Off-season Grades for every NFL team.

[Halfcan]

*

[Buns]

I'm glad Lamar Hunt was able to convey his thoughts on Reid and our passing attack from the beyond.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by Buns

I'm glad Lamar Hunt was able to convey his thoughts on Reid and our passing attack from the beyond.

That's hilarious.

[raybec 4]

I doubt Lamar was able to articulate those feelings very well.

[ChiefGator]

Just terrible. It is like rating our off-season while only knowing about one thing that occurred, and just heard about Maclin.

Our draft was fundamentally different than any other draft we have had under Dorsey. We weren't trading down to collect picks, he aggressively moved up time after time to get the player he wanted. Any discussion of our off-season or draft has to include that.

Also, it sounds like we only have a TE and Hill.. no one else on the squad that can catch passes.

[Halfcan]

At least the Chiefs still have great fans!!


https://www.yahoo.com/sports/goodell...123840965.html

Goodell: Kansas City gets national TV because of its fans.

You can probably guess two of the teams that will appear the most frequently on national NFL broadcasts (NFL Network’s Thursday night game, NBC’s Sunday night game, ESPN’s Monday night game): Dallas and New England. But get this: the Cowboys and the Patriots will each appear on national TV five times. Kansas City, of all teams, edges them out with six appearances.

Why? Well, according to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, the red-and-yellow-clad fans at Arrowhead Stadium can claim a large share of the credit. During a visit to Kansas City for the team’s annual fantasy camp, Goodell threw a bit of red meat to Chiefs fans hungry for validation after high expectations and early playoff exits; he noted that the Chiefs’ league-high number of national broadcasts is no accident.

[Fantasy Football is open! Sign up now]

“I personally think it’s a great tribute to the national attractiveness of the Kansas City Chiefs,” Goodell said. “I’ll tell you, every network talks about broadcasting a game from [Arrowhead Stadium] because it’s such a great atmosphere. I can’t emphasize to you enough the importance of how that passion of the fans comes through the television screen. We’re a game where that passion is felt through the broadcast and people are like, “Wow, that sea of red … it’s just a great setting.”

The gratitude to the Chiefs’ fans is obvious, but the message to the other 31 teams couldn’t be more obvious: show up in big numbers, and the NFL will broadcast you to the entire country. (Cynics will note that only three of the Chiefs’ six national-broadcast games are actually in Arrowhead.) Attendance will be one of the NFL’s greater challenges going forward; with the in-stadium experience paling before a traffic-free afternoon in front of your own HD television, getting people off their couches and into stadium seating gets more difficult every year.

Kansas City kicks off the NFL season with an opening-night matchup on the road against New England. Other national matchups include Washington, Houston, Oakland, Denver, and the Los Angeles Chargers.

[Rasputin]

UN-RIP Lamar Hunt

[Halfcan]

Teicher's 2 cents on the off-season.

Kansas City Chiefs at long last draft a quarterback they can work with
6:00 AM CT
Adam Teicher

http://www.espn.com/blog/kansas-city...-can-work-with

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs ended their offseason program on June 15. Here’s a look at how they fared:

Offseason goals/grade: This will be viewed as a great offseason for the Chiefs if Patrick Mahomes II develops into the franchise quarterback the Chiefs envision him being and a failure if he doesn’t. But 34 years after last drafting a QB in the first round, the Chiefs are trying again to solidify the position for the long term. In terms of immediate impact, the Chiefs did little to bolster their roster. Their most impactful addition for 2017 might wind up being running back Kareem Hunt, their third-round draft pick. The Chiefs last year gained 4.2 yards per carry, their worst average since 2011. The Chiefs are hopeful of improving that average with considerable help from the rookie back. Grade: B-.


The Chiefs made a bold move toward their future when they drafted QB Patrick Mahomes. Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports
Move I liked: The Chiefs have played with castoffs from other teams at quarterback for too many years and many times they were at a huge disadvantage compared to their opponents at the game’s most important position. The Chiefs made the attempt to fix this problem by trading up to draft quarterback Mahomes in the first round. Mahomes, who played exclusively in the spread offense at Texas Tech, has much to learn before he’s ready to become the starter, but the Chiefs can afford to wait. Alex Smith has two seasons left on his contract. The Chiefs deserve credit for trying to find a long-term solution at quarterback.

Move I didn’t like: The Chiefs took a huge risk in releasing veteran Jeremy Maclin, their most experienced and most accomplished wide receiver. Kansas City’s collection of wideouts now includes no player drafted above the third round or older than 24. This could be a problem for a team that also released its longtime featured back, Jamaal Charles, and has a starting tight end, Travis Kelce, who missed all of offseason practice because of shoulder surgery. The Chiefs will ask a lot of the talented Tyreek Hill, who had a spectacular rookie season last year. He’ll get many of the passes that otherwise would have gone Maclin’s way. But asking the undersized Hill at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds to be an every-down player could bring diminishing returns.

