Kansas City Chiefs: Why The Re-Signings Of Jason Avant, Richard Gordon And Kelcie McCray Matter
By Brett Gering
Dec 7, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jason Avant (81) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Chiefs 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
On Friday, the Kansas City Chiefs announced that the the club has re-signed wide receiver Jason Avant, tight end Richard Gordon and safety Kelcie McCray.
#Chiefs Sign WR Jason Avant, TE Richard Gordon & S Kelcie McCray
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) March 13, 2015
READ: http://t.co/W1iTya72PS
Personally, I like all three decisions.
Avant adds more veteran leadership to a young receiving corps. He’s a crisp route-runner who has glue sticks for fingers, and no player in the league has a better grasp of Andy Reid’s offense.
When the 31-year-old first came to town, The Kansas City Star‘s Terez Paylor noted his immediate influence on those around him, particularly the rookies. In one of his first wide receiver meetings with the team, the veteran’s preparation rubbed off on Albert Wilson, who told Paylor:
"I look over at his book, and he had notes like he’d been here three or four days already. I was just looking like, he’s that detailed?"
Avant also played five seasons alongside the Chiefs’ newest playmaker, Jeremy Maclin, when both were with Reid’s Eagles from 2009 to 2013.
Kansas City’s coach runs a complex offense, and he already had an intelligent quarterback. (Last offseason, ESPN Stats and Information reported that Alex Smith had the highest Wonderlic score of the league’s projected starting quarterbacks.) Now, said passer enters 2015 with two wideouts who, over the course of the offseason, are sure to be on the same page as him.
Obviously, Gordon and McCray are relative unknowns. However, while the details haven’t been disclosed, neither of the signings will make a notable dent in cap space. (If they don’t fall within the top 51 salaries, then the moves won’t impact Kansas City’s cap room at all.)
Gordon has surprising speed for his size, but blocking is his forte. When he jogs out onto fields, it usually involves tight end trips (formations).
On the heels of Anthony Fasano’s release, Gordon and Demetrius Harris find themselves eyeing the second slot on the depth chart. That said, Dorsey, via the draft or free agency, is sure to add more competition at the position.
McCray only played 55 snaps last season. He’s a bone-rattling hitter with a (former) quarterback’s mindset. Having said that, he, at times, looks like he’s simply going through the motions as opposed to having a natural feel for the position.
He wasn’t re-signed for Bob Sutton, though; he was re-signed for Dave Toub. McCray graded out as Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) No. 2 special-teamer of 2014, finishing slightly behind his teammate, Josh Martin (whom the Chiefs tendered last week.)
In terms of kickoff coverage, the 26-year-old tied for 14th in the NFL. However, even more impressively, he headlined the league in punt coverage.
Judging by the recent wave of transactions, John Dorsey is leaving no stone unturned.
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