Open Letter to the Kansas City Chiefs

Aug 29, 2013; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches against the Green Bay Packers in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won the game 30-8. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports`

Here we are, Addicts. We sit less than 48 hours away from kickoff in Jacksonville which will being the 2013 season for the Kansas City Chiefs. The draft is over, the trades are over, the free agency period is over and the preseason is over. Arrowhead Addict has been a flurry of activity since it was announced that Andy Reid and John Dorsey were coming to town and bringing change with them. While I’m not so deluded as to think that they (or any of the Chiefs) read a fan site like AA, if they did, this is what I would want to say to them.

Dear Kansas City Chiefs,

While I address this letter to all of you, there are certain people I would like to speak to directly.

First, to Alex Smith: You were brought to this city to lead this franchise. We’ve heard all of the “Joe Montana” references because of the team you came from. We don’t expect you to be Joe. What we do expect you to do is lead this team. You need to lead them in the locker room and on the field. While a 40 yard shot to the end zone would be nice once in a while, most of us don’t expect you to make those throws. What we do expect you to do is run the offensive efficiently and score touchdowns as often as you can using the weapons around you. If you could do that with as few turnovers as possible, that would be awesome. I don’t know if you checked the history of this team, but there hasn’t been a quarterback here worth his salt in quite some time. You could be the guy to change all that, but you have to prove it.

There are some “homers” out there (like me, I’ll admit it) who think you have the chops to lead this team deep into the playoffs this year. There are others who think you are the second coming of Matt Cassel and we all saw what happened to him. While who you truly are probably lies somewhere in the middle of all that, I truly hope you are the quarterback this franchise needs.

To Dwayne Bowe: You got your big pay day in the offseason, “Show.” Now, it’s time for you to put up or shut up. You need to be that receiver that is not only getting paid the big money, but can put up the big numbers. That means, while we expect you to drop two to three passes per game, you need to hang on to them. While we expect you make those sideline catches and circus stunt grabs, you need to lead this young receiving corps. You need to make yourself the favorite target of Alex Smith because he knows you’re going to catch everything he throws at you. You need to use that big body to “box out” the smaller corner backs in the end zone and become that red zone threat we all know you can be. You want to talk big to the press and tell them you’re going to lead the league in receptions? I’m all for it, D-Bowe, but you need to put up or shut up. This is the year. Make it happen. Prove to everybody you’re worth that paycheck the new regime gave you.

To Jamaal Charles: You are the centerpiece of this offense. While it has shown it can move the ball without you, it’s a hell of a lot easier with you. Be you, JC. Hit those holes, and turn on those after burners. Keep that 5.8 yards per carry average going through the whole season. Prove to everyone from ESPN to the NFL Network that you are who they say you are. But most importantly, stay healthy. Between your knee and your foot you’ve already given Chiefs fans enough heart problems to last a life time.

Use this offense to your advantage, Jamaal. This is the offense you’ve dreamed of being in since you rose to fame in 2010. You can be an MVP caliber player in the offense. Chiefs Kingdom truly believes that, now you just need to prove it.

To Justin Houston, Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson: You three are the keys to this defense. Together, you are probably the best linebacking corps in the NFL. Not the AFC West. Not the AFC. The NFL. With this new defensive scheme, you have a chance to set records with the amount of sacks you can rack up. Get them. I want to see quarterback after quarterback laid out in your wake. I want to see tally marks on your helmet, showing the QBs you’ve taken out – okay, not really because I’m sure old Roger Goodell would have a field day with that – but you guys know what I mean. I want you to lead this defense to the glory it has the potential to bring. You saw what Peyton Manning was able to do last night to the Baltimore Ravens? Don’t let him do that to the Chiefs. Reach down, find that well and use it show everyone that you are who we think you are.

To John Dorsey: Thank you for using your skill to put together a team that I think has the opportunity to win five times as many games this year as they did last year. Thank you for your hard work, long hours and late nights in finding the right guys to come together and make the 2013 Chiefs. Thank you for continuing to work and refine this roster. Unlike past general managers, you aren’t trying to make this team “Green Bay West” but you’re using your skill as a talent evaluator to truly find the “right 53.” That term is no longer a punch line.

To Andy Reid: You were the right man for the job before you were ever hired. Sir, your record speaks for itself. The players respond to you and that says something. The fact that they want to win for you as much as they do for themselves and the fans speaks volumes about your leadership and how much they respect you already. I look forward to watching this team grow and play under your watch. More importantly, I look forward to watching them win.

Finally, to Clark Hunt: Sir, a lot of people (including me) were pretty down on you last season. The called you cheap. They said you didn’t care about this franchise. They thought you were content to sit on your throne in Dallas and watch your soccer team. At the end of the season, you proved them all wrong. Mr. Hunt, I think if your father was here, he would be proud of the direction you have this team moving in. You got your coach. You got your GM. You let them do what they do best and you eliminated all the distractions that the past regime had in place. Well done.

In closing, Chiefs, I would just like to say that none of this means “Jack” or “You Know What” if you don’t perform every Sunday. But more than just perform, you have to put points on the board. More than just points, the defense has to stop the other team from putting points on the board. You have to put it all together. Chiefs, you have to win football games. Then all will be right in Chiefs Kingdom.

Sincerely,

Jason Seibel

Writer, Arrowhead Addict