Chiefs: Unexpected Surprises

Chiefs: Unexpected Surprises – I have selected to highlight three player’s surprise ability to elevate into quality starters. They were discussed in preseason as backups, but we never expected that we would need all 3 to step up so early in the year. Then to play at a high level is a testament to their value as backups, and to Brett Veach as a talent evaluator. All 3 are offensive linemen: Center Daniel Kilgore, RT Mike Remmers, and LG Nick Allegretti. Offensive Linemen are often the most underappreciated of position players on any team. I’m sure that Patrick Mahomes, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and the coaching staff does appreciate them. However, the average fan may look past them during games. So here’s some publicity for them that they well deserve. 

Center Daniel Kilgore

Daniel Kilgore, was born December 18, 1987 in Kingsport, Tennessee. He attended Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport, Tennessee, where he played OG. Daniel played college football at Appalachian State. Much of his time there he was a much used utility offensive lineman, spending some time in all of the individual positions. He was regarded as perhaps the most physical and intense player across ASU’s offensive front his final year there. 

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Daniel Kilgore’s Career history:

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  • San Francisco 49ers (2011–2017)
  • Miami Dolphins (2018–2019)
  • Kansas City Chiefs (2020–present)
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The Dolphins declined his option after last season ended, allowing him to become a free agent. Kilgore was then signed by Brett Veach during the offseason. Here’s what Chiefs Ol Coach Andy Heck had this to say about his new Center:

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I’ve been a fan, since I worked him out at App State way back when. So, I was familiar with Daniel, and then he gets in the building and really has A-plus talent, his leadership ability, his communication skills, his love for the game, and so we knew we’d get that… in watching him and his preparation, I felt like he got his wind, he’s got his conditioning that he could give us a little spark in there.”

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Right Tackle Mike Remmers 

Mike Remmers was born: April 11, 1989 in Portland, OR. and is now 31 years old. He attended Jesuit High School there in Portland, where he was a three-year letterman at left tackle as well as defensive end. He earned second-team All-Metro honors at both positions and helped win two state football titles. Mike was not offered a scholarship from any college, but qualified academically, so he was a walk on at Oregon State. He finished his collegiate years with the Beaver’s, having the sixth-most starts in school history. He then signed as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos in 2012 (but we’ll forgive him for that).

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Mike Remmers’ Career History:

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  • Denver Broncos (2012)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012–2013)
  • San Diego Chargers (2013)
  • Minnesota Vikings (2013)
  • St. Louis Rams (2014)
  • Carolina Panthers (2014–2016)
  • Minnesota Vikings (2017–2018)
  • New York Giants (2019)
  • Kansas City Chiefs (2020–
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Remmers didn’t earn a starting role until his reached his 5th team, during his 3rd year in the NFL. He again won the RIght Tackle starter’s job the following year during preseason. That was the year that the Carolina Panthers lost to the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl. In Week 4 of his 5th year, he moved to Left Tackle as an injury replacement, then finished that year as a starter. In March 2017, Remmers signed a 5-year, $30M contract with the Vikes. He started 11 games as right tackle before a concussion caused him to miss time. In 2018 he started 16 games at Right Guard, then the Vikings released him in March 2019. He started 14 games at Right Tackle for the N.Y. Giants last year then the Chiefs signed him in March of this year. Andy Heck said, in speaking about Mike Remmers:

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[We’re] absolutely fortunate to have him here. Having a guy that has the ability to play left and right guard and tackle is very valuable in this league. And on top of that, he’s an experienced veteran and he’s a tough nut. We love the way he goes after it, plays the game, the versatility.

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Left Guard Nick Allegretti 

Nick Allegretti was born April 21, 1996 in Frankfort, Illinois. Allegretti attended Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort, Illinois. He played for both the school’s football and wrestling programs. As an OL, he was an all-state selection twice, plus was a state finalist in wrestling. Allegretti started for the Illinois Fighting Illini in 2014, after redshirting his first year. He would play in 48 consecutive games for them, including as a starter in the last 36 straight games of his collegiate career. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2019 draft as a 7th round pick, but has had limited playing time up until last week, before being inserted as the Left Guard replacing Mike Remmers, when Remmers had to move to the Right Tackle position to take over for Mitchell Schwartz, after his back injury flared up early in the game. From Sports Illustrated, here’s what Nick said this about his preparation:

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“One of Coach [Andy] Heck’s big things is preparation. Everyone wants to win, everyone wants to play hard on game day, but the week leading up to it, that preparation is big. So, [I’ve] kind of developed a little bit of a system, I’m still learning from guys like Mitch and Fish, how to prepare, what to watch. [I’m] just continuing to figure out what my style is.”

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Overall OL 2020 Analysis

Well, because the Covid pandemic eliminated the availability of Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, then injuries put Right Tackle Mitchell Schwartz (temporary), Austin Reiter (temporary), and Left Guard Kelechi Osemele (tore tendons in both knees), onto the shelf, we now know why quality depth is needed throughout an entire season. The most recent depth chart shows that Daniel Kilgore has apparently taken over the fulltime starting Center duties. Mike Remmers  is now listed as the #1 Left Guard, but he played Right Tackle in place of Mitchell Schwartz. Then #2 Left Guard, Nick Allegretti, started at that position against Denver. So now for two games we have seen these backups as the starters, and although it’s not to the same level as what we started the season with, they are still doing what is needed of them. As my background information shows, none of these three have ever performed at a Pro Bowl level, but their communication skills, and veteran experience, have allowed them to be better than adequate replacements. 

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The Games – Both Wins

The Buffalo Bills front seven defensive personnel are showing to be just average in ability this year. The Bills linebackers were playing 5-7 yards deep in anticipation of the intermediate passing game and the defensive backs were told to stop the Chiefs deep passing game. Going against this Buffalo game plan, the Chiefs offensive lineman had a very good day. The Chiefs offensive production vs the Bills:

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245 yards rushing, 46 attempts, for an average of 5.3 per carry. 

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The Denver Broncos had a much better front seven and much the same defensive game plan, which everyone seems to be using now. The Broncos problems in this game stemmed from their lack of overall talent plus numerous mistakes. The Chiefs offensive line just had an average day, not producing the high octane scoring output that we have gotten used to seeing. No penalties was a good thing to see, yet they did play well enough to earn a team win, and that’s all that we really need from our backups. 

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Summary: Unexpected Surprises

Quality play from backups, is also known as the next-man-up mentality. If any backup comes into a game and does not cost the team a loss or any injuries to another player, then he was an unexpected surprise! These 3 players — Daniel Kilgore, Mike Remmers and Nick Allegretti — have qualified for this designation, so a job well done! 

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Alan Haupt — ArrowheadOne

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