Kansas
Kansas City Chiefs ‘going to have to live with some growing pains’ as they rely on rookie defenders
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs chosen seven defensive gamers on this yr’s NFL draft, together with two within the first spherical for the primary time in franchise historical past. Many will get a direct probability to affect the staff’s fortunes, one thing that is not misplaced on the group.
“This class positively got here in making an attempt to show a degree,” mentioned cornerback Trent McDuffie, the Chiefs’ high draft decide at No. 21 total. “All people could be very assured. … They’re simply prepared to do the soiled work, which is one thing I do know I can do. I really like being part of that.”
The race is on for the Chiefs to get McDuffie and his many fellow first-year defensive gamers prepared for the regular-season opener on Sept. 11 on the Arizona Cardinals. The Chiefs are midway by way of their 4 weeks of offseason follow earlier than they collect once more in late July for the beginning of coaching camp.
The Chiefs misplaced a number of veteran defensive gamers in the course of the offseason, together with security Tyrann Mathieu, cornerback Charvarius Ward, linebacker Anthony Hitchens and defensive finish Melvin Ingram.
They’ve turned to rookies in lots of instances to switch them. McDuffie, defensive finish George Karlaftis, cornerback Joshua Williams, security Bryan Cook dinner and linebacker Leo Chenal are among the many first-year defensive gamers getting run thus far in offseason follow.
They’ve a lot to show to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who has made rookies repeatedly show their value earlier than placing them within the lineup since becoming a member of the Chiefs in 2019. He might should compromise that notion this yr with the Chiefs relying on so lots of their defensive rookies.
“We will should dwell with some rising pains,” Spagnuolo mentioned. “I consider that. Hopefully we are able to overcome that. However I feel that is the one means we’ll get it to the place we’d like it to go as a result of some guys are going to wish to step up and play. We have to discover out concerning the guys that we have now now. There are a variety of unknowns from a training standpoint: What can this man do? Can he do the identical factor anyone did final yr? Which will or is probably not the case. It may take a while.
“I am throwing lots at them proper now. The quantity is big proper now for a motive. Discover out who can deal with it and who cannot. … There can be errors on the market that usually we would not make.”
Lots of the Chiefs’ vital free-agent additions this yr had been on offense. Their solely main veteran addition on protection was a security, Justin Reid. So it isn’t a coincidence they invested so closely on protection within the draft.
“You need to have stability on each side of the soccer and we wished to improve the youth, the expertise and the depth on the defensive aspect,” normal supervisor Brett Veach mentioned. “We additionally did some stuff offensively in free company. We introduced in [wide receivers] JuJu [Smith-Schuster] and we introduced in MVS [Marquez Valdes-Scantling] and we introduced in [running back Ronald Jones].
“Actually, the draft was geared extra towards protection and I feel it is a mixture of us desirous to actually get higher and get deeper and youthful. However had we not been in a position to signal the Smith-Schusters and the MVSes and the RoJos, it possibly deviates just a little.”
Spagnuolo, all the time a instructor, can typically be seen at follow working one-on-one off to the aspect with a participant. And he is as a lot of a instructor as ever now. At a follow final week he pulled apart Williams, a fourth-round draft decide, to show an enchancment on a way Williams had utilized in protection on the earlier play.
“He does an incredible job of explaining what he wants you to do,” mentioned Cook dinner, a second-round draft decide. “It isn’t rocket science. Lots of teammates and coaches assist out the transition. It isn’t as dangerous as it might appear. You are available and it is like, ‘Oh my gosh, it is a variety of stuff.’ However it’s not that dangerous. You simply should determine it out.
“I feel we’re all in the identical boat. We’re again to [being] freshman once more, making an attempt to determine it out. All of us perceive that proper now it is grind time. It is time to set up your self and get respect out of your teammates and coaches in addition to work out how one can finest prepared your self coming in your first yr.”
Kansas football’s season has spiraled into frustration as the team suffered its fourth consecutive loss, falling 38-27 to TCU at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Jayhawks (1-4, 0-2 Big 12) have yet to find their rhythm, and after a promising start, the issues that have plagued them all season persisted, costing them yet another winnable game.
Inconsistent Quarterback Play
Jalon Daniels, who came into the season with high expectations, has struggled to find consistency. His 15-for-34 performance for 179 yards against TCU marked another game where his passing efficiency was below 50%. Despite showing flashes of potential, Daniels has not completed a game with more than 200 passing yards this season. His inconsistency in key moments, particularly the late interception in this game, continues to hold the Jayhawks back.
Missed Opportunities on Defense
Kansas’ defense has had its moments, like OJ Burroughs’ interception, but they’ve been unable to consistently apply pressure. TCU’s quarterback Josh Hoover torched the Jayhawks for 356 yards and three touchdowns. The lack of defensive stops, combined with missed tackles and breakdowns in coverage, have become a recurring problem. WR Jack Bech’s 10 catches for 131 yards highlighted how TCU’s offense exploited KU’s vulnerabilities in the secondary, regardless of the fact that Mello Dotson and Cobee Bryant were preseason Thorpe Award watchlist nominees.
