Here I am sitting in my living room, in Tiffin OH, and it's draft day. The Chiefs own the 27th pick of round 1, as well as 9 other picks this year. The Chiefs also own a 2nd rounder, a pair of 3rd round picks, a 4th, a pair of 5th & 6th round picks and to conclude this years draft a 7th round pick. I cannot come to a conclusion on what player could be selected in this first round. However, releasing Jamaal Charles, the franchise all-time leading rusher coming off of two ACL injuries it would be ideal for the Chiefs to address the running back position early on. Even so, I could not see Dorsey taking a back early on due to the emergence of Spencer Ware, (Cincinnati native) and how teams have been able to find solid running backs who have fallen to mid rounds, like Charles who was selected in the 3rd round in 2008. McCaffrey could slip, but I do not see him being available and though I like the play of Joe Mixon, he has some major concerns with his incident. Could the Chiefs take another high-risk player as they did in the previous draft with the rookie Pro-Bowler returner, Tyreek Hill? I think not. The Chiefs were a 2-pt conversion away from reaching the AFC Championship and seem solid all around, losing Dontari Poe hurt but the Chiefs reloaded by signing the former Eagle, Bennie Logan. Maybe the Chiefs select the best available quarterback at the time and let Andy Reid, mold him, much like he did with Donovan Mcnabb. This draft features Dashaun Watson, Mitchell Tribusky, Patrick Mahomes II, Desean Kizer, Brad Kaaya, Josh Dobbs and Nathan Peterman, all who participated in Jon Gruden's QB camp. So far it seems that Watson and Kizer may fall late first round but with teams like Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, and the Cleveland Browns needed desperate help at QB it could be a toss up of who is available at this pick. Watson has experience and seems the most NFL ready but arm speed and strength is a major concern. Mahomes II received the highest praise from Gruden but it is a long shot to see him falling that late in the first.
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Ok, so I did not think I would be posting another article this soon but already we have already witnessed two trades. With the 1st pick of the draft the Browns selected Myles Garrett who is as freakishly athletic as it gets. Next, we have San Fransisco who owned the No. 2 pick but Chicago offered a blockbuster trade which sent the Bears No. 3 pick, No. 67 pick, No. 111 pick, and a 2018 third-round pick in exchange to move up one spot and select Mitchell Tribusky at No.2.
With Tribusky being the first QB selected by the Bears in the first round since Rex Grossman, Chicago looks to have found their future signal caller. In particular this trade may seem shocking as Chicago made it a goal this offseason to sign Mike Glennon to a contract worth $45 million over 3 years. If this trade did not shake things up across the NFL, Dorsey and the Chiefs made sure they would be involved in making moves as well. Kansas City traded the No. 27 pick, No. 91 pick, and a 2018 first-round pick for the Buffalo Bills No. 10 pick and selected Patrick Mahomes II who impressed numerous teams. Dorsey pulled the trigger early and selected the Texas Tech product who led the nation in numerous categories such as total touchdowns (53)and passing yards (5052). This seems like an ideal fit for a young quarterback, a veteran team led by Alex Smith who is the starter for this season and probably next year as Mahomes II learns the ropes of an Andy Reid offense. Mahomes II has the physique similar to Donovan Mcnabb, 6'2, 225 lb frame and a big, strong arm. Personally, I think this move is great and ideal for the Chiefs. Kansas City has depth at every position except at the quarterback position. Last year, Kansas City went 12-4 and the previous year 11-5, drafting a young stud at the QB position has the Chiefs preparing for life post Alex Smith if he cannot lead them to a super bowl. So, I have not updated "Keeping up with the Kansas City Chiefs" blog in quite sometime but I want to get back into the swing of things as well as adding a section for the Boston Celtics. Yes, for those who are reading, I am an avid Chiefs and Celtics fan. Well, since you are here let me recap the season for the Chiefs.