Biggest question still to be answered in training camp: The Chiefs are pinning much of their hopes for better defensive play on an improved pass rush. Kansas City, after several seasons with one of the NFL’s top pass rushes, had just 28 sacks last season, one of the lowest totals in the league. The Chiefs are counting on full seasons from linebacker Justin Houston, who missed the first 11 games last year after having ACL surgery, and lineman Allen Bailey, who played only in the first five because of a shoulder injury. The Chiefs also need a more consistent season from their other outside pass-rusher, Dee Ford, who had 10 sacks in the first nine games last year but none in the final seven games.

Salary-cap space: $4,531,654 (top 51 contracts), according to ESPN Stats & Information research.


2017 draft picks: 1. QB Patrick Mahomes, 2. DE Tanoh Kpassagnon, 3. RB Kareem Hunt, 4. WR Jehu Chesson, 5. LB Ukeme Eligwe, 6. DB Leon McQuay III.

Undrafted rookie free agents signed: DL Ricky Ali’fua, OL Corin Brooks, TE Emanuel Byrd, WR Gehrig Dieter, WR Marcus Kemp, CB Ashton Lampkin, G Damien Mama, WR Alonzo Moore, CB JR Nelson, RB Devine Redding, S Jordan Sterns, WR Tony Stevens.

Unrestricted free agents signed: TE Gavin Escobar, S Marqueston Huff, DL Bennie Logan.

Restricted free agents signed: None.

Players acquired via trade: None.

[Halfcan]

Patrick Mahomes II's talent beginning to show up for Chiefs
Jun 15, 2017
Adam Teicher
ESPN Staff Writer

http://www.espn.com/blog/kansas-city...yet-for-chiefs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- If the Kansas City Chiefs were encouraged by the most impressive practice session yet for Patrick Mahomes II on Wednesday, they had even more reason for optimism because of the rookie quarterback’s attitude about it afterward.

“It definitely was a good day,’’ Mahomes said. “It’s all about putting these good days back to back and not having bad days.’’

That consistency will eventually make Mahomes, or a lack of it will eventually break him. Mahomes gets that, so he’s sounding more like a veteran than an awestruck rookie.


Patrick Mahomes II earned praise from the Chiefs for his consistency during Wednesday's workout. Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports

He played more like a quarterback who understands his job on Wednesday. He scattered fewer throws than normal and made some of his best throws of the offseason. Mahomes in particular showed some versatility early in practice when he connected with rookie wide receiver Marcus Kemp on a deep ball down the right sideline on one play and threw a fade to rookie running back Devine Redding in between two defenders on the next.

Matt Nagy, the Chiefs’ co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, said last week that Mahomes’ talent would begin to show once he mastered the Chiefs’ playbook and had a better understanding of what the defense is trying to do on a given play. That process may have started Wednesday.

“Just knowing the playbook more and more each day helps out,’’ Mahomes said. “You’ve just got to stay on it, keep learning. That’s how you put good days on top of each other.

“There are some times when I understand everything that’s going on and then there are a few times where you’re like, ‘What exactly does this [receiver] do against a certain defense?’ You have to make sure those times get erased. That just comes with repetition, with practice. I feel like those times become smaller and smaller when I don’t know what’s going on.’’

The Chiefs finish their offseason work Thursday with the conclusion of their three-day minicamp. Mahomes won’t have the chance to stack good days on top of each other again until training camp starts in late July.

In the meantime, Mahomes will return home to Tyler, Texas, in hopes of retaining everything he’s gained from the past few weeks of practice.

“I’m sure I’ll have some quarterback coach or somebody come in and help me out a little bit,’’ he said. “Just trying to stay on top of the footwork, stay on top of the playbook as much as possible.''

[Halfcan]

Doing their own thing in offseason pays off for Justin Houston, Eric Berry, Marcus Peters.

Adam Teicher
ESPN Staff Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Because of contract situations or rehab from knee surgery, linebacker Justin Houston hadn’t been a regular participant at voluntary Kansas City Chiefs offseason practices since 2013. Because of cancer treatment or his own contract situation, safety Eric Berry likewise hadn’t been an offseason regular since 2014.

Things worked out well for both despite their absences. Houston led the NFL in sacks in 2014 with 22. Berry has been the Chiefs’ MVP in each of the past two seasons, though he shared the award with Alex Smith in 2015.


