Chiefs confident Sammy Watkins, Patrick Mahomes are “starting to sync”

[The Franchise]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...rting-to-sync/

Wide receiver Sammy Watkins hasn’t caught a pass through the team’s first two preseason games and he failed to come back for a Patrick Mahomes pass that could have been a touchdown.

Coach Andy Reid noted that Watkins needs to do a better on plays like that, but he didn’t show much overall concern about how Watkins is fitting into the offense in his first year with the team. Reid said he loves Watkins’ “intensity on learning all the little, small things” and has seen that translate into good things at practice.

Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy had a similar take and said that he’s seen signs that Watkins and Mahomes are striking up a strong relationship.

“When it’s all said and done, Sammy is doing a heck of a job,” Bieniemy said, via ESPN.com. “He’s doing a great job. He’s accepted the challenge because we’re not just playing him at one position. He’s accepted the challenge of learning all three across the board. We want versatile football players. I know everybody wants to talk about what’s happening on the field on game day, but I will say this: Their communication, their rhythm is starting to sync.”

Mahomes agreed with the coaches about Watkins making strides even if they haven’t shown up in games. That’s easier to sell in preseason than in the regular season, which leaves the Chiefs with a couple of weeks to get everyone in line.

[Buckweath]

Why should we be worried about Watkins. He had three steps on the defender when Mahomes overthrew him. He was open for what could have been a big gain on the hail mary pass to Hill. He was well open on that cross route where Mahomes threw it behind him. He seems to be open quite a bit. Mahomes can do better.

I still dont expect Watkins to have a monster season though but a good one.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by UChieffyBugger

People have to take into account that the offense has been very "vanilla" (Reid's own words btw) this preseason so we haven't seen many plays that will be coming out of the playbook come opening day. IF Sammy and Pat still aren't connecting by the time we play the Pats (game six) then I'd be worried. But not now, it's way too early and folks are being way too reactionary as usual.

Vanilla or not if your o-line can't create any holes nor pass protect against No.2's on defense(yesterday) and likewise when the No.2's on offense for the Bears hand our No.1's on defense their asses allowing Daniel to look like an All Pro it will be a long season period.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by TLO

I think it was more of him getting tangled up with the DB. a bit. His hip may not be 100% yet either. Idk.

This may very well be true, Mr. TLO. I am in max agog mode over the Sammy signing, but he does appear to be dogging it. I'd like to believe it's just me, but I don't.

If it's his hip, that's troubling because who know how limited he may be now and what issues the injury may lead to later on. On the other hand, if he was just "tangled up with the db" as you say, then Sammy needs to heed the Human Trebuchet's mantra and fight every down. That means kicking the db's ass, get open, and catch the damn ball.

FAX THE SAMMY FAN

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by farmerchief

possibly, but in the preseason games so far, seems there is always 1 play when it seems either Watkins doesn't expect the ball, or isn't running all out through the pattern. That was the appearance I took away from this particular play.

Same here on the overthrow. You can see Watkins accelerate on his last few steps trying to catch up to the ball. Not sure if that means he wasn't expecting the pass to head his way, but it could be that. Maybe he was the third or fourth option on that play, and in the past for him it meant the ball wasn't coming his way.

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by farmerchief

possibly, but in the preseason games so far, seems there is always 1 play when it seems either Watkins doesn't expect the ball, or isn't running all out through the pattern. That was the appearance I took away from this particular play.

It's preseason. Watkins is in absolutely no danger of being cut.

He probably isn't trying very hard and that's fine. I wouldn't be out there giving it my all risking injury for no reason either.

[TwistedChief]

End of the day his stat line probably isn't going to look like a 16mm/yr receiver and the majority will probably conclude - rightly or wrongly - that signing him was a mistake. But his value will come in opening up opportunities for Hill, Kelce, and Hunt. He's a force out there many times more powerful than Conley or Robinson (or Albert Wilson!) in the same role. I can live with that because it increases the odds that Mahomes takes a leap forward sooner to become what we've all been dreaming about.

[Red Dawg]

I feel like Watkins is an expensive insurance policy. Lose one of he guys for a few games and you are still ok. I like our younger players more than him getting 39 mil. We need guards and a DB.

[Couch-Potato]

Originally Posted by Red Dawg

I feel like Watkins is an expensive insurance policy. Lose one of he guys for a few games and you are still ok. I like our younger players more than him getting 39 mil. We need guards and a DB.

I think we pay Watkins what we do because he makes everyone around him better. No defense can afford to take a play off against the Chiefs with him on the roster as our 2nd? 3rd?? 4th??? option. Paying Watkins means that the defense can't load up on any one player, that there will always be a mismatch somewhere on the field for Mahomes to exploit.

[O.city]

Unless they can show they can block people up front, we're gonna get blitzed and all these pieces won't get a chance to do much.

[PmCakes]

Originally Posted by TwistedChief

End of the day his stat line probably isn't going to look like a 16mm/yr receiver and the majority will probably conclude - rightly or wrongly - that signing him was a mistake. But his value will come in opening up opportunities for Hill, Kelce, and Hunt. He's a force out there many times more powerful than Conley or Robinson (or Albert Wilson!) in the same role. I can live with that because it increases the odds that Mahomes takes a leap forward sooner to become what we've all been dreaming about.

I never saw and issue with Hill,Travis Kelce, and Hunt getting the rock with how things were before. If anything, it was a matter of shoring up the backup receivers to be suitable at their job. Conley going down last year changed the makeup dramatically cause he was actually quite good making the most of his opportunities. Couldn't really say the same of Robinson or Albert Wilson.

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by Buckweath

Why should we be worried about Watkins. He had three steps on the defender when Mahomes overthrew him. He was open for what could have been a big gain on the hail mary pass to Hill. He was well open on that cross route where Mahomes threw it behind him. He seems to be open quite a bit. Mahomes can do better.

I still dont expect Watkins to have a monster season though but a good one.

So you're saying that Mahomes sucks?

[King_Chief_Fan]

Originally Posted by OldSchool

So you're saying that Mahomes sucks?

needs to do better!!

[TwistedChief]

Originally Posted by PmCakes

I never saw and issue with Hill,Travis Kelce, and Hunt getting the rock with how things were before. If anything, it was a matter of shoring up the backup receivers to be suitable at their job. Conley going down last year changed the makeup dramatically cause he was actually quite good making the most of his opportunities. Couldn't really say the same of Robinson or Albert Wilson.

I don't disagree with most of this, but I think you're giving Conley too much credit. Having a real weapon at his position rather than a JAG is a gamechanger in my view. He's a combine warrior but he doesn't play like it.

[Kiimo]

If he has one more step on that DB and catches a 50 yard bomb think how different the conversation is in here?

Sammy will be fine and I was extremely happy to draft him as my #3 WR. See you in the championship.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by Kiimosabi

If he has one more step on that DB and catches a 50 yard bomb think how different the conversation is in here?

Sammy will be fine and I was extremely happy to draft him as my #3 WR. See you in the championship.

Pretty sure Sammy pulled up on the route thinking he wasn't getting the ball.

You can see him accelerate past the defender, as if he had slowed down.

Couple that with the Mahomes being visibly upset after the play. His body language didn't look to me like he was upset at himself.

I'm 90% confident that play wasn't on Mahomes, but instead Watkins quitting on the play too early.