Chiefs Author says Watkins signing was a "reckless decision". - Page 5

T-post Tom · 01:46 PM

Overcorrection at WR2 strange strategy for Chiefs

For over a decade, the Kansas City Chiefs either could not find the right No. 2 wide receiver or deemed the job a low priority.

The Andy Reid years regarded the role as a non-essential component in an offense that funnels through Travis Kelce, whoever is playing running back, and the player lining up as Kansas City’s No. 1 wideout. The Chiefs — who have spent over half of the past 30 years running their aerial attack through All-Pro-caliber tight ends — have not had two wide receivers amass more than 800 air yards in the same season since Carlos Carson and Stephone Paige did so in 1985.

Even last summer — when the Chiefs, on the surface, seemed to have a quality wideout tandem in Tyreek Hill and Jeremy Maclin — the franchise’s tendencies resurfaced when Maclin was a surprise cut.

To see the Chiefs overcorrect to the degree they did this week in signing Sammy Watkins was stunning on several fronts.

If everything goes as the team hopes, the Chiefs now have the best wide receiver duo they’ve possessed in the history of the franchise. The top four weapons Kansas City has could rival almost any crew in the league, with a perennial Pro Bowler at tight end and the reigning rushing champion in the mix for years. Reid and Brett Veach have outfitted Patrick Mahomes with the kind of artillery Alex Smith never received. It’s a tantalizing setup.

All of that said, this can be categorized as a reckless decision.

In a vacuum, Watkins being paid $16 million per year and receiving $30M guaranteed is ludicrous based on his qualifications. He’s now the fourth-highest-paid wide receiver on the planet when he might not be a top-20 player at the position. But free agency demands high-stakes buyers treat above-average talent like franchise-changing presences, and the cap continues to rise by approximately $10M annually.

When analyzing this transaction through a Chief lens, it’s also a weird call.

As has been the case every year since the Eddie Kennison-Johnnie Morton pair disbanded, the Chiefs could have probably used a WR2 upgrade. They haven’t selected a wideout in the first or second rounds since the disastrous 2011 Jonathan Baldwin pick. Watkins, at his very best version when healthy, is slightly overqualified to be referred to as such. Hill took a major step forward last season, though, and is the top Chief receiver. There were several areas that could have used this gigantic expenditure more than wide receiver.

Kansas City has needs across its defense, which continued to regress last season. Its top two edge rushers are injury-prone, with one (Dee Ford) proving unreliable through four years. There are no long-term answers on the defensive line beyond Chris Jones. Since the Chiefs traded away their best cornerback in at least 20 years, that is a priority.

More than that, how much is Watkins going to matter to this team?

His agent did a brilliant job, and there was clearly a big market for him — and other receivers, as this unexpected boom displayed. Equipping a young quarterback with more receiving help is a good idea. Watkins has averaged the fourth-most yards per catch (15.9) since 2014. The deep threat also has produced an arguably unsustainable (but impressive) touchdown rate with 25 in 52 games. But there’s a difference between the Bears doling out $14M per year to Allen Robinson and this.

Chicago desperately needed offensive weapons, having no threats at wide receiver or tight end. The Chiefs have — now that Rob Gronkowski is a year-to-year proposition — the most valuable tight end in the game. Hill is on the verge of becoming one of the NFL’s premier wideouts.

Reid’s playbook has used this job as a niche role. Kelce will still be the offensive focal point, and Hunt’s and Hill’s futures are glowing. Granted, Watkins is better than Albert Wilson, Chris Conley or Donnie Avery. But is Watkins — in this offense — worth $16 million when other positions are in dire need of aid?

This is like an NBC executive circa 2009 saying, “We really aren’t getting what we need out of the HR character on ‘The Office.’ What can we offer Seth Rogen to come in and replace Toby?”

As you may have heard, Watkins did not exactly thrive in his contract year. Despite being part of a cutting-edge Ram scheme, the former No. 4 pick caught 39 passes for 593 yards (a distant fourth in Sean McVay’s attack) and eight touchdowns.

