Thursday, August 30, 2018

Chiefs 2018 Preview, Part I (For Now...)

I'm going to simply pound down a quick post with some of my impressions about the Kansas City Chiefs the 2018 version. I'm doing a brief one now because I really just don't know when I'll get to anything really elaborate. I'm working two jobs that essentially have me working 12 hour days.

I so enjoy this blog effort, but since I started it in 2005 a whole slew of webzines have emerged with people writing much more detailed pieces about everything Chiefs. That is an awesome thing. I particularly enjoy Arrowhead Pride, they have the most pertinent and passionate takes on all things Chiefs.

This blog will just continue to be the humble takes of a devout fan for upwards of now 50 years of his life. As always I thank you for reading.

What of 2018?

First of all everyone is talking about the potential of Pat Mahomes, for very good reason. This preseason he's picked up on showing us all those flashes of brilliance. Something I'd like to see more is for him to do more just stepping up in the pocket and trusting his arm to make those tight throws. That's what we got him for. I just think there've been too many instances when he scurries out of the pocket and has to run for his life.

Our offense is no worry at all. Again, we're all slavering over all the weapons. The only concern is the O-line particularly the insanely unresolved issue at left guard.

The defense is the main concern, and everyone and their cat's uncle is concerned about that Chiefs secondary. Recently Brett Veach had to pick up yet another D-back to try to fill out a core that is wildly in flux. Weirdly he traded a guy that should have filled that left guard slot, Parker Ehinger, for a Cowboys UDFA corner. I like that he's going to the mat to take care of business there, but is the late scramble indicative that we are simply hurting there too much?

The main concern to me is Eric Berry. He hasn't played a down in the preseason, and I firmly believe last year playing hardly at all in preseason contributed to his Achilles heel injury because he just wasn't game-conditioned for the Patriots. Here's the thing about that, not to ride Berry and Chiefs decision-making too much.

I'm just wondering, to what extent has his cancer battle just kept him from being physically capable of lasting longer through the years?

After the cancer in 2014 and a full 2015 for recovery, Berry had an amazing 2016. He was back and heroically so! Last year he was out with the season-ending injury, but now he's still not played and they're saying his other foot has been bothering him. What's the deal?

I'm hoping it is indeed what the Chiefs are telling us, not to worry, because really, our D-backfield must have him there. I'm really hoping he is not going to end up -- cynical me -- on the PUP list after all.

Over the next couple of days we'll see what Brett is going to do. The cut days have arrived, and again I really like Brett's attention to what is needed, cringe-worthy perceptions be damned.

Again, if I have a sliver of time I'll add a bit more. If not this'll serve as my preview -- at least I've gotten some meaningful words on the page.

Super Bowl chances? With our offense definitely, even with Mahomes' inevitable growing pains -- the guy has shown he's a gamer. With our defense, ehhh, and I know most of us are thinking reality here. Brett is too, which is why he went hog wild drafting D-guys back in April.

But when you think about it, we really do have some top flight players on our defense! We've got to have Berry out there buy we also have Justin Houston, Chris Jones, Anthony Hitchins, Reggie Ragland, and Kendall Fuller. Dee Ford and Steven Nelson can be at that level. Yeah, these guys can't miss a step and will need help from others we're really hoping will emerge, but we can't be totally down on this defense. If they actually play even decently, we do have a shot.
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