The 2019 K.C. Chiefs and THE FIX

The 2019 K.C. Chiefs and THE FIX – it was January of 2018, two weeks after the team had lost their WIldcard Home game to the Tennessee Titans that, I penned my last “THE FIX” piece. It’s hard to believe that we’re having to address those kinds of changes 6 games into the 2019 season but, here we are. 

Prior to this season fans and many pundits were picking the Chiefs to be the frontrunner to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, right along with the perennial favorite New England Patriots. Now that most teams have played 6 games and are more than one-third of the way through their schedules, the Patriots look like they not only have the best defense in the league, but maybe their best defense ever, and that’s saying something. In the meantime, the Chiefs defense looks like it could be worse off than last year’s debacle of a defense and that’s not only notable because it is majorly responsible for three extremely poor performances in a row, but responsible for the two losses as well.

The Chiefs offense, which was projected to be one of the best offenses in the history of the NFL, now ranks third — in yards per game — behind the Ravens and the Cowboys and the Chiefs running game ranks 24th in the league, despite the addition of star RB LeSean McCoy. 

The reason the running game is in the bottom fourth of the league is primarily because the offensive line has deteriorated since LT Eric Fisher was injured and Cam Erving, Fisher’s replacement, is no better than Barry Richardson. Another negative influence is the loss of Tyreek Hill for the better part of 5 games. Hill stretches the field so defenses can’t pack the box, which would help the Chiefs gash teams up the middle. However, even with Hill back in form on Sunday, the Texans were content in letting Hill run wild while they completely stymied the Chiefs run game, allowing a total of 53 yards rushing. That wasn’t the only game with abysmal rusing results as the Raiders held the Chiefs to 31 rushing yards. 

With WR Sammy Watkins standing on the sidelines, again, the Chiefs could not consistently keep Hill on the field long enough to make the Texans worry about coverage deep… even with speedy rookie Mecole Hardman in the lineup.

Even with Eric Fisher in the lineup, the Chief have had a major hole in their interior line at both Left Guard and Center. Martinas Rankin played fairly well vs the Texans but an upgrade is needed or the teams the Chiefs face will continue to take advantage right up the middle on passing downs, and Patrick “The Wonderful” Mahomes will never make it through the season physically if that happens.

The preseason projection for the Chiefs defense, with all it’s moving parts and changes, was typically, “It Can’t Be Worse Than Last Year” but, it can, and it is. The defense is more responsible for the Chief being where they’re at right now than any other part of the team, including the Special Teams, even considering all the penalties. The Chiefs are currently tied for 4th in the league in total penalties with 48. However, the Chiefs had at least two penalties called off Sunday due to offsetting penalties or an accepted play result instead. Consequently, the team has had many more than 48 penalties.

Without getting further into how we got here, let’s take a look at THE FIX(es).

Fixing the Chiefs Special Teams

Dustin Colquitt is an exceptional punter and no change is needed there. Harrison Butker should get better but has missed some FG/Extra Point tries (19 of 20 on Extra Points and 11 of 13 on FGs). The major change I’d suggest here is taking De’Anthony Thomas (DAT) off of punt return duty. DAT hasn’t seen a punt that he didn’t like and has caught the ball inside the five yard line when he shouldn’t. Prior to watching him perform this feat multiple times, it’s been my understanding that receiving the ball inside the ten yard line was rarely acceptable (I’m pretty sure that is still the rule of thumb), unless the kick returner had seen that the punter had outkicked his coverage dramatically. Other than that, it’s all about penalties on Special teams. A block in the back has become more frequent than blinking and teaching STs blocking as a discipline must be a priority.

Fixing the Chiefs Offense

With or without the Chiefs fastest wide receivers, MVP Patrick Mahomes should be able to complete a high percentage of his passes… if he has the proper protection. Now we all know, he hasn’t. So, for the offense, fixing the OL is priority one.

You may recall the piece I wrote a week ago, “How the Chiefs Can Beat the Colts (if they face off again)” in which I cover the needs across the offensive line extensively in a section called, “Creating a Juggernaut Offensive Line” and I state,

“Beyond safeguarding Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs Offensive Line has to be able to pry open holes for LeSean McCoy, who is probably headed for the Hall of Fame one day (10,820 rushing yards and a 5.4 ypc this year), and the speedy Damien Williams (4.43 – 40 yards dash), who has already shown he can be a very good RB when given the space to create.”

The point of bring that up is to underscore that the Chiefs have a solid RB group and that is not the problem with the running game. There are two reasons for the running game failing so far in 2019:

1. The Low Percentage of Running Plays: Andy Reid is not calling enough running plays, percentage wise. The running game is producing less than 83 yards per game and we know they can put it all together because they had a 140 yards game vs the Ravens. What many are forgetting is that a well schemed offensive attack most always includes a balance between running plays and passing plays. Not a perfect balance but, in the game against the Ravens, Reid ran 43 passing plays along with 32 running plays. That works out to a 43% running and 57% passing split. That’s workable and it worked that day, well enough to win. On Sunday vs the Texans, Reid called 35 passing plays to 11 running plays: a 76% passing and 24% running split. Now, that is rarely if never going to win a football game.
2. Manning the Offensive Line with Players Who are Capable of Executing Said Running Plays: This is a little more complex because this not only requires Offensive Linemen who are what many describe as the “Dancing Bear” type but who can get out  in space yet are nimble enough to locate a shifty DB and nail him to the turf. This is complex because many coaches call enough running plays early in the game to get their OL a chance to dig into the dirt and thrust forward… instead of having to sit back on their heels in pass protection. It’s a special player who can execute both but Mitchell Schwartz is one of those players and that why he often considered one of the best OTs in the game. Consequently, if Andy Reid is abandoning the run and then suddenly calls a 2nd down and long running play… how can he expect his OL to execute that play?

