Chiefs at Chargers Pre Game Discussion (Wk 1)

[powderblueboy]

I definitely agree about McConkey and Keenan being proven commodities. People are sleeping on Keenan Allen again. Three years ago, we heard all about Keenan losing a step and how he was heading for a fall into mediocrity. Then two years ago, he posted his best year ever (108/1243/7). Herbert now has two WR's he trusts in. Put them on opposite sides of the field and make defenses defend the whole field. Which leads me to Conklin. While I like him as a player, I don't think he stretches the field vertically like QJ, Tre Harris, or KLS would do. We know Roman likes to stretch defenses vertically... while always being a threat to run the ball. Balanced offense.

I think we see Dissley in the lineup much more than Conklin. He's a very good run blocker... so always a consideration for defenses defending the run. Now that Slater is hurt and Joe Alt at LT... it will be important that Dissley is helping out Pipkins with pass protection on passing plays... occasional outlet receiver.

I hope to see a lot of 11-personnel... because our depth is at the WR position.
Dissley, KA, Ladd, Omarion on the field at the same time. The #3 WR spot should be a steady rotation of QJ, Tre Harris, and KLS. Make them compete for WR#3 playing time. Each has a different skillset... so they could be rotated for different effects.

I also like the effect of 3-WR sets because it will spread defenses out more... horizontally and vertically. More space for Ladd, KA, and Omarion. Omarion is a beast when it comes to yards-after-contact. Spreading a defense out makes for more opportunities to get Omarion vs a CB or safety. I like that scenario. Make every defensive player play their run stopping responsibilities. What a nightmare for LB's and DB's to have to consider their drops pre-snap vs KA and McConkey... only to break off those responsibilities mid-play... and have to try and tackle O. Hampton.

If we stay balanced... we will be a nightmare to stop on offense. And it will take a lot of stress off of our OL.

That's putting a lot of emphasis in your game plan on taking away Mike Dana and George Karlaftis ..... is it worth it?
I'd go back and check on how Pip faired against the Chiefs from 2023 in pass pro.

Use Dissley there and Spags just has Dana dropping back in coverage and they send a blitzer on the other side.

Sure, occasionally they'll line up Chris Jones there .... send your back out to chip.

Its the exotic blitzes and Chris Jones that have killed the Chargers, even going back to the days of Bob Sutton.
Don't focus on the very average Dana/Karlaftis duo.

When the chips are down and its a big play, Spags always dials up the blitz .... expect it.

[powderblueboy]

Here's a read on what Chiefs defenders say about Steve Spagnuolo's defense .... it has many similarities to that of Belichick's awhile back in description.
Lots of moving parts, well coordinated ... that can adjust to what you are doing.

He wants to disrupt receivers at the LOS ... would like to see QJ beating that on a release and burning them, as I think he can, given their press corners.
Don't know if the rooks are up to it this early in their career.

Having Najee back picking up blitzers, and a receiver (Keenan/McConk) moving into the open space will be a big deal. An rb who is a triple threat is a big deal against the Chiefs.
It's 3rd down that separates the good from great defenses, and Pags does it by being very aggressive, confusing offenses and still being very fundamentally sound.
Staley is his polar opposite: un-twins separated at birth.

https://www.kansas.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article295494104.html

[CanadianBoltFan]

If you've been watching the Chiefs closely, then you probably know how valuable Thuney was to their OL.
You probably also noticed how badly they got clobbered when their OT's crumbled.

You have no worries about their rookie OT re-habbing from his injury... but worry about Becton's health... even though he's played 35 of 38 games the last 2 years...? You seem to have very selective viewing tendencies.

The Patriots went to 9 Super Bowls including 6 wins... but that dynasty ended... just like the Chiefs will.
Why can't it end this year? Why must we speculate about this year... based on last year?

Must we speculate that Bradley Bozeman will be no better than his 61.2 pff score in 2024?
Why can't we speculate that he'll play closer to his 73.6 pff score of 2021?

And if we are destined to perform at last year's levels... should we speculate that Kingsley S will continue to perform @his 39.4 pff grade from last year? Why can't we speculate that Becton will perform @last year's 75.3 pff grade...?

Rules for me... but not for thee... I see.

Sure I think they are due and I think we can beat them. Just need to actually see it, as i have heard all the same stuff before every Chief game the last few years.