To some degree, that showing could be written off because of Watkins’ late-offseason relocation. That would justify the Chiefs’ investment if Watkins wasn’t constantly battling nagging or season-defining injuries. Multiple severe foot ailments limited him to eight games in 2016. Two screws were inserted in Watkins’ foot in January of 2017 after recovery setbacks. An ankle injury cost him two games in 2015, and while he didn’t miss any games as a rookie, the Clemson product required hip surgery after the 2014 season. But he did play in every regular season game the Rams asked him to last year.

Coupled with the fit and the shaky contract year, this is a lot to disregard to justify the expense.

Reid remains one of the best offensive coaches in the game. He created an offense catered to an average quarterback’s talents, and the Chiefs rode it to four playoff berths in five years. The Mahomes offense could look remarkably different. Watkins — who will be only 25 this season — nearly posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with Kyle Orton and Tyrod Taylor targeting him. However, that still doesn’t justify paying an arguably superfluous cog $16M per season.

Cheaper receivers were available. Signing one of those could have created more room to find defensive help while still upgrading on offense. This deal won’t cripple the Chiefs in the long run, but within the next three years, Hill will need to be extended.

He has two more seasons remaining on his rookie contract and likely will outproduce Watkins this season. Hill will be eligible for an extension in 2019. That could be confusing and cause cuts elsewhere when a hired gun with a low floor and debatable ceiling is now making more than Julio Jones and A.J. Green. No team has more than two WRs making $12M per year.

Again, this upgrades the Chiefs’ offense — perhaps significantly, given the attention that could come Watkins’ way to then help teammates. With a first-round quarterback with potentially top-flight arm strength, this will make the Chiefs a must-see team on offense.

Yet, it’s hard to rationalize the signing for a team that did not need to allocate these resources to fixing this particular deficiency — especially when the player comes with this many question marks.

https://www.fanragsports.com/chiefs/overcorrection-at-wr2-strange-strategy-for-chiefs/

Hog's Gone Fishin · 03-17-2018, 05:02 AM

Better article on chiefs.com

http://www.chiefs.com/news/article-2...6-69e540215dac

Says Sammy didn't drop not 1 pass last year. Has magnetic hands. Ohhh, this is going to be fun to watch.

jallmon · 03-17-2018, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hog's Gone Fishin

Better article on chiefs.com

http://www.chiefs.com/news/article-2...6-69e540215dac

Says Sammy didn't drop not 1 pass last year. Has magnetic hands. Ohhh, this is going to be fun to watch.

What a great article! Thanks for the link. As with PM2, it is very easy to like and respect this man's talents and attitude. This is definitely going to be fun.

Monday the DirectTV people are getting me set up, which means I'll have free Sunday NFL Ticket for this year. What great timing to actually see the Chiefs every game!

03-17-2018, 06:39 AM

We are deep at WR. Injuries happen.

What matters is having a balanced team in terms of talent, especially at prime positions.

If the Chiefs can't afford an effective QB, a line to protect him, a solid secondary, an effective pass rush, if they can't stop the run, if they don't have a money kicker....they will be vulnerable-- like every other team in the NFL. The Chiefs are getting close to a Super Bowl roster in the 21st century. Veach can't achieve a Super Bowl roster without FA unless Hunt buys him a time machine. No one hits on every draft pick. Duh.

Mahomes is cheap and elite. Veach is checking off the remaining boxes. There is nothing risky about what he's doing. He has an offensive genius as a head coach and will have a weakness or two on the roster. We may have the #1 offense. We have an elite kicker. Can Veach pay for a good enough defense if this year's draft can't fill the remaining holes? So far, Veach has been resourceful and effective. The draft is next month. An article now accusing Veach of recklessness is click bait.

OrtonsPiercedTaint · 03-17-2018, 06:43 AM

You need more playmakers than the opponent can cover &/or concuss in playoffs

ARROW2 · 03-17-2018, 07:44 AM

Dallas signs him = bold and aggressive. **** off bitch!

Alex's cousin wrote that bullshit

Tombstone RJ · 03-17-2018, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARROW2

Dallas signs him = bold and aggressive. **** off bitch!

