Patrick Mahomes Might Force Chiefs Hand In 2017

[DaneMcCloud]

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/s...-hand-in-2017/

Patrick Mahomes might force Chiefs hand in 2017

The much-lamented quarterback class of 2017 is looking pretty good all of a sudden. Mitchell Trubisky is pushing the Bears decision-making process as much as John Fox can be pushed, Deshaun Watson is going to make Bill O'Brien at least think about his Week 1 status and, most interestingly, Patrick Mahomes has found himself in a perfect situation and is turning heads early.
Do you love Mahomes and consider him the most upside-riddled quarterback of this draft class? Congratulations! You are not actually a special snowflake. Everyone does. Mahomes has a cannon. It's unfair for Alex Smith, a genuinely nice human being who is an average-to-above average quarterback, that he finds himself once again squaring off against a young physical marvel on the depth chart. The good news for Smith is he looks really good this preseason. The bad news is so does Mahomes. Before we get to that, though, how much pressure can this guy actually put on Andy Reid? History tells us there is a good deal Mahomes could do to press Reid into playing him.

Reid waited a while to hand the starting job to the the first quarterback he ever drafted, Donovan McNabb, after taking the Syracuse product No. 2 overall in 1999. And when he finally did, in Week 10, the Eagles were out of the playoff race, sitting at 2-7. After letting McNab take his lumps in a relief role, it was time to see what the highly-drafted rookie had to offer as a full-time starter. McNabb got a rough welcome to the NFL when he made his NFL debut against the Bucs in Week 2, getting sacked six times by the eventual NFC Central champions (remember that this Bucs team was the basis for the eventual Super Bowl championship defense). In a fun twist of fate, the guy McNabb replaced as the starter was Doug Pederson, who is the current Eagles coach and former offensive coordinator for Alex Smith.

Andy Reid waited until Week 10 of Donovan McNabb's rookie season before naming him the starter. Two years later, Reid selected A.J. Feeley in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. That's not notable for Feeley being a guy who might have taken playing time, but he is another quarterback in a long list of Reid protégés who ended up being traded for a high draft pick. The point being, when Andy Reid latches onto a quarterback in the draft, people take notice. Reid went a long time between taking McNabb early and grabbing another quarterback. Again, notable. If Reid is spending high draft capital on a quarterback, there should be a belief he can win with said quarterback for a long time. He also probably thinks that quarterback is capable of winning and/or playing early. Patrick Mahomes was the 12th player drafted.

Kevin Kolb was the second quarterback taken by Reid with a high pick in his Eagles tenure. Kolb was taken out of Houston with a second-round pick in 2007 (the Eagles actually traded down out of the first round with the Cowboys who took Anthony Spencer). He didn't replace McNabb immediately, but Kolb is also a clear-cut historical marker in terms of Reid making sure he has quarterback insurance. McNabb was battling injuries during that stretch, coming off the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots, and would be gone after 2009.

That year featured a storm of controversy, too, with Michael Vick and Kolb nipping on McNabb's heels for playing time. Ultimately it was McNabb's team, but with Vick and Kolb on the roster, there were plenty of people chirping to see the other options. The backup quarterback is always the most popular guy in town, and that's been the case for Andy Reid's teams in the past.
Vick and Kolb ran the team in 2010 after McNabb left and then Kolb was traded. The "Dream Team" of 2011 followed, but it wouldn't be long before a draft pick caused trouble on the roster again. Nick Foles, taken in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, was firmly entrenched in Reid-style controversy within his first year. Foles started six games for Reid in 2012 and that led to serious concern about who should start in 2013, when Foles went 8-2 as a starter under Chip Kelly.

Ultimately what you see from Reid is a history of high draft picks playing early. McNabb was under center three quarters of the way through the season in his rookie year. Kolb was held at bay, but McNabb aged better than Reid expected and it still ended in McNabb being dealt to the Redskins. The Michael Vick thing was a different animal. Er, situation. Foles played quickly, starting multiple games his first year. Which brings us back to Mahomes, who has looked just absolutely tools-y this preseason. Mahomes, who played in Kliff Kingsbury's system at Texas Tech, is going to require some refinement. But he has everything you would want to see in a quarterback from a physical perspective. If you buy into Reid developing quarterbacks -- and why wouldn't you? -- Mahomes is a fascinating prospect. He has underrated speed and is strong enough too take hits and still make throws.

