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.

[penbrook]

Originally Posted by Big Smoke

No, but there was this from last year.

I bet Hunt told them you will stand or you will be cut. In other news about 12-15 Browns players were kneeing in a circle tonight when the national anthem was playing

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by penbrook

I bet Hunt told them you will stand or you will be cut. In other news about 12-15 Browns players were kneeing in a circle tonight when the national anthem was playing

Dumb, as usual

[thegame214]

Originally Posted by penbrook

I bet Hunt told them you will stand or you will be cut. In other news about 12-15 Browns players were kneeing in a circle tonight when the national anthem was playing

Just when I think you couldn't say anything dumber

[penbrook]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Dumb, as usual

Which part? The first sentence

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by penbrook

Which part? The first sentence

Need you ask?

[cooper barrett]

Originally Posted by penbrook

The only one you highlighted where I see no chnace of cutting is Parker. Dude is a top 5 FS. Other than that if DJ is like old DJ he will stay but if he's a liability he's gone. Bailey will have to prove it this year. And Smitty needs to win the AFCCG if he doesn't want to get cut

Sorry my forward slash\question mark key fell victim to a Scotch ale.

IMHO I think SB appearance (AFCCG win) or not Alex11 is gone...I think that business will be the reason.

I think if Alex11 gets out of his 6 ply cardboard box he could get us there but it is yet to be seen. If he were to get the Chiefs further in the playoffs than we have been since 1969. (yes we have not won the AFCC in 47 years) He might bring a top 10 draft pick overall plus the savings of $20M (12%) off our cap. If we do win the SB he may just retire and go to the booth. Should we keep him if we do. Both QBs would eat 17% of the cap and Alex11 being traded would free up $20M or 12% plus whatever trade was made. PMll costs us just over $4M.

I think the writing is on the wall, no matter what, but I am sure I am probably alone . Right but alone.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by cooper barrett

Sorry my forward slash\question mark key fell victim to a Scotch ale.

IMHO I think SB appearance (AFCCG win) or not Alex11 is gone...I think that business will be the reason.

I think if Alex11 gets out of his 6 ply cardboard box he could get us there but it is yet to be seen. If he were to get the Chiefs further in the playoffs than we have been since 1969. (yes we have not won the AFCC in 47 years) He might bring a top 10 draft pick overall plus the savings of $20M (12%) off our cap. If we do win the SB he may just retire and go to the booth. Should we keep him if we do. Both QBs would eat 17% of the cap and Alex11 being traded would free up $20M or 12% plus whatever trade was made. PMll costs us just over $4M.

I think the writing is on the wall, no matter what, but I am sure I am probably alone . Right but alone.

I don't think you are alone. I don't see Alex back on the team next year but I have a hard time imagining going to the Super Bowl with him but this is crazy because Peyton Manning sucked ass and still won a Super Bowl with the Broncos so if our defense and ST do their part and Chiefs offense is marginal then it is possible we go to the show spite Alex Smith. He has done more for himself in preseason than he has any other time as a Chief. I don't see him continuing that trend all season.

[BryanBusby]

Originally Posted by kccrow

Some people think it costs 10's of millions to sign a draft class and all that Dane... Don't waste your breath. I've showed the math on it almost annually and it never sinks in around here. Probably have a $2 million net cap effect... I'll look at it when we know the draft slots.

That and the Chiefs don't have 44 out of 53 roster spots kicking rocks next season. These are mostly camp bodies that are gone this year anyhow.

The ones that will probably stand a good chance at making the roster are:

R. Nunez-Roches - RFA
R. Wilson - RFA
J. March-Lillard - RFA
T. Mitchell - UFA
A. Sherman - UFA
C. Santos - UFA
D. Colquitt - UFA
J. Jenkins - UFA
B. Logan - UFA
T. Bray - UFA
P. Gaines - UFA
D. Thomas - UFA
K. Pierre-Lewis - UFA
Z. Fulton - UFA
A. Wilson - UFA

That's 15. Of that group, basically you have RNR and Wilson probably getting the 1.8 million ROFR tenders. Mitchell and Santos I can see being signed. Maybe Colquitt. I have my doubts on the rest, less Logan who is a wildcard. Alot of bottom of the barrel type guys here that you just aren't going to spend much capital on. Probably will replace most with vet minimum types. The $25 million you've outlined is probably going to be plenty to cover their current projection of $4.4 over and these signings.

