Offensive Positions: Improved, Not Improved, by David Bell and Laddie Morse – On Saturday, Ladner Morse, our illustrious leader, and I were having a conversation about the offensive line. The next afternoon, over a couple of hours, we jointly went through a lot of material about camp, the roster and position groups. Together, we decided to publish a joint article. So, the purpose of this piece is to illuminate each position group, as: Improved, Not Improved or Similar? We’ll begin today with the Offense, then cover the Defense and Special teams on another day.
Offensive Position Groups
Quarterbacks: David Bell – With Patrick Mahomes at the helm it’s difficult to even consider this question. Mahomes has worked diligently himself in the off-season to improve his game skills, and contribute to the advancement of Andy Reid’s dynamic offense. That said, Brett Veach signed Chad Henne and later on brought back Matt Moore, giving the Chiefs experienced hands for depth. Adding to that, the Chiefs had signed Jordan Ta’amu as a free agent. I believe this last move is important to the future as Ta’Amu’s style of play is very similar to that of Pat Mahomes. Evaluation: QB Room: Improved. Depth: Stronger.
Quarterbacks: Laddie Morse – Patrick Mahomes is a given. No, I don’t take him for granted, but he is simply the best there is right now. Beyond the Mahomes factor… the QB room for the Chiefs has to be considered as an improved group simply because they have both Chad Henne and Matt Moore at their disposal this year. Add in Jordan Ta’Amu who can run the scout team’s mirror offense of many of the Chiefs more mobile opponents, and you have a major recipe for success. I’m hoping there’s a way forward for Ta’Amu too, as I think back to Reid’s days in Philly and how he nurtured other QBs besides Donovan McNabb, and Ta’Amu appears to me to be one of those QBs who might end up seeing the field, in the future, if Mahomes goes out for any extended reason: Covid or otherwise (God forbid). Agree with David, this QB room is not only stronger, but deeper.
Running Backs & Fullback: David Bell – Damien Williams made a personal decision to forego the 2020 season due to the health of his mother, an admirable action on his part. This opens the door for more immediate use of Clyde Edwards-Helaire. As a first round pick you are not going to sit the player on the bench you are going to use him. Of course he is an unproven commodity, but he comes from a top SEC team with all the right skills needed for Reid’s offense. Stalwart FB Anthony Sherman is a top FB in the NFL. The Chiefs did release John Lovett (FB/HB/TE/QB) who was then signed by the Packers. I was sorry to see him depart. Darrell Williams, DeAndre Washington and Darwin Thompson round out the top 4 candidates for the roster. If the Chiefs went with 3 RB’s then Thompson would be the likely candidate since he was a draft pick… but I rate Washington as a better choice. Additionally, Elijah McGuire is in the mix. The addition of CEH makes this room stronger and the addition of Washington makes it deeper. RB & FB Room: Improved; Depth: Stronger.
Running Backs & Fullback: Laddie Morse – It really very difficult to evaluate a rookie running back prior to the time he even plays one game in the NFL. Having said that… if Damien Williams had not opted out — and I am in no way suggesting he shouldn’t have — but if he didn’t opt out, the Chief RB room would have been one of the best in the league. Now, even without him, you can reason: the Chiefs QB, WRs and TEs will do so much more for Clyde Edwards-Helaire (CEH)... than the LSU QB, WRs and TEs did for him. We’ve often heard about the advantage that CEH will give to the Chiefs offense, but if you think only about the comparison of weapons at the Chiefs disposal compared to what the LSU National Champions had… there is no comparison. Add Darrel WIlliams, DeAndre Washington, and a second year for Darwin Thompson and the Chiefs may have the best RB room they’ve had since both Jamaal Charles and Larry Johnson were toting the rock. I like Elijah McGuire but think he might have a chance on the PS at best. So, I have to say that the Chiefs RB room will be stronger and deeper as well.
TIght Ends: David Bell – It’s difficult to see beyond our illustrious TE: Travis Kelce. The Chiefs signed Ricky Seals-Jones which is a Strong Move as Blake Bell departed in Free Agency. RSJ is a better all round threat and a better blocker than Yelder. This must be proven in camp. Seals-Jones was an UDFA for the Arizona Cardinals for 2 seasons, showed great promise in year one, but was released, then signed by the Browns where he didn’t stick. Brett Veach pulled him aboard in April. Back this season is Deon Yelder for his 2nd go round with K.C.. He’ll present an improved threat as far as I can tell. Last week, both Yelder and RSJ were out of active practice due to injuries. On Saturday in an email, and again in conversation with Laddie, I boosted my appraisal of Nick Keizer, buttressed by feedback from others, but Nate Taylor of the Athletic specifically.
