Three Chiefs That Must Step Up In Carolina

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WR Donnie Avery

According to Chiefs HC Andy Reid, starting WR Dwayne Bowe’s finger is “shot” and “he’s not catching the ball.” Unfortunately, “catching the ball” is the most important part of his job description.

Next up on the depth chart is Avery, who has had similar problems with perfectly healthy hands. I’ve long had high hopes for Avery and I still think he can turn into a great receiver. He has the type of speed that made him a high 2nd-round pick, but the inconsistencies in the rest of his game have always held him back. If he is on his game, he can fill the exact role that the Chiefs need — a deep threat that will take the pressure off of RB Jamaal Charles.

At times, has succeeded in this role. He caught a long bomb TD in the playoff loss against Indianapolis. He also gets tons of defensive pass interference calls, and with the league now more sensitive to contact after five yards, I imagine he will start getting many more. The problem is that at some point the Chiefs will need players who can actually catch the ball consistently. There’s no point in having the league’s safest and most efficient quarterback if your receivers are only catching half the time.

Against the Bengals, he was held without a catch and was roundly outplayed by UDFA WR Albert Wilson, WR Kyle Williams and 2013 practice-squader Frankie Hammond Jr.. As much as I am encouraged by the development of those upcoming young faces, I really want to see Avery seize the moment and reach his potential as a solid veteran presence while Bowe is out.