Whereas the result and ultimate stats of preseason video games do not truly matter, it was good to see the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs come out and dominate the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night time. From the starters to the fourth string, the Kansas Metropolis offense cruised to over 500 yards, averaging 8.7 per play. The protection performed higher, holding the Cardinals to 286 yards and a single landing. We noticed contributions from rookies, quarterbacks and receivers up and down the roster.
Listed below are just a few who stood out and gave the Chiefs evaluators one thing to consider as we strategy the tip of the preseason and roster cutdowns:
Winners
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All 4 quarterbacks: Patrick Mahomes overcame some early drops on the primary two collection and accomplished seven straight passes on a 10-play, 92-yard drive to get the Chiefs on the board early. Shane Buechele was flawless, finishing all 10 passes and working for a landing. Blaine Gabbert confirmed off his arm on some huge performs, racking up 120 yards on simply seven completions and two touchdowns. Even Chris Oladokun was 4 of 5 to shut this one out. Past the stats, it was encouraging to see every quarterback take pleasure in good cross safety and full passes to a complete of 17 totally different receivers. This was a passing recreation clinic by the Chiefs’ offense.
Vast receiver Rashee Rice: It did not begin nice for the rookie, as he dropped a second-down cross on the opening drive because the offense stalled. However he’d go on to catch all eight of his different targets for a game-high 96 yards. Rice confirmed off his route working and yards-after-the-catch capacity on a 38-yard catch-and-run, and he made some powerful catches in visitors because the Chiefs used him all around the discipline.
Vast receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette: The longest offensive play of the night time was a 44-yard bomb from Gabbert to Smith-Marsette early within the second half. He would end the drive 4 performs later by breaking a deal with and scoring from 15 yards out. He almost had one other huge play, however his 45-yard scramble-drill catch was known as again for a penalty within the fourth quarter. He continued to struggle via protection and make performs with Oladokun on the ultimate scoring drive of the day. It is difficult to discover a roster spot for Smith-Marsette, however he is definitely making his case.
Defensive again Chamarri Conner: The rookie defensive again was all around the discipline on Saturday night time, with sound tackling, fast blitzing and a nostril for the soccer. He is proven notable enchancment because the preseason has gone alongside. It appears to be like just like the Chiefs could have hit on one other mid-round nook with the power to play a variety of totally different roles for Steve Spagnuolo’s protection.
Linebacker Drue Tranquill: In the event you’re simply watching the field rating, it’s possible you’ll miss what was one other encouraging efficiency by the Chiefs’ latest linebacker. Tranquill strikes like a security when blitzing and masking and is carving out a very nice function on this protection.
Losers
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Working again Deneric Prince: Prince did not have a nasty recreation. He did rating a landing and had some promising runs. However he could have some competitors from La’Mical Perine, who arguably outplayed him for the second straight week. He may have competitors for the highest kick returner job, as Richie James was again there for the opening kick.
Cornerback Dicaprio Bootle: The Chiefs roster is fairly nicely stocked with younger defensive backs, so guys like Bootle need to do what they’ll to get observed within the preseason. In St. Joe, he was observed for being the man concerned in almost each scuffle. Towards Arizona, Bootle was observed for having a number of holding penalties on one drive that led to the one landing for the Cardinals.
Working again Clyde Edwards-Helaire: Edwards-Helaire once more obtained the starter reps with Isiah Pacheco nonetheless on the sidelines, however his manufacturing left one thing to be desired. Edwards-Helaire averaged simply 2.5 yards on his 4 carries. His holding penalty on the second drive negated a pleasant achieve by Richie James and led to a punt. Then a display screen cross was blown up for a 4-yard loss. The lone spotlight of the day was his 12-yard reception, however in any other case, it was a irritating night time for a man attempting to maintain his roster spot.
