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First team o-line: Not very good
Here's how they lined up: LT Donald Stephenson, LG Ben Grubbs, C Mitch Morse, RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, RT Paul Fanaika
Now, let's remember one important fact here. Eric Fisher and Jeff Allen, the starting OTs, were both out. We knew this line would not look like the one that takes the field in Week 1 in Houston. We assumed with both OTs out that they wouldn't be very good and we were right. The line wasn't very good against Seattle. But the Chiefs, like they did last year, found a way to put points on the board. Alex Smith took a couple of shots in this game I wish he wouldn't have.
I don't think there's much point in belaboring the point on this offensive line because we won't see this unit in regular games.
Chase Daniel looked really good. Again.
8-of-12 passing for 82 yards and a touchdown. The caveat is that he's going against second and third stringers but he's also playing with second and third stringers on offense. That said, Daniel looked solid yet again on Friday night. He was decisive in getting the ball out. He was willing to take big hits (almost too big). He's playing like he's got nothing to lose which is a welcome sight in Kansas City. Alex Smith is the better quarterback and there is no competition but Daniel has been very good. This is good news for the Chiefs. My analysis: having a good backup QB is better than having a bad backup QB.
Alex Smith's first WR TD pass in 594 days
The MMQB's Robert Klemko counted up the days. And believe it or not, Jeremy Maclin was lined up as a running back on the play. Ha!
#MizzouMade #Chief Maclin's first of many TDs. https://t.co/kGHPRv02Xy
— Adam Crutchfield (@CrutchfieldAdam) August 22, 2015
This is Chiefs porn
Big Cat with the pressure, Peters with the PBS. https://t.co/GfKT0dGO1F
— Craig Stout (@barleyhop) August 22, 2015
Oh by the way, the big cat is back. Catapano, who missed all of last season, was back on the field and had a few nice plays. The one above came in the first half when he penetrated the line. Catapano continued to play into the second half when he blew up the Seahawks line for a seven yard loss on third down. On the other side of the play above, Marcus Peters makes a solid play to break up the pass. Peters is a long player so he can make those plays.
Dee Ford hit hard, comes back to play
The Chiefs are saying it was a rib injury but shortly after it happened he was back on the sidelines. So it's not serious but it LOOKED serious. He had a concussion earlier this year but it seems we're all good now.
VIDEO: Christine Michael chip block drops Dee Ford, ouch! http://t.co/EMqi9uWwJ8
— MarcusD (@_MarcusD_) August 22, 2015
More observations
For the second straight week, the Chiefs went deep on the first play of the game. This was an incomplete pass to Albert Wilson, although the Chiefs got a roughing the passer penalty out of it.
K-State star Tyler Lockett was returning kicks for the Seahawks. For the Chiefs, Chris Conley came in after Knile Davis.
The Chiefs first brought in rookie James O'Shaughnessy when they went to a second tight end with Travis Kelce.
Marcus Peters started on the outside along with Jamell Fleming on the other side and Phillip Gaines in the slot when the Chiefs went to the nickel. Peters gave up a first down on third down but had a nice pass breakup. Solid game for him.
Dee Ford saw plenty of time with the first team defense. Tamba Hali doesn't need the reps. Ford did a great job avoiding a block on one play only to find himself in space against Russell Wilson, who was able to elude him. Seahawks OT Russell Okung was flagged for a false start when facing Ford.
Classic DJ where he blew up the line and jacked the ball carrier in the backfield. Love that.
Steven Nelson was playing nickel cornerback. Tyler Lockett got the best of him on one slant.
Mike Catapano blew the F out of the Seahawks line on third down and stuffed the back for a seven yard loss. Just crushed it. He later helped make the stop on fourth down.
The plays that I remember in these preseason games are the ones where a player like TE Ryan Taylor, who is firmly on the roster bubble, drops and easy pass right in front of Andy Reid. I feel for guys like that.
Ten Chiefs caught a pass tonight. Chris Conley was not one of them. Huh.