Why 3 rookies could start for the Chiefs

[BossChief]

http://espn.go.com/blog/kansas-city-...id/12362/12362

NFL Nation reporter Adam Teicher assesses which rookies on the Chiefs could earn a starting berth this season.

Why Marcus Peters could start: The Chiefs are well-stocked at cornerback so they don’t need to rush Peters, their first-round draft pick, into the lineup. In Sean Smith, Phillip Gaines, Jamell Fleming and Marcus Cooper, the Chiefs have four players who started at least one game for them at corner last season. There could still be ample opportunity for Peters to earn significant playing time or a starting spot. Smith faces a possible NFL suspension for a violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy after pleading guilty to a DUI in Kansas City. If Smith is out for the first couple of games, his absence leaves a huge gap that Peters could fill. Beyond that, six different players started at least one game at cornerback for the Chiefs last season so there’s always a need. Peters missed most of offseason practice because his college academic term at Washington hadn’t concluded. He also was thrown off his team before his final collegiate season had ended because of a confrontation with an assistant coach. Peters might need more time to develop than most first-round draft picks.


Second-round pick Mitch Morse could find a home at center or guard sooner rather than later. Alex Menendez/Getty Images
Why Mitch Morse could start: As with cornerback and Peters, the Chiefs have enough bodies on their offensive line that they don’t have to rush Morse into their lineup before he’s ready. But unlike at cornerback, the Chiefs don’t have a lot of established offensive linemen, so Morse will be given an opportunity to start at either center or right guard. Morse, a second-round draft pick, started at center and tackle at various times in college at Missouri, but guard could be his best position in the NFL. Eventually, if not sooner, he will be a starter somewhere along Kansas City's line and if he isn’t an immediate starter, Morse could be the first player off the bench at either center or guard. The presence of Morse allows the Chiefs to investigate possible trades for one or more of their veteran offensive linemen. Jeff Allen, who can play guard or right tackle, might not win a starting job for the Chiefs but could be a valuable player for another team looking for line help.

Why Chris Conley could start: The Chiefs had by most statistical measures the worst group of wide receivers in the NFL last season. The Chiefs failed to get a single touchdown catch from a wide receiver last season. So any receiver with potential will get a long look, and the Chiefs gave a lot of work to Conley, a third-round pick from Georgia, in offseason practice. Conley ran a 4.35 40 at the combine, so he’s fast enough to be a big-play threat. He not only can get open deep but showed the ability to run after the catch in his month of practice with the Chiefs. Kansas City signed veteran Jeremy Maclin to be its top wide receiver and Conley was playing his position during the offseason. Conley took Maclin’s spot with the starting lineup for one day when the veteran was out with an injury. He’ll have to learn the other outside receiving position if he’s to get significant playing time as a rookie. That spot is occupied by Albert Wilson, but Conley could also make a claim for that position. In addition, the Chiefs plan to look at Conley as a kickoff returner during training camp and the preseason. That’s another spot where he could make an impact.

[Tombstone RJ]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

2014:
Bowe
Avery
Hemingway
Wilson
Avant
Hammond

2015:
Maclin
Conley
Wilson
Avant
Thomas
Hemingway

Isn't Conley a rookie who has never taken a snap in an NFL game?

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

Isn't Conley a rookie who has never taken a snap in an NFL game?

And how excited were Bronco fans when Heuerman was drafted?

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

Isn't Conley a rookie who has never taken a snap in an NFL game?

we have several guys that aren't proven yet who are being labeled quality starters around here.

positive thinking, i guess

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

Isn't Conley a rookie who has never taken a snap in an NFL game?

Denver is nothing without Manning.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

we have several guys that aren't proven yet who are being labeled quality starters around here.

positive thinking, i guess

I'm not saying that Conley is anything other than a rookie, but based on what we are hearing from OTA speak, he's got the potential to add to the position versus what we had in 2014. Yeah, he's a rookie. So were Mike Evans, Odell Beckham, Sammy Watkins, Kelvin Benjamin, Jordan Mathews, Donte Moncrief, Brandin Cooks, Jarvis Landry, John Brown, etc.

Conley is coming into a situation with the Chiefs where he's going to see the ball. A lot. Maclin is going to draw the #1 DB and Conley is going to get his opportunities because of it, especially if he can assimilate the playbook and route tree quickly.

[RunKC]

The offense is exponentially better.

