Incorrect Views and Projections
My Incorrect View #1
Thus far in this young season, I have had two predictions that were wrong. The second bit of malfeasance was not only the score in the Chiefs-v-Chargers game, but also in the prediction of the outcome.
Of course, I could not predict that the Chief’s offense would give the Chargers back the ball due to turnovers. However, I was wrong.
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My Incorrect View #2
In the game versus the Ravens where the clock wound down to about the 1:50 tick mark, and Reid decided to call a run play, I believed that it was a good call to make but Clyde Edwards-Helaire did not protect the ball. I believed that it was a change-up call and that CEH could run and gain unexpected yardage. Why? Because of the play-calling preceding that snap, the Chiefs were passing the ball. He fumbled away the opportunity to win that game on the play. However, I do not believe that a play where, when it ended, the time remaining in the game would be 1:26. that Reid was calling for positioning on the field(using a running play), so that Harrison Butker, on the next snap could kick a field goal. This would have left the Ravens with 1 minute and 20 seconds to receive the kickoff and march down the field and score themselves on a field goal, thus retaking the lead and winning the game. So do I call this one a 50/50 forecast?
I am not tallying my properly forecast views and predictions in this article. I am calling attention to the fact that I erred and that probably is due to the fact that I have a lot of faith in the Chiefs Football club, its coaches, and leadership.
I am sure if there are others out there tallying how frequently I am incorrect or wrong, or I make a silly prediction, that they can reply to this particular article and add to the list, ad-infinitum.
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Incorrect View #3
K.C. wouldn’t lose two games in a row, would they? Quite obviously, I was wrong because the Chiefs lost to the Ravens and then followed that up in week three, losing to the Chargers. I wrote that this was something that wouldn’t happen. It did. At the same time, I wrote:
“Playing at home at Arrowhead in front of a rabid supporting crowd, the Chiefs would be inspired and couldn’t possibly lose this game. I also factor in the Chiefs record against the AFC West teams the past three seasons.”
Nope. Wrong on all counts. I certainly erred in each of these recent cases.
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LB Willie Gay’s Return
I am not the only observer out there in the #Chiefs Kingdom who believes getting Willie Gay back on the grass is an important factor for the Chiefs Defense. It is, but the Chiefs have not elevated Gay from the IR… yet. He practiced last week, but on the side, not with the regular practice. He may not return this week for the game at Philadelphia. We have to be patient. The rule is that he could return after 3 weeks on the IR. Caution is necessary and we don’t know what his true status coming back from the Turf-Toe injury really is. It would be wrong to bring Willie Back, too soon.
Matt Derrick though, made a statement on September 29th about Gay’s return and I agree with him: “Gay, Hitchens, and Bolton make a very good LB crew.” Let’s hope Gay gets back soon.
There is more in play in regards to Gay’s return. Andy Reid wants to be sure he is ready to rock and roll before he comes off the IR. He is again out at practice on Wednesday, working out, sans his helmet.
I am a huge Willie Gay, Jr. supporter. He was a starter next to Hitchens in preseason games as the off-ball LB, while Hitch played the strong side. With Bolton, we have another winner and Nick has really shown us a lot in Gay’s absence. In the base 4-3 defense the Chiefs can field a very capable LB Crew of Three.
Wednesday Nate Taylor (The Athletic) Tweeted:
Woke Spagnuolo, Starts Juan Thornhill
Dan Sorensen made a huge play in the game versus the Chargers preventing a TD thrown by Herbert…. but it has been clear that he does not have the coverage skills or speed that Juan Thornhill does. I still like Dirty Dan, but in his specialized, hybrid role is best for playing in the box, and, I don’t see Dan as a starter. Pure and simple: if Thornhill isn’t on the field, the defense is not fielding the best players at Safety. If there is a reason that has not been revealed, then that may be a factor, but Thornhill is clearly the starter next to Mathieu in my book, especially as the deep — single high — safety when paired with Tyrann. Dan Sorensen is a good player with a role to play, but not as the starter aside Tyrann Mathieu.
Jay Feely of CBS Sports believes that one of the best duo Safety pairings in the NFL is Kansas City, with Tyrann Mathieu and Juan Thornhill on the turf. I’m a believer.
The Josh Gordon Signing
A lot of verbiage has been cast around KC in regard to the signing of WR Josh Gordon. I am not going to get into the suspensions or his age. He hasn’t played a snap since 2019. OTOH, that means his body has not taken 2 year’s worth of pounding and he should be ready to roll. He appeared Wednesday for his first snaps as a Chief in practice.
That said, let’s keep this within reason for our expectation level. As I understand it he will be signed to the Practice Squad first, and he doesn’t yet know the Andy Reid playbook. His condition looks superb — he is “ripped.” This does not mean that he is in football condition, ready to take the physical punishment. We’ll have to wait patiently and see how this unfolds. He is at least a savvy veteran and should be able to ingest the playbook quickly, especially for a single route running role.
I view the signing as a positive. He is an inexpensive acquisition whose initial cost is $221,000, this year. The Chiefs need his type of talent as a flanker, as the “Z” out of the slot. K.C. can use a good pass-catching possession receiver and if Gordon can do that and do it soon, this signing has a minimal cost and a very high ceiling/value.
HC Andy Reid
After the game last Sunday, Andy Reid apparently took ill and was taken to the hospital. He was released and back with the team on Wednesday. Our best wishes are for Andy. Our Prayers and thoughts go with him. I don’t know what the nature of the illness was. It was said that he was dehydrated. Who knows at this point? Tyrann Mathieu tweeted about Reid:
Chiefs Had a Huge Wake the Hell Up Call!
Losing two games in a row, both of which the club could have won has to have been a sobering experience in the Chief’s locker room. They play on the road against the Eagles. This should be a no-contest type prediction that despite the recent setbacks, the Chiefs should cover the spread, and win the game handily. I look forward to the game and consider the same type of scenario as I did before the Chiefs played the Chargers at Arrowhead. Chiefs win. They will have to work hard as they prepare for the game. Patrick Mahomes said this week: “Time to get to work.“
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David Bell — ArrowheadOne
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