K.C. Chiefs: What Now?
So, the Kansas City Chiefs just lost an eminently winnable game that could prove crucial to their playoff hopes. Frankly, I expected them to lose this game, but it’s the way they lost it that has me tearing my hair out. I’m not going to ruin your Thursday by parsing through all the problems again. At this point, I just want to look forward to a better future without these issues. Here are some ways we can get there.
Reid Gives Up Play-Calling
Andy Reid is a phenomenal coach. I will never fall in with the crowd who wants to cut him and try something new. That would be like cutting Derrick Carr or Andrew Luck because they’re not Tom Brady. Reid isn’t just good enough, he’s among the NFL’s best. That said, Reid needs to know his limits. He made the same mistakes too many times to think he’s going to stop making them. It’s infuriating to think that Chiefs could sweep the league’s toughest division and yet, back into the playoffs as a wild-card because Reid can’t beat mediocre teams. Reid is a Head Coach, he needs to be a Head Coach and get a real Offensive Coordinator.
Chiefs Give Up On Alex Smith
There’s no easy way to type this sentence: if Tyreek Hill were on the N.Y. Giants, or the Pittsburgh Steelers, he would be the Offensive Rookie of the Year, not a guy who took the one touch he got for 68 yards and a touchdown. Alex Smith has the league’s best TE (Gronk might be better, but the best ability is availability), the league’s fastest deep threat, a mid-tier Oline and some other pretty good weapons in Maclin and Ware. He had been improving each year, but he’s fallen off badly this year. He’s only going to get older, slower and weaker from here on out. Chiefs need to cut bait and start fresh with a QB who fits their personnel. I don’t think it’s reasonable to move on from him this year, but I would definitely trade or cut him next year, keep Nick Foles/Tyler Bray and draft another QB. A QB with a big arm might help Reid’s play calling since he knows to play to his signal caller’s strengths.
Dorsey Has Another Phenomenal Draft
General manager John Dorsey took a little time to find his feet, but his past two drafts have been outstanding. He needs to have his best draft ever in 2017, as the Chiefs will have some potential cap issues depending on who they try to keep (the Chiefs should receive several compensatory picks, which will help). Maybe something like this (that’s right I’m sneaking in a way too early mock draft, so sue me):
1. ILB Zach Cunningham 6-foot-4, 230 lbs– Strong run defender with good instincts and the size/speed to cover TEs.
2. WR/RB Curtis Samuel 5-foot-11, 197 lbs– Chiefs need depth at RB and improved starters at WR, Samuel could prove to be both. He’s a versatile playmaker who’s drawn comparisons to Percy Harvin.
3. QB Sefo Liufao 6-foot-3, 230 lbs– While he’s dealt with injuries at times, Liufao is a competitor and generally the main reason for his team’s success. He’s got a good arm, a quick release and the mobility that Reid covets. (thanks to Bert for being the first one to tell me about the kid)
4. OT Avery Gennesy 6-foot-5, 315 lbs– Gennesy will probably go higher, but if he’s available here he’s a steal. Versatile, athletic lineman who could provide depth at T and LG.
4.2. TE David Njoku 6-foot-4, 245 lbs– Good receiving TE that can help Chiefs finally develop some depth behind Travis Kelcie.
5. S Tony Conner 6-foot-0, 225 lbs– Talented player who played all over the field for Ole Miss. Would have been a high round draft pick at one point, but hasn’t been the same since a knee injury. Worth a look for his versatility, size and the possibility he could get back to his former self.
5.2. RB Corey Clement 5-foot-11, 217 lbs– Clement is another player who struggled coming off an injury, but he’s been fairly good this year. He has the size and style to be a good backup for Spencer Ware.
6. WR Fred Ross 6-foot-2, 207 lbs– Possession receiver out of Ole Miss, not terribly fast, but can go up and get the ball.
6.2. CB Tony Brown 6-foot-0, 198 lbs– Speedy special teams stand-out on a deep Alabama Roster. Could have seen more start time, but a suspension for a failed drug test put him in Saban’s doghouse.
7. ILB Richie Brown 6-foot-2, 245 lbs– An experienced 5th year senior, Brown is a hard-hitting inside linebacker, and an upstanding citizen. He also snagged a school-record three interceptions in a game against Texas A&M (who was ranked 6th at the time).
Chiefs Bounce Back Like This Never Happened
Seems like every time I decide the sky is falling and it’s time to blow things up, Chiefs just buckle down and win. I wouldn’t at all rule out the possibility of Chiefs squeaking their way past one opponent after another, making it all the way to the Super Bowl on a bad call against the Patriots, that leaves their fans fuming for months.
When Chiefs finally do win a Super Bowl, I don’t think us fans will see it coming. We’ve all lived through too much heart-break from this team to really trust them for any length of time. Teams like the Patriots can take a bad loss, shrug their shoulders and go on to win the Big Game (as if there were more than one team like the Patriots). Chiefs could do that too, but until we see more consistency, I’m going to continue to hope for big changes.
Bonus Thought
John Dorsey is the opposite of Andy Reid. Reid sticks with things even when they aren’t working. He gets conservative and tries to not lose. Dorsey goes for the gusto. It’s paid off big with players like Marcus Peters, Mitch Morse, Chris Jones and Tyreek Hill. It’s also flopped hard on players like Knile Davis and Keivare Russel. From a GM, I love the aggressive approach. It’s a major reason Chiefs are at 10 wins despite missing some huge names from their roster.
And those are my Sizzling Takes. How ’bout yours?
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