The Kansas City Chiefs Let Andy Reid Continue To Waste The Franchises Time

There they are.  The terrific trio.  They honor Chiefs fans with their presence.  They have saved the franchise.  All Chiefs fans should pay homage to their greatness.  Please excuse me for a moment, I think I have to barf.

***Whew!***

Ok, better now.  Sorry folks, but this team's leadership is making me sick.  I had a feeling that something like this was going to happen when Clark ran to Philly like his hair was on fire to secure the Chiefs next Head Coach.  Actually, that event is a study in desperation that probably deserves it's own article to discuss.  I have talked about it before and pondered it's ramifications.  Unfortunately, I think Reid is proving my worst fears about temerity ruling his actions given the circumstances of Clark selling out completely in terms of giving Reid total control of the team.  Were these words prophetic?

"...because an Andy Reid full of temerity, could do more damage on purpose than an egotistical Scott Pioli did out of ignorance.  What if the temerity stricken Andy Reid in 1999-2000 had chosen Akili Smith or Tim Couch?  I dare say we wouldn't be talking about his 14 year tenure in Philadelphia."

How is Reid confirming my fears?  How is he showing his temerity in his new position?  Mostly by stubbornly sticking with an under performing QB, continually ignoring the necessity of a competent Offensive line and (unbelievably for a coach who supposedly throws the ball too much) refusing to find solid wide receiver talent because he has one of the league's best RBs in his backfield.  Reid's recent moves don't really look too much different than any he's made since he started.  The inability to change what isn't working is one of Reid's trademarks.  It signifies either temerity or stupidity.  I'll let you decide which one you think this is, but Reid does not strike me as stupid. 

I understand that the average football educated Chiefs fan (the average Chiefs fan will just scream "Reid is the savior" in my face because they don't spend any time gaining knowledge about these subjects in order to make an actual argument) will take exception to my stated evidence, and even in one case possibly tell me I'm flat wrong.

Let's take these things one at a time and let me explain why I believe them to be true.  First up, Reid's ever present infatuation with Captain America.

   

Yep, our hero.  Alex Smith.  Ya know, this would be a cute picture if it wasn't for the fact that I think Reid has Smith believing that this is the REAL uniform he should be wearing.  Unfortunately, Alex has NOT performed well enough to even be mentioned in the same breath as Cap, much less be adorned with the colors.

As I have said from the very get go, Alex is an average NFL QB who has been under performing since he donned Chiefs red.  There simply is no denying this truth, yet that is exactly what the fan bois on a particular Chiefs blog are doing with increasing frequency as this season begins to come into view on the horizon.  I actually saw the old, "It takes Reid's system three years to kick in" comment in a post the other day.  Really?  Based on what exactly?  How many times has Reid employed the 'system' that he is currently using for the Chiefs?

If you want to accept that he is using the same 'system' that he employed during his tenure with the Eagles (I would argue it is very different), then you really only have one instance in Reid's career prior to now where he was a third year head coach to base that comment on.  I would like to see the evidence that this fan was using to support his comment.  Evidence people.  It makes an argument so much more effective.

For instance, I recently picked up a Sporting News Fantasy Football magazine and was thrilled to find this tidbit about Alex:

"Breaking down the Chiefs is actually quite easy.  On offense there's Jamaal Charles and then there's everyone else.  Tight End Travis Kelce is an emerging star, but he was continuously misused last season by Coach Andy Reid and his efforts were victimized by a subpar quarterback.  Said quarterback Alex Smith is the Chiefs biggest offensive problem.  A mere 40 of his 303 completions went for more than 20 yards, and only three of those went for more than 40.  He didn't complete a touch down pass to a wide receiver all season. You could say he had no one to throw it to, as an aging Dwayne Bowe was his primary receiver, but there's really no excuse for such a lackluster performance at the NFL level."

See how that is much stronger an argument because of the included evidence?  Kind of hard to disagree with, ain't it?  Reid's undying obsession for QBs that can't make the grade will most likely be his undoing in Kansas City, just as it was in Philly.  I talked about how he obsesses on QBs before, and honestly, I don't care if he self destructs again but he is taking my Chiefs down the drain with his walrus faced, cheese burger and rib eatin' ass.  That's the part that does piss me off.

And now, a word about our offensive line.  Pffffft.  Andy still thinks Guards are a dime a dozen.  This year he's trying to fill in our O-line with an old Eagles buddy and a Saint's left over who's over the hill.  Paul Fanaika is a journeyman Guard in the NFL similar to Geoff Schwartz.  He's ok, but not quite good enough to be a full time starter.  Just like Schwartz, he is a borderliner and we all know how Schwartz worked out.  Fanaika was drafted in 2009 by, wait for it, the Andy Reid coached Philadelphia Eagles. 