Both Justin Houston and Eric Berry were absent from voluntary offseason practices, but they were back in the fold this week for mandatory minicamp. Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports
So even though both players are healthy and under long-term contracts, they felt comfortable doing their own offseason things again this year. Both arrived for this week’s mandatory minicamp that concludes Kansas City’s offseason work.

“I think everybody needs time off,’’ Berry said. “Sometimes you get caught up in the grind and you never really get a chance to step away from whatever it is. It doesn’t have to just be sports. If you go ahead and take a step back and look at the game from a different point of view, you can kind of see where you need to correct it and see where you need to fix things and see what you can change, mainly about yourself.

“That was the biggest thing. I didn’t have this offseason to focus on battling cancer or seeing if I could play the game or nothing like that. I know what I can do, I trust my skills, I trust my teammates. It’s about putting that time and effort toward my craft.”

A third key defensive player for the Chiefs, cornerback Marcus Peters, was also absent until this week. This is the first time Peters has been away by choice.

But Peters also missed most offseason practices in 2015 as Kansas City’s first-round draft pick. Because his college class at the University of Washington hadn’t yet graduated, Peters was prohibited from participating by NFL rule.

He had a strong season anyway and was named the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year. He said this offseason was much the same as in 2015. He was at home in Oakland, California.

“I keep my family first anyway,’’ Peters said. “So anytime I get to go home and be around my family, I go do it. I take the time out. That’s my vacation. Once we’re here for work, I’m here for work. My family understands that. So all the time that I get with my family, I go spend it and have fun.”

Houston was at home in the Atlanta area. He said his offseason routine was much the same as before his 22-sack season in 2014.


“I’m a one-on-one guy,’’ Houston said. “When I’m back home, the group I train with, the group is no more than three people. If I’m messing up and doing something wrong, I like to correct it. I want to be perfect in everything I do.’’

Berry spent much of his offseason at home, also near Atlanta.

“Just being away from the game a little bit and just focusing more on training smarter,’’ Berry said. “A lot of times you try to go too hard sometimes. I’m not saying that’s the case here. But there were certain things I wanted to get away from the game and reflect on, what I need to work on and be around my family. I was actually at home for the most part, being around my family.

“It’s always good to be around good vibes and things like that. I’m not going to see them like that during the season so I might as we’ll get that good, quality time.’’

[Halfcan]

Chiefs mailbag: Cap casualties, favorite players, the importance of s’mores
39
by MNchiefsfan Jun 19, 2017, 9:12am CDT

https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2017/...ance-of-smores

This is the time of year that tests the mettle of everyone. A time of darkness and despair. A time ... when there’s no football news.

The really horrible thing about this time of year is that, with nothing new to talk about, we tend to start devouring one another in repetitive arguments about a controversial issue. In previous offseasons, it was the Alex Smith Wars. This offseason, it appears to be the OTA Wars (whether players can miss OTA’s without being awful people, as far as I can tell).

These arguments are useless, wearying, and overall awful to participate in. And so, like the last few offseasons, I shall attempt to distract us with mailbags as often as possible. Feel free to send them to me on Twitter (@RealMNchiefsfan), and if I don’t use it, well, step your game up and try again!

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Blake Staley @blakestaley
@RealMNchiefsfan Really basic, but top 5 Chiefs of all time?
9:16 PM - 14 Jun 2017
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This is, indeed, a basic question. Of course, there are MANY ways to determine “top 5.” Do we mean best players? Do we mean most successful players? Do we mean my personal favorite?

The problem with picking the “best” players is that I’ve never reviewed film for many, many all-time Chiefs greats. And so I’d be making the call based on stats and secondhand opinions, which I hate doing. As far as most successful goes, that kind of depends on what you mean by successful (and really, we’d end up choosing mostly guys from back in the day when they won the Super Bowl).


So I’m forced to go with my all time favorites. Aw nuts. Those of you who are older than me, sorry guys, this list isn’t gonna include players I never watched. We’ve covered some of this before, but it’s always fun to walk through lists like this.

Number 5: Tony Gonzalez
It’s not like I need to make a case for Tony’s greatness here. You all get it. I just remember that year after year after year, no matter how bad the team got (and at times, it was really stinking bad), you could always count on Tony G being phenomenal. Anything that came remotely close to him was going to be caught, and it was never even a question.

Remember 2004? The team as a whole took a step back that season, but the offense, with Tony G as one of the centerpieces, was incredible. Tony caught 102 passes that year for 1,258 yards and 7 touchdowns. That’s just absurd.

When people call a player a guy who “changed a position,” they’re usually exaggerating. But Tony was a guy who really DID change the way people viewed tight ends (no, Shannon Sharpe didn’t and I will fight you to the death on this), and now we’re in a league where TE has become arguably more important than WR.

