I'm glad the broncos have something to play for. I think we'll start Humphries and it will be a real test if he's good enough to start the playoffs

This big palooka had a full practice today. I have almost given up on him for this year so here's hoping he surprises me.

I wouldn't blame him one bit. Even I'm more comfortable with Thuney at LT, and I'm just a schmuck watching the game on my couch.

I think the line will be DJ, Thuney, Creed, Smith, and Morris to start the game for a drive or two… Then the backups will get in.. Want Kingsley to get some time at either tackle side too..

I think if he shows up against Bonitto, he’ll start throughout the playoffs. Obviously that is the best case scenario.

No reason at all to move Thuney off LT, but Wanya should be in at LG. I think that's the best line combination.

Has Morris taken a single snap at LG this season or last?

I thought they said he was in camp, so I was surprised Caliendo was playing LG instead of Wanya. Wany amight be pretty decent at it since he wouldn't have to worry about getting beat outside.

Galaxy brain idiocy.

I know you guys don’t want to hear this but if that hammy is healthy he’s a way better tackle than Thuney. AND that’s not a bad thing or Thuney slander. If healthy he should take the job. The goal is the best 5.

Who has zero chemistry with the line and O generally.

I think you're overrating the need for chemistry. Humphries is a vet and a pro just like Thuney. If he's ready to go, he's the best option.

He and Thuney had two nice stunt hand offs when he played. My only concern is cadence.

I think he needs to play well, be able to finish the game and then be able to recover so he could go the next week if there was a game. I'm not counting on it but I'm hoping for it. Let's put the best team we've had all year on the field in the playoffs.

Yes he is.

And I'm willing to even get to "he's not a better OT than Thuney but he's not a WORSE one" for the sake of argument.

Because even THAT is a no-brainer. Because Thuney is a much much MUCH better OG than Caliendo.

Shit man, Humphries can be 10% worse than Thuney at OT and the offensive line is better with Humphries at OT and Thuney at OG than it is with Thuney/Caliendo.

I just don't understand the push-back here.

Let the guy play and see what he can do against a NASTY and motivated Broncos front with Nick Bonitto ready to lay it all out there.

If he performs, start him in the playoffs. If he doesn't, you don't.

I just don't even see any value in coming up with alternate scenarios here. Because they all require a complete and total suspension of disbelief.

I’m not saying he should have it. If he plays well against Bonitto, it’s his. We won’t see a faster edge in the playoffs. If he survives. Play him.

This board acts like saying DJ is our best case is saying the nieghbors hotter than your wife, to your wife.

Bonitto wrecked Kingsley in the last game, so it will be interesting to see how Humphries fares against an athletic pass rusher.

Let me get this straight. You want a guy whos never played LG before in a NFL game to play it for the first time in the playoffs? Yeah I'm sure they'll do that.

Play Humphries vs. dungver...if he does an acceptable job, start him vs whomever we play in the 2nd round, and if he doesn't play well in that game, return to Thuney at LT.

Or ask Patrick, and do whatever he prefers. A happy Patrick is the best Patrick.

It's so funny how folks are so absolute with things. We see Thuney have a few decent games at LT after being protected by TE's and RB's blocking, plus Pat getting the ball out quickly, and all of a sudden "we'd be crazy to change things". But those folks are missing the bigger picture. The run game has suffered massively and in the playoffs you can bet your house that defenses will have way more stunts and pressures ready to exploit Thuney and Caliendo.

So imo we should all be praying that DJ has a solid game against Denver and leaves the field with health and confidence. Because if he's good to go I think it could make this offense even better than it was over the last two games. Cause we can't go into the playoffs with our run game having limitations. We just can't.

We should run the same passing plan but with DJ at LT. My fear is Reid goes back to the deep game first and hangs him out to dry. If we stay with what’s been working it should be a win win moving Thuney back and DJ in.

That would be the high floor approach, which I think is probably best considering the amount of time off he has had. He can likely do exactly what Thuney was doing (with the support and game plan implemented). Doesn’t mean you can’t take a shot or two downfield., but we need to get the run game going and that means Thuney at LG.

Exactly and I'd expect him to play into form and pick up the offense more as we go. That allows you to adjust as he's capable. Just don't jump in feet first.

This is an over reaction IMO.

1. Like it or not, the Chiefs are at their absolute best when the offense is moving the ball in the air. The scheme shift the last two weeks has led to more points, longer and more sucerssful drives.

2. Lets be honest about the running backs for a second. The Chiefs have rode the shit out of Hunt. Dude has been amazing, but we have demanded a ton out of the guy. Its important to make sure he's fresh for the playoffs. Pop is coming back from a leg injruy. Again, we accomp0lished everything we wanted to accomplish by securing the #1 seed. Its more important to make sure Pop is ready for the playoffs than running the damn ball up and down the field.

