolly Mammoth Offensive Lineman for the Chiefs… may not be as good at picking up LBs and then getting them blocked.

.

.

.

We all, in Chiefs Kingdom, want to see this newly cemented OL excel, not only as superior protection for the best QB in the biz, but also as a great run blocking unit. Mountain movers they are, and big enough they be. This may mean the OL will use more Gap Blocking initially where they have a specific man assigned to target, as opposed to a Zone Blocking scheme where they are supposed to go to an area where the play if going to go, and then blocking whoever is there, when they get there. The less defined the responsibilities in the beginning, may mean more failures, and we don’t want to see that.

.

.

Brett Veach and Andy Reid made the decision to move on from WR Sammy Watkins this offseason and in the meantime, Mecole Hardman has been all the talk. While he’s had a very good offseason and training camp, he clearly hasn’t fixed the issue of guessing correctly, what his QB, Patrick Mahomes is thinking during games. The TD pass he caught in this last week’s game had his teammates congratulating him, but let’s not forget that he still hasn’t gotten on the same page as Mr. Wonderful.

.

While I’m not so sure Chiefs fans recognize that Patrick Mahomes still needs to learn some important lessons about being a great quarterback (like: “staying in the pocket more”…using “a little bit more touch” and “being more efficient” — all his own words), but in the case of Mecole, Hardman, he’s is having a hard time reading a play as it breaks down the same way his QB is reading that play.

.

Watkins had a top level move at the line of scrimmage and could flip his hips instantaneously, while Hardman’s talent is more straight line speed. Watkins was a good route runner, Hardman is still learning. Hardman also gives away 3 inches and 24 lbs. so he’s not the blocker that Watkins was. Watkins played in limited snaps the past three years: 44% in 2018, 70% in 2019, and 48% in 2020. However, Hardman has only played in 45% of the offensive snaps over the past two seasons. So, don’t expect Hardman to fill Watkins role right away, if ever, even though Sammy was limited by one injury after another.

.

.

This past week, James Dator wrote a piece for SBNation called, “The NFL’s new taunting rules prove how little owners care about fans and athletes” and while I’m only going to offer a brief synopsis of what he sees as the timeline for the past four years, it’s important to note where that info came from:

.

• 2017 – point of emphasis: not hitting a quarterbacks below the knees.
• 2018 – point of emphasis: leading with the helmet in tackles.
• 2019 – point of emphasis: ending choreographed TD team celebrations.
• 2020 – point of emphasis: lowering the head and helmet to tackle, was banned.

.

James D. also notes that last year it increased the rate of penalties. While I don’t support players “taunting” other players, I’m not so sure that Tyreek Hill flashing the peace symbol up to defenders as he crosses the goal line — from a distance — meets that criteria. However, when Antoine Winfield Jr. plastered two fingers in Tyreek Hills face after he deflected a pass, that’s something I don’t want to ever see. Especially not in the biggest game of the year in front of a national TV audience. One is innocent to me… the other wreaks of “in your face, revenge.”

.

While many may suggest that “of course you feel that way, you’re from Kansas City” I think I’d feel the same way even if I was a fan of another team. Since I have been that, I feel even more confident in making that statement.

.

Let’s not miss the point, that the NFL is making a concerted effort to limit taunting, and I am mostly for that. Yes, even if it means more penalties… initially. After awhile, I’m hoping players get on board so those penalties are limited.

.

Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

.

If you are viewing this in Apple News and would like to join the Discussion, [GO HERE.](http://arrowheadone.com/chiefs-oh-the-places-well-go-8·24·21/#disqus_thread)

.