Keiser got the opportunity and he availed himself of it out of the gate. Because of his fine work with the Ones, his chances of making the roster are significantly improved. When Monday rolled around the net was replete with much complementary views of what Keizer had achieved so far. Pundits, observers, and fellow players such as Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid commented on Keiser’s efforts. In a presser Nick, waxed poetic in front of the press, saying: “When the ball leaves his hand there’s little sparks and little rainbows around it every time.” That has got to go a long way to getting his credentials a boost as well. Add another man to the TE group in 2019 Duke University UDFA Daniel Helm, who has 1 year in the NFL. I predict Keizer makes the roster. He’s shown great improvement from 2019 and you can see that he’s worked hard to be ready for 2020. I hope Keizer is among the 3 likely players on the roster, but logic tells me he’ll be placed on the PS. TE Group: Improved: Depth: Stronger.
Tight Ends: Laddie Morse – The TE conversation begins with Travis Kelce. The addition of Ricky Seals-Jones means the TE room will be much improved. Blake Bell (now gone) had 8 catches last year (and has averaged 7.6 receptions over a 5 year career) and Deon Yelder had 3 catches in 2019, his first year in the league. Consequently, RSJ’s 20 receptions per year over the last 3 years makes this an improved group. RSJ, and his athleticism, should allow Reid to run more two and three TE sets, another dangerous advantage for Andy Reid, as if he needed one more weapon in his arsenal. Nick Keizer should make the PS. Daniel Helm ends up getting cut in this scenario. However: TEs are Improved and deeper.
Wide Receivers: David Bell – What can you say about this group? Comme se, Comme sa? I can’t. Brett Veach worked miracles to get the Chiefs top five WR’s back for 2020… especially Sammy Watkins and Demarcus Robinson. All five WRs worked hard to improve their skills and methodology. That is not middle of the road stuff. Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson and Byron Pringle give the Chiefs the top WR crew in the NFL… but it gets even better. In the background is a slew of depth possibilities:
+ Marcus Kemp would have made the roster by all indications in 2019 but for injury
+ Gehrig Dieter has a big affinity from college on for being a target for Patrick Mahomes
+ Jody Fortson brings a new wrinkle to the mix in a 6-foot-6, 230 lbs. frame
They showed in preseason games last year and the Chiefs coaching staff is looking at an energized group of WR with special salable skills. No matter how you look at it this WR Group is Improved: and the Depth is Stronger.
Wide receivers: Laddie Morse – Tyreek Hill is either the same or better. Sammy Watkins may end up getting a jolt of adrenaline from his terrific post season so he should be, better. At least better than his regular season number, which isn’t much to expect. Mecole Hardman looks like he going to be improved. Demarcus Robinson is having a great camp and has settled in as Patrick Mahomes broken-play clutch target. Byron Pringle is waiting in the wings for his chance, as is the case with a host of other very good WRs like: Jody Fortson, Marcus Kemp, and Gehrig Dieter, not to mention a couple of UDFA’s who are having a good camp such as Kalija Lipscomb and Maurice Ffrench. The Chiefs may have never had a WR room as good as this one. I say the WR group is improved and deeper than ever.
Tackles: David Bell – Tackles in the NFL that can be trusted to protect the QB are difficult to find. The Chiefs have two pro bowl or better level tackles: LOT Eric Fisher and ROT Mitchell Schwartz. Very few teams can boast of having such high quality performers at the bookend positions. The Chiefs drafted Lucas Niang as their 3rd round pick on the 2020 draft. I was very enthusiastic about Niang because I felt he was undervalued and the reason for that was his injury last year. Before that, he very well might have been a round one draftee. Of course as a draft pick we won’t know how good he really is because he opted out and that evaluation will be postponed until 2021. Martinas Rankin, whom I found to be a marvelous signing last season, plays tackle, but he also excelled at guard when desperately needed in 2019. Unfortunately he suffered a season ending injury and is on the PUP. It’s still unknown when he’ll be making it back to the grass. Since the injury was late season, he might miss the first six weeks of this one, but i hope he comes back sooner. Brett Veach signed Free Agent Tackle Mike Remmers who is a solid enough player who wants to vie for a starting role. He has been a starter before and can handle the SW/T role without a hitch. Last year, Stefan Wisniewski came up big substituting at OG and Remmers has that same versatility. Jackson Barton and Greg Senat will get a look. Both have experience with the Chiefs on the PS so they are steeped in the playbook and Andy Heck’s methodology. If there is something that gets me to an appraisal which is “Meh” it is the OT’s. Fisher and Schwartz are savvy vets as is Remmers. Barton and Senat are another year in. Rankin will return so for me I don’t want a middle of the road grade here. The future is bright and the current outlook is well-manned. Offensive Tackle Group: Improved with the caveat related to Rankin’s Rehab, and Niangs future; Depth: Stronger.