3. It was important to get the passing offense in rythem. Which they have accomplished.

4. Running game sucked in Cleveland. 26 carries for 77 yards. Thats a good defense. Pops first game back. 1st game with Thuney at LT and Caliendo at G. The number of carries in the next game against the Texansd was 20, vs the Steelers it was 15. I don't think there is a reason to sound the alarm regarding guard play in the running game when Andy (for good reason) has lighted the load for the backs due to overuse and injury.

In conclusion. The games vs the Steelers and Texans where the tune up for the playoffs, especially as the passing game goes. I don't think Andy is going to insert an unknow variable (DJ) into the Oline mix unless he's forced to do it. They went to Thuney when they did because they needed to figure out the offense for the playoffs. You can't be figuring shit out when the loser goes home.

In every Super Bowl run we’ve had in the Mahomes era we’ve had to lean on the run in at least one of our playoff wins on the way. In Super Bowl 54 and 57, sticking with the run was a big reason we won.

Agree. All I'm saying is that the decrease in the rushing game probably has as mush or more to do with Andy wanting to preserves his top two running backs as it has to do with a backup guard starting.

Chemistry is very important, especially when it comes to the offensive line. However, that can be gained in practice, IMO. Sure, game action is the best way but practice is also important.

Kingsley?

Did you mean Morris?

Kingsley started against Denver and quicky shit the bed again.

Huh. Didn't realize that.

He didn't start.

Morris tweaked his knee and had to come out.

And Kinglsey less shit the bed than he showed a real spammable tendency against speed.

He was actually pretty credible against Denvers other DE (don't recall who it was) but Nick Bonitto ****ed his mom and wiped his dick on her drapes. He was just wrecking the guy.

I thought Morris started, hurt his knee and Kingsley came in and was shredded.. Then they went back to Morris.. Maybe I’m wrong..

That last line..........LMAO

Nice post.
This team is a pass first offense…particularly in the playoffs.
And there is no doubt that the offense has finally found their groove in the passing game last 2 weeks with Thuney at LT.
Sure, Let big Hump see what he can do this weekend.
But, don’t fix what ain’t broke. If Hump doesn’t shred any doubt that he upgrades the overall line play, then Thuney is the playoff LT.

That's just the thing - it's still broken.

Thuney at LT is better than it was but the guy is getting a lot of help and still giving up a good amount of pressures.

We need better than that in the playoffs or it's gonna be a long slog.

And I would argue that Humphries is not a sure fix, so why would you force it?

Don't get me wrong. I thought it it was a great signing. I had extremely high hopes. I understand what he was asked to do was incredibly difficult for a player coming back from injury. And honestly, had he been able to come in start and finish that game with the Chargers, and hold down the job, I'd be his biggest advocate.

I'm rooting for the kid. I really am, but his opportunity to contribute in the playoffs was severely hampered by not holding up when he got his opportunity.

I wouldn't force it. But if DJ plays well enough against the Broncos, they have to at least try it. I just don't think Thuney at LT is sustainable throughout the playoffs.

You're not 'forcing' it.

You're sending him out there against Bonitto in a must-win game for Denver as a trial by fire.

If he performs, play him. If he doesn't, don't.

Nobody is saying keep him out with the rest of the starters this week and drop him into the divisional game.

We're saying that all Thuney has done is give us a workable floor - the ceiling still depends on Humphries being an effective LT as it will help us in both the pass game AND the run game.

I'm all for playing him against the Broncos.

The problem is he's not going to be playing with Mahomes or next to Thuney at guard. Seeing him go out there and hold up well vs Bonitto is important, and so is his ability to play the entire game. I trust Reid and his coaches on this. Whatever they decide I'll be fine with.

On Humphries the question is whether he is healthy. For much ofthe season our LT's have been beaten by speed. Thuney has handled the speed rush. He has been bull rushed into the QB some. Which if you had to choose the later is preferable becuase Pat still has time to throw. But Humphries probably the best bet to handle both. Question is what shape he is in and how he is moving he still is only 10 or so months from the ACL surgery. So I doubt you can expect him to be 100% this season.

If they didnt think he could play this season, they wouldn't have signed him. His ACL checked out. It had to because they're not about to re-sign him at this point.

You can develop some chemistry alongside Thuney and in front of Mahomes in practice if he acquits himself well enough Sunday.

I mean Reid ain't gonna have these guys sitting at home watching their stories and eating chocolate bon bons. They're gonna be working hard in practice BECAUSE they don't have a game. And they'll be able to get some of that ironed out pretty easily, IMO.