Well I predicted the Chiefs would go 12-4 during the regular season, after posting an 11-5 record the prior season, so I give my self a pat on the back for that. I also predicted a Super Bowl appearance, in which the Chiefs fell short of in a battle with the Steelers in the divisional round of the playoffs. However, the Chiefs finished 1st in the AFC West only for the third time since 2000 and managed to have seven players selected for the Pro Bowl and five making the NFL's AP All-Pro team. Kansas City entered the 2016 season with a NFL best of nine players in the Top 100. Now entering the 2017 season, only two players remain, Justin Houston and Alex Smith. Many would question what happened and how did the Chiefs improve during the season but retracted in their player rankings. Well, for the most part it is because of injuries suffered by the newest Denver Bronco, Jamaal Charles, and Derrick Johnson the Chiefs all time leading tackler. As well as Justin Houston, who seemed to not be his usual dominant self, coming off his Achilles injury. 2017 off season moves: Cuts: Jamaal Charles and Jaye Howard both we released by the team and went on to sign with Denver and Chicago. Free Agents: Knile Davis who was released during the 2016 season and then ultimately resigned after the injury of Charles was not resigned as an free agent and has chose to sign with Pittsburgh. Nick Foles, went on to rejoin his former Eagles team after another disappointing season. Chiefs acquired Benni Logan, defensive tackle from Philadelphia who looks to fill the void of Dontari Poe choosing to sign with the Atlanta Falcons. Chiefs also acquired veteran C.J. Spiller, a speedy back with great hands out of the backfield and still poised to be a threat on special teams. It is unsure where Spiller will fit on the depth chart but Reid seems to be filling his roster with more homerun threat players. Draft: Chiefs own the 27th pick of the first round. As well as 9 other draft picks this year, as a team who fell just one play short of meeting the Patriots in the AFC championship, it would be unlikely the Chiefs draft 10 players this draft and could look to move some of their draft picks. Alex Smith, is a quarterback who does nothing wrong but seems to do nothing right when needed most. A former number one overall pick, Alex Smith is known to be very conservative with his throws while eliminating turnovers. Since his time with the Chiefs, Smith has throw 66 touchdown and 22 interceptions four games into his fourth season in Kansas City. Alex Smith game is centered around short passes , which he has found limited success in doing so. Smith is currently averaging 9.9 yards per completion, which is the lowest rate in the NFL currently. Smith rarely throws the deep ball, and will often take matters into his own hands by scrambling rather than forcing a pass.
Speedsters Chris Conley, and Tyreek Hill are two talented playmakers who could benefit from increased opportunities in the passing game. Conley, is a big physical receiver, getting the young skilled receiver more involved in the deep game could shake up things for the Chiefs on offense and get them going. Smith's timid passes, and in ability to create exciting plays on offense are frustrating. Leaving Charles, Kelce as the main two offensive threats to create offense. Charles saw a slight workload against the Steelers in week four, coming off his second ACL injury. With Nick Foles signed in the off-season, the career back up is not expected to battle for the starting job. Smith who has been in the system for 4 years and has shown improvement each year. However, Foles has flashed some play making ability, with his big arm, he is not afraid to let the talent corp of receivers go after balls and make plays. For now we wait and hope Smith can put together a stretch of consistent games after this bye week. Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs have a lot to ponder this weekend as they go into the bye week after a moral depleting victory. After suffering a devastating defeat from Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night, many Chiefs fan worry about the future of the team. The offense struggled, the defense struggled , and the coaching staff struggled during Sunday's loss against the Steelers, with Reid taking the blame for the loss. The Chiefs seemed to have lost much of their momentum after the first quarter due to the immediate pressure from the steelers. Fortunately, the season is young and the Chiefs are 2-2, with star running back Jamaal Charles returning to full health, the Chiefs will now have their most dynamic favorite weapon back. With Charles back, Kansas City adds the explosive dynamic feature that has been missing since last year. The Chiefs should be able to string together a good stretch of football after regrouping during this early bye week.
