The NSLU Dispatch: Inflated, Deflated and and Expressly Looking Forward

Inflated or Deflated?

Watching the NFC Divisional game had us witness an exciting contest that went down to the final 50 seconds… and Nick Foles, starting Eagles Quarterback, won a football game. The game was not without it’s errors but when I look at what this win meant to Philly, it was a huge victory. So my feelings were inflated, first for Nick Foles but then too, for Doug Pederson, whose first foray to post season sees him advance to the Championship round. This was, for me, a good feeling.

Meanwhile, it caused a bit of sour stomach due to the Chiefs failure to advance, whereas the Titans did so.

In the second contest, the Titans, under Mariota had tied the game up 7-7 against the lofty opponent, those devil worshiping evil doers who root for that New England team. So, I am not sure how I feel about that…. inflated because they at least evened the score up before falling behind 10-7 (and now 21-7) or deflated, because it should have had a team that wore the Red ‘n Gold taking on the Devil himself — Bill Belichick. Oh well.

What’s Left for the 2017 season for the Chiefs? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Let’s expressly look forward.

But How Can I Without Knowing About

Picks ‘n Players Acquired for Al Smith?

In various articles at ArrowheadOne this week, the topic arose in different forms: what would the Chiefs be able obtain in return for a top QB in the AFC? In truth, we cannot yet know how the Chiefs will face the music and dance the dance of the draft because we will not know for awhile, what is cooking in the various discussions that have or will occur internally and then externally with other organizations who would be interested in Al Smith under their center. I speculated for one questioner and came up with 3 possible teams in the AFC East alone. But that is mere speculation.

Snubbing and Subbing

Alex Smith was snubbed is what John Dillman wrote about in his Saturday Sum Up but got the nod after Philip Rivers stepped aside for the Pro-Bowl. I view it that way. Not to say that Rivers doesn’t deserve great platitudes but Al Smith had one heck of a season and should have been right there at the top of the selection process. He wasn’t and that is an insult.

A New Band of Angels

All hand-wringing has gone by the wayside and the Chiefs fans, certainly among our own host of angels who believe in their new savior, Patrick Mahomes, though I myself hesitate to call that acquisition a win-win — yet. From what we have seen however, it appears that PMII appears to be able to take on the role with fervor, success and aggressiveness. In which case, the new Offensive Coordinator for the Chiefs, Eric Bieniemy, who is known for his aggressiveness, could well make an immediate difference for the young Quarterback. That is, if Bieniemy can be successful in being a continuing force to keep Andy Reid doing head coach duty and leave the “driving” to the appropriate resource, namely, the Offense Coordinator. I am sure though, that there will be a great hue and cry for the new Band of Angels and the man at the helm. I have a reserved view of this, as my readers know, and I will defer to those with great knowledge and refrain from much critique in regard to the Supreme Commander of the Turf for KC — namely Andy Reid.

The Outlook for the Draft

It’s too early, for the reason previously mentioned, to even worry about mocking up a draft. The NFL Second season goes on til February. What possible trades for Al Smith remain a nebulous Nederland speculation and the underwear olympics have not taken place. We will have seen, the Shrine games of collegiate football by then so we will begin to see players who should interest us. The Chiefs have known weaknesses and exposures and without additional picks and monies, we will not be able to fill those needs without players from the Get a Guy Agency of the NFL.

What Are the Exposures?

Without providing an order of importance, I will identify, first of all, OLB and CB on defense, the trench positions on both sides of the ball, and a #2 QB. Many are going to say that we need to draft a wide receiver but as for myself, I believe that with Conley, Robinson and Wilson behind Hill, the Chiefs have sufficient speed, knowledge of the offense and playbook, and a gathering of experience among all the named players of the subject.

Too, I am very concerned about the #2 Quarterback, not being a TBB*. I think, no, that is the wrong choice of words. I believe in my heart, that some acquisition here is necessary. Thinking about today’s games? Nick Foles proved that the #2 QB is very important.

The list of exposures can be partially solved in a draft but if the Chiefs are to solve problems at Cornerback and probably at OLB, they will need a miracle of the draft or two… plus an emergence of Tanoh Kpassagnon at OLB out of the gate in 2018.

Is There A Known Unknown?

All of the above notice regarding Wide Receivers is my view of the likely personnel. But this week there was a piece written about a particular WR on the Chiefs Practice Squad from 2017 — his name is Gehrig Dieter. I knew about this player and his relationship as a favorite target of Patrick Mahomes. It did not strike me, in knowing this, that this might be a factor of the GM and HC in sliding a known commodity through the NFL acquisition game where players are “stolen” from the practice squads of other teams. Then I thought about what was written and became intrigued by the idea and sure enough, Dieter was a very successful player in HS and College and was a favored target of Mahomes at the same time. I hope that this speculation is a factor where the Chiefs knew the unknown and no one else did. That might be a very important factor down the road. This is especially true in light of the fact that Ty Hill has emerged as a true #1 WR along with the success that I think we saw of Chris Conley in 2017 and the late budding talent of Demarcus Robinson emerging. Add to that what Bert Wilson brought to the table in 2017 and I think that things bode well for the Chiefs and their receiver corp.

What I Would Like to See Most? 

On offense, a bruising offensive line that can both protect Patrick Mahomes and bulldoze pathways for running backs. Why? Because I firmly believe that the game is won in trenches and on the offensive side of the ball, it means, for me anyway, something which requires balance between the ground and aerial game.

On defense? A similar balance but a defense which can force the opponent to a one dimensional game by taking away the run game one week, or the aerial attack another. A defense which gets it’s takeaways each week. A defense which plays with aggression and tenacity throughout it’s time on the field. Which means one more thing: A defensive Coordinator who can bring it all together and that means, replacing Bob Sutton.

Still Begging the Question?

Can all of this, be accomplished and still reach the most important part of any season with a team that can win?

David Bell ~ Short-lived in Tejas

*Tyler Bray Believer

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