We have finally had the long awaited opportunity to witness Andy Reid’s Chiefs on the field against an opposing team. Yes, it’s preseason, and often conclusions are drawn from preseason games too prematurely, but Kansas City looked especially good in the University of Phoenix Stadium against the Cardinals on Saturday night.
First and foremost, it was wonderful to see many faces return, including veterans Derrick Johnson, Mike DeVito and the heroic Eric Berry. After a poor opening drive, the Chiefs defense looked excellent throughout. Against Thomas, Sims and Stanton, the Cardinals depth quarterbacks, the Chiefs allowed only 146 yards passing. Inside linebackers Justin March and Ramik Wilson particularly impressed on the defensive side of the ball, and Dee Ford showed very brief flashes of his elite pass rushing ability.
What was particularly impressive on the defensive side of the ball was the run defense, something that plagued defensive coordinator Bob Sutton lasts season. The defensive line of the Chiefs were consistently able to pressure the run game of the Cardinals, without giving up big plays down the field. It was an excellent defensive performance from the Chiefs, whether it be a preseason game against a second string offense or not.
It is important to remember that this is only preseason, and when the Cardinal’s first string offense was on the field, led by Carson Palmer, they waltzed through the Kansas City defense with an 80-yard touchdown scoring drive. However, the greatest positive to come from Saturday night is one that is not negated by the old “it’s only preseason”. The greatest positive is that Kansas City has great strength in depth.
There have been many 53-man roster predictions made recently, some perhaps more successful than others. What has struck me in reading them, however, is the quality of players who are not making the 53-man roster. For example, the key weakness of the starting line up is currently the offensive line. However, in terms of depth, some quality players will not even make the roster. Assuming Reid and Dorsey accommodate the standard nine offensive linemen, it looks likely that one of Jarrod Pughsley, Paul Fanaika or Derek Sherrod will not make the roster. For a supposed weakness, this is a strong reserve line up.
The sixth wide receiver spot is extremely competitive. At the current moment, Da’Ron Brown, Junior Hemingway, Kenny Cook, Frankie Hammond, Jr., Fred Williams and L’Damian Washington look set to battle it out to squeeze onto the roster. Williams was the most impressive against the Cardinals with six receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown, and this spot could perhaps come down to the quality of special teams play. However, the quality for the lower end of the roster is the best it has been for many years in Kansas City.
What Saturday showed is that the second, third and even fourth-string teams have quality, and that this Chiefs roster, from 1 to 53, will have plenty of playmakers. After finally seeing our Chiefs back on the field, excitement for the coming season is beginning to build. Perhaps this is hopeless optimism, but strength in depth is something that Andy Reid and John Dorsey can most definitely write home about.
So, do you agree Chiefs fans? Are you also hopelessly optimistic for the coming season, and as excited as I was on Saturday night to see our Chiefs fans back on the field? And do you agree that the roster is looking very strong or are you worried by the quality of the players scheduled to be at the lower end of the roster? Let me know in the comments below, and as always… GO CHIEFS!!!