Chiefs Could Cause Broncos Trouble This Year:Paige

[vailpass]

Paige: Chiefs could cause Broncos some trouble this season


Posted: 07/21/2013 12:01:00 AM MDT
By Woody Paige
The Denver Post






First-year Chiefs coach Andy Reid is a proven winner in the NFL and has a strong K.C. staff. (David Eulitt, The Kansas City Star)

The angst among Bronco- maniacs is unwarranted. The appropriate suspensions of two Broncos executives as a result of their irrational and reckless actions will have no effect on the team's chances of winning the AFC West or the Super Bowl.

The Kansas City Chiefs will, though.

The Chiefs aren't red-naped sapsuckers any more.

In a casual offseason conversation, I asked John Fox about the unique challenge of confronting his former offensive and defensive coordinators in four of the Broncos' 16 games.

His response: "Andy Reid is a great coach, and the Chiefs have a lot more talent than people might realize, and they added (quarterback Alex) Smith."

Fox is quite familiar with Reid and the Chiefs' players.

He coached six of the Chiefs at the Pro Bowl. Fox was matched against Reid in an NFC championship game; they share the same agent; the two have traveled to Afghanistan and Germany to visit American troops; and they discussed working together with the Eagles before the Broncos hired Fox.

Reid and Fox were fired after 4-12 and 2-14 seasons, but returned, and will face off twice in 2013 ... and probably in years beyond.

The two crusty football lifers (Fox is 58, Reid 55) approach training camp openings in Colorado and Missouri this week with a combined 25 seasons — 430 games — of NFL head coaching experience.

Based on their opponents' winning percentage in 2012 (43 percent), the Broncos supposedly have the league's easiest schedule. However, five teams were in the playoffs. And the Broncos' schedule wouldn't look so unproblematic if the Chiefs' 2-14 season wasn't included — twice.

"That wasn't a 2-14 team when we scouted them, then coached them in Hawaii," Fox told me.

And the coach always chortles about the "easy schedule" idea. "Teams change so much every year." The Broncos have won six straight AFC West road games and were 6-0 against the Chiefs, the Chargers and the Raiders last season. "That hasn't happened here since the last Super Bowl year (1998)," Fox said. "You certainly can't expect that."

The Broncos have at least nine extremely difficult games (Fox would claim 16). One is a hat foreboding ice-storm kind of December Sunday in K.C.

But, you mock, the Broncos went all Orange squash on the Chiefs in the last regular-season game. Yes, but the score was 17-9 in Kansas City in Week 12.

Look at what the Chiefs got now:

Reid brought nine of his Eagles coaches to the Chiefs, so there won't be coaching disorganization. The new coach also hired Chris Ault and Brad Childress as consultants. Ault conceived the Mr. Toad's Wild Ride-type offense — "The Pistol" — at the University of Nevada. And Childress, a former Vikings coach, has the title of "spread offense analyst."

Reid has informed his players that the new offense "will light up the scoreboard."

It was a dark and stormy scoreboard in 2013. The Chiefs averaged a league-low 13.2 points.

Eric Bieniemy, who landed in Kansas City as the running backs coach, has 1,500-yard rusher Jamaal Charles, not three redshirt CU tailbacks.

Smith's addition isn't comparable to the Chiefs' one-time acquisition of another 49ers quarterback — Joe Montana. But he's an improvement over Matt Cassel and the two former Broncos who masquerade as quarterbacks — Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn.

Smith led the 49ers to the NFC title game two years ago and had a 104.1 QB rating in 2012 when he was injured, and lost his starting job.

The Chiefs also possessed the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, and bypassed the glamour positions for right tackle Eric Fisher, who will pair with Branden Albert. The left tackle was franchise-tagged. (Sound familiar?)

The Chiefs cleaned out Arrowhead Stadium and lured in John Dorsey from the Packers as general manager and Reid. They also signed a half-dozen veteran free agents and re-signed wide receiver Dwayne Bowe. Their free-agent grade was considered an A, and the consensus on the team's draft was a B. Four Pro Bowlers are back on defense.

Contemplate the Chiefs' schedule (rated the league's fifth-easiest). They do have the Broncos twice — and Dennis Allen's Raiders and the Chargers of Mike McCoy.