Mahomes is faster and stronger than just about everyone on the field. As a quarterback that is an undeniable advantage. He can shrug off blitzers but he can also deftly evade people coming at him on the rush. And if he needs to, Mahomes can whip a quick throw on short notice. All that is well and good, but the downside of Mahomes is he's not harnessed right now either. He can be, and it's easy to see Reid figuring out how. Mahomes might be a stronger, slightly slower, more twitchy version of McNabb with a better arm. Alex Smith is on notice, although he knew that coming into the preseason. The guess here, two weeks into the season, is that Smith won't lose his job as long as the Chiefs are winning.

If Kansas City falters or the offense looks flat, don't be surprised to see Mahomes. Reid's history makes it clear he is willing to run with a young talent he trusted in the draft. He believes in his quarterback development almost as much as he believes in his talent evaluation. Maybe more.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties

Remains to be seen.

No. 1 WRs catch more than seven balls over 10 air yards during the course of a season. That's all he did last year.

He was the Chiefs #1 WR last year and will been given more touches and more opportunities this year.

It would be a waste of $12 million dollars to bring in another WR, especially when Hill, Kelce and the RB's will be the primary targets.

The list of UFA WR's in 2018 is pretty shitty, too.

[penbrook]

I forgot the stat. But Hill had the most TDs with fewer touches than anyone else in the NFL

[TimBone]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Reid on Mahomes' chances of winning starting job this year: "It's Alex's job. That's what it is. There's no gray area with that."

— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) August 21, 2017

I'm glad to hear that, and it's what I figured.

[notorious]

Originally Posted by penbrook

You think Alex restructures his contract after he wins a super bowl this year

He will do that with his new team.

[penbrook]

Originally Posted by notorious

He will do that with his new team.

I didn't know the Chiefs are moving next year

[Simply Red]

Originally Posted by L.A. Chieffan

Not a good writer.

Is it Reed Robinson?

[Simply Red]

One part he nailed though - Alex is a very sweet human.

[penbrook]

Originally Posted by Simply Red

One part he nailed though - Alex is a very sweet human.

He has a hot wife as well. He's 1 up on Mahomes in that book

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by ARROW2

I'm tired of this "sit" bullshit. What the **** is he supposed to learn from the sidelines? What did Stanzi, Murray, Bray, Hogan, etc. learn behind Smith? Where are they now? What are they going to learn? How to play safe and let the D and special teams win it for you? We were 12-4 and how many of those games did Smith WIN for us? You are telling me Mahomes can't do that and more? We will NEVER be great or get RESPECT as long as Alex is the QB. I'm tired of it.

We all understand, the wait is going to be hell

Just think of it like the hottest girl you ever dated, but she is going to make you wait and work for it before giving up the goodies... but all of that built up anticipation is only going to make it even more special when we finally get to put it on the line

[cooper barrett]

Alex11 is being coached to open up his game and take some chances. He has been applauded for a great training camp and he has looked good in pre-season.
If he is successful making changes to his game (as he is being coached to do) it could become a two edged sword.

On one side if he starts throwing "6 point" picks he will either be forced to go back to his "safety first" game or we will see Pat Mahomes either in 2nd halves or as a starter. This is not PMll forcing himself on Reid and staff.

On the other edge...and I want to stay positive and say that Alex11's going to be successful at opening things up and taking a few more risks. If he is successful throwing the long (er) ball and threading the needle, he may (should) put an extra 6-12 points on the board each game. That, my friends, is just what we need to be a SB contender, that is if (big if) the defense and special teams do an outstanding jobs all season too.

