The Kansas City Chiefs will represent the second team that ALEX SMITH will sign with, that will be asking to him to help resurrect their franchise. The Chiefs were in desperate need of a savior or at least a capable quarterback who can lead them to respectability and beyond on offense. And it seems they’ve found that person in Smith. From 1998-2001 (high school) and 2003-2004 (college) Smith knew nothing but success and being the man at quarterback. Then for some odd years in San Francisco (including 2012) he found out how the other half lives and it had to be humbling to him, but it will only make him stronger.
Camera shots of Smith on the sideline during 2012 NFL telecasts of 49ers games, showed a focused and/or composed eight-year NFL veteran standing on the sideline watching COLIN KAEPERNICK fastidiously taking away a job that Smith thought was his after the 2011 season. But that was then, 2013 is the present and now he has a chance to write a new chapter in his career.
The Chiefs haven’t been to the playoffs since 2010 and for the past decade or so, they haven’t enjoyed nearly the type of talent that they had on display back in the 1990s. With Smith’s signing, Chiefs fans (especially the ones who know their history about the franchise and who have supported the franchise for more than 20 years) have to wonder is he the quarterback that is going to lead KC to the Super Bowl, a venue that the Chiefs haven’t been to since 1969? That question has to be answered soon because the Chiefs have been mediocre for far too long, but it’s going to take more than a year to right the Chiefs ship.
The best weapon that Smith will have at his disposal on offense will be the gifted DWAYNE BOWE. For as hard as he works on and off the field in preparation for his career, he deserves better than the quarterback play that he has received for the balance of his career in KC. He just signed a 5 year and $56 million dollar deal to basically remain with the team through the 2018 free agent season, so he and Smith should be able to work together for some time. Meanwhile, Bowe had one of the worst years of his career in 2012 with just 59 catches for 801 yards and 3 scores, numbers that a talent like Bowe can make in their sleep. During the 2012 season and in particular the Week 8 game versus Oakland he only caught one pass in the second half and for Weeks 15 through the season finale he didn’t register a single statistic. The 2013 season and beyond are pivotal for Bowe in his attempts to show the NFL what a talent he really is.
JAMAL CHARLES is a weapon in the running game and passing game. Amid how bad the 2012 season was for the Chiefs, a bright light was present in the form of Charles. He gained 1,509 yards rushing last year which was the most rushing yards in a single season for a Chief running back since LARRY JOHNSON sprung for 1,789 yard markers back in 2006. Charles has played five seasons with KC and in three of those years he’s gained more than 1,000 yards rushing. One of the recurring themes about Charles and that was evident last year, is that despite his less than ideal size he never deviate’s from contact. Charles and Bowe are the best offensive weapons KC has and they must be used consistently in 2013 and beyond for the Chiefs to have hopes of escaping the basement of the AFC West. The two wins KC “accomplished” last year were the same amount of wins KC had back in 2008 and which got head coach HERMAN EDWARDS fired.
New signee DONNIE AVERY has had a problem with staying healthy or being with any team for two years or less. He is potentially an exciting and quicksilver-fast player, but he has a lot to prove. He was a bust in St. Louis, a franchise that chose him in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. ANTHONY FASANO another recently signed player was an underused talent in Miami and Dallas. KC must incorporate him into their offense because he is one of the better unsung talents at tight end in this league. KC is the fourth stop for TERRANCE COPPER in his career and he was virtually ignored or used just to block in KC’s offense last year. Copper has speed and the ability to move the chains as a possession guy.
DEVON WYLIE is a speedy, crafty, and hard working receiver who could be a solid threat as a complementary receiver in this offense. He was just a rookie last year but he showed that he could be a heck of an option when he has the ball in his hands. SHAUN DRAUGHN is a no frills and unselfish back who will be a free agent when the 2013 season is over. He has to have a solid season this year as a receiving and running threat and occasional lead blocker to make himself attractive to KC and other teams when free agency rolls around. CYRUS GRAY was fun to watch in college at Texas A&M. Gray like KC’s other running backs is a talent as a runner and receiver. But he is too young to really be counted on right now. NATE EACHUS is one of the lead blockers in this offense and he can actually run the ball too, but KC is more interested in his lead blocking and pass protection.
DEXTER MCCLUSTER is one of the more exciting players to watch in this offense and he consistently sacrifices his body by running a myriad of shallow crosses (with blood-thirsty linebackers and Cover-2 safeties not too far away) despite his small stature. MARDY GILYARD has been a tease or unused receiver for the base of his short career, and he must have a good summer and near fall practice exhibition or he could be cut. Part of it his fault and part of it is the quarterback play as to why 2011 first-round draft pick receiver JON BALDWIN hasn’t broken out. Just 579 yards and 2 scores receiving in two years isn’t going to suffice too long. Baldwin at his best is a thrilling receiver with jumping ability and speed. He needs to develop into the No.2 receiver that KC drafted him for two years ago. TONY MOEAKI is the one of the most talented tight ends in the league that no one has really heard of, partly because of subpar or average play at quarterback during most of his career. He runs smooth routes, has deceptive speed, can jump, and he can take the big hit from the safety and intermediate-area-covering linebackers.
BRANDEN ALBERT is the best offensive lineman KC had in 2012 and the best they have in 2013 bar none. When he sets up in pass protection he has a good punch to stop the defensive end in his tracks, he can run block, and he can be a cold sun of a gun on lead blocks. The Chiefs really needed RODNEY HUDSON in 2012. When he went down to injury and was placed on injured reserve after Week 4 of the season, the Chiefs lost not only one of their better offensive linemen but the quality went down as far as centers when he was replaced with RYAN LILJA. Lilja was booed in Week 8 versus Oakland due to his low or errant center snaps. The color commentator of that game joked that his hair turned gray (his hair has been gray for a number of years now) because of his many bad snaps in that game.
Center BRYAN MATTISON is a decent player who is not half bad as a guard. The Chiefs down the line may try him there (guard) like they did some odd times in 2012. JEFF ALLEN is a hard working and blue-collar guard who has solid movement and a little nastiness in his game. He was forced to a play a lot last year because of injuries, his own development, and musical chairs on the offensive line. JON ASAMOAH is an up and coming player who will get his due from a certain few in KC and defensive tackles and defensive ends that have to face him on Sundays. He is an unsung player who in time will be either a solid guard or right tackle. DONALD STEPHENSON is a right tackle by nature with his wide wingspan, size, and just enough movement to be at right tackle instead of at left tackle.
BOTTOM LINE: The Chiefs need another back to step up and take pressure off of Charles in the run game. Moving on, the Chiefs have one of the most talented receiving corps in the AFC West but a lot of them are unproven, young, chronic underachievers, or injury risks. Bowe needs help and Baldwin must be that man to take hold of the No.2 spot and never let it go. Or maybe he [Baldwin] is a natural No.3 receiver and the Chiefs may need to address finding a true No.2 guy. As for the offensive line, it is young and outside of Albert and Hudson, the Chiefs are not sound on the offensive line yet.
