David Bell
One Preseason Game is in the Books
I will not make too big of a deal about the game against the Saints. If I must make a judgment, it would be about the Chiefs Defensive Line – Especially in the first two Saints’ Possessions. Some starters played more than one possession, such as Charles Omenihu. I think that DL Coach Joe Cullen and DC Steve Spagnuolo needed to see him in action. Charles O had 16 snaps.
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Charles Omenihu – Andrew Mather image credit
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FAU (Felix Anudike-Uzomah) had 33 snaps, so we got a good look at him. Meanwhile, we saw Malik Herring in action and got to see a lot of him. Herring had 30 snaps, and it looked like he has played himself into a role on the final 53. Another Edge Player that we got a chance to see was BJ Thompson. He is quick, but needs a weight-gaining program. He also had a roughing the passer penalty in the 4th quarter. Derrick Nnadi got some work in too.
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Derrick Nnadi #91 – Andrew Mather Photo credit
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DT Chris Williams had 30 snaps, so Cullen got a good look at what he brings to the table. One surprise for me was the quickness of Danny Shelton, who recorded a sack. He is a lot leaner in 2023 as compared to 2022, but still as stout. After Felix and Malik, the snap counts were considerably less for all up front.
After the Initial Two Saints’ possessions, the defense appeared to settle in after surrendering 17 points while the offense unwound for 24 unanswered points.
At the end of things, disaster struck. Shucks! What else can you say at the end of a meaningless game?
Settling in included the secondary. Also, the Linebackers showed very well. LB Drue Tranquill played very well! He proved the point about being the Chiefs’ 3rd Linebacker and he, like CB Chamarri Connor recorded a Blitz sack.
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Also, I think LB Leo Chenal played well. He got some work in on the Front Four too!
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Leo Chenal #54 Getting pass-rush deployment with the front four – Andrew Mather Photo
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The most important thing that I came away with, Nick Jones suffered broken fingers, but he taped up the fingers and got back in the game.
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Here is a look at the Snap Counts
Edge Players – Snap Counts
- Edge Felix Anudike-Uzomoah 33
- Edge Malik Herring 30
- Edge George Karlaftis 16
- Edge Truman Jones 14
- Edge/DT Charles Omenihu 16
- Edge Joshua Kaindoh 20
- Edge BJ Thompson 19
- Edge Daniel Wise 19
IDL/DT Players – Snap Counts
- DT Keondre Coburn 15
- DT Matt Dickerson 15
- DT Phil Hoskins 12
- DT Derrick Nnadi 14
- DT Danny Shelton 19
- DT Tershawn Wharton (Out)
- DT Chris Williams 30
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No Doom and Gloom is Discovered
Not Even the Injury StoryLine
The Chiefs suffered no major injuries. I look at Preseason games as the coaching staff pushing forward with a research project, and they got a look at all the players they wanted to see. Nick Jones suffered finger fractures, but then again, he got back in the game. I know of no DL injuries. If I am correct, the vanilla defense was game-planned, and players were not risked to full-bore play.
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If I came away from the game with regard to player performances, I thought that Josh Kaindoh turned in an unimpressive game. Even this statement may be overwrought emotion and might be just me making judgments far too early.
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Bottom Line
The game employed all players, and the rookies got their first contact ever vs. opposing NFL Talent. If anything, the rust was knocked off, and the young players got their first NFL game experience — even if it was a game that doesn’t count. Period — Full Stop.
I’d say that the Chiefs came away from the match in good shape, and the coaching staff knows what needs to be worked up for the second preseason contest. As noted, the DL was my largest disappointment.
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So be it. The loss vs. the Saints was partially due to the decisions by the coaching staff. The play-calling (Reid or Nagy?) called for a screen pass. For whatever reason, such was the decision. Sure, Chris Oladokun’s INT was unfortunate and resulted in the loss. Reid — if he indeed called the play — should logically have called a run-game play and then punted the ball, forcing a long drive for the Saints to come back and win. Oh, well!
The Prep Week started Tuesday, getting ready to play the Arizona Cardinals this coming Sat. evening. Again, I don’t expect players to risk serious injury, but they should be ramped up for week two. On the other side of the ball (OL Buffalo)? I thought that Darian Kinnard as an OG, played a fine game, as did Wanya Morris (OT on both sides of the ball). That’s good stuff!
Primary Side Note: I am glad NFL Football is back baby! It was sorely missed!
Ending Side Note:
The WRs impressed me. I have written about the Justyn Ross Hype Train. I climbed aboard weeks ago. I also think that Cornell Powell — a 5th round draft pick from 2021 who spent the season on the PS — turned in a good game (3 targets and 3 catches), as did WRs Rashee Rice and Richie James.
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David Bell — ArrowheadOne
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