Alex's cousin wrote that bullshit

Yep, Pats sign him and BB is a genius... but the Pats would get him a lot cheaper

chiefzilla1501 · 03-17-2018, 07:50 AM

The possibilities are so outrageous to think about. Love him showing the Four Verts concept. As I said, as long as the OL can protect, that play is going to be simply unstoppable.

TomBarndtsTwin · 03-17-2018, 08:09 AM

Stupid article.

The contract is essentially a 2 year deal where they’re trying to maximize the offense around Mahomes while he is cheap (on a rookie deal).

Even if it doesn’t work out and Watkins is injured most of the time, you cut him after year 2 for little or no cap implication. Pretty simple.

Again, article is dumb.

Chiefaholic · 03-17-2018, 01:08 PM

Who thinks this could alter Denver's draft? They just cut Talib, the Chiefs sign Watkins, and the Raiders sign Nelson. Denver has too many holes to trade up for the QB they desperately need. With the 2 year contract of Keenum, do you think they might go with a Josh Jackson or Jaire Alexander instead?

Sassy Squatch · 03-17-2018, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomBarndtsTwin

Stupid article.

The contract is essentially a 2 year deal where they’re trying to maximize the offense around Mahomes while he is cheap (on a rookie deal).

Even if it doesn’t work out and Watkins is injured most of the time, you cut him after year 2 for little or no cap implication. Pretty simple.

Again, article is dumb.

I'd say sinking 30 million+ into the guy isn't nothing. He'd better be all that Reid and Veach thinks he is at that price.

Chiefaholic · 03-17-2018, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomBarndtsTwin

Stupid article.

The contract is essentially a 2 year deal where they’re trying to maximize the offense around Mahomes while he is cheap (on a rookie deal).

Even if it doesn’t work out and Watkins is injured most of the time, you cut him after year 2 for little or no cap implication. Pretty simple.

Again, article is dumb.

Then after year two, Hill is due for his big payday, and Mahomes is right around the corner. He plays lights out for two seasons (hopefully), then renegotiates or gets traded for draft compensation.

**Rausch** · 03-17-2018, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefaholic

Then after year two, Hill is due for his big payday, and Mahomes is right around the corner. He plays lights out for two seasons (hopefully), then renegotiates or gets traded for draft compensation.

If we don't win a SB in 2 years the whole thing is blown up.

Think about it...

**ChiefGator** · 03-17-2018, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

If we don't win a SB in 2 years the whole thing is blown up.

Think about it...

We have four year window.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 03-17-2018, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefGator

We have four year window.

The last of the old era are now gone save the punter. We will continue to rotate in new talent and build around our QB. The "window" exists as long as Mahomes remains a Chief.
If we can not accomplish a Super Bowl while Mahomes is on a rookie contract, that is hardly a failure.

Valiant · 03-17-2018, 04:51 PM

High risk high reward. Here is to mahomes having 3 1000k yard receivers and hunt leading rbs in yards also. We deserve the greatest show on dirt.

