Chiefs Prospects 18

A new day dawns

By this time, with the first game only hours away, I would have normally made my pre-season prognostication, but a change is as good as a rest.

So I have waited to see the Chiefs depth chart before penning any thoughts. Maybe I’ll do better?

One thing is for sure with a new QB in place and in charge things will be different, How good or how bad? Only time will tell. Partrick Mahomes is listed as the starter with Chad Henne as back-up. Mahomes will make mistakes – all rookies do. How many and of what sort will decide the season.

What weapons does he have at his disposal?

Offence

The wide-outs are: Tyreek Hill (speed to burn who scares the pants off defenders), Demarcus Robinson (don’t like him, never did, hope I’m wrong), De’Anthony Thomas (again speed to burn), Sammy Watkins (brought in specially to be the number one target – did little in pre-season to justify the huge contract), Chris Conley (always liked him – hoping for a break-out year), and Marcus Kemp (unknown quantity). There should be enough weapons here for Mahomes to score touchdowns. Running backs: Kareem Hunt (spectacular rookie season, can he keep it up?, Spencer Ware (returning now fully fit – we’ll see), Damian Williams (unknown quantity – probably a special teamer), and Darrel Williams (ditto) Don’t forget RB’s are the QB’s best friend. If a run offence can be generated to help Mahomes – great. If not he just becomes cannon fodder. Anthony Sherman is the fullback and has been for years, Dependable and great on Special Teams.

The Offensive Line

Left tackle: Eric Fisher (are his best years ahead of him or is he just going to be average forever?),

Can Erving is his serviceable backup.

Left guard: Andrew Wylie is listed (no back-up – he better be good),

Center: Mitch Morse (ex-Missouri Tiger and a crowd favourite is the stater, backed up by Jordan Devey and Austin Reiter – both destined for some game time and lots of special teams action.

Right guard: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (crowd love him – I've never been convinced.) Ike Boettiger is the back-up (never heard of him).

Right tackle: Mitchell Swartz starts (a crowd favourite) backed up again by Cam Irving

Tight end: Travis Kelce (all-pro – hope he avoids injury his back up is Alex Ellis (unknown)

Significantly the tribe did not use either draft picks or free-agency to shore up the O-line. I hope they are right but I fear they are not. Forgetting Mahomes for a moment, these guys are the bread and butter of any team.

Defence

The real weakness of the team last season.

Left DE: Chris Jones (can he repeat his form of most of last season?, Jarvis Jenkins(special teamer?)

Nose tackle: Xavier Williams (Chiefs couldn’t stop a 10 year old last season – he better be good), Back-up Derrick Nnadi (good back up)

Right DE: Allen Bailey (part of last year’s group) backed up by Justin Hamilton (special-teamer?)

LOLB: Justin Houston (once terrorized the opposition – how much is left in the tank?) Tanoh Kpassagnon is the back up (an enigma wrapped up in a riddle – we’ll see)

LILB: Anthony Hitchens, Terence Smith and Dorian O’Daniel are listed. (they better be better than last year’s crew or the season is over before it starts)

RILB: Reggie Ragland (crowd favourite – I’m not convinced) Back-up is Ben Nieman

ROLB: Dee Ford (if he’s fit he is fantastic) His Back-up (Breeland Speaks) should get plenty of playing time.

LCB: Steven Nelson (never like him – must improve), Orlando Scandrick (must be ready to play on day one), Charvarius Ward ( I don’t trust players with names like Charvious, sorry)

RCB: Kendall Fuller (big shoes to fill). Tremon Smith (not well-known back-up)

Safety Eric Berry (the heart of the team – questionable to start game one) Eric Murray (good enough?) Ron Parker (previous reject brought back?), Armani Watts (was supposed to be good), Jordan Lucas (unlnown).

Dustin Colquitt returns to punt and Winchester is the long-snapper.

Prediction time: the pundits are all over the place. Some even see a Super Bowl season. I all goes well they win 10 games. Super well – 11 and the Division Champs. Super bad – 8-8 and no-where.

My money is on 10-6 but I have no real faith in it.

We find out a lot tonight as they take on the Charger (many folks favourites for the division in game one). Ask me after this one!