Chiefswinitall 60 Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 .http://www.espn.com/blog/kansas-city-chiefs/post/_/id/24718/qb-patrick-mahomes-isnt-only-player-key-to-chiefs-season QB Patrick Mahomes isn't only player key to Chiefs' season Dee Ford had a nine-game stretch during the 2016 season in which he recorded 10 sacks. John Sleezer/Zuma Press/Icon Sportswire Jul 2, 2018 Adam TeicherESPN Staff Writer Facebook Twitter Facebook Messenger Pinterest Email print For the Kansas City Chiefs to contend for the playoffs this season, here are the five players who can help make that happen: Dee Ford, OLB: The Chiefs drafted a pass-rusher, Breeland Speaks, in the second round but otherwise are pinning their hopes on significant and much-needed improvement in this area on the healthy return of Ford. He missed much of last season because of a back injury. Ford had a big nine-game stretch in 2016 when he had 10 sacks but otherwise has produced little since the Chiefs drafted him in the first round of 2014. Ford should be motivated. He's in the final season of his rookie contract. Kendall Fuller, CB: Marcus Peters was not only the Chiefs' best cornerback, but their top defensive playmaker. When they intercepted a pass or forced a fumble, he was involved as often as not. At least some of that heavy burden falls on Fuller, the most important Chiefs component of the trade that sent quarterback Alex Smith to Washington. He needs to play like a No. 1 cornerback, though he has never been asked to fill that role before. He's the most logical candidate to replace Peters as Kansas City's top corner.160 Players Who Could Decide Season We asked our NFL Nation beat reporters to identify the five players on each roster who will be vital in helping their team try to win Super Bowl LIII. Key players in 2018 »More NFL coverage » Anthony Hitchens, ILB: It speaks to the need for an inside linebacker that the Chiefs made Hitchens their big defensive signing in free agency despite significant needs elsewhere on that side of the ball. The Chiefs need him to be more than a run-stopper, though that was a problem area for them last year. They also need him to play well in pass coverage. If Hitchens holds up in both areas, the Chiefs have a chance at significant defensive improvement. If he is adequate in neither, it should again be a tough season for the defense. Patrick Mahomes, QB: The quarterback is always vital to his team's success, but that's particularly true for the Chiefs, who traded a proven commodity in Alex Smith to clear the way for Mahomes. The Chiefs could almost count on winning 10 games and a playoff berth with Smith at QB. They did both in four of five seasons with Smith. Anything less this year in a division without what appears to be a powerhouse team is an unnecessary step backward for a team that could have retained Smith for one more season. Sammy Watkins, WR: In signing Watkins, the Chiefs are gambling they can have an offense that scores a lot of points and masks their considerable defensive deficiencies. But they didn't spend $16 million per season on Watkins thinking he would be the No. 2 wide receiver or otherwise a complementary piece. Their offense will work best if he gives the Chiefs a large number of big plays and finishes the season with stats equal or close to those of their top two pass-catchers from last season, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xen 1,010,220 Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 "Patrick Mahomes, QB: The quarterback is always vital to his team's success, but that's particularly true for the Chiefs, who traded a proven commodity in Alex Smith to clear the way for Mahomes. The Chiefs could almost count on winning 10 games and a playoff berth with Smith at QB. They did both in four of five seasons with Smith. Anything less this year in a division without what appears to be a powerhouse team is an unnecessary step backward for a team that could have retained Smith for one more season." Wanted to highlight this as i think it's ridiculous. An unnecessary step backward would be to delay Mahomes' getting game experience, which cannot be practiced or substituted for, in exchange for 1 more season of 10 wins and another embarrassing playoff loss. Some may say, well maybe with the revamping of the team, with Hitch and Watkins and Fuller, Alex could have gotten over the playoff hump. To which i say, "Listen up, you ridiculous strawman generic poster, none of those guys are on the team without the Alex trade bringing Fuller and clearing up cap space!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer 8,691 Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 i think it's ridiculous. An unnecessary step backward would be to delay Mahomes' getting game experience, which cannot be practiced or substituted for, in exchange for 1 more season of 10 wins and another embarrassing playoff loss. yep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieHard 2,061 Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 Agreed. It is not a step back even if we go 8-8. It’s moving forward by definition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thegoatee 1,781 Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 Teicher needs a teacher to explain the game of football. So many worthless takes from this guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sith13 1,746 Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 Hitchens comment gives pretty much all we need to know about Teicher's insight. Doesn't even claim anything just stating the obvious, something in the vicinity of "if he's good it'll help, otherwise too bad". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the Warparty 69 Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 He's always been my 'Captain Obvious' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calichief 3,017 Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Good god... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West 6,714 Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 Agree Xen.... Smith had his chance. Mahomes is either the real deal or he isn't- its time to find out. w Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liquidfriend 1,151 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 "Water might splash up on your asshole when you go to shit" -Teicher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xen 1,010,220 Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 "Water might splash up on your asshole when you go to shit" -Teicher Well, i have a bidet, so that's a certainty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liquidfriend 1,151 Posted July 19, 2018 Share Posted July 19, 2018 Well, i have a bidet, so that's a certainty. I watched an episode of House Hunters where some Asian lady was very excited about trying to find a house with a bidet. I think the concept turned her on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xen 1,010,220 Posted July 19, 2018 Share Posted July 19, 2018 I watched an episode of House Hunters where some Asian lady was very excited about trying to find a house with a bidet. I think the concept turned her on. First bidet i used was in Japan. They're magic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liquidfriend 1,151 Posted July 19, 2018 Share Posted July 19, 2018 First bidet i used was in Japan. They're magic! The one time I've stayed in Japan, the bidet didn't spray water up the ol' balloon knot like it was suppose to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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