2015 K.C. Chiefs: The Story of a Champion
By Laddie Morse
Photo by Steve James (with permission)
Championship Pedigree: Team Speed
Each year a team wins the Super Bowl the grand discussion begins about how they won it all. So, what would be the defining point that other teams would make about these Chiefs, should they go all the way? The answer to that, at least in part, is, team speed.
Quarterback: Alex Smith is one of the faster and more mobile quarterbacks in the league.
Running Back: Jamaal Charles is still, in year nine, one of the fastest men in football.
Wideouts: De’Anthony Thomas and Jeremy Maclin can leave you in ghost mode. Chris Conley ran a 4.33 combine 40.
Tight Ends: Travis Kelce: BIG + FAST = SCARY (6-foot-5, 255, 4.61 official 40 time). Demetrius Harris is 6-foot-5 and goes 240 with 4.56 official 40 speed.
Kick Returner: 5-foot-10, 227 pound Knile Davis once ran a 4.25 40. Yikes!
Punt Returner: De’Anthony Thomas runs a 4.34 40 but is quicker than fast. Actually his 100 meters’ time rivals Jamaal Charles who has world class speed.
Corners: Sean Smith once ran a 4.37 40 and last year Phillip Gaines nailed an official 4.31 at the NFL Combine. Jamell Fleming = 4.43. Steven Nelson = 4.43.
Safety: Mr. Eric Berry runs an official 4.40 (and an unofficial 4.30) 40. Tyvon Branch = 4.31. Ron Parker 4.35. Both times official.
ILB: It’s still hard to believe that 6-foot-3, 242 pound Derrick Johnson ran a 4.50 40 yard dash when he came out of the University of Texas. I don’t see him losing a step.
DTs: Can you imagine allowing the 6-foot-3, 346 pound Dontari Poe to get a full head of stream before he hits you with all the force of a 4.89 40 yard thrashing? That was his official combine time. Rakeem Nunez-Roches ran a 4.99 40 in February. Mike Catapano ran a 4.75. That’s right, read it again. 4.75 is Catapano’s official 40 time.
It’s clear that these Chiefs are not only talented across the board but, speed is their first name in many cases.
It’s not just about speed for the K.C. Chiefs in 2015. They’re deep at so many positions: a luxury they haven’t enjoyed in a long time. The strengths and stories of this roster abound:
+ The defensive line was a strength going into training camp and the announcement of NT Dontari Poe at first appeared ominous. Now, with the depth stepping up, the silver lining in Poe’s absence is that when he returns, there will be someone to rotate in with him, keeping him fresh and prolonging his career.
+ Assigning a fixed offensive line early in camp (earlier than last year) appears to have fortified that front. Enough for Jamaal Charles to note that it is clearly better than the 2014 version which he calls, “rough.” Praise JC for the honesty.
+ WR Jeremy Maclin raising the bar. Not only will the team benefit from Maclin’s overall improvement over what Dwayne Bowe could offer but he has opened the door for the rest of the wide receiving corps to follow in his mold. JMac’s ability to help this group coalesce should not be undersold.
+ The emergence of CB Marcus Peters. Peters looks like the real deal steal of the first round. Yes, it’s early to be throwing accolades around like they’re candy at a carnival but that young man can cover like Kilz 2.
+ Alex Smith’s zip. I noted in my camp post that Alex has more mustard on his passes this year. It appears coach Reid has noticed that Smith is getting more accurate as well. He also pointed out this week that his QB is in the third year of his offense… something Alex Smith has never had a chance to experience in his nine year career: three years straight in the same offensive scheme.
+ The ascending voice and leadership of Justin Houston. Since his signing, I’ve never heard him speak so assuredly and emphatically about his teammates, the team’s goals and chances. It leaves you with that “Whoa, watch out” Wreck-it Ralph reflex.
We’re just two weeks into training camp and hopes are obviously high. Looking back at last season I see a number of games that were close and up for grabs… if only the football fates had fallen the Chiefs way. Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once wrote, “Thy fate is the common fate of all; Into each life some rain must fall.”
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone.
What do you think Addict fans? Are you ready to hum some, “Here Comes the Sun” or… is it cloud’s illusion you recall?
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Following is an offering from AA blogger Steve James who was at last weekend’s Family Fun Day. A huge THANK YOU to Steve! Enjoy!
I did catch some interesting pass break ups I think. #83 Williams had a good day imho catching a nice TD pass from Daniels.
I think overall defense carried the day, Alex started to get a lot of pressure on him and had to go from #1 to #2 to his dump out option as one of the pics shows. He also had to keep it and run several times. He had success about half the time when he did so.
Jamal had a beast day as a RB, Blocker and WR. Really looking ahead of the rest and ready for the regular season.
Alex and Bray had success with the short crossing patterns that they always do. Bray aired a couple out and put his receivers in danger when they sailed in him imho. Murray did not look good to me at all, he has a lot of work to do.
I wish I could give you a better report but I also split my time at the kidzone with my own future cheerleader 🙂
Dorsey was also prowling around all over, likely making personnel decisions we will hear about when the cuts come.
I also forgot to mention West impressed me (see below) and had a great day as a couple pics show. Overall it was a good day, it didn’t get rained out and stayed cooler and cloudy most of the day making it much more pleasant than it could of been.