Only in his second year and Chiefs defensive back, Marcus Peters is already recognized as a one of the premier defensive backs in the league. After an outstanding rookie season, Peters has carried over his high level of playing into the 2016 NFL season currently leading the NFL in interceptions with four picks through four games. Marcus has played at such an elite level, players like Ben Roethlisberger and Deandre Hopkins have taken notice. Roethlisberger compared Peters to other top tier defensive backs such as Josh Norman, Patrick Peterson, Darrelle Revis and Richard Sherman in their abilities to eliminate one side of the field. Peters has a knack for finding his hands on the ball. In his first year in the league Marcus Peters was tied for first in the NFL with eight regular season interceptions including returning two four touchdowns and adding one more interception in the playoffs. Four games into his second year, Peters has yet again found himself leading the NFL in interceptions. Roethlisberger spoke on Peters saying, "Offensive guys always make fun of defensive players, that they play defense for a reason, because they can't catch. Well, he can catch everything. If it hits him in the hands, he catches it. If it bounces up in the air, he catches it. What a tremendous talent" (Teicher/ESPN, 2016). It is safe to say Peters is already a premier defensive back and one of the elite playmakers in the Chiefs secondary. Peters outstanding play is not to be overshadowed by his fellow journeymen such as Phillip Gaines, Ron Parker and of course Eric Berry whom wrecks havoc for opposing quarterbacks. Sources: Teicher/ESPN, A. (2016, September 28). Ben Roethlisberger on Marcus Peters: 'What a tremendous talent' - NFL Nation- ESPN. Retrieved from http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/216032/ben-roethlisberger-on-marcus-peters-what-a-tremendous-talent Tonight's game was brutal to watch and even to makes things worse I attended that game in Pittsburgh. Coming into Pittsburgh 2-1 having beat the Steelers in last years matchup, despite missing Big Ben as the signal caller, it was time the Chiefs shocked the world with their play during primetime. However, both of the offensive and defensive sides struggled to get any momentum going and Pittsburgh put them pressure on quick. By the end of the first quarter the score was 22-0 Pittsburgh. Big Ben threw as many touchdowns and he did incomplete passes, which is scary when you realize he went 22-27 passing. (5 Touchdowns!) While Le'Veon, well, looked like the same Le'Veon Bell that is one of the most dynamic backs in the league. Antonio Brown's dance celebration cost him another $24,000 but Brown mentioned the fines are "Nothing to a boss," Brown said last month after his first fine. This time around? "It's a write-off." Brown also added two scores both in the first quarter which set up other players such as Wheaton, James and Heyward-Bey to also add a touchdown catch of their own. By the end of the third quarter, fans were prematurely exiting the game as the score was 36-0. The final score was 43-14, as the Chiefs picked up a touchdown in garbage time to gain some sort of confidence heading into the bye week..
Those of us who started the Chiefs DEF/ST in our fantasy league this week are thanking the football gods for a blessing. Racking up "32" points (standing scoring ESPN) causing eight turnovers along with two touchdowns. After a disappointing lost to the Texans, a turnaround was much needed as Fitzpatrick gift wrapped six picks while Bilal Powell and rookie Jalin Marshall both fumbled. Unfortunately for Marshall his fumble came on a kick off and found its way into Demetrius Harris' hands and was returned for a touchdown. Video: www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap3000000709230/Demetrius-Harris-recovers-Jalin-Marshall-fumble-runs-it-in-for-27-yard-TD Ryan Fitzpatrick threw six total interceptions, including two to Marcus Peters, and one each to Derrick Johnson, Daniel Sorenson, Eric Berry, and D.J. White. Along with six interceptions the Chiefs defense and special teams each added a touch down with Derrick Johnson flashing youth with his pick six and Demetrius Harris scoring his second career NFL touchdown. Kansas City defense flashed elite play making ability, intercepting three balls in the end zone en route to Fitzpatrick's worst game in his career. The Chiefs looks to carry this momentum against the high powered Pittsburgh Steelers and the return of Le'Veon Bell.
Cairos Santos lined up for a career high 54 yard against the Texans and drilled it. Setting a new career high for yards is always a great accomplishment for kickers. The stat line however read otherwise, it was recorded that it was a 53 yard field goal, which would once again tie his previous record. Santos was shocked when his field goal was recorded incorrectly, it was a total buzz kill for the Brazilian kicker. The Chiefs contacted the NFL in order to review the field goal and the NFL responded and confirmed that it should be listed as a 54 harder. “It's exciting,” Santos explained. “I wanted a new goal and didn't get it originally, but now I'm smiling because I've achieved a new goal.
“It meant a lot to me.” The third year kicker is excited to beat his personal regular season record noting that his longest is a 58 yard field goal he hit in a preseason game. The Chiefs fell short to Houston despite beating the Texans twice last year, including a 30-0 AFC Wild Card playoff blowout. JJ Watt and company seemed to be the kryptonite Alex Smith and the Chiefs did not need after a monstrous comeback victory against the Chargers. To summarize the Chiefs offense up in one word is, turnovers. Center Mitch Morse began the fumble frenzy with a high snap that resulted in a JJ Watt recovery and one play later a Texans touchdown. Late in the second quarter, the emerging bruiser Spencer Ware also coughed up a costly fumble to Kevin Johnson which was returned deep into Kansas City territory. The Kansas City Chiefs finished the first half with three fumbles, two through the hands of Alex Smith. Playing from behind is something the Chiefs find themselves doing a lot but against a stingy defense like the Texans, the deficit was too much. The Texans defense managed to stall the Chiefs to six total punts, four field goals and three fumble and limited Alex Smith to a mediocre 172 yards passing. After a 19-12 defeat, the Chiefs look to regain their offensive swagger against the Jets.
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