priestmvp
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Good Morning Chiefs Kingdom! Welcome to the August 2015 season preview edition of Chiefs Report. Here we talk Chiefs and only Chiefs so stay tuned throughout the year for all your Chiefs info.
What better way to start our season preview than with #29 Eric Berry! We in Chiefs Kingdom all know how special EB is and now the rest of the world knows. Berry is officially back after winning his fight with hodgkin lymphoma. The coaches have been monitoring his snaps so far throughout preseason but we expect #29 to be our starter at SS come regular season which is great news indeed. He now bolsters a position previously thought to be a weakness. With veterans Husain Abdullah, Ron Parker and newly acquired FA Tyvon Branch in the mix as well.
Staying in the secondary we move to CB with some new faces in the fold. Veteran shutdown CB Sean Smith returns after a stellar 2014 season. Smith enters his contract year and it's unknown whether KC will able to meet his demands this offseason. With that looming as well as an apparent 3 game suspension Mr. Smith will have to serve to start the season after a DUI arrest, the Chiefs addressed the position in the 2015 draft going CB in the 1st and 3rd round. Rookies Marcus Peters and Steven Nelson will certainly help lessen the impact immediately of not having smith on the field and possibly into 2016 if contract negotiations go south.
The light really came on for CB Sean Smith in 2014 as he ascended to a CB with shutdown potential. The Chiefs covet his size and playmaking ability and look for a big year in 2015.
Another huge story all offseason which finally got resolved much to the delight of Chiefs fans everywhere was the Justin Houston holdout. The all pro LB and Kansas City were stalled with contract talks offseason with him initially missing the start of training camp. As HC Andy Reid promised, it got worked out. The Chiefs now have their sack master locked up and opposing QBs in the AFC West can look forward to seeing him early and often.
Talk about man on fire! The Chiefs all pro pass rusher cashed in this offseason signing a 6year $101M dollar deal....cha ching!!
Veteran warhorse Tamba Hali returns to KC for another year wreaking havoc opposite of Houston while mentoring young former 2014 1st round pick OLB Dee Ford who will likely see the field more this year with Hali and Houston at the same time.
Injuries plagued the defensive unit in 2014 and the Chiefs are happy to get those guys back. Veteran leaders like Mike DeVito and Derrick Johnson are sorely needed to help lead this defense to where they want to be. With DJ back in the middle the Chiefs are set at LB. DeVito returns to help stabilitze a DL along with emerging Allen Bailey and of course one of the most dominant NTs in the game in Dontari Poe. Expect DC Bob Sutton to continue his aggressive play calling defensively with this unit in 2015.
Offensively the Chiefs certainly had their woes in 2014 most notably that little stat that every media outlet across the US still mentions today, you know the one about "no wr td receptions". So what changes for 2015? Well KC said goodbye to their 2014 WR corp and welcomed in some new faces. Most notably their biggest FA acquisition WR Jeremy Maclin formerly of Philadelphia.
Maclin returns home and looks to make an impact for WR needy chiefs. Maclins value as a precise route runner and legit deep threat can't be overstated.
The Chiefs didn't stop there though with regards to the WRs. They also snatched former UGA bulldog standout Chris Conley in the 3rd round of the draft, they moved the "black mamba" Deanthony Thomas from HB to WR and have promising 2nd year man Albert Wilson returning. There is a common theme here and it's SPEED. The chiefs should be much more explosive in 2015.
KC 3rd round pick Chris Conley who ran a 4.3 at the combine will be a welcome addition to a team that lacked offensive playmakers last year.
Alex Smith will be the man under center once again with veteran backup Chase Daniels in the wings and young Aaron Murray as the #3. The future of Tyler Bray is uncertain after his latest ACL injury.
The WR corp has certainly improved but don't kid yourselves we all know the two proven playmakers on O are HB Jamaal Charles and TE Travis Kelce. Look for both to get plenty of touches this year as Alex loves to checkdown.
The biggest question/concern we believe will be with the OL in 2015. This unit HAS to improve and gel as a unit for this team to have any success. We are optimistic with LT Fisher finally healthy and new acquisitions via trade with OG Ben Grubbs and 2nd round pick C/OG Mitch Morse but they definitely have to "show me".
There is definitely reason for optimism chiefs fans heading into 2015. I myself remain cautiously optimistic. Are you ready for some football???
