Chiefs Chronicles: Super Bowl LVIII Preview (Part 2) - A Light Read Before the Game
An Unsurprising Coverage Angle, One Man's Trash is Another Man's 2nd-Ranked Defense, One of The Best Things About A Chiefs' Super Bowl Appearance, A HOF Snub That Reminds Me of Another, and More!
No, Not a Dutch Angle…
Over the last two weeks, nearly all Chiefs-related media coverage has been focused on (in no particular order): Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Andy Reid, and Taylor Swift. When matchups are mentioned it’s most often the Chiefs’ Offense versus the Niners’ Defense. Coach Spags has gotten some love here and there, as have Chris Jones and the Chiefs’ corners, but it has mostly been all about the Chiefs’ Offense (and all of the dysfunction it has dealt with this year) and the Niners’ Defense (“the D-Line and the Linebackers should dominate!!!😍” said by most sports hacks out there).
I’ve heard, “The Niners are, top to bottom, the best team in the NFL,” more times than I can count this week. The number of times I’ve heard how dominant the Chiefs’ Defense has been (particularly in the playoffs) is much, much less. It can wear on a person. Here are a few points that have been discussed with counterpoints:
Point 1: The Niners have the most complete group of skill players on Offense in the league. They’re the 2nd-ranked Offense overall!
Counterpoint 1: The Chiefs have the 2nd-ranked Defense overall. They have been instrumental in defeating the Dolphins (1st overall Offense), the Bills (4th overall Offense), and the Ravens (6th overall Offense).
Point 2: Hmm… Yeah, but Miami was playing in crazy cold weather and Buffalo had a kicker miss wide right and the Ravens were done in by baffling play-calling.
Counterpoint 2: “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” - Benjamin Franklin (AKA the guy who invented electricity)
Point 3: Fawning 49ers coverage that goes back to their glory days, followed by Joey Bosa saying, “They hold a lot.”
Counterpoint 3: The Niners uniforms look a bit like the ones in this video and I agree with the Professor’s sentiment…
One Man’s Trash
Speaking of the Chiefs’ Defense and the way they are being covered, it seems like some of it might have to do with where the Chiefs’ defenders were drafted.
The Niners defense is loaded with first-round picks. You know the types: Draft gurus have been drooling over them for years and using buzzwords to describe them like “transformational player,” “generational talent,” and “the best (insert defensive position here) in the draft.” Guys like Nick Bosa, Chase Young, Arik Armstead, and Javon Kinlaw. First-round, “can’t miss” picks.
The Chiefs’ Defense is built a little differently. Sure the Chiefs have two great first-round players on Defense (All-Pro Trent McDuffie & “Furious” George Karlaftis) but McDuffie wasn’t considered a slam dunk for KC (Chiefs Wire’s Nick Roesch gave the pick a “C” grade) and Karlaftis was considered a “high-floor” or safe pick by many. The Chiefs also have Felix Anudike-Uzomah (picked with the last pick of the 1st-round this year), but he hasn’t been a factor this season (the Super Bowl could change that though).
Instead, the Chiefs have built the best remaining Defense in the playoffs mostly by drafting guys who weren’t necessarily highly-touted prospects coming into the NFL. I can’t count the number of times during NFL Draft coverage I’ve heard, “Well, I don’t know what the Chiefs are doing drafting him here. He would have been available two rounds from now or even as an undrafted free agent.” That’s when they weren’t going to commercial right as the Chiefs’ selection came up. Yes, that happens and long-time fans can back me up on this one.
Let’s go through the important players for KC’s Defense (I won’t include everyone) and see where they were drafted:
Position/Player/Round Drafted
DE George Karlaftis (Rd. 1)
DE Michael Danna (Rd. 5)
DE Charles Omenihu (Rd. 5 -Free Agent- IR)
DT Neil Farrell Jr. (Rd. 5 -Free Agent)
DT Mike Pennel (Undrafted -Free Agent)
DT Derrick Nnadi (Rd. 3 -IR)
DT Chris Jones (Rd. 2)
DT Tershawn Wharton (Undrafted)
LB Drue Tranquill (Rd. 4 -Free Agent)
LB Nick Bolton (Rd. 2)
LB Leo Chenal (Rd. 3)
LB Willie Gay Jr. (Rd. 2)
CB Trent McDuffie (Rd. 1)
CB Jaylen Watson (Rd. 7)
CB L'Jarius Sneed (Rd. 4)
CB Joshua Williams (Rd. 4)
SS Justin Reid (Rd. 3 -Free Agent)
SS Chamarri Conner (Rd. 4)
FS Mike Edwards (Rd. 3 -Free Agent)
FS Deon Bush (Rd. 4 -Free Agent)
FS Bryan Cook (Rd. 2 -IR)
The Chiefs have built the best overall defense they’ve had in YEARS by not making the analyst-approved, obvious choices (WR, anyone?) and by finding value throughout (and after- we see you, Turk!) the draft. Not the big names. The other guys. Thinking about that reminded me of one of the most inspirational movie speeches ever put to film. I hope the Chiefs watch it and it gives them the will they’ll need to stop the unbeatable, supervillain-like 49ers offense.
It’s The Best!
What’s one of the best parts of the Chiefs playing in the Super Bowl?
For me, it’s not having to watch the Pro Bowl. I know they’ve changed it. It’s “more entertaining” now, with lots of crazy skills competitions and a (gasp!) flag football game. Also, it takes up the dead week between the Championship Round of the NFL Playoffs and the Super Bowl. So, more football (and money for the NFL)!
I’m not convinced. While I’m sure it’s better than watching what the Pro Bowls had devolved into over the years (at one point the guys really did play hard- watch this for proof. Really, you have to watch it!), you know what’s even better than that?
Watching your team play in the last game of the year.
It’s not only that, though. It’s also knowing that some of Chiefs Kingdom’s “favorites” are there and that’s the best it gets for them this year. That is pretty sweet. I hope you enjoyed the “game” Ja’marr. Great catch!😘
Jared Allen: Hall of Fame Snubee Four Years Running
Former Chief, Jared Allen, should have a HOF Gold Jacket by now. He was one of the most dominant sack artists of his era and the fact that he’s had to wait four years for his rightful induction is shameful. Plus, Dwight Freeney made it into the Hall this year, with a less impressive career statistically. Here is a link to a great breakdown/comparison by Will Ragatz on SI.com.
The reason this matters to me is that he was one of my favorite Chiefs when he was on the team and I always thought it was dumb that the Chiefs traded him away. The only plus that came out of the trade was that KC used one of the picks they received to draft Chiefs great Jamaal Charles. So it wasn’t all bad.
Perhaps this offseason I’ll write about the other Hall of Fame snub that bothers me. You have three guesses. I’ll look in the comments, but if you read this you probably know who it is. Now how to get people to comment…?
That’s all I have before Super Bowl 58. I hope all of Chiefs Kingdom has a great (and safe) day. I will spend game day managing my anxiety and wishing for a Chiefs blowout over the Niners. Blowouts are the only type of game I can watch and enjoy. Close games are only appreciated afterward.
Thanks for reading and, as always, GO CHIEFS!!!!!!!!!