How the 2020 Chiefs Can Build a Dynasty in 5 Easy Steps – While the title may seem misleading, it’s not, because if any team could easily build a dynasty, they would do it. However, we’re talking about the 2020 Kansas City Chiefs here, and at this point in their historical timeline, they should be able to build a dynasty, even though they looked far from being dynasty-esk in Game Two versus the Los Angeles Chargers. The reason I say it should be easier for the Chiefs at this point… is based on step one, so let’s get to it.
Step One: A Synergy Framework
Matt Morris, a Network Marketer, likens the building of a dynasty to building the Great Wall of China, and why wouldn’t he, after all, it arose from one of the only real dynasties in history: the Ming Dynasty. They started building the Great Wall of China, one brick at a time and that means, as Matt Morris has put it:
“When they started the Great Wall it had to start with one stone, with one brick… and then you gotta put another in! It seems like, gosh, I’m having to do all the work and I only have these four bricks! Those four stones are in and there are only four people on my team. Then it’s like, how am I ever going to build a team…. If you keep putting in stones yourself eventually you’re going to get, some other people who are going to want to put in some stones as well….”
Step one is all about synergy. Synergy comes from the Greek word, synergia, meaning: to work together. These Chiefs appear to have this – synergia – in spades so: Step One = check! Last year GM Brett Veach was able to bring in OG Stefen Wisniewski and Terrell Suggs, although Suggs specifically said if any team attempts to sign him, after his release, except for Baltimore, he would deny that team and then retire. However, we all know the rest of the story. Joining in with a group of tight nit players who were “having fun all the time” was too tempting for Suggs… and one thing lead to another… and Viola…another Super Bowl ring for Suggs… and Wisniewski as well.
The point is, these Chiefs don’t appear to be having any trouble attracting players to the roster. This offseason they were able to sign Kelechi Osemele, Mike Remmers, and Tedric Thompson, to name a few. I suspect, that as the winning keeps happening, these Chiefs will be able to keep putting more stones in the wall.
Step Two: Advanced LB Play
Speaking of history, as I look back over the rosters of previous NFL Dynasties, including the Steelers of the late 1970s, the 49ers of the late 1980s, the Cowboys of the early 1990s and the New England Patriots of the 2000s, it’s hard not to single out the great linebackers who helped make each of those teams memorable. Jack Lambert and Jack Hamm of those Steelers teams. Charles Haley, Bill Romanowski and Keena Turner of the 49ers when they went to a 3-4 look. Jack Del Rio and Ken Norton Jr. of the Cowboys.
Plus, and perhaps most importantly, the most recent NFL dynasty, the New England Patriots, employed a long line of excellent LBs that helped all those Patriots teams win multiple Lombardi Trophies like: Mike Vrabel, Tedy Bruschi, Rosevelt Colvin, Willie McGinest, Junior Seau, Adalius Thomas, Jerod Mayo, Rob Ninkovich, Brandon Spikes, Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins, Jon Bostic, and Kyle Van Noy.
Now, name the LBs, who had a positive impact — 3-4 or 4-3 — who played for K.C. in the past 20 years? Tamba Hali, Justin Houston, Derrick Johnson, Donnie Edwards… and then my mental list goes cold. The Chiefs must do a much better job of locating… signing… attracting… drafting… and searching the earth, for Linebackers who can play at a top level, who are good enough to help bring another Super Bowl parade to Kansas City. Last year, the Chiefs appeared to win in spite of their LBs.
The reason for bringing this up is obvious. I would wholeheartedly concur with David Bell’s recent assessment: “The Linebackers suck.” The current group of linebackers aren’t good enough, period. At least not the LBs the Chiefs are choosing to put on the field right now, anyway. While I don’t believe Pro Football Focus’ grades take everything into account that would reveal a complete picture of a NFL player, it does give us an overall framework for just how well… or not well.. a player is performing. In the case of Damien Wilson, who has a 48.8 grade and Anthony Hitchens’ grade of 29.0… neither compare favorably at all with the best in the league, which is Bobby Wagner, who has a 92.1 grade. So, you can begin to see just how badly the Chiefs have it with their current Linebacking squad. Those scores — and their play — may be worse than last year as well.
This is probably the biggest hole in their dynasty donut right now. If the Chiefs want to sustain long success defensively, they must improve their roster of linebackers.