The schedules of the Broncos and the Chiefs offer two major differences. Each plays Philly (Reid's old Eagles), Jacksonville, Washington, Indy, Houston, Dallas, the Giants and Tennessee.

The Broncos also play the 10-6 Ravens (remember them?) and the 12-4 Patriots and starting tight end Tim Tebow (remember him?).

The Chiefs play the 5-11 Browns and the 6-10 Bills.

The Broncos could win 11 games this season.

So could the Chiefs.

Fox and Reid might meet again in the postseason.

The angst among Bronco- noids is warranted.

Woody Paige: 303-954-1095, wpaige@denverpost.com or twitter.com/woodypaige


http://www.denverpost.com/paige/ci_2...le-this-season

[Consistent1]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

It all depends on Manning.

If his play remains superb....or even a 85% Manning to be quite honest, the Chiefs will be in trouble. I don't see Smith outplaying Manning even at Arrowhead. That's really what it all boils down to. Our talent across the board except at WR (but again, insert Manning factor) is much better than Denver's. Thomas and Decker wouldn't be shit without Manning. Welker is a great player though, either way it's going to be extremely tough trying to stop that passing attack with those 3 weapons. And God help us if they actually learn how to run the football.

I agree with hoping someone like Ball doesn't tear it up. I do disagree about Decker and Thomas. I think we would take either, especially Thomas with his potential.

[Eleazar]

Originally Posted by Coogs

That was one of the best. Can't remember who wrote that one, and IIRC the thread has been deleted due to a request from Danyelle.

Gunther fan, Equalizer, etc. I remember that one!

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

It all depends on Manning.

If his play remains superb....or even a 85% Manning to be quite honest, the Chiefs will be in trouble. I don't see Smith outplaying Manning even at Arrowhead. That's really what it all boils down to. Our talent across the board except at WR (but again, insert Manning factor) is much better than Denver's. Thomas and Decker wouldn't be shit without Manning. Welker is a great player though, either way it's going to be extremely tough trying to stop that passing attack with those 3 weapons. And God help us if they actually learn how to run the football.

A lot does ride on Manning - obviously, but many around here talk as if KC was a QB away from total greatness. Denver's WRs > KC's WRs with or without Manning. Denver's TEs are better as well.

[Warrior5]

Originally Posted by Line Judge

Bob Gretz ranked the top player for each AFC West team by position. There were many more Bronkos ranked first that any other team. Unfortunately Denver will wind up on top.

Seems like a good place for my obligatory "Piss on Denver".

[Anyong Bluth]

JFC, of course they can win at Arrowhead. Bet on it- unlikely, but this squad is not devoid of talent. I would hope people wouldn't be ready to write off this season even before training camp has started.

Can anyone tell me where we are in a worse position than last year at any position???

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

A lot does ride on Manning - obviously, but many around here talk as if KC was a QB away from total greatness. Denver's WRs > KC's WRs with or without Manning. Denver's TEs are better as well.

You are delusional about those TE's bruh.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Cochise

the Chiefs probably become an 8-8 team just by changing the coaching staff and adding Alex Smith.

Doubtful, considering their schedule.

Additionally, quite a few are expecting a lot of a 2-14 team, especially one with no competent 3/5 tech, a NT who is still incredibly raw, no 3rd OLB, a journeyman and/or a rookie at ILB, a NCB who has been plagued with injuries and concussions, no real options at the dime thus requiring us to likely play Berry up in the box as he has during the Crennel years in his 2-3-6, a FS who is likely to be beaten out by another 5th round pick who is converting from corner, a laughable WR corp sans Bowe, an untested and injury prone backfield sans 1 player, and starting 3 players at new positions on the OL (Stephenson:LG, Allen:C, and Fisher:RT).

Also, you're going to be counting on a combo of Davis, Gray, and Droughn as your backfield protection given Reid's personnel packages in 3/4WR alignments. That sounds incredibly promising.

[Line Judge]

Sorter is right on. We are getting too hyped up with media speculation.

[DTLB58]

Originally Posted by Molitoth

Peyton Manning vs Alex Smith....


lol

Remember that's what most people said before the Smith beat Drew Bree's in a playoff game also.

I agree, Peyton is by far the better player and has had the better career. But, if you only got one game to win...Coaching, scheme, turnovers a long bomb on a mis- played ball by a DB can all have an affect.

