Josh Kingsley
It was a clear black night, a clear white moon, they were out on the streets tryin’ to consume…hold the phone. Wrong story. I’m still on the 90s hip hop wagon. My bad, off now.
It was a cool night. The moon accentuated a clear sky full of star bright enough to cut a portal to the mighty Pacific. A crew of four motivated, hardened men gazed at the night’s canvas waiting eagerly or their moment. Midnight neared and the misty, light fog set in like a blanket of familiar comfort. It was a night like almost every other in the Bay Area. Citizens rue the cover as it masks some of the most beautiful scenery in America. Most nights the four join that sentiment. But this was not most nights. On this particular night, the cover came with welcome anticipation. It was the perfect night for their plan.
Chapter One: The Need
Two weeks prior to this fateful night we join our crew of four. The collaboration is pending, but the problem imminent. Somehow the world passed them by. A necessary resource, such as the one lacking, could not possibly escape in plain sight. Yet, here they sat. Our crew leader surveyed his options hoping for a saving grace, but came up empty. We all have a boss and colleagues. This leader sat in morbid risk of exposing his colleagues in from of his boss’ face. “How did this happen?” asked the firm voiced boss.
“I…I’m not sure…” was the only possible reply. The colleagues sat silent contemplating their functions without such a necessary resource.
Our protagonist sat in silence expecting the worst. He let the organization down. Balance was the main sacrifice. Further consequence was both unimaginable and real.
Chapter Two: The Plan
Days of silence pierced the crew leader’s soul. Did his final act begin without his knowledge? One day his comforting reprieve came in the form of a knock on his door. His boss casually entered with an uncomfortable lack of purpose and short ask: “so, what’s the plan?”
The leader felt a private moment of shock immediately followed by a calm clarity. He knew the answer and associated risk. The path here was murky, the path forward clear as the man in front of him. He couldn’t do it alone. His estimation, a crew of four. Four men with specialized skills. He was the brains, the man with a plan. His boss the calm grit and muscle needed when things inevitably get messy. That left two open spots. The job needed a negotiator, someone to explain when the authorities arrive. A job like this cannot happen without some level of police involvement. The last piece was toughest. He needed experience. Someone with experience on this type of job. The only job left was convincing the others.
Chapter Three: The Grab
The night of reckoning. Everything in place. The fog, the crew, the target. Our squad descents upon the compound in beautiful Santa Clara under the cover of night. No turning back. Security evaded. It was too easy. Thank god for unmotivated mercenaries. If they didn’t see it, it didn’t happen. The crew flawlessly navigate the compound and find the door they need. Behind this piece of solid lumber lays the asset…and heavy opposition.
They pick the lock. The door opens. Fate placed the asset in the furthest bed from the door. Too late to turn around now. The crew enters, takes five steps, and the lights come on…
Chapter Four: The Resolution
The crew of four stops in their tracks hoping to awake from the dream. A leader of the compound emerges. “Hey…Clark, Brett, Andy, Patrick…um, what’s the occasion?” Kyle Shanahan did not immediately suspect a threat, but was on edge. Why in the world were the CHIEFS leadership in the dorms of 49ers camp? Did he miss a memo on some contending team prank war?
Kyle settled himself and asked “seriously, what are you guys doing at our training camp in the middle of the night? Did you bring pizza?”
“We did not,” replied Clark Hunt.
“I expect you want an explanation,” said Patrick Mahomes.
“We’re here for Kyle Juszczyk.” Andy Reid stated in the calmest of tones.
What’s Actually Happening
Thanks to all who played along this far. This is all a long ruse to present the first of four options to solve what may or may not be a problem. The CHIEFS do not have a fullback. Anthony Sherman AKA Sausage locked the role for almost a decade. Mike Burton filled the spot for a couple years. Current reality shows an open roster spot once occupied by a once integral position. The CHIEFS don’t have a fullback. Is that a problem? What will they do?
Let’s explore.
I present four options from least to most likely. The nonsense above was option one. Kyle Juszczyk is the best, and possibly only, great fullback in the League. I watch a ton of football and cannot name one beyond him and Burton. The thing that’s really crazy is I’m not sure Juszczyk is really a fullback any more than guys like Ed McCaffrey and Jimmy Graham were tight ends. Juszczyk’s real position is stud weapon. He is so versatile he almost defies position. I watched him dominate, and I mean dominate the Pro Bowl games. He and Tyreek stole the flag football show as two-way players. Yes, it was flag football, but it was still athletic feats.
I’m obviously having fun with this, but do believe this fact: Kyle Juszczyk is the best FB option. San Fran isn’t trading him to us, so a heist is the best option onto our roster. That’s option one.
Option Two: A Familiar Face
What is a fullback? Per Webster:
full·back ˈfu̇l-ˌbak. : an offensive football back used primarily for line plunges and blocking
Philosophically (or maybe literally) speaking it’s a big, durable dude with soft hands. My second proposal is re-sign Dontari Poe. Big? Check. Soft hands? Per his TD catch, check. Available? Also check. We can bring back Poe on a vet’s minimum to wing some rings, block for Patrick and score a TD per season. Wins all around.
Option Three: Hybrid Theory
Things get more reasonable here. The CHIEFS true WR1 is Travis Kelce. His TE positional backups end of last season were Gray, Bell and Fortson. Any one of those four can play “fullback” in the Jusczcyk stud weapon definition. Extra blockers and balls caught in the backfield are on the table with a TE back there. Special packages with TE covering these roles is the absolute most likely scenario. It also comes with a side of…
Option Four: Reality
The real answer to this entire question is simple. Step one: admit you have zero plans to operate a power run game. Step two: sign and extra WR. Not having a fullback on the roster is as big a problem as Reid wants it to be. Andy the Offensive Innovator and his Elite QB solve problems. They won’t create one from this.
No amount of shock can describe how I will feel if the CHIEFS sign another true FB.
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Josh Kingsley — ArrowheadOne and ArrowheadKingdom
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