LNBS: 10 things that need to happen after the bye
 

1) Justin Houston needs to get back. Quickly. The whole defense is predicated on putting pressure on opposing passers and forcing mistakes. With a hobbled Hali/underwhelming Dee Ford being the only immediate options as edge rushers (Dadi needs a ton more snaps, too) it's putting undue pressure on everyone else. The corners are having to cover longer. The DL isnt getting one on one looks, as much. All that changes after Houston gets back. He's gonna force RTs to step wide to protect the edge and utilize the TE to help block him and that helps everyone else. Without him, this team probably misses the playoffs.

2) Alex Smith needs to play like he did in the second half of 2013/his better games from 2015. If I were the coach, he would be on a short leash and expected to be highly effective to retain the starting spot. If he struggles against Oakland and NO, I'd split the practice starter reps with him and Foles the next week. This offense has too much talent to be this unproductive and Alex plays like a damn pussy out there. He needs to man up and lead this team or let Nick Foles take over.

3) Chris Jones needs to take over the starting spot from Allen Bailey. This kid is gonna be special and I think Bailey would be a great guy to rotate at both end spots. Whatever the reason, this kid is gonna be the "Marcus Peters of the DL" for us. No question about it. A very special player. When he's out there, he's constantly flashing BIGTIME ability. The DL needs a shakeup because they should be a lot more disruptive. I honestly think starting Jones would make a big difference on this defense.

4) Tyreek Hill needs to get the third most snaps of any WR on the roster going foreward or it's a coaching fail. Albert Wilson makes me want to kick puppies. I hate that no effort giving pussy. Tyreek has the talent to be a full blown difference maker on offense that's every bit as good as Percy Harvin was if used correctly. I said it while at camp after seeing him in person, this kid is going to be a star and its clear to see on game day what I was seeing in practice. I'm not surprised that he already has scored 4 touchdowns in 4 games (2 being called back for nonsense). This is going to sound absurd, but he just might be our *most skilled* offensive player. He has ELITE: speed, quickness, vision, field awareness, acceleration, spin move, and hands (I know he had the drops in one game, but he caught every pass I saw at camp and 2-3 of those were AMAZING catches. The kid needs to be on the field 60% of the time.

5) Jamaal Charles and Spencer Ware need to be our thunder and lightening and Andy Reid needs to run the ball a lot more. This has a chance to be the best 1-2 punch in the NFL and with the attention the rest of the offense should be getting, the RBs should be able to be very productive.

6) Eric Berry needs to play like a guy wanting to be paid like the best safety in the game. IMO he's taken a small step backwards from last year. He seems to be out of position on the deep ball more often than usual and he's s guy we need to be able to depend on. Step it up, Eric. We all want to see you earn that payday!

7) The OL needs to step up. I think they are playing better than it appears due to Alex playing like a coward, but the unit needs to step up. We simply have too much invested in the OL for them to not play like a top 5 OL. They need to come out and make a statement against Oakland and allow the offense to operate effectively. The guys have been playing together for long enough that they should start to show the cohesion you want/need upfront. It's gonna be troubling if they have a lot of difficulty with Oaklands from 7.

8) Phillip Gaines need to get/stay healthy. No question about it, this is a better defense with Gaines out there. This is a very important year for this young Chiefs team and guys like Phillip, specifically. If he can stay on the field and continue to improve, the defense will be a lot better come playoff time and going into next year.

9) Marcus Peters needs to stay focused on the goal and keep his cool in heated matchups. We need him at his best, to improve on defense. Honestly, I think he plays much better when truly challenged and emotionally invested, but he needs to be aware that opposing QBs will be trying to fool him and he needs to be smart about his gambles.

10) WRs and TEs need to maximize opportunities. With Alex Smith, these guys need to make sure they secure every catch and get every yard they can after the catch. These drops by Maclin have been game changers and we really need him to be dependable for the offense to be effective. Same goes with Kelce, Harris, Travis, Hill, Wilson, Thomas, and the backs....everybody needs to be blocking and fighting for every yard and score.

I still think this team has the potential to go deep in the playoffs, but a few guys need to step their game up for us to do so.

I've been very impressed with Tyreek hill and his 11 catches for 67 yards. His longest catch has been 13 yards, but that's a BIG gain in this offense. That's like a deep bomb in any other offense.

His elite speed is showing up big time on these short gains. Those gains would probably be losses if not for his blinding jets!

If he works really hard we could have the next Dexter McCluster on our hands in year two. We all remember what an impact player he was for this team.

Yeah, 2 TD's in 4 games for a part time player really sucks.

The Chiefs should cut him immediately for being a waste of a roster spot.

Chiefsplanet should cut your for being a waste of a chiefsplanet member

Need to pump the brakes on Justin Houston. Look at Charles and his slow transition. He's not going to be 100% upon being eligbible to practice and then play.

I know you're being intentionally obtuse, GoChiefs.

He could have already had 5 or 6 TDs.

He's scored twice that stood, had 2 ST TDs called back, Alex overthrew him at least once for a TD...

And that's just in his first 4 games of his rookie season.

David Culley just gushes about Hills potential, too. Says he has gotten better each day and that he has the skill to be an outside receiver, not just a slot guy.

I hope the kid keeps his hands off women.

If he does, he's gonna be a star.

You're talking about the small picture (the short term) where I'm looking at the big picture (Super Bowl chances)

Houston, Hali, Gaines and Charles don't need to be 100% at midseason...they need to be 100% by playoff time.

Maclin needs to step the **** up too

like holding onto the ball?

No one cares what you think.

But I have to say, you have a brilliant user name.

I'm not sure if Chiefs fans know the numbers worn by Derrick Thomas or Derrick Johnson.

Kudos.

you've used that one before man. get some new material

If the trend of the Chiefs looking lost and disinterested on the road continues, big picture won't matter.

The team will have to win games without some of the key contributors. Buffalo and Oakland have pedestrian schedules and will have an inside track to the wildcard. Even without a quality qb, Denver is still the class of the AFC west until proven otherwise.

just wait till you get to wear the banner i have :D

hill: under used
wilson: overused (1 snap is too many)
oline: i thought they would be top three
berry: go to oakland with your friend sean
maclin: hears footsteps, unsure of himself. dare i say even, injury prone.
kelce: worried about his tv show ratings
houston: we have a problem
jones: move to olb
kc offense: no more laterals

:D

really? i got it in like four seconds. always great to start with a negative comment, and then compliment the same person. it makes them feel somehow validated for being irrelevant but yet having a creative name :D

Thanks, Boss!

Well done.

I think your #2 is shading your #7.

The oline has been terrible. No more. No less. Alex has been pathetic. I just see frustrations have hit a level where everyone is tired of excusing away or giving him the benefit of the doubt.

Bottom line is the line hasn't been giving close to consistent protection, AND when it has Alex hasn't stepped up and delivered.

When the Steelers have 2 sacks on the year and sacked him 3 times that's not serviceable. The line isn't doing Alex any favors, but he's not helping his case and equally failing.

BOTH had better improve if they want to turn their fortunes around.