10 reasons the 2015 Chiefs will win 10+ games (pre-draft version)

[BossChief]

I've done these prediction type threads each year and figured I got done with work early today and would write up my 2015 version. Here we go.

1. Going from the worst guard in the whole league (McGlynn) to a high quality starter in Ben Grubbs is gonna pay major dividends IMO. He can pick up line stunts, he pulls very well and is strong enough to open holes in the run game...but that's just the half of it. His addition goes a lot further than just upgrading one spot. The move is also gonna help Eric Fisher focus on just his responsibilities and not have to overcompensate to help out the deficiencies that McGlynn had. His veteran presence will also help Eric Kush in a lot of ways that don't show up on a stat sheet. He will have years of preparation and identifying of keys from specific personnel he and Kush will face and he should help him make the line calls on a regular basis. That's gonna be huge for a first year starter like Eric will be. IMO adding him at Lg solidifies the left side of the line.

2) Adding Jeremy Maclin is gonna invigorate the passing game. Alex Smith is as cerebral of a quarterback as it gets in the NFL. He goes through progressions and doesn't throw unless his guy is where he is supposed to be, when he us supposed to be there and is open enough to make the throw. He doesn't make mistakes and last year, that hurt the passing game because we didn't have trustworthy receivers. All of that changes with the addition of JM. The guy runs as good of routes as any receiver in the league, knows the system backwards and forwards and has the best hands in the NFL. Simply put, Alex will target him a lot more than some expect because he will instantly earn his trust. When Alex goes through his progressions, he will constantly find Maclin to be there and on time with a step on his man and Alex will have no trouble throwing to him. If he stays healthy, he WILL BE Alex's first 1000 yard receiver and I wouldn't be surprised if he brings in double digit scores to go along with big yardage totals.

3) Travis Kelce will feast on defenses after being nearly 2 years removed from his injury. I know I tend to fall in love with certain players and Travis Kelce is the guy I think steps up to All Pro status in 2015. He is already the leagues best blocking tight end (according to PFF) and with the additions to the offense (even before the draft) he's gonna only get more opportunities to showcase his talents. The guy had 862 yards and only started 11 games. I don't see a scenario where he doesn't at least duplicate that production and increase his TD total from 5 up to 7-10. I'm putting him down for 950-1100 yards with 8tds.

4) The division competition taking steps back. The Chargers losing Rivers is gonna be huge for us. He was the only reason that team has been competitive and with him and Weddle wanting out, that means we almost certainly sweep them. I also think Father Time has caught up with Peyton and that he hit the age wall last year. He can't throw deep anymore and Sutton should have the chess pieces that can force PM into mistakes and rushed throws that disrupt the timing of their offense. I honestly think we at minimum split with Denver and that we have a real shot at winning both contests against them if we come out ready to play our game against them. After slipping up against Oakland on TNF last year (after beating Seattle) I'm sure we will come out fired up against them in both contests in 2015 and ready to put them in their place.

5) Alex Smith being able to be more aggressive like in the second half of 2013. When he had a trustworthy OL and a legit deep threat in a healthy Donnie Avery, Alex Smith threw the ball 21+ yards in the air 36 times in 2013...with a bad OL and no really reliable receivers last year, that number fell to 18 times. With the OL poised to make a jump back to respectability and the addition of Maclin to take the top off, I expect to see Alex's play reflect those upgrades. Down the stretch last year, he began to trust Wilson more and more and threw more and more to him down the field. Adding Maclin and with a full offseason for Wilson (along with whoever we add in the draft) should really let Alex develop a new comfort zone out there as a passer. I expect to see him ascend as the year goes on. Going into the playoffs, I expect him to be viewed as one of the better QBs in the playoff field. Last year I kept hearing Andy and Doug make comments that "Alex could tell us where everybody was during each play" and I trust them when they say that. I think our protection and receivers were "just that bad" and that going from guys like AJ Jenkins and Frankie Hammond to Jeremy Maclin and Albert Wilson is huge...again before we add anything from the draft. I EXPECT Alex's passing yards to approach 4000 yards and for him to throw close to 30 td passes. Kelce and Maclin pairing for half of that production.

