
Some 2016 Superlatives
Team MVP: Jamaal Charles
Charles should regain his form in 2016 and come back stronger than ever. It will help that the Chiefs have Charcandrick West to spell him and keep him fresh.
Defensive POY: Justin Houston
Houston should also be much healthier and need less of a knee brace and more of a wrap for the season. If Hali can shed some weight and push the other side of the line, Houston will shine.
Offensive POY: Jeremy Maclin
I like to think of MVP and POY as different awards so I go with Maclin on this one. Maclin should be rested and angry after the end of this past season enough to demand the ball more often. He and Smith will continue to develop chemistry and timing.
Surprise Camp Cut: Mike DeVito
This might not be a camp cut but a spring cut. I just don’t see DeVito getting back to form at his age and really making an impact for this defensive line.
Biggest Progression: Chris Conley
The Chiefs need a second wide receiver desperately. With predicted double coverage on Maclin and safety help on Kelce, Conley will rise to become a reliable and explosive target for Smith.
Biggest Drop: Dustin Colquitt
It would have been easier to go with one of the defensive veterans this year but Colquitt has enjoyed the longest tenure as a current Chief and he is getting on in years. Age doesn’t affect punters as it does others but flexibility is extremely important and it does diminish over time.
Bold Predictions
- Alex Smith will throw for over 4200 yards- This may be a big stretch given how the west coast offense likes to dink and dunk, but if you look at how the Patriots moved the ball this season you will see a lot of short passes relying on yards after catch. If Smith can get a speedy slot guy to throw some crossers, there might be hope for a big season.
- Eric Berry will get three pick-sixes – Berry came back from a cancer battle in All-Pro form but he didn’t go after the ball as much as he could have. Being back on the field for the full schedule this past year should give Berry the confidence he needs to go after those deep lobs instead of going for the hit.
- Cairo Santos will not miss an extra point – This could be more of a hope than a prediction but there are kickers who did not miss any of the extended point-afters this past season.
- Andy Reid will lose another member of his staff to a head coaching position – I don’t think it will be Bob Sutton but seeing as Brad Childress will be in the light again, he could get some consideration.
- San Diego will have the league’s worst record in 2016 – The Chargers are a complete mess. They put their best defensive player on IR for the last game despite him being healthy. They can’t get their own city to support them. They don’t have much hope.