Chiefs: Set Back or Don’t Look Back!

Chiefs: Set back or

Don’t Look Back!

by David Bell

No Setback

Nope. This game won’t be the setback. I cannot say now where I am on this game, as my last prediction was a miserable forecast. So let me state that I had earmarked this game as a loss before pre-season games began. Now? I think the Chiefs pull out their 5th win in a row. You can see part of why this is below when I take a look at injuries. When pre-season rolled around, I felt that after 6 games we’d be fortunate indeed to be 4-2. It has been a rough 4 games hasn’t it.

Player Injury Status

This week on Sunday we play the Jaguars. They have a good defensive outfit. This week, Kansas City’s injury report is more extensive. Two major players were on limited practice today, which probably means they are at best going to be questionable on Sunday:

• Dee Ford and Sammy Watkins
• Chris Jones, Chris Conley and Mitch Morse.
• Armani Watts practiced Thursday

All five of the players listed as having practiced Thursday will very likely be game ready. If I had to guess, both Ford and Watkins will also be available. Just my view of where the Chiefs stand and where the players are and their attitude about the season. Ford would be the most severe loss if he cannot go. Watkins is important but behind him we have Conley and Robinson.

Eric Berry is very likely out another couple of weeks. He is still not practicing.
Dee Ford and Sammy Watkins are likely going to be listed to play but how ready they are remains to be seen. If neither are ready to roll it is a substantial loss to the Chiefs for two key positions. On the other hand, things don’t look great for the Jaguars either. Here is their injury report:

T.J. Yeldon- starting RB listed as limited on Thursday with an ankle Injury.

Here are more with LP on Thursday:

• AJ Cann, OL – triceps, LP
• Jeremey Parnell, OL – knee
• Calais Campbell, DE – ankle
• Brandon Linder, C – Knee/Back
• Andrew Norwell, OL – Foot
• Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE – Core Muscle Injury

Two important contributors are out:

• D.J. Hayden CB, Toe – OUT
• Leonard Fournette RB, Hamstring – OUT

Defensive Pressures

I regard pressures as important as sacks — the more you pressure the opposing Quarterback, the more likely that they will go 3 and out. Or  they will make a mistake and a turnover occurs. Dee Ford has 3 sacks, Allen Bailey has 3 as well. Houston has 2. Still if the Chiefs pressure the pocket, give the QB less time to throw or hurry his throw or make him flee the pocket, you have succeeded. Your secondary should have the advantage. In the Denver game we forced errors by a second tier Quarterback. Or he missed a throw which he did when it finally counted most. Blake Bortles has turned into a solid quarterback but he also is second tier. I see this as advantage for the Chiefs, unless Dee Ford cannot go.

Predictions

Justin Houston comes through with a sack. Dee Ford isn’t slowed down and makes a difference. I see him as getting pressures. Chris Jones gets a sack. I wonder if Allen Bailey adds another one. He has been playing well.

The Secondary is still a work in progress. It won’t be solid until additions and that fact is something to live with. The 1st half against the 49ers and the 4th quarter vs Denver is what I generally look for in the development of the 3 C’s this season.

Again, I don’t worry to much about offense. The Chiefs have tools and the depth. I can see Ransom’s point about a TE but I see Demetrius Harris being a threat and he made two big catches in the Denver game. So, I am not concerned. The Chiefs dropped Ellis to pick up Shaw but I think he will immediately be back.

Armani Watts will have increased snaps at safety. As I predicted before the season, he will be getting starter snaps at safety and play an important role. Derrick Nnadi is figuring it out. He has had many moments of being a force up the middle, he has drawn double teams. He has Xavier Williams to back up the NT so our men won’t be worn. I do think we need to ensure that Chris Jones gets his breaks as well as Bailey.

Outside? We need to see Speaks and Kpass get into the game, but it takes time.

At the Wednesday Presser, Bob Sutton called out effort. I agree. I think the players are playing hard. They have done a lot of dumb things though and this is from a group of experienced players. He acknowledged tackling was a problem. What I see is too many guys not making a wrap and too many players being onlookers. Time to gang up.

Other Notes

Prediction: Chiefs 32, Jaguars 17

I do not see a dynamic offense on the Jag’s part. I think even with people missing, they are going to score. I think they will, like Denver, throw a lot of looks at the Chiefs but they are not as talented as Denver. I won’t discount Bortles being a factor. I will acknowledge they suffer more than KC in that Fournette is out. The injuries to their OL players is going to be a factor as well.

Is There a Trade in Play?

I can see Brett Veach still out there with feelers to other teams for a cornerback.There might be several good DBs available. Nothing to this, just speculating. I still would like to see Earl Thomas in Red, White and Gold for 2019 or late 2018.

Cut and Added: Ellis and Yelder

After releasing Ellis, the Chiefs signed TE Deon Yelder (pictured) to the practice squad today. Ellis was released on October 2nd to make room for Josh Shaw (6-1, 200), a versatile DB. He was then reverted to the IR so the Chiefs kept Ellis around and added Yelder. Draftwire had Yelder as an underrated gem of the 2018 draft. Yelder was entertained as a possible TE by the Saints. He is now a Chief. His alma mater is Western Kentucky U. Check the article by Justin Melo called, “Meet Deon Yelder, the Underated Gem of the 2018 TE Class.” At 6-4, 255 Yelder has the look and size the Chiefs like at Tight End. Here is a video of his highlights:

Added: David Wells

The Chiefs also signed TE David Wells (6-6, 260) to the PS. Ellis was waived with an injury designation and as soon as he cleared waivers he reverted back to injured reserve. While we don’t yet know Ellis’ injury, the Chiefs added TE David Wells to the practice squad and worked out three more tight ends, one of who must have been Yelder. Charles Goldman of ChiefWire reports on Wells.

Added: Josh Shaw

Josh Shaw has talent (and some baggage) but that’s the aside story. He started 15 games for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2015, his rookie season. He does have defensive credits to his game. I cannot say how well he fits to the Chiefs secondary but they brought him aboard due to the weakened Safety and Corner positions. We will have to see how he might be used and how he fits. At least we know before his leap from a second story balcony, Shaw had promise. A 4.44 – 40 yard dash at the 2015 NFL Combine plus 26 reps of 225lbs, which was a best for DBs that year. Here are his USC college highlights:

Here’s some tape on Josh Shaw when he was drafted by the Bengals:

On to the Game!

I am right there with you wanting to show all the observers, pundits and experts wrong — again. Go Chiefs!!!

Go Chiefs!!!

David Bell – ArrowheadOne

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