There are two times that a defensive line knows they can pin their ears back and go get the QB: 1) when it’s late in the game and the opposition is behind by two or more scores, and 2) when the other team has given up on the run so much that they know there’s is little likelihood that they’ll ever run the ball again at all. In fact, in a Defensive Lineman’s mind, there’s no difference. They just rush the back field and expect to find a pot of gold (red and gold if they’re playing the Chief) at the end of the rainbow. That’s the mindset of the DL who have been a handful for the Chiefs OL this year and they have failed badly in their quest for success… and the coaching (play calling) is in large part the reason for that.

Fixing the Chiefs Defense

Fixing the defense, in my approach, may surprise you. As we draw close to the trading deadline of October 29, two weeks from today, it may be hard to find a top quality Offensive Lineman, Linebacker, or CB who can not only be had in a deal… but an individual who is worthy of a first round pick, which is what I’m sure it will take to dislodge a player of worth from any team. However, a valued Defensive Lineman might be the ticket.

Terez Paylor said on his radio show last night that the Chiefs have needs all over the roster, everywhere. So, if I have to rank the needs on the current team it would look like this:

1. 1. A Run Stopping Defensive Lineman
   2. A Top Tier Interior Offensive Lineman- Center
   3. A Speedy Run Stopping Linebacker
   4. A Top Cover Cornerback

You can be sure that the Chiefs have other needs, but this list is also based upon the availability of those players.

A Defensive Linemen

If you think back to the last draft, it was loaded with top notch defensive lineman. That’s not to say that those prospects are available but they had to displace other notable players, right? Players whose contracts may be untenable by the end of this season… on teams that are already out of the running in their own divisions and conferences.

An Interior Offensive Linemen

The Chiefs need a Pro Bowl type Center and there is not one of those available right now through a trade at the deadline. LG Martinas Rankin may work out and he had a good game against the Texans this past Sunday. Consequently, it comes down to needing a high performance Center.  

A Linebacker

If you think back to the draft, there were only a few, three I think, linebackers who were worth top dollar. Those are the kinds of LBs the Chiefs need… not another Darron Lee (although I do think he can be a solid LB some day in this system).

A Top Cover Corner

This is what may surprise some fans: I see CB as the 4th rated need right now. Since the season began, it’s been reported that GM Brett Veach has been attempting to trade for Jalen Ramsey of the Jaguars, as well as Patrick Peterson of the Arizona Cardinals, among others. As long as the Chiefs defensive line can’t put pressure on the opposing QB, the CBs are going to look bad. Fix the DTs and the CBs get better. That’s my approach here.

While some may be ready to rip Frank Clark a new one, he’s actually not the problem for these Chiefs. For a couple of reasons. One:

Two: some argue that Clark has not been posting enough sacks to be worth his contract but the play of the defensive interior may be more responsible for that than having a top tier DE on the other side. If you recall 2014, when Justin Houston had 22.0 sacks, a monster year… he had Dontari Poe to occupy the middle. By occupy I mean he had 6.0 sacks (a career high for him) plus 8 QB hits, 4 tackles for a loss and 46 tackles overall and that constant ability to draw double teams next to Houston set him up for many of his sacks and pressures.

DT Derrick Nnadi will never be that guy. Neither will Xavier Williams and while Chris Jones is an excellent DT, his forte is pressuring the QB… but he isn’t a run stopper… like Poe was for Houston.

So, to fix the 2019 Chiefs here at mid-season:

1. 1. Replace DAT as punt returner
   2. Coach the Penalties out of this squad- Special Teams, OL holding calls, and CB pass interference calls. It’s a discipline and it’s mental and can be fixed.
   3. Keep a better balance of Rushing/Passing plays.
   4. Trade for an excellent Interior Defensive Lineman (first and foremost)
   5. Trade for a top notch Center if possible
   6. Focus on improving the OL over the next two drafts.

Yes, the defense needs to get back to basics and focus upon tackling with a purpose. I have two seperate images stuck in my head from the last two games, of Frank Clark allowing a RB and a QB to break his tackle in the backfield the nrip off a 12+ yards run. That can’t happen anymore if the Chiefs want to be counted as Super Bowl contenders (and… they should not be counted in that race right now).

Please note that I haven’t mentioned poor officiating or the injuries, and that’s because all teams have to deal with those. Perhaps not equally… conspiracy theories abound. I hope fans will remember that the Chiefs have won twice as many game this year as they’ve lost, and are still leading the AFC West.

While other moves could be made (see: Postscript), as other teams make players available, these are the top needs of the Chiefs as I see them. How about you? What would you fix right now, and how?

Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

P.S. I agree with the idea that the Chiefs should rest Patrick Mahomes ankle this week (but that’s not going to happen).

P.S.S. LB Zach Brown was released by the Eagles late yesterday. Do you think he’d be a player that Veach should go after… a 29 year old All-Pro LB (2016) who will turn 30 next week? From Profootballtalk:

“The 29-year-old Brown, who signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Eagles this offseason, had started all six games this year and played 68 percent of their defensive snaps and 22 percent of their special teams snaps.”

It’s speculated that he was released for bad mouthing Kirk Cousins last week although it’s also reported that his play has not been up to par lately.

P.S.S.S. At 1-and-5, the Atlanta Falcons play the Rams and the Seahawks the next two weekends so it’s safe to say they may be willing to part with salary laden contracts two weeks from now. Their depth chart can be found here. Their salaries can be found here.

Come back at noon to read Paul Pulley’s piece called

“Chiefs: Regression, Yes it’s a Real Thing”

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