From a Red Raider alum: Things you may not know about Patrick Mahomes II

[JDKinman]

The majority of what has been written and publicly discussed about Patrick Mahomes II has focused on his arm and his ability to make plays. As is usual, the national sports media rarely sees beyond their keyboard.

I have a vested interest in this because I consider Kansas City my second home and my adopted hometown. The three years we spent in KC were the best of our career and the good folks of Kansas City took my wife and I in and made us feel more welcome and at home than any other place we have lived. For that, we'll always be grateful and we truly love the city as if we were born and raised there.

Now to Mahomes II.

Those of us who are Texas Tech alumni and supporters see quite a bit more. In no particular importance, I want to share my observations and experiences with Mahomes from the past three years.

1. No off the field issues and probably never will be. Patrick is not just an outstanding athlete, but he is an outstanding young man. In Raiderland, we never had to hold our breath wondering what foolishness he was going to get into. He has a solid moral compass, solid values and his focus--both professionally and socially--is on being a role model fit for both young kids and old grandmothers alike. He will be excellent for the Kansas City community in the way that Derrick Thomas and Neil Smith were active, and he has the boyish personality and "boy next door" persona of Joe Montana.

This is huge for me given as how I'm a retired ad agency and brand guy, the leader of a team has to wear that not just on their sleeve, but in their heart as well. Mahomes will make Kansas Citians proud everywhere he goes.

2. He's smart. Book smart, athletic smart and career smart. This too has been overlooked by the media. During his time at Texas Tech, Mahomes was an Academic All-American. He didn't cut or skip class and have coaches cover for him. (Kliff) Kingsbury doesn't tolerate that. We've lost some good players due to their academic hijinks and/or failures.

Concern over Mahomes' ability to learn an NFL playbook? Zero. Concerns over Mahomes' ability to manage his money rather than letting it manage him and becoming a distraction to the team and city? Zero. Concerns over his hitting an intellectual ceiling so far as being a professional quarterback goes? Zero.

3. He has an uncanny ability to not just read the defense, but to read what is happening on the defense as the play develops--and exploit it. Much of what I've read by sportswriters criticizing Mahomes for a "lack of pocket discipline" has been amusing. Watching six minutes of game film highlights and then penning a story for the press does not give one anywhere near the correct perspective of what Mahomes saw and accomplished on the field.

Tech fans have seen this for three years. Mahomes will see what the defense is doing, audible or adjust the play and then make adjustments on the run. Yes, some of this will need to change in the NFL and he will need to learn when a play cannot be salvaged or saved, but see Point #2 regarding his intelligence. The bigger picture here is that the young man has not only the vision to see what a defense is adjusting or preparing for, but also has the ability to react and counter-attack during the play. In high-scoring Big 12 games, this is critical.

4. Mahomes has the best "full field vision" of any quarterback we've ever had at Tech. Period. If what they say about reincarnation is true, Patrick Mahomes was a bird-of-prey in a previous life. His eyesight and vision is other-worldly when it comes to seeing the entire field. In three years and thousands of yards of passing, we may never have any idea how many touchdowns and first downs were made because he saw the entire field and every single eligible receiver.

Broadcasters are always good at pointing out during a replay the receivers that were open that the quarterback missed. You can go back and review all three years of Mahomes playing at Tech and you won't have more than a handful of those remarks by the broadcasters. The kid has incredible field vision and--

5. He analyzes and decides like a super computer. Maybe faster. This was another thing that kept the Raider faithful enthralled on game days. Mahomes knew who his primary and secondary receivers were, but his ability to read and analyze a defense and then adjust, sometimes even on the fly as the play was unfolding, and then process what was happening and then shift who was NOW the primary and secondary receiver was mind-boggling. Even the Tech receiving corps would shake their heads at how fast he could go from one side of the field as they were covered, to finding them as soon as the defense mistakenly thought they had the play covered, and then find his next set of primary receivers and make the play to them with laser-like accuracy.

He is a zone defense's worst nightmare. Man-on-man coverage is up to the receivers, but defensive coordinators and defensive backs are going to lose a lot of sleep trying to out guess and out-react Mahomes.

6. He is a freakshow of an athlete.This has been touched on, but Mahomes' athleticism goes far beyond his right arm. He's a husky, big kid who is a gym rat and fitness fanatic. He has eye to hand coordination that can fake you out on the football field or dazzle you on the baseball diamond.

7. He's humble. I doubt you'll see entourages or "crews" hanging with every move. Mahomes is self-confident and assured. He's not a Manziel that needed hero-worshippers falling all over him every step of the way. Mahomes gives credit to his coaches and receivers and teammates before he talks about anything he might have done in the game. Too much of that gets edited out by the sports writers and broadcasters, but this young man is the consummate team player and a natural leader.

In conclusion, I wanted to share these thoughts, views and experiences from the past three years of thoroughly enjoying Mahomes in a Texas Tech jersey. That he is trading Texas Tech red for Kansas City red. . . Christmas came in April and is now running non-stop for as long as this outstanding young man calls Arrowhead Stadium home.