Number 4: Derrick Thomas
I know for many Chiefs fans it’ll be heresy having Thomas this low. But the thing is this: I was awfully young for a lot of DT’s dominant years (I was born in ‘85), so it’s simply a matter of what I knew.

However, despite my youth, it was always a blast watching DT fly around the edge. Of course, I was too ignorant about football to understand how rare DT’s bend was, or his remarkable first step, or that his motor was just ridiculous. All I knew is that it seemed like every time the other team’s quarterback dropped back, he was hitting him or almost hitting him.

I was too young to know much about DT’s personality (apparently it was planet-sized), but much like Tony G, his greatness made me love him.

Number 3: Derrick Johnson
It was a FIGHT for me to decide whether DJ or Tamba should make this list (I couldn’t bump the other guys I have on here). Tamba is everything I want in a player. He’s an overachiever who made it based on his unbelievable technique and sheer will. Make no mistake, I love that guy. Eric Berry deserves to be here too (and likely will be one day soon, just not QUITE yet).

But DJ is in a class by himself for me. I was so psyched when he fell to the Chiefs. Then, as he flashed big-play ability but was a bit consistent, I grew concerned. Then... well, you all know the story. He gets “benched,” and responds by turning into a fire-breathing, world-destroying ILB who is good at EVERYTHING. Absolutely everything.

You need a guy to drop into zone coverage as something of a robber and knock down/pick off passes? DJ can do that. Need a guy to competently drop into man on a RB or TE? DJ can do that. Need someone to plug a gap and force a RB to redirect? DJ can do that. Need someone to blitz and get to the QB quickly? DJ can do that. Need someone to drop out of the freaking sky and tackle a stunned RB way behind the line of scrimmage? DJ can do that better than literally anyone in the league.

Possibly the most DJ moment of all time? When he almost single-handedly stopped a Raiders attempt to score a TD when it was 1st and goal on the 5-yard-line.


DJ is just the greatest. Except for these last two guys.

Number 2: Willie Roaf
I’ve talked about this before, but Big Willie will always have a special place in my heart. I will never, ever forget watching him move slowly to the huddle, move slowly to the line, almost painfully get into his stance... and then just destroy the guy in front of him. Snap after snap after snap.

It didn’t matter who was lined up against him. It didn’t matter what the play call was. It didn’t matter what type of block he was being asked to execute. Roaf just dominated the guy in front of him. He’d get his hands on the opponent and it was just... over. Absolutely over.

Roaf has grown so large in my memory that I’m quite certain I must be exaggerating his greatness just a bit. I’m sure he didn’t win literally EVERY snap. But man, it sure felt like it. I can’t find tape of his playing days, but I’d be willing to bet anything that his loss percentage was under four percent. That dude was a beast, and in my mind he’ll always be 10 feet tall squashing jokers... then almost limping back to the huddle.

Number 1: Jamaal Charles
Look, I know. I know, OK? I get it. I don’t want to talk about everything that’s happened in the last few months. I just don’t. Maybe I’ll process it more and Jamaal will fall off this list at some point. But not today.

Here’s what I’ll say about Jamaal:

He was one of the greatest players at any position I’ve ever seen. I’m not exaggerating.
He seemed to work very hard and was a very team first player.
He was a genuinely nice guy in the community.
But beyond all those things, there was something legitimately DIFFERENT about watching Charles play football. Especially if you were lucky enough to watch him live. I will never forget his performance against the Seahawks in 2014 at Arrowhead. He rushed for 159 yards on just 20 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns, yet somehow even those gaudy stats understate how incredible he was that day.

Watching Charles glide (you could never call what he did “running”) and cut and twist away from grasping arms, watching him find holes that didn’t seem to exist and seemingly warp through them, watching him go from zero to fastest guy on the field in a single breath... man, there was nothing like it in football. Absolutely nothing.

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David Area @AreaDavid
@RealMNchiefsfan more important: ability to steer a canoe or assemble the perfect s'more?
9:18 PM - 14 Jun 2017
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S’more, and it’s not close. Any fool can learn to steer a canoe to a pretty passable level. But making the perfect s’more? Now that takes skill and (more importantly) patience.

The key to a perfect s’more is to get it melty without REALLY burning it. We all know this. Yet all too often we’re content to just let it start on fire, and we’ll put up with some charred ‘mallow for the sake of expediency.

The perfect s’more? Now that’s browned on the outside, with a paper-thin layer of crispiness on the outside, all goo on the inside. It’s a tough balancing act between done enough (so everything is gooey on the inside) and too done (where you’ve got a bunch of black, burnt marshmallow on your cracker).

This is a key camping skill, and one that very few people get right.