Besides Fanaika, Reid in all his legendary prowess, brought in Ben Grubbs.  Now, Ben was a highly sought after G back in the day (2007).  That's right folks, Grubbs is going into his ninth season this year and was unceremoniously traded while under a 36 million dollar, five year contract he signed with the Saints only two years ago.  Now, before you get charged up thinking that Reid has swindled the Saints out of a gem, let's look at the goods.  Not only is this guy getting long in the tooth, but Andy also gave up a fifth round draft pick in a trade for the dude.  You'd think the Saints would have wanted to keep a guy like this (if he was indeed protecting a 60 million dollar QB like Brees), especially if you look at their complement of Guards (none of which have noteworthy accomplishments in the league as yet).  Not so says Sean Payton:

"Saints coach Sean Payton said at the annual NFL meeting that he doesn't think the moves the team has made this offseason have opened any holes in the starting lineup, indicating specifically that Tim Lelito would join Jahri Evans as the team's starting guards after the departure of Ben Grubbs, Saints.com reports.
"Those aren’t holes," Payton said about losing Grubbs and middle linebacker Curtis Lofton. "We’re not moving a player if we feel like there’s no…we feel like we have a pretty good idea of how everything is lining up. We’ve got a center we know that starts in this NFL, we’ve got a guard, (Tim) Lelito will play left guard, Jahri Evans is the right guard. The same way at receiver. So we weren’t looking to make a move that created another 'must'."

If losing a Guard who signed a 36 million dollar contract doesn't create a 'must', just how good can Grubbs be?  Alex, you had best prepare your iron undershorts.  In fact, the Chiefs have a rookie (Zach Fulton) making a run at a starting RG job.  If that is to be believed, well, you get the idea of the kind of competition that Fanaika and Grubbs are offering.  We had Asamoah in our mitts.  An astute observer might say that we would have been very much further along had we made him a deal.  Instead, the churn continues as I described here, three paragraphs from the bottom.  It may be a very long year folks.

Finally of course, I mentioned the wide receiver problems.  Reid didn't stop with just one Eagles retread.  In keeping with Andy's temeritous desires, he has gone out of his way to bring old Eagles players to KC lately.  You can add Jason Avant and Jeremy Maclin to the list.  Great thinking Andy.  You couldn't win with them in green uniforms, so let's bring'em in, put'em in red and have another go.  What a puke.

By the way, for those of you that think Jeremy Maclin is going to be the answer, I have another theory.  I like Maclin, especially since he's a MIZZOU boy, but as long as Alex Capt. America Smith is the QB for this team, it won't make a difference WHO we throw out there as wide outs.  He couldn't get them the ball where they can catch it with any frequency anyway.  If it wasn't for Reid trying to inflate his stats with the short pass, Smith would be nothing more than another bottom 10 QB in the NFL, instead of the bottom 12-13 that he is now.  He needs to go, and he needs to go soon. 

In keeping with the Eagles connection, we might also discuss one that may be the worst example of Reid temerity going...namely James Winchester.  Wassamatter?  Haven't heard of him?  Neither has anybody else, except a certain walrus we all know.  Here's a guy who was originally invited to work out with the Bills back in 2013 but was never signed.  Then, he did get signed by the Eagles after their long snapper sustained a concussion but was released before ever playing and actual, you know, game.  Perfect chance to show your temerity here Andy.  Lose Gafford and run back to the Eagles well for a replacement that has never played a game in the NFL.  Gafford just became another casualty of the churn created by a WIN NOW strategy gone awry.  LOL.  SO predictable. It's also the perfect crime.  How many points will this guy cost us this year because of inexperienced mistakes?  No matter.  Reid will blame Toub for any discrepancies and Toub will feel the heat.  Andy has insulated himself well.

And so it goes.  Andy Reid fiddles and KC burns.  And the fans just pull out the marshmallows.  Unbelievable.  Just keep watching.  It's going to get ugly.  

Next up will be a post looking at our schedule this year.  Hooboy.  How many games do you think the Chiefs can win this season?  I'll just leave the answer alone for now by saying I think they win fewer games than they have since Reid began.  Will it be enough to get him lynched?  I doubt it.  Chiefs fans love losing way too much to let that happen.

Thank God for Fantasy Football!  At least I have something to keep me interested until the Walrus gets chopped.  Enjoy summer camp!