10 Keys to Success or Failure for the 2013 Chiefs

[BossChief]

I think this upcoming season is filled with as much intrigue as any in the last 10+ years because of all the uncertainty at so many positions. I truly believe this team can be anywhere from 5-11 to 13-3 depending on how these factors play out...

1) Alex Myths ability to handle the workload that Andy Reids offense will demand. If he is able to continue the efficiency he had when be was throwing less in SF, but add to his attempts...he has a chance to help us win a lot against our schedule. Alex was on pace for a 26 touchdown and 3500 yard year in an offense that he would have been around 425 pass attempts the whole year and Andy will probably want another 100 pass attempts to be added to those. If he can't handle it and Andy Reid scales things back a notch we will still end up 7-9/8-8...but if he IS able to handle it and maintains the effectiveness he had last year with increased attempts, he could have a big year and guide us to a lot of wins. No doubt.

2) The defenses ability to take advantage of the scheme that should be predicated on getting more pressure than in years past by attacking more and sitting back less. Our linebacking corps are gonna straight up rape faces in this scheme. The players ability to change their mentality in how to play defense across the board is a huge factor...especially how soon they "get it" because this team can't afford to get into an early hole in the win loss column.

3) The usage of Eric Berry. I put this high on my list for a reason...the guy has been used incorrectly all three years in KC and if he is used correctly he should be an absolute game changer. This "third linebacker in the nickel" stuff needs to get gone and stay gone. This guy destroyed worlds at Tenneesee by taking the ball away and making huge hits and when Kiffen got there, be
changed all that and Eric has been used that way ever since. The way we have used him has completely nullified his playmaking ability and speed in the center of the field. We need to have that ballhawk back there intercepting passes and taking them to the house, not playing in the box most the game.

4) Sean Smith and Dunte Robinsons ability to play effective coverage. This is another situation similar to that of Alex Myth IMO...in that it can go drastically good or bad. I think we will score some points this year and those two will be under pressure. These two can make the secondary a strength or weakness.

5) Jon Baldwin taking to coaching and starting to realize his potential. This kid has amazing upside, but at the moment he looks like a bust. I think this is a career defining year for him. If he is able to become a solid #2 that can make some plays for us, this offense should start to be fun to watch. If not, this will likely be his last year in KC.

6) The fringe guys from the last two years drafts starting to show up and play at an effective level. Guys like Powe, Hudson, Allen, Bailey, Stephenson and Brown. All of those guys have potential to be quality starters or valuable role players if they can take to new coaching. They also have the potential to all need replaced for varius reasons.

7) Andy Reid molding his playcalling to fit the talent we have on board and not trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. I think he can push Alex Myth to 500 pass attempts, but not much more. If we can have a 50:50 split or maybe 55:45 in favor of the pass, I think we can win games...if be tries to throw it 35 times per game...I'm not sure we can be as effective that way.

8) The tight ends living up to their billing. We have a chance to have one of the best TE groups in the NFL if Kelce and Fasano can bring to the field what they do on paper. This Kelce kid is huge and moves very well and seems to have very good hands and instincts...a real player if he can develop his skills and stay out of trouble. It speaks to the talent of the position group that Moeaki may be the third tight end. They should be able to help seal the edge with Eric Fisher and, a few plays later, catching a couple big yardage passes. If Kelce is as good as some think, we may really have something to see on offense.

9) The defensive line being able to generate pressure and get a push. Guys like Jackson, Bailey, Poe, Powe and Devito need to be able to take advantage of linemen trying to keep the linebackers in check. If we can get this position group to play with some intensity, this defense could be just nasty. If they aren't able to do so, teams will control the LOS on us and dictate the tempo.

10) Someone stepping up on special teams and becoming a playmaker. We have the coach that can design the plays to help our return game, but someone needs to step up and fill the role of Arenas while giving us some homerun ability. Maybe Wylie will be that guy...sure would be nice to have a threat as a returner again, it's been awhile.

[CoMoChief]

There's really 2 keys to the success of this team.

1. Alex Smith needs to continue to improve on his recent NFL success. I personally don't think he'll be anything great, but as long as he's not Matt Cassel, or Brady Quinn we should be putting up more pts on the board.

