AFC West Chiefs Analysis Frank Leggio Kansas City Chiefs

Early Returns on New Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes

Frank Leggio May 9, 2017 No Comments

I was just reading some articles on how the rookie mini-camp is going and was particularly interested in any early impressions on our new QBOTF Patrick Mahomes II. It sparked a thought about not only how is he doing, but when should we expect the QBOTF to become the QBOTN (QuarterBack of The Now).

 

ROOKIE MINI CAMP

I picked up a couple of things in some articles I have read around the web regarding our new QB. 

  1. Mahomes sounds humble and grateful to be playing in the NFL.
  2. He understands he has a lot to learn, as he immediately began studying the playbook he was given Friday night, to prepare for a 1:00 PM practice Saturday.
  3. He wants to understand the overall picture of the play (formations, routes, etc.), not just the play call itself.
  4. He is taking the study seriously, going so far as to record himself calling the plays.
  5. He’s a worker. He’s staying after practice to get in extra reps with players.

 

I like what I am hearing so far. The desire to work hard, learn, and realize this is his J-O-B, shows a level of maturity for a young man that could easily go the Manziel Way. If he is serious about making it a career, he should treat it somewhat like a business. 


Here are a couple videos from the rookie mini-camp.

 

 

 

https://youtu.be/3ubnK-VoqxQ

The early returns are good. Here’s to them continuing are PM2 (Patrick Mahomes II) staying healthy.

 


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QBOTF or QBOTN?

When someone is taken Top 10 in the NFL draft a lot can be expected of them in their first year. For quarterbacks taken in the first round, there is almost always debate around them getting into the action right away vs. giving them a chance to develop.

 

 

QB is a pretty difficult position to jump right into. Pure athleticism isn’t necessarily enough to make an impact in the NFL. The player must learn many plays, the team vocabulary, the associated routes/blocking assignments, etc. Then top that off with the speed difference and quality of defensive players at this level and it is a lot to digest.

 

What can tend to happen, when a team is struggling offensively or the incumbent quarterback isn’t viewed positively by most of the fanbase, is we want to get the rookie in there to improve the offense immediately. Personally, I think this is short sighted, and can end up hurting more in the long run.

 

 

I think there is a very important thing that must take place for the newly drafted QB, and that is maturation. More than likely, they have been the center point of their team in high school and college, where they could carry the team based on their own raw talent.

 

If they are thrust into the starting lineup too early, they may try to do too much and get hurt. Besides the physical issues of recovery and what it would do to their skill level, they may also start to get scared of doing certain things that would risk another injury.

 

For instance, Robert Griffin III was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 2012 and immediately became the starter. I thought he was immensely talented as a dual-threat quarterback. He wasn’t a running QB who could throw but seemed to be more of a pocket passer that would use his legs if that is what was needed. RG3 was inserted into the starting lineup his rookie year. He played well throughout the season but began to get injured towards the end, specifically in the playoffs where he injured his ACL. From there he had a dislocated ankle and a concussion, before being released. RG3 was picked up by the Cleveland Browns and started a few games before injuring his shoulder, eventually being released by the Browns too. Yes, even the Browns didn’t think he was worth keeping any longer.

 

What I saw there was… rushing a top talent into the fray and not allowing him to fill his toolkit, adapt to the speed of the game, and mature properly. He might have felt a need to carry the Redskins to victory, resulting in him trying to do too much. This is where a veteran would know, to lose the battle so you can win the war. 

 

 

By allowing the player to get reps in practice, preseason, and a few when the game is in/out of hand, a coaching staff can build the experience layer by layer. While there is still a risk of injury, it would be more limited and controlled. The pressure would be lower, hopefully allowing the QB to be okay with giving up on a play.

From all I have read so far, Andy Reid is committed to Alex Smith as the starting quarterback and allowing Mahomes to learn the offense and build his skill-set while riding the pine during games. Reid was quoted as saying that Mahomes needs to learn the verbiage and formations AND get comfortable with them. He has also commented on the work ethic and desire to learn of the rookie first rounder. However, there was a good reason that Clark Hunt and Andy Reid and John Dorsey have all publically stated that Alex Smith is their starter at the beginning of this offseason.

 

“Does he have a ways to go? Absolutely. But, the nice thing about him is that we found out that he likes to work and that’s the big thing,” Reid said.  “He had great questions. He studies hard. If he doesn’t know it, he’s going to ask you and then he’s going to go do it. He doesn’t make the same mistake over and over. That’s a plus.”

If we want Mahomes to be our QBOTF, we need to allow him to grow and develop into an NFL quarterback. He needs to be set up for success, by providing the right coaching, training/practice, and time to learn. Although Andy doesn’t seem to like to dress 3 quarterbacks, I would have Mahomes dress every game, put an earbud in his ear, and carry around a clipboard. He needs to be right in the thick of things on the sideline. 

 

The key here is patience. We have waited somewhere near 1 million years for a young quarterback that can be with the team for decades, so why rush a year or two now. The risk is too great. We have had numerous winning seasons the last several years, so why roll the dice on our QBOTF… instead of our QBOTN (AS11). 

 

 

 

 

Although Alex Smith has his limitations (let’s not get into that here), he is serviceable for this team. As a matter of fact, he may be a good influence on Mahomes. Helping our new QB know… when to hold’em and when to fold’em… and know… when to throw it away or when to run… he can help him harness his talents for the NFL stage.

What do you guys think? Should he be the QBOTF or the QBOTN? 

Until next week, there’s The Rub!

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