Chiefs Preseason Game 3 Report
Laddie Morse
Rarely is a Preseason Game fun to watch, but this one was. It’s an even rarer moment when a last Preseason Game is fun to watch, but this one was all of that, and more. It began with Patrick Mahomes taking the field and lining the offensive starters up in the old Len Dawson cloistered style formation — see feature graphic — and then waiting until the last moment to exit and a “Delay of Game” was called on –> #16!. Wow!
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Patrick never took a snap, but just to pay homage to Len Dawson — who had passed away on the 24th, the day before — it was something extraordinary to behold. Nice move by the Chiefs organization. Some had wondered if they might call the 65-Toss-Power-Trap, a play which helped Dawson and crew seal the Super Bowl IV victory, but lining up in the old Dawson choir formation to call a play was plenty classy enough. Especially so on this day.
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While the game finished 10-to-10 at the half, most of the fun football happened in the first half. The final score was 17-to-10 Chiefs but several players stood out. First of all, TE Matt Bushman score two TDs, but those were mostly plays that were designed to succeed, or simply was a broken coverage. Take a look:
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Shane Buechele looked solid again, just like last year. It’ll be tough to keep him on the practice squad without him being pilfered by another team needing a good backup. Since K.C. already has Chad Henne, Buechele may become expendable… by a precedence of circumstances.
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Once again, TE Jody Fortson looked solid and he should make the final 53 man roster. He had 3 receptions on 3 targets for 26 yards. Nice day! DE Malik Herring had a good game and I heard his name called a couple of times. He will likely make the 53-man roster. TE Matt Bushman had a great game scoring both of the K.C. TDs and leading the team with 3 catches for 73 yards. Charles Goldman had this to say about Bushman’s injury which came on the last TD:
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“The final pass he caught was a 17-yard reception and that seems to be the play that he was injured on. He popped up from the play and was shaking out his shoulder, which was clearly bothering him after he was taken to the turf. Bushman was escorted to the locker room by the training staff and it’s hard to imagine him returning to the game. His breakout performance was intriguing given the recent injury to Blake Bell. It also could have raised his value in a trade situation, but the injury now clouds that opportunity. Hopefully, the injury is a minor one.”
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RB Ronald Jones looked sharp for the first time this offseason. He had 8 carries for 48 yards and a 5.4 YPC average.
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If Ronald Jones runs like that every down, it’ll be hard not to keep him on the roster. Rookei 7th round pick RB Isiah Pacheco had a nice game too — 10 carries for 52 yards — including this run:
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.Bryan Cook had a fantastic game but there was never any doubt that the Chiefs second round pick. The hard hitting Safety not only had 4 tackles and a Pass Defensed, but added an INT just before the half.
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Cook added a 28 yard return if not for a 15 yard blocking in the back penalty.
Special Special Teams
The Chiefs Special Teams unit was special on this day. Corey Coleman had a 45 yard kickoff return. He totaled 3 Punt returns for 47 yards while Skyy Moore had 2 Punt Returns for 51 yards. Punter Tommy Townsend landed one of his punts inside the 10-yard line and Kickers Harrison Butker made his only field goal attempt of 44 yards. BTW, I think Skyy Moore is the regular season Punt Returner who goes in first and foremost. Makes sense that Corey Coleman would be the Kickoff returner. Which means… they would both make the final 53-man roster.
Player Impact
• David Bell noted: “I am hearing [CB] Dicaprio Bootle‘s name called a lot. Says a bit about him as well.”
• CB Jaylen Watson has stood out the past tow games, but not so much tonight.
• DB Deon Bush has played well, well enough to make the final 53? I’m not so sure.
• Ryan Tracy of RGR Football says QB Shane Buechele looks like the same player he was last year.
• LBs Elijah Lee and Darius Harris both make the squad but Lee will get more snaps that Harris.
• RB Ronald Jones good game will probably just increase his trade value more than make him a keeper for the roster.
• CB Josh Williams is consistently good. Great 4th round pick Mr. Veach!
• If DE Joshua Kaindoh stick he goes to the PS.
• Same goes for WR Cornell Powell.
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Injury Update
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In post game presser Andy Reid informed up about the player’s injuries:
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“Trent McDuffie is being evaluated for a concussion, Matt Bushman fractured his clavicle, Malik Herring has an oblique strain and (Jerrion) Ealy, his right knee… we just evaluated it as we go.”
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After three Preseason games, the RB position remains the weakest position. Now, K.C has until next Tuesday to make their final cuts and get their roster down to 53 players. However, many of those cuts will come in waves and I’d expect the first wave as soon as tomorrow (or today, if you’re reading this on Friday). The Chiefs first game is at the Arizona Cardinals, on a Sunday, September 11th, at 3:25 PM CDT.
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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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PS Rest in Peace our sweet “Leonard” Dawson…