Again - not rookies. These are all experienced veteran players. And there truly is a 'right' way to play these positions. Thuney is a well-known technician; as set and forget as they come at OG. So playing alongside him isn't a matter of learning anything new - it's realizing that you just have to focus on YOUR portion and Thuney's got the rest on lock.

Asking Humphries to learn how to play with Thuney is a HELL of a lot easier than asking Thuney to learn to play alongside Caliendo because Thuney is the throughput at a position that he knows like the back of his hand. There's just nothing complicated about playing next to him.

If Humphries appears physically sound and has used the last few weeks to learn the offense, there's no reason at all to expect problems between the two. Again, Cam Robinson hit the ground at full speed in Minnesota. Humphries is a very similar caliber player with very similar experience. If he's healthy and ready for game speed, we'll know it Sunday. And if that's the case, he's going to be fine.

Not a big surprise but Reid says DJ is starting this week.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“There’s a good chance” D.J. Humphries starts at left tackle on Sunday, per Coach Reid.</p>&mdash; Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) <a href="https://twitter.com/KCChiefs_Matt/status/1875257748050604505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

What’s the starting oline look like? DJ, Caliendo, creed, smith, morris? I’d like to see how Morris does at RT also.

Since Taylor was dealing with an injury, you'll definitely see Morris at RT at some point I'm sure, even if he doesn't start.

The Chiefs have to be somewhat careful, they can't just throw Carson Wentz out there to be brutally murdered by a division rival who needs a win to clinch the playoffs. Going to have to leave a few decent guys in there.

Taylor is listed as out for the game so somebody new will be playing RT.

Wonder if they'll split reps between Morris and Suamataia. See what they've got there.

Chris Oladoken is the guy they're gonna send out there if shit starts looking rough. Kids gonna be a meat shield on Sunday.

Yup. They are gonna start Humphries and Wanya and this couldn’t be a better week to do it.

We are gonna get a lot of answers. Again, if Wanya continues to look good at RT like he did in the Texans game, you have to really consider him replacing Taylor in 2026.

The problem is that 2026 is Wanya's walk year in its own right.

Would rather try to buy another year of control at that position before I have to start paying for it. Would prefer see Kingsley take the gig.

But there's a long way between now and 2026 -- they'll 'consider' any number of things between now and then. I suspect a throwaway game against Denver 2 seasons earlier isn't going to alter that calculus much.

I hope Creed Humphrey doesn't play many snaps. He's a pretty important player on our line. Hunter Nourzad is listed as the #2 C on the depth chart so I expect to see him at C taking snaps for most of the game. CJ Hanson is listed as the #2 RG so he should see a lot of play too.

The shift has coincided with Thuney getting help, Brown returning and Pat getting the ball out as quick as he ever has. I don't think adding DJ into this mix means the same things can't be done. Infact I think it would make it even better as DJ won't need to be protected as much as Joe.


I understand your point but Caliendo has been quite bad run blocking and it's killed a ton of run plays. We may have a pass first offense but teams are gonna back off like crazy with Brown and Worthy out there so we MUST exploit them light boxes.


It's a small sample size though and there is no evidence that suggests the passing game can't function with a healthy DJ at LT.


When going into the playoffs red flags must be looked at. Caliendo has never been a starter in his career or played more than two games. It's not just about the run game as he's been average in pass blocking too. And when you have that issue along with the poor rush numbers, then everything has to be considered.


Imo Thuney is the floor, not the ceiling. We have him there so we know what we can get with him there at LT. DJ is healthy now and is starting against Denver and if he plays well, then has a full two weeks to get even more healthy and in tune with the offense, then I'd be very surprised if they don't play him tbh. I just don't think playing Joe out of position and a backup at guard would be the best option moving forward when we have an experienced pro-bowl level LT right there.

But anyway DJ has to get through Sunday for this to really be a debate so let's just wait and see.

Thuney didn't get as much as you think. Players lined up on his side on occasion, but they didn't always help out of that lineup position.

And this is not an argument for Thuney to start over Humphries. Just pointing out Thuney needs/gets help all the time as not being a reason for going to Humphries

People keep saying that. I focused on Thuney a lot and saw help a lot. Not every snap. But we roll pockets and chip that side a lot more. I wish there were numbers available.

I do too. As I said earlier, on the highlight package on Netflex, there were 16 offensive plays shown. Thuney got no help on 15 of those 16 and would not have needed help on the 16th, which was Kelce's TD. Now since there were only 43 more offensive plays ran during the game, I find it hard to believe the number of plays Thuney got help was extremely high.

Guys lined up his side? Sure. Help though? Not so much.