6) Keeping the secondary together after they showed to be a very well rounded coverage unit. Probably the second best u it in the NFL. I see big jumps in play coming from Phillip Gaines and Ron Parker. Both guys "flashed" big time ability last year in the first year being used the way they were. I think we see more and more of those splash type plays from both guys in 2015. They have great coaching and a great front 7 in front of them to create off target throws and opportunities for big plays. Sean Smith is already one of the best corners in the game and is going into a contract year, so we should see a guy really come into his own. Fleming was solid and should only improve. The guy everyone forgets about here is Marcus Cooper. The kid was a WR in college and has been getting outstanding coaching for 2 full years. There was a span as a rookie where he was being talked about as a possible DROTY candidate...the talent is there. I think this is the year he either disappears off the face of the earth completely or comes out of nowhere to become a quality starter...I'd like to think that the last 2 years have provided him with a lot of learning opportunities and that he will enter 2015 with an eye on an increased role. Abdullah will continue to be solid and the addition of Branch could prove to give us a playmaker in the box as well as a big fast headhunter in coverage. I really liked that addition, if he can find his way to the field.

7) Jamaal Charles will have a career year. He has said in recent interviews that the reason he wasn't utilized more by Andy Reid was because of his health. He battled a lot of injuries last year and is fresh now. He is also gonna be running behind an improved OL and IMO he will average over 6ypc in2015....possibly over 6.5. With teams forced to respect guys like Wilson, Maclin and Kelce down the field and the improved line, SKY IS THE LIMIT. Teams aren't gonna be loading the box against us as much and that means the opportunities are gonna be there for Jamaal to be even more explosive both as a runner and receiver. I'm seeing a year where he averages about 6.3ypc and has over 2000 total yards with 17-22 scores. Maybe more. This needs to be "that year" that puts JC in talks for HOF because the guy deserves it. He's an amazing talent.

8) The return of DJ and Devito (and possibly Catapano). Our front 7 was as good as anyone's in the NFL last year and getting these guys back should really help the effectiveness of the unit as a whole. DJ might miss a step, but he is also lighter and is just as Savvy as he ever was...same goes for Devito. The X factor is Catapano. The kid has flashed the potential to be a big timer, but has to get on the field this year to show it. Getting these 3 on the field more should help our run defense get back to being solid as well as help the other units by down and distance as well as the ability to play effective roles in multiple facets of the defense. I have to admit I'm kinda excited to see who wins the third starting DL spot in base 30 fronts...Howard, Devito or Catapano. Howard was a pleasant surprise last year and I expect him to win the job, but were a long way away from September at the moment and lots can happen. However it shakes out should prove to further strengthen the DL rotation and our sub packages. We might have the most athletic DL in the NFL.

9) Deanthony Thomas becoming a bigger part of the offense. I read comments from him a month or so ago talking about how he was only given a small part of the playbook as a rookie and that he was given a much larger portion this offseason. That indicates that Reid plans to utilize him more this year and the kid is a flat out playmaker. With guys like Charles, Kelce, Wilson, Maclin and others drawing attention...a guy like Thomas should get a lot of opportunities to make plays. His acceleration is video game like, his vision is special, his elusiveness is fun to watch and the guy is gonna make defenses respect him by mid season.

10) We are just flat out more talented than almost every team we will face next year. From the top to the bottom of this roster, we have talent everywhere. Some might want to say "the team will be held back because of Alex Smith" I completely disagree. I think Alex is a guy that needs talent around him to win, no question....but we have that. He excels at spreading the ball around and we have lots of explosive talents all over the place for him to do that with. He doesn't often make mistakes that lead to turnovers and that style of play plays well to the defense. They will have time to rest and make adjustments because of the offenses ability to extend drives.

Dorsey needs to find 3 things for the offense in this draft ...a tight end that offers upside as a receiving threat....another clear upgrade to the OL and a WR with elite upside for Maclin and Avant to groom. He does that and Alex Smith will look like a bargain for his contract and we will win more than one playoff game this year.

Cheers!

