Doug Pederson will take over the Eagles. Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Right after the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2015 season ended with a seven-point loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC playoffs, they already suffered their first loss of the 2016 season.
That came with the departure of offensive coordinator Doug Pederson, who was hired as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Despite the fact head coach Andy Reid holds the game-day play calling duties, Pederson had great input into what happened with the offense, not only on game day but in game planning.
Pederson also revealed in his introductory press conference in Philadelphia that he called plays in the second half of Chiefs games starting at midseason, including in the disastrous fourth-quarter time-wasting effort against the Patriots.
While no official word immediately came from the Chiefs, it was expected that Brad Childress, the team’s game analyst/special projects coach, would be the new coordinator.
Pederson’s chance to move out is the first significant change in Reid’s coaching staff in three seasons with the Chiefs. There was just one change in the Kansas City group: assistant special teams coach Kevin O’Dea left after the 2013 season to become special teams coach in Tampa Bay.
That coaching continuity was a major factor in the team’s 32-19 record in the three seasons Reid has been in charge.
That consistency was big in the growth of Alex Smith as the team’s starting quarterback and offensive leader, especially after eight seasons in San Francisco where he played for four head coaches and six coordinators.
UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Alex Smith. Backups — *Tyler Bray, Chase Daniel (UFA), Aaron Murray.
–The 2015 season was the most productive of the three years Smith has played at Arrowhead Stadium. His grasp of Andy Reid’s offense is deep and reliable and the head coach allowed Smith to make a few play calls during the 2015 season, rather than simply repeating Reid’s choice. Calling him a “game manager” does not diminish Smith’s abilities, and he’s the perfect quarterback for Reid: cerebral, intent on ball security, minimum mistakes and available — he started all 18 games. The No. 2 spot will be in doubt, with Daniel becoming a free agent. The Chiefs have limited evidence whether on Bray or Murray are ready for that role.
RUNNING BACKS: Starters — *RB Jamaal Charles, FB Anthony Sherman. Backups — RB Knile Davis, FB Spencer Ware, RB Charcandrick West (ERFA).
–When Charles went down because of a torn ACL in the fifth game, it appeared the Kansas City running game was in the tank. Still, the Chiefs ran for more yards (2,044) than the offense produced in the 2014 season with Charles available (1,918). The unknown duo of West and Ware were productive, combining for 1,037 rushing yards from 232 carries and 10 touchdown runs. They provided the Chiefs with speed and power choices. Davis began the season as the No. 2 running back, but barely got on the field after Charles went down.
TIGHT ENDS: Starter — Travis Kelce. Backups — Demetrius Harris, *James O’Shaughnessy, Brian Parker.
–The prediction was that 2015 would be when Kelce elevated into the top rung of NFL tight ends. His size, speed and running after the catch were judged as special. But as he was in previous seasons, Kelce remained inconsistent. He was outstanding in yards after the catch, but has too many drops, fumbles and penalties, plus Kelce’s not always the most reliable blocker. Opponents showed him more attention in coverage, but that’s what happens to tight ends that can be downfield threats. Reid will be looking for more consistency from Kelce in 2016.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Jeremy Maclin, Albert Wilson. Backups — Jason Avant (UFA), Chris Conley, Frankie Hammond, *De’Anthony Thomas.
–Without a doubt, Maclin’s addition through free agency was huge for the Kansas City offense. He led the team with 87 catches for 1,088 yards and eight touchdown receptions. Remember, this offense did not have a touchdown catch from a wide receiver in the 2014 season. Conley, a third-round choice in 2015, showed a big upside with his size, speed and overall athletic ability and he became a popular target at the end of the season. The rest of the group is pretty pedestrian as offensive contributors.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Eric Fisher, *LG Ben Grubbs, C Mitch Morse, RG Jeff Allen (UFA), RT Jah Reid. Backups — G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, *G Paul Fanaika, C/G Zach Fulton, C/G Daniel Munyer, G/T Jarrod Pughsley, T Donald Stephenson (UFA).
–From the first preseason game, the Chiefs blocking unit was in a constant state of flux. Injuries and poor play scrambled the opening starting group and juggling continued right into the playoffs. Their best lineman was Grubbs, but he missed the last nine games and playoffs with a neck injury. Youngsters Morse, Fulton and Duvernay-Tardif showed marked improvement as the season went on. Fulton ended up making starts at three positions. Fisher had the best season of his career, after fighting through a preseason ankle injury. They all must become more consistent, especially in pass protection; they allowed 46 sacks.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LDE Mike DeVito (UFA), NT Dontari Poe, RDE Jaye Howard (UFA). Backups — DE Allen Bailey, DT David King (ERFA), DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DE Nick Williams (ERFA).
–The defensive line was the Chiefs most improved position group in the 2015 season. However, they will have a hard time keeping their most improved lineman: Howard (57 tackles, 5.5 sacks.) A waiver claim in 2013 from Seattle, Howard was frequently a difference maker for the Kansas City defense. Poe was brought along slowly after July back surgery and with fewer early snaps he was more productive in the second half of the season. Bailey continued to improve against the run and rushing the passer. Depth is untested and needs some veteran savvy.
LINEBACKERS: Starters — LOLB Justin Houston, LILB Josh Mauga, RILB Derrick Johnson (UFA), ROLB Tamba Hali (UFA). Backups — ILB D.J. Alexander, OLB Dee Ford, *ILB Justin March, OLB Dezman Moses (RFA), ILB Ramik Wilson, OLB Frank Zombo (UFA).
–Houston and Hali struggled with various ailments; Houston missed five games because of a knee injury and Hali dealt with knee inflammation for 16 games. Houston got a big contract before the 2015 season (6 years, $101 million) but Hali had to rework his contract to stay in Kansas City, and he will be a free agent in March. Same with Johnson, who made a convincing comeback from his ruptured Achilles. But he will be 34 years old next season. Three recent draft choices (Ford, Wilson and Alexander) will need to step forward on defense in 2016. Ford earned more snaps and did pick up four sacks.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Marcus Peters, RCB Sean Smith (UFA), FS Eric Berry (UFA), SS Ron Parker. Backups — S Husain Abdullah (UFA), S Tyvon Branch (UFA), CB Marcus Cooper, CB Jamell Fleming (UFA), *CB Phillip Gaines, CB Steve Nelson, S Daniel Sorensen (ERFA).
–The secondary was the Chiefs most productive position in 2015. They had 16 of the team’s 22 interceptions, and also contributed seven sacks and four touchdown returns. Peters and Berry earned Pro Bowl invitations and All-Pro honors, with the rookie tying for the league lead with eight interceptions. Berry came back from beating cancer with more speed and returned as the leader of the defense. Parker was the defense’s Swiss Army knife, playing free and strong safety, nickel back, linebacker and pass rusher. It’s doubtful the Chiefs will spend enough to keep Smith. As it is with most NFL teams, secondary depth is a concern.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Cairo Santos, P Dustin Colquitt, KOR Knile Davis, *PR De’Anthony Thomas, LS James Winchester.
–Colquitt had his usual season, as the Chiefs finished with a 40.8-yard net average and he placed 37 punts inside the 20-yard line. Santos lacked consistency on field goals (30-of-37, 81 percent), but he showed a stronger leg on kickoffs with 40 touchbacks. Davis finally took a kick return to the end zone in the playoffs, but Thomas and Frankie Hammond were not able to score with a punt return. Winchester was shaky at times in his first NFL season. There’s concern about Thomas as his season finished early when he was put on the reserve/non-football illness list; the team has not publicly identified that illness.