If he sheds his reputation of being too careful to win championships reputation and, lets say we were to win a "real" playoff game, he would certainly up his street value as he may find himself being traded or released. We all know the Chef's (oops) plan on dumping him off somehow as PMll matures and Alex11's trade or release would save major bucks toward salary cap in 2018. A performance like that would certainly add value as a aging QB when the media and odds makers are starting to doubt us even getting into the playoffs..some have come right out and said we aren't getting there.

From my arm chair: I would like to think that we will see out first "real" playoff win this year either with Alex11 or Mahome leading the offense at the end of the season. Alex11 will have to execute what the coaches want to see (I hope he does) in able to keep from seeing himself being pulled out at halftime or even watching PMll get the call as a rookie starter. Injury or not once Alex11 is out as starter, he isn't coming back. If this happens Alex11 may just be released as no one will be willing to take the cap hit and the Chief's will only get the cap dollars savings as they shed Alex11.

But as I have stated before the running, blocking, and receiving teams need to be up to the challenge for our offense to be Super Bowl contenders. We have to stop the other teams running, passing, and special teams play to get there.

My money is with Alex11 to give us our first real chance at a SB appearance this year verses the disappointments we have endured for too many years to count. If not, are we going to hear the "rebuilding" word soon.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by cooper barrett

If not, are we going to hear the "rebuilding" word soon.

Butt****ing moron

[notorious]

Who's mult is this. You need to try harder.

[penbrook]

Originally Posted by cooper barrett

Alex11 is being coached to open up his game and take some chances. He has been applauded for a great training camp and he has looked good in pre-season.
If he is successful making changes to his game (as he is being coached to do) it could become a two edged sword.

On one side if he starts throwing "6 point" picks he will either be forced to go back to his "safety first" game or we will see Pat Mahomes either in 2nd halves or as a starter. This is not PMll forcing himself on Reid and staff.

On the other edge...and I want to stay positive and say that Alex11's going to be successful at opening things up and taking a few more risks. If he is successful throwing the long (er) ball and threading the needle, he may (should) put an extra 6-12 points on the board each game. That, my friends, is just what we need to be a SB contender, that is if (big if) the defense and special teams do an outstanding jobs all season too.

If he sheds his reputation of being too careful to win championships reputation and, lets say we were to win a "real" playoff game, he would certainly up his street value as he may find himself being traded or released. We all know the Chef's (oops) plan on dumping him off somehow as PMll matures and Alex11's trade or release would save major bucks toward salary cap in 2018. A performance like that would certainly add value as a aging QB when the media and odds makers are starting to doubt us even getting into the playoffs..some have come right out and said we aren't getting there.

From my arm chair: I would like to think that we will see out first "real" playoff win this year either with Alex11 or Mahome leading the offense at the end of the season. Alex11 will have to execute what the coaches want to see (I hope he does) in able to keep from seeing himself being pulled out at halftime or even watching PMll get the call as a rookie starter. Injury or not once Alex11 is out as starter, he isn't coming back. If this happens Alex11 may just be released as no one will be willing to take the cap hit and the Chief's will only get the cap dollars savings as they shed Alex11.

But as I have stated before the running, blocking, and receiving teams need to be up to the challenge for our offense to be Super Bowl contenders. We have to stop the other teams running, passing, and special teams play to get there.

My money is with Alex11 to give us our first real chance at a SB appearance this year verses the disappointments we have endured for too many years to count. If not, are we going to hear the "rebuilding" word soon.

"Real" playoff game? I didn't know playoff games were fake if you didn't face a great team .

[Easy 6]

I appreciate the time and effort you put into that post, cooper barrett... solid looking work from a noob

But in no way will we have to use the rebuild word anytime soon, we are the 6th youngest team in the NFL

[penbrook]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

I appreciate the time and effort you put into that post, cooper barrett... solid looking work from a noob

But in no way will we have to use the rebuild word anytime soon, we are the 6th youngest team in the NFL

Literally Derrick Johnson is one of the oldest players. Other than that we have colquitt and Hali. Easily replaceable. Our WRs might be the youngest in the league same with our RBs. Berry is in his prime. Peters is young. Houston is in his prime. Parker is in his prime.