Inability to Close Games
Kansas has had opportunities to win, leading at different points in the second half of games, only to collapse in critical moments. Against TCU, the Jayhawks led 24-21 after an early third-quarter touchdown, but a special teams blunder—a punt return touchdown—shifted momentum. Granted, there was a blatant missed block in the back call, but the Jayhawks couldn’t respond as TCU outscored them 17-3 the rest of the way.
Kansas will need to regroup as they prepare for Arizona State next week. With frustration mounting and the season slipping away, the Jayhawks must find answers soon to salvage what’s left of a campaign that began with high hopes.
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The Kansas City Chiefs have their second road game in a row on Sunday, with Week 4 bringing a matchup against a bitter AFC West rival.
Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers, 2-1 on the season, await the reigning Super Bowl champions. While Kansas City has a controlling recent lead in their series against Los Angeles, it’s a new era of football in California. On the other hand, injuries and a suspension to Derwin James could make things challenging for the home team.
How will the game unfold? The Kansas City Chiefs On SI crew makes its predictions for Week 4 of the 2024-25 campaign.
Joshua Brisco: The Chiefs are a much better (and healthier) football team than the Chargers. Even as a long-term believer in the Jim Harbaugh/Justin Herbert duo, I’m selling LA’s stock in the short term. The 2-1 Chargers have wins over the Carolina Panthers and the team who lost to the Panthers (the Las Vegas Raiders). They’re decimated by injuries, and even if Herbert is able to play vs. Kansas City, he’ll be playing through a high ankle sprain behind a patchwork offensive line. Travis Kelce is in a perfect position to get back on track especially while Derwin James is suspended, and I’d be shocked if KC lost this game.
Still, I can’t shake the idea that this is a low-scoring Carson Steele show where the Chiefs take an early lead and get out of LA without putting much on tape. Despite making semi-serious 13-10 predictions throughout the week, I do believe KC will put up a few more points without James or Joey Bosa on the field, but I don’t expect tremendous fireworks on the Chiefs’ business trip.
Prediction: Chiefs 20, Chargers 10
Jordan Foote: Until proven otherwise, I’m going to stay convinced that the Chiefs will do just enough to get by in non-playoff games. This weekend shouldn’t be any different, and the Chargers will give them plenty of room for error anyway. Similar to Brisco’s assessment, I think Harbaugh and Herbert will be a successful pairing down the line. With so many injuries stacking up and the offense not being potent yet, though, it’s hard not to roll with the Chiefs here. They’re a more complete and healthy team at this juncture (which is saying a lot). Look for Kelce to score his first touchdown of the season in Week 4.
Prediction: Chiefs 24, Chargers 17
Zack Eisen: The Chiefs head to Los Angeles to face a banged-up Chargers team. They will be missing their starting tackles and two of their three best defensive players. Also, their starting quarterback is banged up. It sets up for a comfortable Chiefs victory. However, that’s not how they have played games over the last two seasons. Getting the offense on the right track would be nice for Kansas City. It starts with Patrick Mahomes, who hasn’t been himself to start the year. This game could be a chance for him to get himself and the rest of the offense back on track. Establishing Xavier Worthy and Travis Kelce would help build confidence for the unit.
Prediction: Chiefs 24, Chargers 17
Mark Van Sickle: The Chargers are hurting with several key players missing the game or not playing at full strength. This seems like a good game for Kelce to break out. We’ve all been waiting for it! I also think this is the day we see Carson Steele get his first regular-season touchdown as a Chief. The defense should be able to smother Herbert. The Chiefs and Chargers typically play close games but with everything working against the Chargers this week, I’ve got to take the Chiefs by double digits.
Prediction: Chiefs 31, Chargers 17
Read More: Travis Kelce Explains Mindset Amid Lack of Targets, Touches on Offense
GIRARD, Kan. — The Southeast Kansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial gets a revamp.
The memorial was built in 2003, and the statue put in place in 2017.
Firefighters began cleanup at 9:00 a.m. at the Girard Fire Department.
Teams from across Southeast Kansas also helped put down new rocks, felt paper, and edging.
A memorial service is held each October, but this year they wanted to make the memorial look more fresh.
Girard Fire Department Captain, Daulton Crays, says it’s also a way to continue paying tribute.
“This is important to us. The memorial is to honor all of the fallen firefighters for Southeast Kansas. So it’s important to us to carry on their legacy and keep this looking good and take pride in it,” said Daulton Crays, Girard Fire Department Captain.
“Multiple agencies and multiple individuals have put forth the effort and the time to make sure that this was going to be something that, you know, not only the fire department can pay tribute to, but also the public can see and also pay tribute, especially those people that have family members on our memorial. They can come here anytime and visit it and see it,” said Thomas Vacca, Southeast Kansas Firefighters Honor Guard President.
Vacca hopes the memorial will last for generations to come–continuing to pay tribute to those lost.
The plan is to host a Southeast Kansas Fallen Firefighter Memorial on October 20, and everyone is invited to attend.
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