2. Injuries. There are areas where this team doesn't have a lot of depth. If any of the following players are hurt we're probably screwed big time...

Eric Berry
Brandon Flowers
Justin Houston
Tamba Hali
Derrick Johnson
Jamaal Charles
Dwayne Bowe

This team can be anywhere from a 8 to 11 win team, probably get a WC spot at best, I don't see us beating Denver sadly.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Yep you are right- when I see things swing soo far to one way like it has with the Alex trade- I tend to jump on the other side to level things out-lol I would think the "bad ass" stuff people saw through that as my way of showing their opinion was equally absurd- but they took it as I was his biggest fan.

I was on SNR's Geno band wagon briefly until it became obvious he was far from a #1 pick. This was a terrible year to get ANY QB let alone a future Brees or Rogers. Time will tell in the draft. Some wanted us to draft Bray as a QBOTF- and we picked him up for nothing. So all in all we upgraded our QB position accross the board form the absolute worst in NFL history to being competitive at least. What more could we do This year??

I was Not happy at all bringing in another stop gap- but it was pretty much their best option. My point was why call Alex every name in the book? It is childish and after so many weeks has grown repetitive and annoying.

I will try not to stir the pot so much-lol People dont seem to realize when I am being just as absurd as they are- but on the opposite side. I will be glad when this board balances out some and a few posters take their meds and simmer down with the hate-lol I will try not to be soo positive either- it definately gets on peoples nerves-lol

I've said this before.

People, including NFL personnel people, were looking at this QB draft through a prism skewed by last year's draft, and to a certain extent, by the previous draft.

I have always, and still, believe(d) that you take a QB high if you believe he has all the physical tools to be a franchise QB.

I don't believe that NFL personnel people think that Geno Smith lacks the physical tools.
Their questions were of the "Is he ready to start day one?" variety.

I don't think there's any question that he has all the phsical tools, and if he needs a year or 2 of seasoning on the bencch, so be it.

I take him 1.1.

[Beef Supreme]

I think you pretty much nailed the areas that most of us will be watching in pre-season.

Couple of random comments.

Andy Reid likes Alex Smith, and he made Kevin Kolb look like a rockstar. I don't know if Alex Smith can stay healthy or sling the rock in an Andy Reid offense, but Andy Reid thinks he can. And he definitely bought the beef to protect him. I wasn't a fan of the trade at all, but it's what we got. Go make it work.

I like it when our defense gets to the QB. I find joy in seeing quarterbacks get hit. Hopefully the new scheme helps us get there early and often.

As long as they don't have Berry covering Gates by himself, I'm good.

Jon Baldwin ...

Play good football.

Lotta big dogs up front, including the tight ends. Hopefully they are hungry.

One circus catch in the endzone and has been on IR ever since.

I am ready for a dominant D lineman, like hall of fame dominant. With all the high draft picks we spent there, we deserve one. Will the scheme help? Will Poe break out? Tune in next week.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by milkman

I've said this before.

People, including NFL personnel people, were looking at this QB draft through a prism skewed by last year's draft, and to a certain extent, by the previous draft.

I have always, and still, believe(d) that you take a QB high if you believe he has all the physical tools to be a franchise QB.

I don't believe that NFL personnel people think that Geno Smith lacks the physical tools.
Their questions were of the "Is he ready to start day one?" variety.

I don't think there's any question that he has all the phsical tools, and if he needs a year or 2 of seasoning on the bencch, so be it.

I take him 1.1.

Oh I loved the stats he put up- his highlights looked awesome- I want a Qb we can build on soo freaking bad believe me. teams like the Colts get manning and then Luck- but we get the has beens. Having Dawson win it all then going to what we have had since then- You would have to think they see the direct correlation to a Franchise QB and a consistently winning team. But that remains to be seen if they learned anything from last year. I think they did- but came into a bad year to turn over a new "Leaf" so to speak-lol


I was down on the chiefs as bad as anyone on here. With the murder suicide and the fan upheaval- I don't think I have seen a team sink so low. But I think Clark did everything he could to turn it around. i dont knwo what else besides drafting different people he could have done??

[SAUTO]

Dawson was technically a retread. That's what they are searching for, the next great retread.


Dawson ****ed us.


