Watching Caleb Williams, Justin Fields, Bryce Young, Sam Darnold, et al struggle mightily in their early career has made me reflect on Patrick’s first three years with the Chiefs. I used to think the Legion of Zoom (and getting a rookie QB indulgence signing with Watkins) was the most important thing for him, but watching Patrick’s discomfort with his tackles the last two years has made think that Fish and Schwartz at the tackles may have been the most important teammates for Patrick, as they allowed him to take his 11 step drift backs to find Hill deep and he’s seldom been able to do that since.
So leaving coaches aside and being able to look back on a half decade of QB play, which teammates (categorized by position), do you think were most important for early career Patrick’s elite play? [Reply]
Originally Posted by dlphg9:
This is the stupidest lie that constantly gets posted. The only thing Alex Smith did was prevent Patrick Mahomes from having the greatest rookie season in NFL history.
Greatest rookie season for what? Gaffes?
There are multiple stories of Mahomes tossing dumptruck loads of interceptions in practice.
"Listen, the kid needs a lot of work" -Andy Reid
Getting to sit for a season and learn was his biggest help, and that's Andy Reid, and by default, Alex Smith.
Originally Posted by tredadda:
It’s possible though as Smith was an outlier because he actually mentored Mahomes. Most QBs would have given him the cold shoulder and refuse to help even slightly.
Look I was one of the loudest criticizers of Alex on this board, but I don’t think we can underestimate the fact that Alex could have gone scorched earth in the locker room on his way out the door (something he had happen to him by his coach as a rook in SF). I’m not sure how much Smith “taught” Patrick, but the fact Mahomes dad (himself a veteran of locker rooms), continues to credit Smith for helping Patrick’s transition to the NFL says a lot. [Reply]
Travis without a doubt. Especially in the early days where mahomes was doing lots and lots of things off script. Kelce is one of the best off script receivers the game has ever seen. It is also a reason, in my opinion, why demarcus Robinson was such a weapon for us. Unlike Travis, Demarcus is not great on script but he is exceptional getting open off script (of course… getting open and catching the ball and running forward, that’s a different story)
Not only early, but kelce has also been critical to the new mahomes era. Whereas tyreek got bracketed by two deep and we see the same this year with a healthy tua, kelce has always been scheme proof. Right now it’s more an issue of his physical limitations catching up to him [Reply]
Originally Posted by Buehler445:
I voted tackles, but the real answer is Reid. Reid is an excellent teacher and a smart football guy.
Some of these sisterfuckers that know they can't block and still have these dudes doing 5 and 7 step drops only to get fucking dead are criminally bad.
Teaching and playcalling is far more critical to any one position group.
I voted for Kelce, who is still instrumental in PMII's success, but Reid is absolutely the best answer. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chiefspants:
Look I was one of the loudest criticizers of Alex on this board, but I don’t think we can underestimate the fact that Alex could have gone scorched earth in the locker room on his way out the door (something he had happen to him by his coach as a rook in SF). I’m not sure how much Smith “taught” Patrick, but the fact Mahomes dad (himself a veteran of locker rooms), continues to credit Smith for helping Patrick’s transition to the NFL says a lot.
Pat talks glowingly about how much he taught him about the game and how to prepare. [Reply]