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Adam @Munster_Zer0
@RealMNchiefsfan Why aren't O lineman subbed in and out like D lineman? Nobody has ever answered it but I've been ridiculed for asking
9:19 PM - 14 Jun 2017
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My understanding is that continuity and teamwork is just too important along the offensive line for this to work. In other words, you need to know the job of each guy along the line, not just your job.

On the other hand, as a defensive lineman you are often a bit on an island with your assignment. Of course, that’s not always the case (stunts/twists involve cooperating with other players), but generally speaking you’re doing your own thing against the opposing lineman.

Another reason (and this is just a guess, mind you) is that offensive linemen shouldn’t get quite as gassed as defensive linemen in pass protection. The action of sliding your feet and responding to a pass rusher is quite a bit different than firing off at the snap and attempting to shove/run/spin/duck around a guy in your way. Basic law of combat: it’s easier to defend than attack.

I think when you combine those two things, the benefit of taking out an OL for a breather is outweighed by the detriment.

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ChiefBearcat @Chief_Bearcat
@RealMNchiefsfan Subjects you want me to cover in Smokin' with Bearcat this year?
9:18 PM - 14 Jun 2017
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I want you to write a “BBQ for dummies without the right equipment” edition. How can I, a dude who knows nothing about doing BBQ and possesses nothing but common kitchen utensils/potware, make some good BBQ?

I trust you can make this happen.

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Bryan @KBiggun67
@RealMNchiefsfan Will KC have a 1,000 yard rusher this year? Double digit TD receiver?
9:21 PM - 14 Jun 2017
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I don’t think the Chiefs have a thousand yard rusher this year. I think Kareem Hunt does well enough to force at least a third of the carries for him, if not something near half.

Now, the logical next step would be to ask, “if he does so well, why wouldn’t he get to a thousand yards?” Well, the thing is this: Spencer Ware is a really, really good running back guys. Down the stretch he didn’t get used much (which I found wildly frustrating) and seemed to be nicked up, but if you go back and watch the first half of the season he was one of the best players on the field consistently.

I think Hunt (and a now-slimmed-down West, who hopefully will go to just being a speed guy and is a very good receiver out of the backfield) will allow the Chiefs to rest Ware enough to keep him from getting nicked up as much, but he’s still absolutely a guy you want getting plenty of touches.

So overall, I think you see a legitimate running back by committee program in Kansas City. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if the rushing game was markedly better than it was last season, but I think it’ll get split up enough that no one guy will break a thousand yards. I reserve the right to change my mind if Hunt looks worse or better than I expect during preseason.

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Robbie Adams @jiveadams
@RealMNchiefsfan Do you think Chiefs cut Colquitt as another cap casualty?
9:22 PM - 14 Jun 2017
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Get out.

All right, all right, kidding aside... it wouldn’t shock me. Especially after how things went down with Jeremy Maclin. I like Colquitt. He’s a very good punter, and he’s also a really fun dude who seems to add a lot to the locker room.

That said... is there enough of a difference between an average punter and a very good punter to justify a cap hit difference of $3 million bucks or so? I don’t know. And clearly, being popular and a good locker room presence isn’t going to save you.

The thing I think that saves Colquitt is that his cap hit is ONLY for this season. With the Maclin cut, the Chiefs now have a decent amount of space in 2017. The year everyone is worried about is next year, where the Chiefs (per Over The Cap) are actually above the cap but a small amount already with the contracts they’ve got in place (that’s going to be easily remedied, but we’ll get to that next).

So cutting Colquitt doesn’t really do much for them this year, barring the desire to bring in some kind of bigger name that forces them to scrap for every penny. I think he’s safe due to the single year left.

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Lawrence Hillis @lawrencehillis
@Munster_Zer0 @RealMNchiefsfan who is one player on the roster that may be a cap casualty next summer (like Maclin this year)?
9:26 PM - 14 Jun 2017
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I’d name one, but there are way more than that if we’re being perfectly honest with ourselves. I’m going to put aside my fanhood for a moment and look at this totally objectively. First, here’s everyone who could save the Chiefs at least a decent amount of money in 2018 that are sort of realistic options to cut in one guy’s opinion in one hypothetical situation or another (so no Ron Parker, Eric Fisher, Travis Kelce, or Mitch Schwartz).

Alex Smith: Potential cap savings of $17 million.

Tamba Hali: Potential cap savings of $7 million.

Dee Ford: Potential cap savings of $8.7 million (they just picked up this option, but hear me out in a minute).

Derrick Johnson: Potential cap savings of $8 million.

Allen Bailey: Potential cap savings of $6 million.

Justin Houston: Potential cap savings of $7.9 million (this is with a giant “IF he gets hurt badly again” asterisk after it)

Jah Reid: Potential cap savings of $3.2 million.

