Earning Their Arrowheads
The Kansas City Chiefs got embarrassed by the Seattle Seahawks last Friday 44 to 14.
In the preseason game that is supposed to be a dress rehearsal for the regular season, the Chiefs looked like a team heading toward a long season of under-achieving.
While there is no way to know what the Chiefs will actually look like come the regular season, there were a few decent performances in the game against Seattle.
Here are the very few players I feel earned their arrowheads on Friday.
1. Jamaal Charles
What ACL surgery?
KC’s most important offensive player looked like his old self again vs. the Seahawks. Charles is taking hit and making guys miss just like he did before his injury. The Chiefs very wisely limited his touched this preseason but make no mistake, Jamaal is back and when fully utilized, he will make a tremendous impact on a drive per drive basis.
I’d be surprised if Romeo Crennel even gives him the ball Thursday.
2. Nate Eachus
I don’t care how soft a defense the Seachickens were playing at the end of that blowout, Eachus impressed me with his hard running at the end of the game. 98 yards on ten carries? That is pretty impressive.
Eachus probably isn’t going to make the team. His best bet is the practice squad. Still, with Cyrus Gray out with an injury he got a chance and he made the most of it. Expect the Chiefs to give him an extended look Thursday night against the Packers. Hillis and Charles will likely be placed in bubble wrap rather quickly so Eachus will get his totes.
3. Dexter McCluster
If I would have told you a few weeks ago that Dexter McCluster would be the team’s best receiver heading into the fourth preseason game, what would you have said?
Regardless, it’s true. McCluster is running great routes and getting himself open. He looks like he is going to be a major problem for opposing defenses.
4. Jon Baldwin
He caught six balls but only for 36 yards. Still, Baldwin got involved and helped move the chains on the one drive KC managed to muster with Matt Cassel. For a guy that has been largely invisible this preseason, it was a good start.
5. Javier Arenas
Arenas is the only defender to get a nod here. The rest of them were rubbish. Arenas got himself a sack and while that may seem insignificant given the butt-whooping the Chiefs suffered, don’t undersell this kid’s ability to get to the QB. Romeo Crennel is going to have to manufacture some pass rush against the Falcons with Tamba Hali on the sideline. Arenas does a nice job of disguising his intentions and he gets back to the QB quickly.
I’ll bet you a buffalo nickel Arenas gets the first sack of the 2012 season for the Chiefs.
That’s it. I can’t, in good conscious, hand out an Arrowhead to anyone else. Unless I am shooting Arrowheads at people. I which case, I’ve got a list here.
Introducing…
“Earning Their Arrowheads…Shot Into Their Faces”
Jalil Brown
Matt Cassel
Tamba Hali
Dwayne Bowe
Jalil Brown
Tony Moeaki
Jalil Brown
Romeo Crennel
Eric Berry
The offensive line
Brian Daboll
The defensive line
Pete Carrol’s smug expression
The officials
Carly Rae Jepsen
All right, Addicts. Those are the players I thought earned their arrowheads. Did I miss anyone?