I think you’re being a little unfairly tough on the guy. I think the jury’s still out on the guy. But he’s doing his job here patiently waiting for blocks. On the other run and most of his other short catch and runs he shows he has really good wiggle in short spaces. He’s a pretty solid runner after the catch even if he’s not a mecole accelerate and run guy. He is a way better run after the catch guy than juju.

If he can become a decent intermediate threat he has a nice role in the offense. We need a guy who can catch and run because we will go hitch heavy at times. He’s got big paws which would be great to see him learn how to consistently break man coverage. And if he can play the game smarter he could be plenty dangerous in soft spots in the intermediate game. A lot of pieces have to fall into place but he would be a multi dimensional WR in an offense that lacks that. Now, I think Toney is doing all those things but better, but who knows if we can rely on him to stay healthy and if we keep him past next year. I don’t think it’s the worst thing for those 2 to co-exist.

Lemme tell you how much I love seeing mediocre production written off as "he's doing his job..."

He gonna start setting edges next?

He's not 'waiting for his blocks to develop' - he's five yards behind his blocks as they develop. That's not 'waiting' as much as it's getting left behind. And he didn't get caught by a DL because he was waiting - he wasn't at his blocker's hips. He got caught from behind because he lacked the burst to carry the edge.

Meanwhile with Hardman's raw speed, he's right at that seam that splits open at the 15 yard line and cutting through it as it opens.

But because he doesn't have any special physical talents he 'does his job' or 'gets what is blocked' or 'manages the game' or whatever other code we use for guys who aren't actually playmakers.

That play was sufficiently blocked for 6 if it's Hardman running it. Maybe for Toney, though Toney's instincts to use wiggle may have actually had him bouncing that and getting squeezed out of bounds.

But 'taking what's blocked' is fungible. It's...fine.

I’d be pretty surprised if he didn’t take a lot of Watson’s snaps next year. If Watson is even back.

Watson will be back. He's cheap, he's big, and fast, and he now knows the offense. The dropsies are a problem, but there's a lot else to like.

I’m not saying he’s doing some priest Holmes work but you’re acting like it’s a knock on his speed for getting caught by a DE when it’s clear he’s just setting up his blocks. I don’t see that as 6 for hardman but even if it was they aren’t the same back. Moore doesn’t have the acceleration and raw speed as hardman, but neither Mvs or hardman has the same kind of wiggle either. Sure hardman is a better option for jet sweeps because of his raw speed but I see Toney and Moore being shiftier in a very small amount of space. The second clip shows some of that.

Basically mecole is his own kind of weapon. He’s perfect for jet sweeps because if you give him a little space he can burst like no other. But I don’t know that he’s ideal for those quick hitches where you catch and the defender is immediately on you. Like the catch and run Toney made on snow globe. And we need a lot of that right now if defenses are going to take away deep stuff while playing a lot of man.

Am I missing something? People keep saying Moore will take Watsons snaps. I don't see it. Maybe I am not paying attention enough but attention but from what I can remember over the season they don't even run the same route trees.

Moore has been shorter quick hit routes where Watson runs longer deeper routes for the most part.

Maybe I need to drink more during games.

Moore has ran his routes very badly several times. Enough to cause a gesture from Mahomes. I dont think he made the trusted list this year. Hope he makes it next year. We will need him.

Not to switch from the Moore discussion, but I did hear Nate Taylor talk about the Chiefs wanting to keep Gay. Made it seem like Veach will be offering him a deal this Spring.

Any idea what that would look like?

The 10th highest paid LB is Zach Cunningham who makes $11 million avg. I wonder if that’s the starting point

I'd actually prioritize Gay over Bolton if I had to choose. I love me some Bolton, but Gay has more physical ability.

My issue with Gay at this point is that they bring him off the field too much.

I'd call Generalissimo Paton stat. Put the right CEH highlight film package together and you could probably pry that end-of-the 1st round pick they got for Chubb for him. Why not try? If he signed off on the deal for Mr. Unlimited, we could likely squeeze him for 1 of their 2 3rd round picks as well as the 1st.

Gay shows flashes and has elite potential, so why the hell are they taking him off the field at times for Darius Harris? Gay is the one linebacker on the team who has the potential to be a top 5-10 type who excels in all areas, but he hasn’t quite fully put it all together. Maybe KC takes the chance to capitalize and sign an extension before his price goes up.

Woof. Gotta strongly disagree with you on this one.

I think they're grooming Chenal for Willie's spot should Willie try to play hardball.

You don't get rid of guys like Bolton.

I'm not sure Gay can lead that LB unit. And if you prioritize Gay over Bolton, that's what you'll be asking him to do long-term.

Bolton has the savvy and intelligence - and the cache - to be the boss of the LB corps. Gay may not be able to be that guy. Frankly I'm not convinced he'd WANT to be that guy. I think Gay, given his druthers, would like to be told where to lineup and then go play with his hair on fire.

You need a more measured and cerebral leader of that unit, especially if he's flanked by two slobbering dogs like Gay and Chenal.

Otherwise you'll end up with Quay Walker out there shoving trainers and shit. Somebody's gotta set a tone of sanity and responsibility in the linebacker group and I think that guy is Bolton.