Reiter Wrong: Chiefs Issues Flying Under The Radar – Any team is happy with an undefeated start to the season. For the Kansas City Chiefs, that achievement has come at a price. With a number of injuries piling up, and concerns about the secondary, there are some issues that haven’t really drawn the attention that they should. These problems might not be as glaring as a groin injury to Eric Fisher, but, in the quest for the Super Bowl, they could be every bit as problematic. Even the little things can end up making a big difference.
Austin Reiter Struggling
Last year, Austin Reiter was a back-up Center who played like a starter. This year, he’s a starting Center who’s played like a backup. Miscommunications, being slow to reach blocks, and just flat out getting beat have been a common occurrence for him, thus far. Everybody remembers LeSean McCoy’s hold, that wiped out a touchdown, but what they don’t realize is that he had to make that play because Reiter messed up. There’s still time for him to get better but, if he doesn’t soon, the Chiefs better be hoping that Nick Allegretti can take over late in the season. You can’t beat the Patriots with an OL that struggles with stunts.
Travis Kelce Isn’t Healthy
Look, Kelce has still been producing. That said, he hasn’t looked like himself either. Perhaps, with the off-season surgery, he isn’t back to 100%, but there’s a very real possibility that his age is catching up to him. He’s still a very good player, but, if the speed doesn’t come back, it will diminish the explosiveness of the offense, going forward. The Chiefs need to hope Kelce gets healthy, or that Bell and Yelder can carry some of the load. The attention that he draws opens things up, a lot, for the RBs, in the passing game.
More Money More Problems?
Chiefs aren’t as cursed as the Chargers, when it comes to injuries, but they’re certainly not lucky. The list of players who got money from the team, and then were hurt shortly thereafter, is less than encouraging. It’s absolutely a coincidence, but, if it continues, fans will be scared every time a contract gets extended. Get well soon Eric Fisher and Tyreek Hill.
Quarterback Conundrum
With the injury to Chad Henne, and choosing not to keep Kyle Shurmur, or Chase Litton on the main roster, K.C. came incredibly close to starting a backup, who didn’t know the offense, week one. While I’m sure he’s doing his best to learn, there’s no way Matt Moore is up to speed yet, on the playbook. Normally, in a situation like that, you would lean on the run game, but Chiefs’ run game was awful last week, against Oakland. All of this contributes to my primary concern: keeping Patrick Mahomes healthy. Right now, the Chiefs would be hard pressed to play Moore in a game they needed to win. That means Mahomes is much more likely to play through injury. So far, he’s done so without issue, but, if he had to play through something more serious, it could impact him later in the year or, worse yet, later in his career. Kansas City has to win games, but the health of Mahomes is paramount. If they don’t have a good package of plays yet for Moore, it’s time to bring Shurmur up from the practice squad.
Conclusion
Chiefs are 2-0, despite a number of things not falling their way. Ultimately, all you worry about is getting to the playoffs. Once there, however, Center play and team health will be critical to finish the job. You don’t want to get cocky, but, when the game is well in hand, it might be time to start working things out. Give Allegretti some work in the 2nd half. Let Moore operate the offense for a couple drives. Give Kelce and a break, and see what your other tight ends can do. The Chiefs don’t have any huge adjustments they have to make, but some little tweaks now, could make a big difference, in the playoffs. That needs to start this Sunday against the Ravens. Go Chiefs.
Ransom Hawthorne — ArrowheadOne
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