Chiefs Road to SB51: advancing air attack
By Ryan Tracy
The Kansas City offense is looking up in the air… And that’s a good thing.
Alex Smith enjoyed one the top passing years of his career in 2015. He threw for a career-high with 3486 yards and added 20 touchdowns. That’s great, but the passing game needs to take the next step in order to progress to an AFC Championship game or Super Bowl.
That’s just want Andy Reid is looking for. He wants to be a pass-first offense. He wants a dynamic passing attack that can execute against any defensive scheme. Since coming to Kansas City, Reid was limited by receiving groups that lacked players with elite athleticism or experience or both!
The arrival of Jeremy Maclin changed that. he was paired with younger players that needed time to grow into he system that Maclin excels in. A year removed now, Reid has a receiver group that has experience, youth and athleticism.
On the Check with Me Podcast this week, we talk through the wide receiver possibilities for the Kansas City passing game. Here’s the show:
You can subscribe tot he show on iTunes, Stitcher, Podbean or Google Play.
The offseason in Kansas City has seen a number of interesting names on display for the Chiefs. At the end of training camp, however, decisions will be made. At the very most, only six receivers will make the 53-man roster. The competition will be fierce this preseason.
The Core
At the heart of the team’s receiver plans are the three that are now the corp of the position room; Jeremy Maclin, Chris Conley and Albert Wilson.
Maclin is paid to be the leader of this position group. And he’s lived up to it in his first season in KC. His leadership has shown this off season in putting together workouts for the three of them. Here’s a shot from March 24
(posted by Maclin
Chris Conley has only his rookie season under his belt. That season showed flashes of his potential and good reason for optimism heading into trainmen camp 2016. I expect he’ll compete to start opposite Maclin from the opening of camp.
Wilson has been up and down and his performance late in 2015 have left an impression that his development has stopped. I am not sold that his progression cannot continue, although in a new direction. Experienced outside, Wilson may be able to thrive in a slot role in 2016. Regardless, he will have a big role to play.
Next: Talking about vets...