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

I don't think he's a pussy without good cause. So maybe that just makes him cautious. In the Tennessee game last year he came out throwing. Tossing the ball deep. He threw 3 picks and could have been 4-5.

I'm certain it was at Reid's behest that he went deep. Remember after the game Andy said that one was on me. Alex went back to dumping the ball off even more afraid to go down the field.

You could be right.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by Numbah One

Only one would be a failure.

- the long game begins.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

I don't think he's a pussy without good cause. So maybe that just makes him cautious. In the Tennessee game last year he came out throwing. Tossing the ball deep. He threw 3 picks and could have been 4-5.

I'm certain it was at Reid's behest that he went deep. Remember after the game Andy said that one was on me. Alex went back to dumping the ball off even more afraid to go down the field.

After losing 3 defensive starters, Stephenson and Bowe to suspension, Allen and Avery to injury, the margin for error became much smaller.

Part of me understands why he played so conservatively. Turnovers directly correlate to wins and losses in the NFL.

Part of me also wanted to kick his teeth in when he checked down at the end of games instead of at least going for it and having a chance at a big completion of at least a PI call.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by Psyko Tek

and won 9 games
so a winning season is ineptitude?

Exactly!

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by TEX

Exactly!

These mule tools aren't very bright

[OnTheWarpath15]

Is this the annual "every player will improve, no one will get hurt, every bounce will go our way, THIS is the year Alex throws for 4,000 yards" thread?

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Is this the annual "every player will improve, no one will get hurt, every bounce will go our way, THIS is the year Alex throws for 4,000 yards" thread?

Yes.

Are you here to offer your usual "everybody on the team sucks and we will be lucky to win a single game and Andy Reid /John Dorsey are hot garbage that can't do anything right" outlook that you have every year?

Sorry that having a positive outlook bothers you so much.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Your post is spot on.

Except for the fact I've never said every player sucks, I've never said we'd go winless and I've never said Andy and Dorsey are hot garbage.

Cancel that spot on comment, you whiffed badly.

I'm just not a fan in the mold of an 8 year old boy who thinks EVERYTHING is going to go their way. Your post is Warpaint Illustrated-level homerism, which is sad to see coming from someone that actually pretty smart.

[Pablo]

If everything goes our way is that even good enough to win our division? We caught a ton of breaks and had a boss defense in 2013, and that was good enough for 11 wins. Think a broken Manning is going to win 10 or under?

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Your post is spot on.

Except for the fact I've never said every player sucks, I've never said we'd go winless and I've never said Andy and Dorsey are hot garbage.

Cancel that spot on comment, you whiffed badly.

I'm just not a fan in the mold of an 8 year old boy who thinks EVERYTHING is going to go their way. Your post is Warpaint Illustrated-level homerism, which is sad to see coming from someone that actually pretty smart.

Or you could actually read the words I wrote and add to the conversation in some way.

[Chiefnj2]

Offense
Upgrades: LG, WR1.
Should improve because of a healthy year in the system - LT, WR4.

Downgrade: Center, loss of Bowe as a WR2 or WR3.
Unknowns: RG and RT.

IMHO, Reid needs to give up playcalling duty. I have no idea what he was doing last year. He can't call plays and operate the clock. Abandoning Charles and Kelcey for long stretches. Too many WTF moments.

[BossChief]

Charles says that him getting injured is why he was underused most of 2014.

Said that physically it was his most frustrating year of his career because he couldn't get healthy.

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Offense
Upgrades: LG, WR1.
Should improve because of a healthy year in the system - LT, WR4.

Downgrade: Center, loss of Bowe as a WR2 or WR3.
Unknowns: RG and RT.

IMHO, Reid needs to give up playcalling duty. I have no idea what he was doing last year. He can't call plays and operate the clock. Abandoning Charles and Kelcey for long stretches. Too many WTF moments.

Andy gonna Andy.

You just have to embrace the WTF moments. They aren't going to stop. We knew about it when he came over from Philly, and he's not about to change it up at this point in his career.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by Psyko Tek

so what is your accuracy years before?

Here's from 2013.

Trying to fing last years one without the search is tough
http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showt...99#post9688299

[BossChief]

Bored and taking a trip through memory lane...