Alex Smith is a baked potato
Ingredient #4: Andy Reid’s Play Calling and Philosophy
The Chiefs could have all of the first three ingredients in 2017 and it still may not be enough if this fourth ingredient isn’t present. Simply put, Andy Reid has to prioritize the running attack in 2017. Reid is a quarterback and passing game specialist. That’s where his heart is. In a perfect world he would love to have a passing game so good that it is the clear star of the show and the running game is simply the side dish. He really tried to make it that way in Kansas City last season, but the results simply weren’t good enough. Reid has to go back to making the running game the “meat” of the offense, with Alex Smith and the passing game being the complimentary side.
That’s hard to do when you have weapons in the passing game like Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. Those two absolutely should be guys that they game plan to get multiple touches every single week, but that doesn’t have to mean giving up on the run to do it. Screen passes aren’t enough. The Chiefs have to line up and effectively run the ball between the tackles if they want a real shot at winning in the post season this year, and that all starts with Andy Reid making the commitment to stick with the run.
Eagles fans would love to tell us that this will never happen, that Reid will never make the run game the focus of his offense. However, that’s exactly what Reid did in his first few years in Kansas City. Unfortunately, he just got away from it some last season. If Reid sends the message from day one of camp this year that they are committed to running the ball, that will be a huge win right out of the gate. If the Chiefs can pair that with the three other ingredients I’ve listed, then the steak will definitely be back in K.C.’s steak and potato offense in 2017.
So what do you think Chiefs fans? Have I lost my mind comparing Alex Smith to a baked potato? Do you agree that its essential to their success this coming season to get back to running the football more? Do you agree with the four ingredients I’ve come up with to make that happen? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
As always, thanks for reading and GO CHIEFS!