You keep bringing up Bozeman in 2021, it is 2025. He has played poorly the last 2 seasons in a row, You want to bring up not using the past? with Bozeman you are hoping for 4 years ago.

Its not just me btw...every worthwhile source points to our offensive line as the big concern for the Chargers. Chiefs have o line concerns too. The difference is Reid/Mahomes have demonstrated considerably better the ability to rise up to the moment, overcome and get it done. Our guys need to prove they can do that ina big game.

Hoping it starts Friday!

[CanadianBoltFan]

I'm hoping Najee can be a factor because I don't like our RB depth if he's not. Only Haskins - and he'll be busy on ST's - remains unless we bring up Vidal.

Najee hasnt had contact all summer long. Expecting a major contribution from him in week 1 is a tall order. I think it will be mostly Omarion.

[Whydachargers?]

Najee hasnt had contact all summer long. Expecting a major contribution from him in week 1 is a tall order. I think it will be mostly Omarion.

Me too.

[CanadianBoltFan]

Worthy is supposed to be their speed/deep/home-run receiver. He had fewer yards and TD's than QJ last year. Think about that for a second.

In 6 seasons, Hollywood Brown has only had 1 year that was better than QJ's last year. How can we hate QJ so much but love these 2 so much...?

JuJu Smith-Schuster can't stay healthy. His last 2 seasons combined are not equal to QJ's last year.

Chiefs are short handed at WR yes so that could help.

Apples to apples...

QJ rookie season 38 431 2
Worthy rookie season 59 638 6

Sorry, just like to try to keep the facts balanced

[CanadianBoltFan]

I plan to watch it on YouTube. Hopefully YouTube can handle the traffic and there isn't a crash like there was with the Kelce-Swift palooza.

I have wondered about that too. It is supposed to be the largest audence ever on youtube an maybe one of the largerst ever to watch a regular season game

[sonorajim]

Sure I think they are due and I think we can beat them. Just need to actually see it, as i have heard all the same stuff before every Chief game the last few years.

You keep bringing up Bozeman in 2021, it is 2025. He has played poorly the last 2 seasons in a row, You want to bring up not using the past? with Bozeman you are hoping for 4 years ago.

Its not just me btw...every worthwhile source points to our offensive line as the big concern for the Chargers. Chiefs have o line concerns too. The difference is Reid/Mahomes have demonstrated considerably better the ability to rise up to the moment, overcome and get it done. Our guys need to prove they can do that ina big game.

Hoping it starts Friday!

How long have Reid and Mahomes been working together? This is their 9th year. Harbaugh and Herbert are entering year 2. The 1st of which was severely deficient in WRs, TEs and RBs. We received a major talent injection on offense this year. I suspect a strong showing in Brazil.

[CanadianBoltFan]

How long have Reid and Mahomes been working together? This is their 9th year. Harbaugh and Herbert are entering year 2. The 1st of which was severely deficient in WRs, TEs and RBs. We received a major talent injection on offense this year. I suspect a strong showing in Brazil.

I do too. It will be incredibaly disappointing if we dont play well

[dmac_bolt]

I don’t think the Chiefs got any better on offense, and they were not that good last year. Their big WR draft pick is out for the game. Nothing of note at RB. Kelce a year older. OL basically treading water and hoping not to take another step backwards - and it wasn’t that good last year. Coaching and scheme has been installed for years, no reason to expect more improvement

Chargers on paper made a lot more improvement imo. RB room much better. WR room much better. TE room much better. A second year in the same system. Pundits and “experts” are lazy and only know what they saw a year ago. Jmo, we can go and stun them all in a week.

[CanadianBoltFan]

I don’t think the Chiefs got any better on offense, and they were not that good last year. Their big WR draft pick is out for the game. Nothing of note at RB. Kelce a year older. OL basically treading water and hoping not to take another step backwards - and it wasn’t that good last year. Coaching and scheme has been installed for years, no reason to expect more improvement

Chargers on paper made a lot more improvement imo. RB room much better. WR room much better. TE room much better. A second year in the same system. Pundits and “experts” are lazy and only know what they saw a year ago. Jmo, we can go and stun them all in a week.

You are totally right.

This game is there for the taking. This should be the game we win, no excuses.

[sonorajim]

I do too. It will be incredibaly disappointing if we dont play well

At least you're consistent.