03-16-2018, 01:40 PM
T-post Tom Threepeat! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milk/Honey/Gazland Casino cash: $4587293	Author says Watkins signing was a "reckless decision". Overcorrection at WR2 strange strategy for Chiefs For over a decade, the Kansas City Chiefs either could not find the right No. 2 wide receiver or deemed the job a low priority. The Andy Reid years regarded the role as a non-essential component in an offense that funnels through Travis Kelce, whoever is playing running back, and the player lining up as Kansas City’s No. 1 wideout. The Chiefs — who have spent over half of the past 30 years running their aerial attack through All-Pro-caliber tight ends — have not had two wide receivers amass more than 800 air yards in the same season since Carlos Carson and Stephone Paige did so in 1985. Even last summer — when the Chiefs, on the surface, seemed to have a quality wideout tandem in Tyreek Hill and Jeremy Maclin — the franchise’s tendencies resurfaced when Maclin was a surprise cut. To see the Chiefs overcorrect to the degree they did this week in signing Sammy Watkins was stunning on several fronts. If everything goes as the team hopes, the Chiefs now have the best wide receiver duo they’ve possessed in the history of the franchise. The top four weapons Kansas City has could rival almost any crew in the league, with a perennial Pro Bowler at tight end and the reigning rushing champion in the mix for years. Reid and Brett Veach have outfitted Patrick Mahomes with the kind of artillery Alex Smith never received. It’s a tantalizing setup. All of that said, this can be categorized as a reckless decision. In a vacuum, Watkins being paid $16 million per year and receiving $30M guaranteed is ludicrous based on his qualifications. He’s now the fourth-highest-paid wide receiver on the planet when he might not be a top-20 player at the position. But free agency demands high-stakes buyers treat above-average talent like franchise-changing presences, and the cap continues to rise by approximately $10M annually. When analyzing this transaction through a Chief lens, it’s also a weird call. As has been the case every year since the Eddie Kennison-Johnnie Morton pair disbanded, the Chiefs could have probably used a WR2 upgrade. They haven’t selected a wideout in the first or second rounds since the disastrous 2011 Jonathan Baldwin pick. Watkins, at his very best version when healthy, is slightly overqualified to be referred to as such. Hill took a major step forward last season, though, and is the top Chief receiver. There were several areas that could have used this gigantic expenditure more than wide receiver. Kansas City has needs across its defense, which continued to regress last season. Its top two edge rushers are injury-prone, with one (Dee Ford) proving unreliable through four years. There are no long-term answers on the defensive line beyond Chris Jones. Since the Chiefs traded away their best cornerback in at least 20 years, that is a priority. More than that, how much is Watkins going to matter to this team? His agent did a brilliant job, and there was clearly a big market for him — and other receivers, as this unexpected boom displayed. Equipping a young quarterback with more receiving help is a good idea. Watkins has averaged the fourth-most yards per catch (15.9) since 2014. The deep threat also has produced an arguably unsustainable (but impressive) touchdown rate with 25 in 52 games. But there’s a difference between the Bears doling out $14M per year to Allen Robinson and this. Chicago desperately needed offensive weapons, having no threats at wide receiver or tight end. The Chiefs have — now that Rob Gronkowski is a year-to-year proposition — the most valuable tight end in the game. Hill is on the verge of becoming one of the NFL’s premier wideouts. Reid’s playbook has used this job as a niche role. Kelce will still be the offensive focal point, and Hunt’s and Hill’s futures are glowing. Granted, Watkins is better than Albert Wilson, Chris Conley or Donnie Avery. But is Watkins — in this offense — worth $16 million when other positions are in dire need of aid? This is like an NBC executive circa 2009 saying, “We really aren’t getting what we need out of the HR character on ‘The Office.’ What can we offer Seth Rogen to come in and replace Toby?” As you may have heard, Watkins did not exactly thrive in his contract year. Despite being part of a cutting-edge Ram scheme, the former No. 4 pick caught 39 passes for 593 yards (a distant fourth in Sean McVay’s attack) and eight touchdowns. To some degree, that showing could be written off because of Watkins’ late-offseason relocation. That would justify the Chiefs’ investment if Watkins wasn’t constantly battling nagging or season-defining injuries. Multiple severe foot ailments limited him to eight games in 2016. Two screws were inserted in Watkins’ foot in January of 2017 after recovery setbacks. An ankle injury cost him two games in 2015, and while he didn’t miss any games as a rookie, the Clemson product required hip surgery after the 2014 season. But he did play in every regular season game the Rams asked him to last year. Coupled with the fit and the shaky contract year, this is a lot to disregard to justify the expense. Reid remains one of the best offensive coaches in the game. He created an offense catered to an average quarterback’s talents, and the Chiefs rode it to four playoff berths in five years. The Mahomes offense could look remarkably different. Watkins — who will be only 25 this season — nearly posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with Kyle Orton and Tyrod Taylor targeting him. However, that still doesn’t justify paying an arguably superfluous cog $16M per season. Cheaper receivers were available. Signing one of those could have created more room to find defensive help while still upgrading on offense. This deal won’t cripple the Chiefs in the long run, but within the next three years, Hill will need to be extended. He has two more seasons remaining on his rookie contract and likely will outproduce Watkins this season. Hill will be eligible for an extension in 2019. That could be confusing and cause cuts elsewhere when a hired gun with a low floor and debatable ceiling is now making more than Julio Jones and A.J. Green. No team has more than two WRs making $12M per year. Again, this upgrades the Chiefs’ offense — perhaps significantly, given the attention that could come Watkins’ way to then help teammates. With a first-round quarterback with potentially top-flight arm strength, this will make the Chiefs a must-see team on offense. Yet, it’s hard to rationalize the signing for a team that did not need to allocate these resources to fixing this particular deficiency — especially when the player comes with this many question marks. https://www.fanragsports.com/chiefs/overcorrection-at-wr2-strange-strategy-for-chiefs/ Last edited by T-post Tom; 03-16-2018 at 01:46 PM..
Posts: 20,212

