Fixing The Chiefs Offense: Sounds Like A Personnel Problem

Fixing The Chiefs Offense:

Sounds Like A Personnel Problem

At the begging of the year, most analysts expected that the Kansas City Chiefs would have an improved offense and a diminished defense. There was no reason not to think that. The Chiefs had made some nice acquisitions on offense without losing too many players in free agency. The defense, on the other hand, suffered some major losses, two starting Safeties and their #1 cornerback, Sean Smith. Of course, as Chiefs fans, we should learn to expect things… that don’t make sense.

The offense has regressed in a major way, while the defense looks primed to be even better, and Justin Houston isn’t even back yet. Andy Reid’s play-calling has improved a lot since the beginning of the year. Usually, I’d crush him for all the screen passes on Sunday, but when nobody can catch the ball beyond the line of scrimmage… and Smith can’t throw it accurately that far… screens make a ton of sense. In this case, the problem is not the coaches: it’s the players. With the trade deadline having come and gone, there are still a few ways Chiefs can bolster the offense and improve the roster.

Replace Albert Wilson

Nobody would argue that Wilson has made meaningful contributions to the team this year. Sure you can point to his one touchdown, but his many drops, lazy routes and general incompetence outweigh his one good play. Of course, at this point, who can you get to replace him in Reid’s infamously complicated offense. A few options come to mind.

1. Frankie Hammond: Now I know this probably seems like out of the frying pan into the fire, but here me out. Hammond is taller and much more agile than Wilson, while he has struggled in the past, he really seemed to be coming on in preseason, of course, preseason makes lots of guys look better than they are.

2. DaRon Brown: Brown is not fast, or quick, or especially physical. The reason he was drafted, is that he possessed great hands. The biggest problem with Wilson is that he gets open, draws the target and then drops the ball. Brown probably won’t get open, but if he does, he can at least catch it… and he knows the offense.

3. Kick The Tires On Dwayne Bowe: This is, frankly, my favorite option. Bowe looked washed up with the Brown, but come on, it’s the Browns. If Bowe has been staying in football shape, and that’s a big if, he’s well versed in Chiefs offense, and, while he might have slowed down, he’s savvy enough to run decent routes and big enough to box out smaller CBs. At worst, he’s an ok replacement for Albert Wilson. At best, he could recapture some of his former glory and help lead his old team to a Super Bowl. He shouldn’t cost more than vet minimum.

Bring Up Reaves

If Darrin Reaves had been healthy when Ware went down, I’m quite confident he would have gotten the call instead of Knile Davis. Unfortunately, he had a little groin (coach speak sounds funny sometimes). Reaves is more the type of back Chiefs need, he’s got some quickness to hit the hole and toughness to grind out extra yards. His receiving skills are also supposed to be pretty good. Davis got cut for a reason. Chiefs need some more punch behind Ware and, if Sankey isn’t ready to provide that, Chiefs need to do something. Charcandrick West is a decent #3 RB, but he lacks the physicality to gain any more than is blocked for him.

Get a Guard

Zach Fulton is a great backup, but with Ehinger on IR, he’s not a backup anymore he’s a starter. That’s a problem. Fulton is just not a good fit for Chiefs scheme. He’s what scouts refer to as a phone booth guy. He can handle anything in his area, but he can’t pull or effectively block on the move. K.C. picked up another decent backup in Mike Person, but Dorsey needs to bite the bullet and bring in a real stop-gap. That’s right, I’m talking about Geoff Schwartz. The guy is going to Chiefs‘ games, and writing about Chiefs‘ stuff for crying out loud. You think he wouldn’t jump at the chance to come back? Schwartz already has a year’s worth of experience in Reid’s scheme and they need to make this happen.

Beg Or Browbeat Basketball TEs

Into Catching the Ball

Chiefs desperately need a quality TE (to pair with Kelcie). So does everybody. Great TE play is not abundant in the NFL at the moment. This is probably part of the reason Chiefs have stuck with disappointing players like Harris so long. Chiefs can’t afford the continued incompetence of the TE depth. If it takes extra time after practice, some kind of incentive, or calling some guys out in front of the team, the coaching staff needs to fix the epidemic of butterfingers that is plaguing this team and stalling their drives.

Some of these moves might seem desperate. The Chiefs absolutely should be desperate. They have a Super Bowl caliber defense that is currently stuck saving the offense against garbage teams. That’s not gonna hold up in the playoffs without at least a little support from Smith and company. If Smith doesn’t significantly up his performance this week, QB needs to be a change that’s on the radar as well.

Well, that my Sizzling Take. What’s yours?