I just can’t picture a scenario in which the Chiefs hang on to Tamba, Ford, and Houston for another year at their respective prices. Houston, unless he gets hurt again (and depending on the nature of the injury that’s still a coin flip), is untouchable as one of the best five defensive players in the NFL. That leaves Tamba and Ford.

Tamba was still productive on a snap count last year, while Ford really came around as a pass rusher from the LOLB spot. The problem is that when Houston returned and reclaimed his spot, Ford wasn’t able to replicate his success rushing the passer from the right side. Now, could that have been due to a nagging hamstring? Absolutely. And given the improvements we saw in Ford this year from the left side, there’s some reason to be optimistic he can do the same from the right side.

Regardless of how everything goes, I just can’t see the Chiefs picking Tamba in 2018 over $7 million bucks in cap room barring Ford disappointing this year and the Chiefs choosing to part ways with him (which, given that none of his 2018 year is guaranteed, could easily happen). And even then, if a young guy steps up it’s just hard to see them paying big bucks to a guy who isn’t on the field more than half the time.

With regards to DJ, I think it depends on how he plays. He looked fine last year on film until his injury. If he plays out the year without any slippage I can easily see him retaining him regardless of his relatively expensive price tag. He’s just so crucial to that front seven, both as a playmaker and as a guy who helps everyone else get lined up and who identifies what offenses are doing.

With Alex, it’s pretty simple: unless you think Mahomes will be terrible, you save $17 million dollars. You just do. That’s a crap ton of cap savings. If Mahomes can play at any level of competency, you save that kind of money. I like Alex more than many, but he’s not THAT far above average that you’re torpedoing your season by letting him walk unless your next guy up is below average.

Jah Reid is simple in my opinion. I like his tape at guard (limited as it is) and don’t like it at all at swing tackle. You can find a guy who can play swing tackle at the same level for markedly less money.

Allen Bailey... that’s a tough one. The defensive line isn’t exactly deep at this point in proven players. BUT there are plenty of young guys with potential. $6 million bucks is a lot of money. So let’s say Chris Jones keeps beasting, RNR takes a step forward and Kpassagnon develops quickly (not out of the question, just watch his Senior Bowl tape)... is it worth keeping a guy like Bailey around unless he has a great year in 2017? I like Bailey a lot, but there are savings to be had there.

The good news? With Alex Smith, Jah Reid and either Ford or Hali getting gone (all of which are, in my opinion, near certainties), the Chiefs have saved themselves roughly $27-28 million bucks already and are now well below the cap in 2018. So it really doesn’t need to get THAT bloody for them to be fine (that’s the reason it’s such a big deal to have a QB on a cheap contract, by the way. The savings are enormous).

Whoa, I think we’ve covered enough ground for one day. We’ll get back to this soon. In the meantime, I have some Chris Conley film to watch.

[Halfcan]

The Patrick Mahomes preseason debut will be carried on NFL Network

https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2017/...on-nfl-network

The Patrick Mahomes debut will be on NFL Network. This is important news for out of town Kansas City Chiefs fans who don’t get the preseason games on local TV.

NFL Network announced the 16 preseason games they will be carrying live and the Chiefs first preseason game against the 49ers is included. That game will be on Friday, August 11 at 8 p.m. (Arrowhead Time) where it will be joined in progress.

I’m not surprised the Chiefs get this one on NFL Network and that’s because of Mahomes who is one of three first round quarterbacks. Preseason will be his time and then it’s back to the bench when the season starts. Can’t wait!

There is one other national TV game - Week 3 against the Seahawks on Friday, August 25 at 8 p.m. on CBS.

Here’s the rest of the Chiefs preseason schedule with dates and times:

Week 1: 49ers, Friday, August 11, 8 p.m.

Week 2: at Bengals, Saturday, August 19, 6 p.m.

Week 3: at Seahawks, Friday, August 25, 8 p.m.

Week 4: Titans, Thursday, August 31, 7:30 p.m.

[Halfcan]

Rob Gronkowski vs. Travis Kelce: Which tight end would you want going forward?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300...-going-forward

Monday's episode of "The Top 100 Players of 2017" on NFL Network revealed the two highest-ranked tight ends: Rob Gronkowski (No. 23) and Travis Kelce (26). It's not uncommon to have these two mentioned in the same discussion -- in fact, Kelce has been referred to as "Baby Gronk" (though the Chiefs star bristles at the nickname). That said, they currently find themselves in very different situations heading toward the 2017 season.