03-17-2018, 05:02 AM	#61
Hog's Gone Fishin Fish are scared of me Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1710477	Better article on chiefs.com http://www.chiefs.com/news/article-2...6-69e540215dac Says Sammy didn't drop not 1 pass last year. Has magnetic hands. Ohhh, this is going to be fun to watch.
Posts: 40,342

03-17-2018, 06:39 AM	#63
Chiefs Moon Guest Casino cash: $	We are deep at WR. Injuries happen. What matters is having a balanced team in terms of talent, especially at prime positions. If the Chiefs can't afford an effective QB, a line to protect him, a solid secondary, an effective pass rush, if they can't stop the run, if they don't have a money kicker....they will be vulnerable-- like every other team in the NFL. The Chiefs are getting close to a Super Bowl roster in the 21st century. Veach can't achieve a Super Bowl roster without FA unless Hunt buys him a time machine. No one hits on every draft pick. Duh. Mahomes is cheap and elite. Veach is checking off the remaining boxes. There is nothing risky about what he's doing. He has an offensive genius as a head coach and will have a weakness or two on the roster. We may have the #1 offense. We have an elite kicker. Can Veach pay for a good enough defense if this year's draft can't fill the remaining holes? So far, Veach has been resourceful and effective. The draft is next month. An article now accusing Veach of recklessness is click bait.
Posts: n/a

03-17-2018, 06:43 AM	#64
OrtonsPiercedTaint MVP Join Date: Dec 2012 Casino cash: $10004980	You need more playmakers than the opponent can cover &/or concuss in playoffs
Posts: 5,994	1 0

03-17-2018, 07:44 AM	#65
ARROW2 MVP Join Date: Mar 2002 Casino cash: $9534329	Dallas signs him = bold and aggressive. **** off bitch! Alex's cousin wrote that bullshit
Posts: 5,981

03-17-2018, 07:50 AM	#67
chiefzilla1501 In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $2114497	The possibilities are so outrageous to think about. Love him showing the Four Verts concept. As I said, as long as the OL can protect, that play is going to be simply unstoppable.
Posts: 48,084

03-17-2018, 08:09 AM	#68
TomBarndtsTwin MVP Join Date: Mar 2013 Casino cash: $5109883	Stupid article. The contract is essentially a 2 year deal where they’re trying to maximize the offense around Mahomes while he is cheap (on a rookie deal). Even if it doesn’t work out and Watkins is injured most of the time, you cut him after year 2 for little or no cap implication. Pretty simple. Again, article is dumb.
Posts: 8,779	1 0

03-17-2018, 01:08 PM	#69
Chiefaholic Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3244169	Who thinks this could alter Denver's draft? They just cut Talib, the Chiefs sign Watkins, and the Raiders sign Nelson. Denver has too many holes to trade up for the QB they desperately need. With the 2 year contract of Keenum, do you think they might go with a Josh Jackson or Jaire Alexander instead? __________________
Posts: 4,635

03-17-2018, 04:51 PM	#75
Valiant Valiant 'The Thread Killer' Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $6422380	High risk high reward. Here is to mahomes having 3 1000k yard receivers and hunt leading rbs in yards also. We deserve the greatest show on dirt.
Posts: 18,352