Best regards,

--JD

[DRM08]

Originally Posted by TigerUppercut

I like the description that he's more of a scrambler than he is a runner. Could work out to his benefit. Goal line stand he has the power to get into the end zone.

Right, that is usually how he operates. He keeps his eyes down field and tries to get the ball to the receivers. But he is willing to make plays with his feet near the goal line.

One flaw in his game that he needs to correct though. Protect your body. He took a number of self-inflicted injuries at Tech because he was not willing to give up on plays. Lower shoulder trying to run over people (injured throwing shoulder). Diving for the end zone (hyperextended knee). He is a warrior though. Played through both of those injuries even though Tech fans thought he would have to sit out at least a few games each time.

Gruden emphasized to him that he really needs to protect himself. The Chiefs want him to be their QB 10 years from now. He won't get there if he keeps taking unnecessary hits and injuries. Try to slide more often, etc.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by TigerUppercut

Any guy Clay assesses, the opposite happens. Let's not forget.

We're all good then because Clay hated him before the draft.

That backfired on you, huh?

[Ming the Merciless]

Hey thanks for taking the time to make an account, and type this all out...Your input is very appreciated!

Welcome aboard.

[Ming the Merciless]

Originally Posted by Dayze

Things are starting to click for Alex....per Tiger.

Yah maybe in like 5 more years Alex will reach his ceiling and crack 195 yds per game and 1.5 td per game


I love how a single Mahomie new guy joining and making an intelligent post completely destroys years of Alexsexuals just poting about what a great guy Alex is and how much money he made off the chiefs...LOL

[Mr. Kotter]

PM2...

Is that for Pat Mahomes, II or Peyton Manning, II....

Coincidence? I think not.


Reid, with Smith in place for this year, is the perfect situation for him.

If he had stayed for his 4th year, he might have been in the discussion for #1 pick next year.

On a sidenote, I should probably see a doctor about my four-day erection...

[sully1983]

wow thanks for the write up. Really really loving this pick

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by O.city

Don't want him running. Win from the pocket and use your feet to get out of trouble. Not as a crutch.

Bottom line

[TigeRRUppeRRcut]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

No I want to see how he does in preseason first then if he proves himself I'm hoping we see him sooner than later. I do think he can have success not if we win or lose but how he plays and grows from his mistakes because I know he will make plenty of mistakes but his first year is the time to make them.

I think he is a brilliant kid and can handle the pressures of the NFL. I don't think mid season would be too soon. Maybe not right out of the gates but I'm highly hopeful by years end he will be taking all the snaps. It's not going ruin the kids confidence going out there and take a hit but get him up for the challenge. I think he is a competitor that will thrive in diversity.

He is better than what Alex Smith was in his college years.

Preseason reps in the 4th quarter against 3rd string even if outstanding is not a safe way to determine playability.

[DRM08]

Mahomes' nickname at Tech was Patty Ice. Take it or leave it.

[TigeRRUppeRRcut]

Originally Posted by DRM08

Right, that is usually how he operates. He keeps his eyes down field and tries to get the ball to the receivers. But he is willing to make plays with his feet near the goal line.

One flaw in his game that he needs to correct though. Protect your body. He took a number of self-inflicted injuries at Tech because he was not willing to give up on plays. Lower shoulder trying to run over people (injured throwing shoulder). Diving for the end zone (hyperextended knee). He is a warrior though. Played through both of those injuries even though Tech fans thought he would have to sit out at least a few games each time.

Gruden emphasized to him that he really needs to protect himself. The Chiefs want him to be their QB 10 years from now. He won't get there if he keeps taking unnecessary hits and injuries. Try to slide more often, etc.

Yea I saw that in the Gruden video too. The kid has some strange similarities to Kaepernick (seeks contact, baseball experience, arm flexing (ha), struggles with short-medium touch passes). But where Kaep excels in running ability, Mahomes as the advantage in coachability. I'd take the latter any day.

[Beef Supreme]

Originally Posted by DRM08

Mahomes' nickname at Tech was Patty Ice. Take it or leave it.

Leave it.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by DRM08

Mahomes' nickname at Tech was Patty Ice. Take it or leave it.

Wildly unoriginal, we can do better than that

[notorious]

Originally Posted by BigChiefTablet

Leave it.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by TigerUppercut

Preseason reps in the 4th quarter against 3rd string even if outstanding is not a safe way to determine playability.

He is going get to play against first stringers dickwhad.

He will get opportunities in the first halfs in preseason football.

You are such a tool.

[DRM08]

Originally Posted by TigerUppercut

Yea I saw that in the Gruden video too. The kid has some strange similarities to Kaepernick (seeks contact, baseball experience, arm flexing (ha)) but where Kaep excels in running ability, Mahomes excels in coachability. I'd take the latter any day.

Pat was also more accurate passer than Kaep ever was in college. There are long stretches of games where Pat will go on a 80-85% run with his completions. I think his ceiling is off the charts if Reid can fix some of the footwork issues and help him be more consistent. Time will only tell.