At age 28, Gronk is coming off his ninth surgery since 2009 (this latest one being a back procedure). Multiple ailments limited the Patriots tight end to just eight games last season, and he posted career lows in catches (25), yards (540) and touchdowns (3). Meanwhile, the 27-year-old Kelce just enjoyed the best season of his NFL career, having earned first-team All-Pro honors after racking up 85 catches for 1,125 yards and four touchdowns. And while he missed just about his entire rookie campaign due to a knee injury that necessitated microfracture surgery, Kelce has bounced back in a major way, playing in every Chiefs game over the past three seasons.

So, which tight end would you rather build around going forward: Rob Gronkowski or Travis Kelce?


Jeffri Chadiha
Writer | NFL.com
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Kelce's trending up, while Gronk's future appears increasingly uncertain
Travis Kelce is the safe bet. Rob Gronkowski is a dominant presence, but his durability has become more of a concern as his career has progressed. Kelce, on the other hand, has steadily become a bigger part of the Chiefs' offense. With Jeremy Maclin gone, he'll continue to be the favorite target of Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith. When rookie quarterback Patrick Mahomes eventually gets his chance to lead this squad, he'll be just as willing to utilize the size and speed that separates Kelce from other top tight ends.

This would be a no-brainer if you could guarantee Gronk's long-term health. Since nobody can do that, expect Kelce to keep making his case as the best player at his position.

Brian Baldinger
Writer | NFL.com
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I'll take Gronkowski until he physically CAN'T play
Until Gronk physically can't do it and the staff is telling him he cannot play, I'll take him. He changes the game and is impossible to defend. Gronk has a physical style of play that we haven't seen at the tight end position since maybe John Mackey or Mike Ditka.

Marcas Grant
Writer | NFL.com
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Kelce's production cannot be overlooked -- especially given the system he plays in
I'll probably be shouted down on the interwebs, but I'm going with Kelce here. The age and the lack of wear-and-tear are easily the biggest reasons why. The discrepancy in career production has less to do with a discrepancy of talent than with the vastly different offenses the two play in. I'm not suggesting that Kelce has Gronk-ish numbers if they switch places, but he certainly looks a lot better working in an offense that isn't afraid to actually throw the ball downfield.

Heath Evans
Writer | NFL.com
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Gronk is a whole different animal
Travis Kelce is a receiving threat in every aspect of the game ... but Gronk is an offensive weapon who can single-handedly beat an opponent in every aspect of the game. He's a brilliant football player who demands a defense covers him in a certain way (which most fail at).

Gil Brandt
Writer | NFL.com
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It's a close call, but one important factor gives Kelce the edge
Both players -- who were born in 1989 -- are roughly equal, in my estimation. Rob Gronkowski has been more productive, but Travis Kelce has been more reliable of late. Gronk has slightly better hands, meaning he drops the ball less frequently. But Kelce is likely to play 16 games this season, while Gronk's injury history suggests he'll be lucky to appear in more than 10. And that's what tips the balance toward Kelce. Players with an injury-marred track record tend to run into more trouble the older they get. Kelce's played in 16 games for the past three seasons; Gronk hasn't accomplished that feat since 2011.

[Halfcan]

Did Parker Ehinger’s injury affect Spencer Ware’s productivity?
by Matt Conner 3 days ago

http://arrowheadaddict.com/2017/06/1...-productivity/

When Parker Ehinger went down with his season-ending injury, Spencer Ware’s productivity also dropped. Are they that tied?

Last year at this time, the preseason conversation centered on a few points of interest and potential concerns on the Kansas City Chiefs roster, as always. One of those areas was at left guard, where it wasn’t quite certain who would occupy the spot between left tackle Eric Fisher and center Mitch Morse. The Chiefs had recently selected Parker Ehinger, a lineman from the University of Cincinnati in the fourth round, but the Chiefs had other veterans or at least more experienced prospects. It didn’t seem like Ehinger would get the keys from the outset.

Yet he did. Just like Morse in his rookie season, when the team lined up for training camp, Ehinger was given the first-team reps without question, as if it was the plan all along. The coaching staff’s belief was clear: the front office gave us a guy who can be ready if we just let him at it. Even in a few short weeks, they were proven correct.

From Week 1 to Week 5, it was clear that Ehinger was pro-ready and improved with each and every game. His technique and footwork were NFL-ready coming into the league and he proved a quick study with the staff. Then, unfortunately, a collision on October 31 against the Indianapolis Colts’ Arthur Jones took him out for the rest of the season. The diagnosis: a torn ACL. Even now, Ehinger is uncertain for the start of training camp and it might take some time beyond that to even get ready for the regular season.

Despite the injury, however, there are nothing but positive vibes about Ehinger’s future with the Chiefs and the offensive line in general. It’s a line of young men who have the rare chance to truly grow together as a unit, as all are under contract for the next two years (and most go beyond that). But one interesting footnote when looking at the season’s stats and progression from 2016 shows that Ehinger’s injury might have affected someone else: Spencer Ware.