Tackles: Laddie Morse – Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz are set. Instead of Cam Erving — who I was about as fond of as I was Barry Richardson, which is to say, not at all – the Chiefs will have Mike Remmers to lean on in a pinch. If not Remmers, it should eventually be Martinas Rankin, who had a very good showing last year starting 5 games at Guard before suffering a knee injury in week 10. I’ll take the versatility of Remmers and the potential of Rankin over the failings of Cam Erving any day (think: Erving stepping on Mahomes ankle). The Tackle position is better and deeper and more experienced than ever.
Guards: David Bell – The OG room last year struggled mightily. The injury plague to the OL contributed to that greatly. LT Eric Fisher missed half the season. LOG Andrew Wylie struggled because to his left, suddenly Fisher was out. On the right side, LDT was hurt and that brought in Rankin to save the day. The outlook for the starting Guards advanced when Brett Veach signed Kelechi Osemele — a step up though he isn’t going to be the starting ROG to replace LDT who made the decision to use his medical degree and experience to work with patients. Again, a very admirable decision by LDT. Osemele though, is a more talented player than LDT.
I see Wylie moving to the right side next to Schwartz, which should give him a solid right hand Tackle to work with. There is another player in the mix that most don’t think about: Nick Allegretti who was the #2 Center in 2019, but he is also a Guard. The Chiefs are very high on Allegretti. As noted, Wylie was far more comfortable and successful in 2018 as ROG. I had looked at the potential of Martinas Rankin being in play also. Ryan Hunter probably has a shot at the roster due to LDT’s departure, as well as Martinas Rankin’s delayed return. Include in this mix Mike Remmers who has also played guard. I don’t see the OG group being less potent, rather the potential is for the group to be more powerful. Offensive Guard Group: Improved; Depth: Stronger (caveat: Rankin’s delayed return).
Guards: Laddie Morse – Trading out Kelechi Osemele for LDT was an upgrade. Andrew Wylie will be better at Right Guard than Left, a more natural position for him. Those two should make up a much improved OG position. For depth, there’s 6-foot-4, 320 lbs. second year man, Nick Allegretti who may be in the on-deck circle awaiting his chance to seize the starting role. If he gets in there, he may not let go. There’s also Mike Remmers who is likely to be used more as a Swing Tackle but he has experience at Guard so if one of the Guards goes down for what’s expected to be one or two games, he may get the call first. If the Chiefs have to rely upon 6-6, 305 lbs. Greg Senat, then I’ll worry. He was drafted by the Ravens in the 6th round of 2018 then had foot surgery that August and was waived. The Chiefs picked him up last year then placed him on IR in November. Not that he’s not capable, but we know so little about him and he doesn’t have any experience so there’s that. When Martinas Rankin returns he’ll provide a player who should go to the head of the line for “next man up” duties. Chiefs look better at the starting Guard positions and deeper as well.
Center: David Bell – Austin Reiter was the starting Center replacing Mitch Morse. He did not have a good season. much of that I attribute to the injuries that occurred and the lack of cohesiveness due to so many players struggling who are not among the designated starters before week one of 2019. Nick Allegretti is obviously the Number 2 Center. The group strengthened when Brett Veach linked up Daniel Kilgore, former Dolphins center. Colbert has NFL experience and versatility in that he can also play guard. We won’t know about this view because the official signing isn’t complete due to Covid-19 testing. I see no reason to believe this will fail to occur. Offensive Guard Group: Improved with the caveat related to Kilgore’s contract, Depth: Stronger(Same Caveat).
Center: Laddie Morse – When the Chiefs went from Rodney Hudson to Mitch Morse there was not much of a difference. Going from Morse to Austin Reiter has been painful to watch. If Brett Veach and Andy Reid hope to completely protect their precious cargo in Patrick Mahomes, they will likely have o move on from Austin Reiter. Sure, Reiter had Guards nexto him last year who rotated because of injuries, but I doubt that would have made much difference to Hudson or Morse. Still, I have ot believe Reiter… with a year under his belt… and more stable Guard play next to him (assuming that happens) will be improved in 2020. Backing up Reiter is Daniel Kilgore. If the two Andy’s – Reid and Heck — decide Kilgore gets the call, it will have to be because they see a better option in him. Either way, the Center position will be better, or at least the same — at a minimum — as it was in 2019.
I think Defense needs to be separated due to length of the article. One day the offense, the next the defense. A third the specialist and coaching staff???? I am working on the defense analysis now. Edit my contribution down for Brevity. Add another author’s work if you choose. I would like to see us do a Poll for this appraisal.
Next article we’re working on will be each about the Defensive groupings, to see if each is: Improved… or Not Improved… or Similar.
David Bell and Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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