2014 Chiefs: Nine Reasons To Believe

1. Jamaal Charles Will Be Jamaal Charles

It’s not enough to say the Chiefs will win just because Jamaal Charles is on the team as one only need be reminded that two years ago Charles rushed for 1,509 yards but the team finished 2-14, the worst record in the league. What needs to be said here is that JC is not only in the second year of Andy Reid and Doug Pederson’s offensive system but the players around him are more talented this year.

The trio of tight ends that the Chiefs have this year are light years more talented than Sean McGrath in all his bearded glory ever was. McGrath is retired and the trio of Anthony Fasano, Travis Kelce and Demetrius Harris will present a formidable force for other teams to have to deal with.

What that means for Jamaal Charles is wider running lanes and better spacing to catch balls out of the backfield because the yards the TEs will gain receiving will be mostly up the middle of the field and now other teams will have to honor their legitimate threat by stretching their Linebackers and Safeties out in coverage.

While Andy Reid says Charles will still get a lion’s share of touches this season, the presence and positive development of RB Knile Davis means JC should get more opportunities to rest during games and that should help lengthen his career. Davis has looked great in camp and the touches he’s gotten have not only been meaningful but more importantly, effective.

The offensive line and the schemes the line run are tailor made for Jamaal Charles. While reviewing the first preseason game tape from the 4th quarter you could see that the line was executing Doug Pederson’s pulling and crossing blocking schemes to perfection. Cyrus Gray was having a field day dancing through the wide open spaces that the line was creating. Gray ended with 55 yards rushing on 5.5 yards per carry and 1 TD with most of his yard coming in that last drive.

While a couple of new faces will show up in the starting line-up along the offensive line the product of their efforts should be just as productive as last year.

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