THOSE NUMBERS RIVAL PRIEST HOLMES’ FINEST YEARS, A 2000+ YARD TOTAL OVER THE COURSE OF A SEASON.
Remember that Ehinger played only five games on the season, going down early in the third quarter in Week 7 against the Colts. Now take a look at Ware’s average stats through the stretch that Ehinger was healthy: 16 carries for 82 rushing yards and 2 receptions and 48 receiving yards. That’s an average of 130 yards from scrimmage per game. Carried over the course of a full season, Ware would have finished last season with 1,312 rushing yards and 760 receiving yards.

Those numbers rival Priest Holmes’ finest years, a 2000+ yard total over the course of a season.

Unfortunately, after that stretch, Ware’s effectiveness waned and the Chiefs running game stalled overall. Ware averaged 54 rushing yards and 20 receiving yards from Week 7 through the end of the year. It’s likely the reason we’ve gotten to know Kareem Hunt this offseason.

Now, of course, we recognize that sample size is a serious issue here. Several mediocre players have looked good or even great over the course of a handful of games. Even as a team, we’ve watched the Chiefs lose five straight only to reel off enough consecutive wins to make the playoffs. In other words, a partial stretch of the season shouldn’t be taken too seriously.

WARE AVERAGED 94 YARDS FROM SCRIMMAGE WITH EHINGER OUT OF THE LINE-UP. HE AVERAGED 147 YARDS FROM SCRIMMAGE WITH HIM IN.
However, notice even more about the Ehinger-Ware connection. Ehinger played in only five games last season, skipping Weeks 2 and 3, before returning from Week 1 to also play in Weeks 4-7 (the seventh being the game he was lost). Ware’s two worst rushing efforts during the first part of the season, during his dominant period, were the two games that Ehinger sat. Ware averaged 94 yards from scrimmage with Ehinger out of the line-up. He averaged 147 yards from scrimmage with him in.

Then in the game where Ehinger was lost, Ware only had 47 yards from scrimmage. It was, by far, his worst game of the year. From there, it got a bit better but Ware wasn’t the same.

We’d be remiss to not mention the popular idea that Ware hit the wall at the season’s mid-point in 2016, and that’s likely the better explanation for his drop in stats. In even three years of college, Ware only had 295 total carries at Louisiana State University (LSU). Then in the NFL, he’d served as a back-up for Jamaal Charles and then a tandem partner with Charcandrick West. When the Chiefs annointed him as a primary back in Week 1, he came out with a burst (199 total yards from scrimmage against the Chargers) and faded at the season’s midpoint. Given enough carries, however, Ware’s body wasn’t prepared for the stamina required for a feature back.

The best explanation for Ware’s dueling statistical halves of the 2016 season remains fatigue or a lack of stamina, but it’s also interesting to see the corellation between Ehinger’s ability to stay on the field and Ware’s higher stat output. If the two are tied, then here’s hoping Ehinger can turn the corner on his ACL rehab and return in time for not only the regular season but a bit of training camp as well.

[Halfcan]

Why the Arizona Cardinals are the perfect trade partners for Alex Smith
by Matt Conner 4 days ago

http://arrowheadaddict.com/2017/06/1...-perfect-2018/

As the Arizona Cardinals face questions at quarterback in 2018 and beyond, the Chiefs might have the perfect interim answer in Alex Smith.

Carson Palmer is taking things one year at a time. As the veteran enters his 14th NFL season, the Arizona Cardinals quarterback says he’s learned to listen to his body after the rigors of a season have settled. Only then will he know if he’s ready to come back for another year.

For a team that’s primed to compete now with fellow aging stars like Larry Fitzgerald alongside exciting young impact players like David Johnson. Palmer’s inclination to take things one year at a time puts the team in the perfect position to find his replacement. Unfortunately for fans wondering about the long-term stability of the position, the Cardinals allowed yet another offseason to slide by without finding Palmer’s eventual successor.

Word is, however, that the team was hot on Patrick Mahomes of Texas Tech had he been available at No. 13, where the Cardinals were positioned in the first round. After the Kansas City Chiefs traded up at No. 10 overall with the Buffalo Bills, the Cardinals went the safer route and bolstered the defense with their top two picks in linebacker Haason Reddick and safety Budda Baker. Both players will undoubtedly help them in the short and long haul, but questions around the most important position will linger.

The Cardinals current roster lacks inspiration behind Palmer, as Drew Stanton and Blaine Gabbert hold down the No. 2 and 3 positions on the depth chart. That’s fine for 2017. That’s definitely not okay for 2018.