25? Actually more like 20.

Ron Parker and Bailey (unless he's toast) aren't getting released. If you're keeping tinyhands, than DJ Hali and Jah Reid are your primary cuts and with rollover minus cash because we'll likely sign guys to cover injuries during the year..you're looking at 20.

I'd anticipate they would keep Santos at an avg of 3/year so you're down to 17. Budget at least 3 for the year to sign during the year and you're down to 14.

Ramik will be 1.8 so down to about 12. If you have big plans for nacho, will prob want to 2nd round tend which puts you down to 9.5. Will probably want to keep Bray 1 one year, so down to 8.5.

Extending Mitchell will run at least 5 mil for year 1 likely, so down to 3.5. Nobody said rookies cost tens of millions, but they aren't free either.

They would have practicality 0 space to make any additional moves after that till Alex is gone.

They aren't going to handcuff upgrading the team around Mahomes to maybe get a day 2/3 pick eventually. This also isn't Madden and they aren't going to be a dick to Alex.

[MMXcalibur]

Ridiculously excited to see Mahomes grow into being that star QB we've always wanted. To know that what we're seeing now could be with us for the next decade and then some....man, it feels awesome.

...but for this year, it's Alex's team.

[Nickhead]

alex can return next year, again, if he is the driving force to winning a super bowl. anything short of, he is gone. the only problem is the chiefs would want to avoid the guarantees that other teams might pay out for his services (not advocating he stay a chief.). could he retire, sure, but something tells me he won't. he's only 33.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by KCtotheSB

Ridiculously excited to see Mahomes grow into being that star QB we've always wanted. To know that what we're seeing now could be with us for the next decade and then some....man, it feels awesome.

...but for this year, it's Alex's team.

That's the depressing part but at least we know the end is ni


Not to wish injury upon him but knowing that any instant *snap* his collarbone breaks from being sacked by a massive DL and all his weight lands on him what a shame that would be. On the plus side that could be the moment Patrick Mahomes II takes the field and we never look back. Again not wishing any injury upon Alex Smitty but if his head bounces off the turf like it did in Indy last year he could get a non-concussion and not return again for several games, and in the mean time we get to watch Patrick Mahomes II score deep balls to Tyreek Hill. Heaven forbid anything tragic happen to Alex Smitty like he gets turf toe when scrambling out of bounds instead of throwing to the open guy.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

That's the depressing part but at least we know the end is ni

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

[BlackOp]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

That's the depressing part but at least we know the end is ni

No, we dont...NFL giving KC 6 national broadcasts means they are out of the doghouse.

Chiefs never had Charles for any post-season games (Reid)...they didn't have Ware/Charles for the NE game. Houston has only been truly healthy for the first half of the Colts game. Maclin was out for the Patriots game too..their entire run defense was on IR against the Steelers.

If people are being honest..the only play-off game where the Chiefs were reasonably healthy was against the Texans... and they won 30-0. (Yeah, Hoyer sucks...but they still won their division and were at home. Blanking them is not something that should be marginalized.) They lost the other 3 by a combined 10 points...

Health is going to be the key...as with every other team.

[Nickhead]

Originally Posted by BlackOp

No, we dont...NFL giving KC 6 national broadcasts means they are out of the doghouse.

Chiefs never had Charles for any post-season games (Reid)...they didn't have Ware/Charles for the NE game. Houston has only been truly healthy for the first half of the Colts game. Maclin was out for the Patriots game too..their entire run defense was on IR against the Steelers.

If people are being honest..they only play-off game where the Chiefs were reasonably healthy was against the Texans... and they won 30-0. They lost the other 3 by a combined 10 points...

Health is going to be the key...as with every other team.

don't agree with out of the doghouse part, yet... but...

the stars are aligned, oddly enough in the year that alex is qb, not mahomes.

i say kc wins it all, alex is signed by the giants due to 'the current' streak being broken, and the chiefs don't miss a beat?