First, I want to say thank you for all the support you’ve shown me and my family over the last two weeks. Through a hurricane and our infant son’s surgery, the support you have shown along with that of friends and family have kept us positive and helped us through the scary moments. We came out of the storm with no damage, had power restored before we got home and were able to get back to work within a few days. Liam, my four month old, is recovering nicely from a cleft lip repair. The surgeon did a beautiful job and little man is being a champ through the healing process.
Now, on to the Chiefs. I’ve seen a few things over the first two weeks of the season that make me hopeful for this season, and for future seasons. There are also reasons for concern if the team hopes to be contenders after the regular season ends. All three units have shown glimpses of both potential greatness and the root of what could be the demise of the 2017 season. As you all know by now, I am one to drink from the team’s cup of Kool-aid so it is probably unsurprising that I think the good out weighs the bad and the bad won’t be bad for long.
First and foremost the thing that gives me the highest hopes is this offense has been behind late in both games and came back for the victory. I know there have been other comebacks under Andy Reid and Alex Smith, the Chargers last year was huge, but these feel different. These were controlled, well executed game plans with no sense of panic. A knock on Smith and the gang — in the past — was the inability to play from behind. Not the last two games. They even seemed to thrive in it a bit. If the offense can play 60 minutes of football like that all season, they will be hosting games throughout the playoffs. That is if the offensive line doesn’t derail the unit.
The offensive line appeared to do a fairly good job against New England’s three man rush, and held up decently when they brought the blitz. The Philadelphia game was not so pretty. Alex Smith will not be able to lead many comebacks, or lead many victories at all if he takes a constant beating like he did Sunday. The Eagles defense was getting to Smith from all angles, constantly in his face or taking him to the ground. Correct me if I’m wrong, but not a single man on the front was innocent when it comes to the beating Smith took. What is the status on Ehinger? Witzman does not appear to be the answer at LG, and is showing why he hadn’t been able to stick to any one roster throughout his career. Schwartz was manhandled on a couple of plays, not really top paid at the position performances. I know one game is not indicative of how he, or the line as a whole, has played over the course of the last two years, but one scary performance can easily translate to another. On the flip side, one outstanding preference can lead to a dominating year.
Chris Jones had himself a career game. He has been the talk of town and rightfully so, he showed why he was the first overall pick for the Chiefs after trading out of the first round a year ago. Bennie Logan sent a message to his former team, he can still play and play he did. Allen Bailey was constantly around the ball Sunday, even if he wasn’t the one making all the stops, he was forcing plays into the waiting arms of his teammates. RNR played like a crazed man stopping plays for losses or saving a big party from forming. All in all the Chiefs line looked like they are forming a dominate group that will give opponents fits. With the line off to a great start, it gives the secondary a little bit of time to figure it out.
I personally think the defense is a CB short of repeating being talked about as a top unit in the league. Gaines is a liability and is going to lose this team multiple games if he keeps playing the way he has. There are a few intriguing prospects on the roster, but I think the team may need to look at a trade if they don’t want to end up in weekly deficits or shoot outs. I feel a little more comfortable about the safety position. While no one can replace Eric Berry, the trio of Parker, Murray and Sorensen should be able to fill in admirably. Murray is going to need a little time to get adjusted, but he showed some flashes in week two of what could be a serviceable or better season. With DC Bob Sutton’s ability to scheme, the defensive line showing dominance and the talent on that side of the ball, the defense should be able to mask the weaknesses and help the offense out by not putting them in holes.
What did you think Chiefs fans, does this offense have the “it” they have been missing? Will the defense, who has been the strength of this team, be the undoing of a season that could be great? Let me know what you think.
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