All of you Cowards, Losers, and Traitors Humphries Haters can get bent!!1

He's finally had enough time to somewhat acclimate not only to the rigors of the game, but his new system/team as well... Wentz will feel like he has guardian angels on his left

Not lying you just watch, he will look more than credible

I watched Reids press conference, and I will give all you DJ fans this, Reid is pulling for the guy. You can tell by the look in his eye. So if he plays well on Sunday, I can see it happening.

My point all along has been this. The playoffs are not the time to got with a dude at LT and then have to alter the game plan because it's not working. If that were to happen it means drives are being stopped. The offense isn't producing. Mahomes is getting hit. That leads to frustration, which leads to the offense pressing, and if have seen one thing in with this team, when they press they can go to shit. Reid will want to avoid that at all cost. And I imagine Thuney and Pat have some say in this matter too. If Thuney wants to do it, and Pat feels better with him at LT, I can't see Reid going against that.

They already altered the game plan, with the quickest release routes for a game in Patrick’s career. I suspect a lot of that will be kept in there regardless who plays.

Lol a lil twinkle in his eyes tells you he's pulling for him?

Of course Reid is pulling for the guy. He's the best chance they have of being at max strength in the playoffs. I still don't think Thuney at LT is sustainable.

If he looks serviceable today, you roll with him in the playoffs. It gives you the best 5 across the line in the best spots for them. This shouldn't really be a question.

He has already been picked by this team for having the big dick energy they're looking for. I don't know if they used cerebro, AI, or one of those Highlander guys that gets a tingle in their dingle when another one of them is around but he's here now.

It'll work. He just needs to be solid - not an All pro.

The Chiefs play tomorrow. You gotta stop drinking.

They’ve played very good defenses and Thuney has looked good at LT. This is the best the line has looked by far this year and in return Mahomes looks like he used to.

Would be dumb to change it now

You are using the term “good” compared to 2 dumpster fires. He hasn’t been “good” he has been less of a dumpster fire and as others have mentioned he an Caliendo have killed our run game.

I do think Thuney is sustainable especially for a playoff run. We have something to fall back on even if Andy makes the switch.

If we were talking Thuney at LT and Allegretti at LG for a playoff run, I think it’s a different story. But the other piece to the equation is how average Caliendo has played. Not glaringly bad, but not good either.

This is nonsense. The Chiefs running game has been up and down all season. It has nothing to do with Thuney being at LG or LT.

Nah. He’s been good. The Steelers and Texans have “game wrecking quality” pass rushes and neither got a sniff of Mahomes.

Give the man some credit.

The offense is starting to look elite again and you’re worried about the run game. Our interior line is plenty good enough to run the ball

The offense looks good because they're helping Thuney and getting the ball out quick. Thuney is still giving up a lot of pressures.

He has given up 4 pressures the last 2 games combined.

And only 1 QB hit.

The best possible scenario for the play-offs and for next season is that Humphries is good to go. It improves and stabilizes TWO positions on the line.

The Pitt game was Mahomes' fastest average release time in his career. The Texans game was his fastest since week 4, 2021. They obviously changed the play calling. And it's obvious why they did.

Thuney is a stopgap. Nothing more.

I have a hard time believing the LT position is much more stable because they’re “helping him.”

Thuney is a much better tackle than Morris or Kingsley and it’s showing.

Never said Thuney wasn't better. But they're going to need an even better effort in the playoffs. If you really think going into the playoffs with your LG at LT is a good idea, I don't know what to tell you.

What’s the alternative? A guy who hasn’t played a game in a full year, coming off acl tear and hamstring injuries?

Unless Humphries looks good tomorrow, Thuney is the best option

And if you'll recall, the Chiefs pass rush win rate (hold your blocks for 2.5 seconds) was among the best in football.

When PMs release time falls below 2.5 seconds suddenly the sack figures square with the win rate.

We made things incredibly difficult on both tackles all season both in terms of blocking assignments and simple scheme. Until Thuney. With Thuney we turned the sliders down quite a bit and that's what a good staff SHOULD do.

It's not an indictment on Thuney - it's just a recognition that the bar that Humphries needs to clear to get in there isn't nearly as high as has been suggested. If he's simply in football shape he can absolutely play just as well as Thuney has if that's the kind of offense we continue to run.

If it is, we get the added advantage of better IOL play. If it's not, Thuney couldn't run it anyway (he's getting beat up by power - can't do long developing routes if the LT is getting walked backwards).

We should absolutely hope that Humphries looks good Sunday because he would help this team a lot.

If coach thinks DJ can go, he should. That's the ideal situation. We shouldn't settle for Thuney until we have to and guess what? That's still 2 weeks away.