Kansas City Chiefs Receivers: Bounce Back or Stay Put?
By Nick Floyd
Dec 15, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Sean McGrath (84) fakes a spike in the end zone after catching a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 56-31. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Ok before I go on about why I think the Kansas City Chiefs wide receivers will bounce back this season I need to address the monkey in the room, and not the one currently wearing a pirate outfit.
Alex Smith….
Dec 22, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) warms up before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
What else can be said that has not already been said within the last few months. I have been hounded by Donkey fans and even one 49ers fan about when will be pay Smith. I wish I had the answer to this question, honestly I do. The fact of the matter is Smith is currently the best option for the Chiefs under center, at this time. That part is the key, at this time. Will Smith be the answer the Chiefs need five years from now? No clue. Does Smith deserve to be paid? Yes. Kaepernick money? No. But somewhere is the vicinity of 90 to 100 million over 6 years, with 45-55 million guaranteed would be a good deal for what is by far the best option at QB the Chiefs have had in the last 5 years.
Ok back off the soap box for now.
In 2013 the Chiefs made the NFL turn there collective heads for the first nine weeks of the season. They were efficient on offense, protected the ball and their defense was stellar. After the bye things changed. Some say for the worse some, the record became the focus and the offense got overlooked because of key loses. There is no denying that the offense was clicking after the bye, and no game more than in the heart breaking playoff loss.
We learned more about that offense in that game than we did the rest of the year, and the most impressive was that star player Jamaal Charles was down. Would JC’s impact have changed the game, yes, but that is neither here nor there.
The reason behind why I think the Chiefs wide receivers are set to bounce back this season and increase production is for the following reasons:
1. More Familiarity with the offense as a whole.
Andy Reid and company have been working diligently in the offseason and that means that there will be even more chemistry building between Smith and his receivers. I look for the receivers to get more familiar with their quarterback and thus increase the production for the upcoming season. Will this lead to huge numbers for receiver Dwayne Bowe and company, yes and no. Yes because that developing chemistry will lead to more trust for Smith and should result in more production. No in the sense that, while Smith is not known for throwing deep, if his receivers still have issues in yards after catch we can pretty much expect the same results this season. So if all this works out, which I am leaning more towards right now, I think that we can expect better things from this receiver corp.
2. Despite not drafting a true number two receiver there is still talent on this team.
I was shocked when the 23rd pick came and no receiver was selected. I was even more shocked that a true wide receiver was not selected at all. De’Anthony Thomas does have potential that is to be sure, but I feel his impact will be more felt in the return game rather than wide receiver. However even though there is not a clear-cut number two at the moment, there is no doubt in my mind that this offense is ripe with talent and has the ability to become something special indeed. Will they begin to click and effectively move the ball outside Jamaal Charles? I tend to think that this is a real possibility.
All in all, I feel that the Chiefs are in a good spot with their receiver corp, and John Dorsey has the talent for bringing out the best in little to unknown talent. Also he has the eye for finding diamonds in the rough through the waiver wire. So while there was no clear-cut wide receiver selected I have no doubt that this team not only has the ability to increase their passing game, but make huge strides with Smith under center.
So what do you think Addicts? Are we set at receiver for right now? Is there someone out there that you would like to see in Chiefs Red? Sound off below!
Go Chiefs!!!