You are still a ****ing dumbass
Posted via Mobile Device

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

Dawson was technically a retread. That's what they are searching for, the next great retread.


Dawson ****ed us.


You are still a ****ing dumbass
Posted via Mobile Device

It's funny, as much as people wanted to get rid of Carl Peterson. They are perfectly content to do the same exact moves that Carl Peterson has done or would do over his 20 years here.



If only we drafted Dan Marino or Jim Kelly instead of Todd Blackledge?

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

Dawson was technically a retread. That's what they are searching for, the next great retread.


Dawson ****ed us.


You are still a ****ing dumbass
Posted via Mobile Device

How did Dawson **** us? 2 SB's and a win. Do you know anything about football except what is told to you on ESPN.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

How did Dawson **** us? 2 SB's and a win. Do you know anything about football except what is told to you on ESPN.

Sorry you couldn't get basic logic.

Dawson, being a retread and winning a super bowl let the owners of this team believe that doing it that way works and they have been chasing it ever since. Therefore ****ing us
Posted via Mobile Device

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

Sorry you couldn't get basic logic.

Dawson, being a retread and winning a super bowl let the owners of this team believe that doing it that way works and they have been chasing it ever since. Therefore ****ing us
Posted via Mobile Device

That is completely reeruned. So unless you are a Qb drafted by your team- you are a retread and you suck-? Wow. Hunt was old school- I don't think he ever valued the QB position.

I think the Blackledge embarrassment was the fianl blow- he was like I tried that and it failed- won't do that again- and he never did. Business men think like that- you try something and it fails- you don't do it. But football is more than a business though- lots of factors besides dollars and cents- that is something I don't think he ever grasped. He just left it up to others to say- hey this guy is good- sign the check.

[Hydrae]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Alex Bad Ass Smith has not even played a ****ing game yet for us- how in the hell is JC being wasted?

You Alex Eeyores crack me up.

Alex Eeyores.

So true and describes the general attitude about Alex around here perfectly.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

That is completely reeruned. So unless you are a Qb drafted by your team- you are a retread and you suck-? Wow. Hunt was old school- I don't think he ever valued the QB position.

I think the Blackledge embarrassment was the fianl blow- he was like I tried that and it failed- won't do that again- and he never did. Business men think like that- you try something and it fails- you don't do it. But football is more than a business though- lots of factors besides dollars and cents- that is something I don't think he ever grasped. He just left it up to others to say- hey this guy is good- sign the check.

usually I would take offense to that first remark, but coming from someone obviously born with the condition I can't complain about using it.

And why has out been the same through at least three regimes?

Only constant is the owners.

And I didn't say every retread sucks. Dawson won a super bowl, but like I said that ****ed us.

But I'm sure you will tell me how you were at a game once and that means something
Posted via Mobile Device

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

It's funny, as much as people wanted to get rid of Carl Peterson. They are perfectly content to do the same exact moves that Carl Peterson has done or would do over his 20 years here.



If only we drafted Dan Marino or Jim Kelly instead of Todd Blackledge?

Most people here aren't "content" as you say. There are some Alex Smith ballwashers on CP, but there are also plenty of us (like myself) who also understand it's not like we were surrounded with options this offseason.

If we're still using Alex Smith 3 years from now, then shit. But as of now, what I see is that the Chiefs passed up on a lot of QBs that a lot of teams were really, really down on. I agree with people worried about the Chiefs actually believing Smith is the long-term guy. It's a different story to throw tantrums and suggest that the front office doesn't get it because we don't like their moves in one year when the options sucked.

[Hootie]

when I see Alex Smith sign an extension before he plays a down, I'll be mad

until then I consider it the right move

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Hootie

when I see Alex Smith sign an extension before he plays a down, I'll be mad

until then I consider it the right move

So you would be ok if it happened week two?
Posted via Mobile Device

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

Dawson was technically a retread. That's what they are searching for, the next great retread.


Dawson ****ed us.


You are still a ****ing dumbass
Posted via Mobile Device

There have been more Super Bowl winning QBs who were acquired through trade or free agency (9) than who were taken in the top 10 picks of the draft by the team they took to a SB championship (7).*


______________
* This excludes John Elway and Eli Manning who both refused to play for the team that was in a position to draft them. If you count them, it's actually 11-7.