Confessions of a Mahomes Homer

I must first confess that I was hoping most for the Kansas City Chiefs to draft QB Deshaun Watson in the recent NFL draft. So, while I was shocked and happy to see my favorite team jump up and make a big move to #10 in the draft, I was also surprised and wondering if they had made the best decision.

Alright, now that I have that off my chest… I will also confess that I have had my doubts that Patrick Mahomes II could be mature enough both emotionally and physically to make the transition to take the helm of an NFL team. Those doubts have been buoyed by watching countless other teams take a first rounder with the idea that their choice for QB would become the face of their franchise and lead them to the promised land, only to watch their so-called QBOTF… become a FUBAR of the month (Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition… which seems to happen about once a month… hey, they could make a calendar). Not only that but after watching three and a half decades of no QBs taken in the first round as well… my expectations have been tainted and jaded in this department.

Now that I have that out of the way… I must say, I’m getting a huge man-crush on Patrick Mahomes II. So let’s dive into why.

This so-called problem with Mahomes’ footwork doesn’t seem to be manifesting itself or causing any game time difficulties. Watch what PM2 can do with his feet:

Admittedly, this isn’t the definitive play for showing Mahomes mastery of the 3 or 5-step drop… but it does show that he can feel pressure, escape, and create off of a busted play, as much with his feet as with his arm. And now that you brought up the subject of his arm, we all know that’s the real reason that Brett Veach brought Mahomes to John Dorsey’s attention and pushed to have the Chiefs go up and get him. That’s right… Mahomes is a Veach Boy (not to be confused with the Beach Boys… but maybe just as popular). Cue up “Sloop John B” in honor of John Dorsey taking Brett Veach’s advise!

While I’m sure many of you will not want to jump into Sloop John B at this hour of the morning, you certainly won’t want to miss hearing Michael Vick talk about how Patrick Mahomes arm is better than his and in his words, “I’ve seen Patrick Mahomes do some things that I wish I could have done with my arm, in terms of throwing on the run.“

“This kid is going to make some throws that are going to shock the world.” Shock the world… whoa! Slow your roll a little Michael. You’re getting me a little too excited here. It’s not good for a guy my age to be thinking about having to buy diapers just because you think Mahomes will be shocking. The whole idea that Michael “Ex-con yes, but ex-QB great too” Vick is handing out that kind of praise is more than a fledgling “Mahomey” like me can handle.

In a piece called, “Mahomes looks more ready than expected” Terez Paylor responded to an Andy Reid quote in which Reid was saying, that Mahomes “played well,” and Paylor said,

“Reid could watch a rocket bust up a meteor and say, “I thought the scientists did a good job executing,” so “for sure, had some nice plays,” is his equivalent of a cartwheel round-off to a back handspring in a Mahomes No. 15 jersey.”

Travis Kelce was also impressed with his new quarterback in training,

“He had like two or three plays he threw off his back foot and across the field. Those are the plays you can’t teach. That’s just him being Mahomes.”

I’m growing to like… Mahomes being Mahomes. They say that the very best players elevate those around them. We can’t know for sure if that’s why Demetrius Harris is now holding onto the ball but here’s a TD pass to Harris at the back of the end zone and it’s not considered an easy catch.

Having good feet and legs as well as having a strong arm are not enough to become a good QB in the NFL. You must be accurate and understand many of the nuances of the game. In a piece written by Seth Keysor called, “Alex Smith and Patrick Mahomes vs. the Bengals: Whodunnit Better?” in which he shared this gif and reflection:

“That’s a franchise quarterback throw by Mahomes. Just incredible velocity and ball placement on what appears to me to be a back shoulder look. I love the fact that he seemed to see the CB was turned around and fired it in there. Aaron Rodgers has said that when he sees the back of a CB’s helmet he knows he can fire it in there before the defender can adjust, and that’s what happens here despite very good coverage.”

Obviously, Patrick “Lavon” Mahomes II has a long way to go before he becomes a franchise QB but, his development is coming right along, wouldn’t you say? Well… I’m a fan for sure! “Lavon?” Huh… reminds me of that old tune, “Levon”… so close in name… so I’ll leave you with this: “And he shall be Levon. And he shall be a good man”

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