Plus, we know Peyton is good at choking away Post season games. After all, he lost in the biggest one of all to the guy Smith beat.

[DTLB58]

Originally Posted by Sorter

Doubtful, considering their schedule.

Additionally, quite a few are expecting a lot of a 2-14 team, especially one with no competent 3/5 tech, a NT who is still incredibly raw, no 3rd OLB, a journeyman and/or a rookie at ILB, a NCB who has been plagued with injuries and concussions, no real options at the dime thus requiring us to likely play Berry up in the box as he has during the Crennel years in his 2-3-6, a FS who is likely to be beaten out by another 5th round pick who is converting from corner, a laughable WR corp sans Bowe, an untested and injury prone backfield sans 1 player, and starting 3 players at new positions on the OL (Stephenson:LG, Allen:C, and Fisher:RT).

Also, you're going to be counting on a combo of Davis, Gray, and Droughn as your backfield protection given Reid's personnel packages in 3/4WR alignments. That sounds incredibly promising.

Tons of teams have questions similar to these heading into TC every year.
And they work through them and competent coaching staffs find guys and coach them up. If not, how is it that we have so many different teams in the post season every year and so many worst to first? You don't think all them previous last place teams had as many ?'s as the Chiefs do? Probably more!
Btw, Gray is a hell of a RB.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by DTLB58

Tons of teams have questions similar to these heading into TC every year.
And they work through them and competent coaching staffs find guys and coach them up. If not, how is it that we have so many different teams in the post season every year and so many worst to first? You don't think all them previous last place teams had as many ?'s as the Chiefs do? Probably more!
Btw, Gray is a hell of a RB.

I'll answer your questions in order.

1. Parity.
2. It's probably similar, that's why they are last place teams.

As to your comments, I kinda like Cyrus. Just like, a tiny bit. It doesn't mean that he's instantly developed pass blocking skills over OTAs. Additionally, learning the terminology as far as M/S/SSF protection philosophies (as an example) varies in most West Coast variants in relation to nomenclature, design, and responsibilities.

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

A lot does ride on Manning - obviously, but many around here talk as if KC was a QB away from total greatness. Denver's WRs > KC's WRs with or without Manning. Denver's TEs are better as well.

5 Pro-bowlers (6 including Colquitt) on a 2-14 team that played musical chairs at QB all season? Everyone and their mom knows what this team is missing.

Albert, Bowe, Flowers are all Pro-Bowl caliber players as well, that don't get the name recognition they deserve. That's 8 Pro-Bowlers, 9 if you want to count the punter.

This team w/ Manning goes 14-2 and nobody touches them throughout a HFA playoff road at Arrowhead.

Shit this team goes at least 12-4 with ****ing Philip Rivers.

Thomas wasn't shit before Manning arrived. When Manning leaves via retirement or Hali/Houston, you'll see...he'll come back down to earth. 20 catches his rookie season (fart noise).....30 his sophomore season (fart noise - Orange Mane starts using the "bust" word)....2012 enter Manning factor......90 catches 1400 yds 10TD's.

I'll agree w/ TE's for the moment. Our's are always ****ing injured. We'll see how Kelce turns out and whether or not Moeaki comes back 100%...doubt it though...Chiefs are kinda looking like they're ready to move on without him, he may get cut after camp if he can't come back....can't make the club in the tub type of deal. I just hope Anthony Fasano isn't our primary option at that position because that would be bad. He sucks and I hate the signing regardless of "how well" he run blocks. I'd rather see Demetrius Harris try and make it.

[MahiMike]

I know how we can beat Manning. We're gonna break his Freakin' neck!

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by aturnis

You are delusional about those TE's bruh.

They're better than ours....what do we exactly have to show for at TE? Denver's aren't great by any means, but at least they've produced on the field.

Fasano sucks

Kelce is a rookie

Moeaki can't stay healthy....ever, and hasn't looked the same since the 2011 knee injury.

Demetrius Harris although an intriguing prospect w/ tons of athletic ability, that's all he is at this point, all while being an undrafted FA rookie who may in fact not even make the 53-man roster.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

JFC, of course they can win at Arrowhead. Bet on it- unlikely, but this squad is not devoid of talent. I would hope people wouldn't be ready to write off this season even before training camp has started.

Can anyone tell me where we are in a worse position than last year at any position???

Oh, ask Clay, he can tell you.....