The Kansas City Chiefs got taken to task on Friday night by the Seattle Seahawks in the 3rd preseason game. It is just preseason, and I get that, but it was a pathetic performance on all accounts from the Chiefs. Now, it didn’t start completely terrible, the Chiefs moved the ball well on their opening drive, getting deep into Seahawk territory, before stalling out and settling for a field goal. However, the Chiefs’ first team defense showed their flaws from the very beginning. Seattle scored on each of the first 3 possessions of the game. What hurt the Chiefs again was the big play and an inability to stop the run. The Chiefs had issues last season in both of those departments, but they were (and have been this year in the preseason) able to almost always keep the team out of the endzone and force them to 3 points. I will say, that’s not good enough! Even if it’s just 3, points are points, and as we saw against Pittsburgh in the playoffs, those field goals can still lead to losses if your offense is ineffective. Kansas City also lost RB Spencer Ware for the season with a torn PCL and LCL in his knee, and that leaves rookie Kareem Hunt in line to be the Chiefs’ starter for the rest of the way.  My takeaways from this game in a nutshell:

• Run defense has to improve. Bennie Logan and Roy Miller were brought here to shore up a leaky run defense. We have yet to see it, and both of those guys have yet to be fully healthy in the preseason. One way or another, they’ve got to find a way to get it done.
• The offensive line has a lot of work to do. Last year they did a very good job protecting Smith, but struggled blocking for the run. So far in the preseason, they’ve struggled in both areas. Need to see far better play from them this year if the Chiefs want to be successful.
• I think we’ll be ok without Spencer Ware. Ware is a very good back, but RB is one of, if not the deepest position on the roster. Hunt, CJ Spiller and Charcandrick West should be able to still carry a good load and help the team be successful this year.

Also, as I write this up, I’ve received word that the Chiefs have made a couple of roster moves. First to release ILB Josh Mauga, and 2nd to acquire ILB Reggie Ragland from the Buffalo Bills! Read the full story here. I love this move, I was a huge fan of Ragland coming out of Alabama a couple years ago. I understand he’s still recovering from a knee injury and may not be back to 100% just yet, but I think he’s a perfect fit for Bob Sutton’s scheme, and will play a huge role in the defense in the coming years!

The Chiefs’ 4th and final Preseason game will take place this Thursday at Arrowhead Stadium against the Tennessee Titans. It has also been announced that rookie Patrick Mahomes will start the game, as per usual, the starters get week 4 of the preseason off in anticipation of week 1 of the regular season. Pregame will begin at 6:00 PM with Kickoff at 7:25, head right here in Topeka on Topeka’s Rock Leader V100!

GO CHIEFS!!!

– McLuckie