Step Three: Excellent Coaching
The Kansas City Chiefs may have the best coaches from top to bottom in the building right now. Their Head Coach is top shelf and one of the best ever. Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is a top flight DC and while he’s a proven to be a better DC than HC, he’s likely to be offered a head coaching position after this season. Eric Bieniemy has become one of he best OCs… if you want to call him that. He’s been more of an assistant HC in my book… even though Dave Toub bears that name tag. Speaking of Dave Toub, he is probably a Hall of Fame Special Teams coach, if there is such a thing. The DB coaches and DL coach are as good as it gets in the NFL, referring to: Sam Madison and Dave Merritt, plus Brendan Daly and Daly has four SB rings to show for it.
The Chiefs do have other notable coaches but if I’m Matt House, the Chiefs LB coach, then I’m concerned about having my name associated with this group of LBs.
Step Four: A Juggernaut OL
I’ve been writing about the need for the Chiefs to establish a Juggernaut Offensive Line for years now, ever since my days of writing for ArrowheadAddict. The most recent game versus the Chargers has me riled up again about an OL that has been spliced together with duct tape and boy scout twine.
The once impenetrable RT Mitch Schwartz, and usually dependable LT Eric Fisher, appeared to be showing their age on Sunday (31 and 29). I have resisted the notion that Lucas Niang should not have opted out, so that the Chiefs could begin to make it’s transition to the next generation of offensive linemen. Now, it appears this OL needs Niang more than ever. Sure, Niang may have ended up on the IR this year, to further recuperate from a torn labrum injured last year, but if he could have gotten some much needed experience this year, he would have been extremely helpful on Sunday. The eventual return of Martinas Rankin should also help the OL, in the long run.
Jeremy Kaufman at Bleacher Report said, “Every single team that had made the playoffs last season possessed a superior offensive line”… and that was back in 2008.
It’s no secret that having a stellar OL makes any team’s offensive world go round. While the Chiefs OL played well against a challenged Texans DL, they were able to create holes big enough for Clyde Edwards-Helaire to run for 138 yards on 25 carries for a 5.5 average. However, on Sunday, the Changers DL outplayed the Chiefs OL and CEH could only gain 38 yards on 10 carries for a 3.8 average. Also, Chargers DE, Joey Bosa, was able to not only put consistent pressure on Patrick Mahomes, but he was able to get past Mitchell Schwartz for his first ever sack of PMII.
With so many players on the Chiefs roster being paid max amounts, it’s hard to see the Chiefs being able to bring in top level OL in free agency. If Brett Veach can convince a player to sign a one-year prove it deal, he may be able to get one or two — like Kelechi Osemele — to help build this dynasty but, the OL must be a strong point, to keep their franchise QB standing. He took way too many hits against the Chargers.
Step Five: A Legendary QB
Every great team has had a legendary quarterback. From Bart Starr to Bob Griese to Terry Bradshaw to Joe Montana to Troy Aikman to Tom Brady… every single team with multiple Super Bowls under their belt, have had a legendary QB.
The good news here is, that Patrick Mahomes appears to be one of those legendary players. He’s already set numerous records. Taylor Witt as si.com said of Mahomes:
In 31 regular season starts, he holds the mark for highest quarterback rating (108.9), most passing yards (9412), and most passing touchdowns (76). He’s also third in pass completions (724), fourth in completion percentage (65.88%), fifth in team wins (24), and seventh in fewest interceptions (18). His combined ranks in those seven statistical categories is 22. The next-best total among all 244 quarterbacks to have ever started 31 regular-season games in the NFL is Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson at 76. Mahomes is so well-rounded in his statistical dominance that the worst he ranks in any of the above categories is seventh, and no other quarterback’s worst rank is better than 33. So not only is he the only quarterback in the top seven in all of those major passing categories, he’s actually the only one in the top 32 in all categories.
It’s a great time to be a Chiefs fans, and that’s mostly because of QB Patrick Mahomes. It’ll be exciting to see what more he can accomplish during his career.
Summary: Building a Dynasty
With synergy, coaching and a legendary QB already in their pocket, the Chiefs need to focus on creating an accomplished group of LBs and by shoring up their OL, the Chiefs should be well on their way to building their dynasty. Otherwise, we’re likely to see a step backwards, which no one wants to see around here.
Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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