Here's what you're going from.

-A slower WR that has bipolar hands to a YAC WR who can fly and has excellent reliable hands.
-The WORST rated G on PFF to a pro bowl caliber G.
-A LT in his first year at LT in the NFL who mostly struggled with his punch and strength to a more experienced LT who is much stronger and has a better punch.
-A rookie G who was amongst the slowest and worst downfield blockers to a stronger same player vs stronger high 2nd round pick who is a better downfield blocker vs a high round draft pick who has elite strength and technique vs a G with elite measurables from Canada.
-An injured TE core (minus Kelce) to a healthy TE in Harris with another athletic TE who can run like a WR (like Kelce).
-Off the street terrible OT (haha Broncos) to a healthy, stronger Stephenson at RT who actually looked solid in the 2nd half of 2013.
-WR depth that included Junior "I can't catch a football" Hemmingway and AJ "I can't stay in bounds" Jenkins and a limited route running DAT most of the season to Wilson and DAT learning and being more involved in the playbook, Conley as another YAC weapon with good hands and a WR who actually knows the system.

It's not even close.

[Hammock Parties]

lol at thinking anyone on the line is an upgrade

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by RunKC

The offense is exponentially better.

Here's what you're going from.

-A slower WR that has bipolar hands to a YAC WR who can fly and has excellent reliable hands.
-The WORST rated G on PFF to a pro bowl caliber G.
-A LT in his first year at LT in the NFL who mostly struggled with his punch and strength to a more experienced LT who is much stronger and has a better punch.
-A rookie G who was amongst the slowest and worst downfield blockers to a stronger same player vs stronger high 2nd round pick who is a better downfield blocker vs a high round draft pick who has elite strength and technique vs a G with elite measurables from Canada.
-An injured TE core (minus Kelce) to a healthy TE in Harris with another athletic TE who can run like a WR (like Kelce).
-Off the street terrible OT (haha Broncos) to a healthy, stronger Stephenson at RT who actually looked solid in the 2nd half of 2013.
-WR depth that included Junior "I can't catch a football" Hemmingway and AJ "I can't stay in bounds" Jenkins and a limited route running DAT most of the season to Wilson and DAT learning and being more involved in the playbook, Conley as another YAC weapon with good hands and a WR who actually knows the system.

It's not even close.

you are correct on paper


let's see what happens

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by Stop, Chiefs

lol at thinking anyone on the line is an upgrade

Grubbs is an upgrade. Easily.
- McGlynn/Linkenbach was the worst OG in the league. A full trash can is an upgrade, let alone a Pro Bowler.

Stephenson back into the lineup is an upgrade over Harris.
- Harris was abysmal. Stephenson was playing very well to close out the 2013 season. And Don is one of, if not the most athletically gifted OL guy in the NFL. He gets back on track this year.

Allen back into the lineup over Fulton is an upgrade.
- I understand you don't like him, but he's substantially more mobile and athletic than either Fulton or Fanaika and has good tools for the RG spot in this system. Allen is going to be okay this season.

Fisher 2015 is an upgrade to Fisher 2014.
- First off-season he's been healthy and we've all read about his increase in lean muscle mass and strength. He turns the corner in 2015.

Kush is not an upgrade to Hudson. But if he's 60% performance level to his position league wide, he and the team/line are going to be just fine. And having Grubbs and Allen next to him will help.

And all of these guys except Grubbs know the system, played in the system and have started in the system.

This will be the best offensive line the Chiefs have fielded since 2006.

[Hammock Parties]

lol...I just love it...it never ends

[Bob Dole]

Originally Posted by Stop, Chiefs

lol at thinking anyone on the line is an upgrade

Is it possible for you to stop being a douchebag?

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Is it possible for you to stop being a douchebag?

OK OK...I'll lay off until the QB hits start flying.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by Stop, Chiefs

lol at thinking anyone on the line is an upgrade

Your trolling needs work

[pugsnotdrugs19]

In my mind, with a guy as athletically gifted and smart as Conley, he has to be the #2 WR (provided he has a good camp). Then you have to wonder how we get all these guys on the field. Obviously Maclin, Charles, and Kelce are locks to be on the field A LOT. So is Sherman for a good chunk. If Conley takes this job, you have guys like Wilson and DAT on the sideline far too often. I guess that'd be a good problem to have? It'll be interesting here in a month.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Inmen level troll attempt