"Also, note that Spags tried out a simulated pressure here...and it doesn’t work, with the Browns having bodies in the right spots to block it."
I would argue it DOES work. The Browns were duped by the sim pressure into keeping 8(!) in for protection and only had 2 out on the route versus 7 defenders. It also got your second best pass rusher a 1on1 opportunity. If a sim pressure is eliminating how many receivers are out on a route, it's doing it's job.
Great refresher on Charles, Seth. I always remember how you have preached that he is best from the interior. And as you just showed, he won some great reps from the end as well in this game. Since I have been hearing that the Texans’ interior O line is weak I have been excited to see Charles and Chris work some magic on Saturday.
As important as he was to our season last year and we have clearly missed him this year, I wonder how he may have impacted the Super Bowl if he was uninjured? Don’t know where we go from here but it certainly is encouraging that the cavalry (injured players and new acquisitions) are arriving in force. Sic ‘em Charles; unleash that inner dawg!
I really like Omen. His return could be THE difference on this defense, physically and mentally, like Bolton mentioned in his presser a few weeks back. Chris, George, and Charles are THE group, and come playoffs, Wharton or Danna will heat up with them. This Texans OL is a great weak to go feast. Chamarri going into protocol also forced secondary adjustments, including 22 in the slot and Hicks out there more, and I think it mostly worked (any takes on how Hicks' coverage ability is?). Our defense is nearly sorted.
I feel similarly about Hollywood for the offense. He is another guy who's motivated, emotionally connected to his teammates, and brings juice to a specific area of need. I'm curious about what his snap count will be this Saturday. I think Thuney will feel more settled in the technicals, and we'll see a better offense than last week, even with an injured Mahomes. I'm also wondering if Thuney is gonna end up being our best LT option?
Like last year, we're about to peak just in time. Fingers crossed that we stay healthy, get these next two W's, and are ready for anyone who has to come to Arrowhead.
The building hasn't spoken about it much. Per last Only Weird Games, it is likely a matter of Spags not using his strengths well because Spags isn't huge on speed rushers, and likes all his guys to be decent against the run, too. Idk.
I mean, wouldn't it be pretty easy to just use him on 3rd and long? I think it must be something else. Like he's banged up or having personal problems that nobody wants to talk about. Or maybe Spags doesn't trust him for some reason. It's weird that he's not letting a guy with 17+% win rate even sniff the field. I think Karlaftis is under that.
Yeah it's weird, and a waste of draft capital. Seth would have a better answer here. I didn't listen to intently to Spag's recent presser to have a good takeaway on this.
Well, my wife and I just decided that we're gonna run 3hrs north Saturday morning to watch this pivotal game at Arrowhead. Why not end the year in the most stressful way possible? I was sad to not go to one game this year, so gotta get it done!
I think Bolton's contract comes in way below what people are expecting. He'll get the Drue Tranquil deal (~3/19M), if he's lucky. Omenihu, on the other hand, seems pretty likely to get at least 10-15M/year, if he closes strong, with his age (still just 27) and versatility (the size and speed to play inside and outside on demand). If we can keep Omenihu for 3/45, with maybe $25M guaranteed (i.e. 2/25 with a $20M team option for 2027), I think that would very likely be a solid value, given how well he fits into Spags' schemes, but he'd be a lower priority for me than keeping Trey Smith.
Also, Trey has had a bad year pas blocking at the wrong time. I have still seen some punishing run blocks, but the pass blocking has been, to me, noticeably off.
How in the heck did we win the Super Bowl without Omenihu last season? That defense was so stacked. Also, why on earth did the rest of the league let us have Omenihu for 2/16? Even with the injury, he's right up there with Drue Tranquil for greatest FA signings of the Veach era. So glad Omenihu is back and looking like his old self. If he performs in the playoffs, he is getting *paid* this off-season, and we're probably getting a 2026 3rd round comp pick.
I watch warm ups down by the rail and GO is a huge guy. For him to rush like you show is impressive. I'm so glad he's back. "We're putting the band back together!" All we need are some dark sunglasses.
Never made that much money myself, (had mostly jobs instead of a "career") but I did invest heavily in my own 401K and lived pretty responsibly. I have no debt, been married over 25 years, I have more friends than time, and I will retire early next year. Especially considering the poor background I came from, I feel extremely lucky every day.
I guess we now know that the Chiefs front office isn't reading Seth, given that it looks a lot like PM is playing this week - hoping for the best there. Great to see CO adding much needed gravitas to the D, when they need it the most. Given the secondary attrition, they need all the cover up front they can get ...
"Also, note that Spags tried out a simulated pressure here...and it doesn’t work, with the Browns having bodies in the right spots to block it."
I would argue it DOES work. The Browns were duped by the sim pressure into keeping 8(!) in for protection and only had 2 out on the route versus 7 defenders. It also got your second best pass rusher a 1on1 opportunity. If a sim pressure is eliminating how many receivers are out on a route, it's doing it's job.
I assume he is only playing 40% of snaps as they continue to "ramp" him up? I have often wondered why he isn't out there more often....
Great refresher on Charles, Seth. I always remember how you have preached that he is best from the interior. And as you just showed, he won some great reps from the end as well in this game. Since I have been hearing that the Texans’ interior O line is weak I have been excited to see Charles and Chris work some magic on Saturday.
As important as he was to our season last year and we have clearly missed him this year, I wonder how he may have impacted the Super Bowl if he was uninjured? Don’t know where we go from here but it certainly is encouraging that the cavalry (injured players and new acquisitions) are arriving in force. Sic ‘em Charles; unleash that inner dawg!
I really like Omen. His return could be THE difference on this defense, physically and mentally, like Bolton mentioned in his presser a few weeks back. Chris, George, and Charles are THE group, and come playoffs, Wharton or Danna will heat up with them. This Texans OL is a great weak to go feast. Chamarri going into protocol also forced secondary adjustments, including 22 in the slot and Hicks out there more, and I think it mostly worked (any takes on how Hicks' coverage ability is?). Our defense is nearly sorted.
I feel similarly about Hollywood for the offense. He is another guy who's motivated, emotionally connected to his teammates, and brings juice to a specific area of need. I'm curious about what his snap count will be this Saturday. I think Thuney will feel more settled in the technicals, and we'll see a better offense than last week, even with an injured Mahomes. I'm also wondering if Thuney is gonna end up being our best LT option?
Like last year, we're about to peak just in time. Fingers crossed that we stay healthy, get these next two W's, and are ready for anyone who has to come to Arrowhead.
I'd love to see a 90+95 interior, Uche+Karlaftis edge rush, but I don't think we'll get it :(
Is there a reason why Uche isn't playing?
The building hasn't spoken about it much. Per last Only Weird Games, it is likely a matter of Spags not using his strengths well because Spags isn't huge on speed rushers, and likes all his guys to be decent against the run, too. Idk.
I mean, wouldn't it be pretty easy to just use him on 3rd and long? I think it must be something else. Like he's banged up or having personal problems that nobody wants to talk about. Or maybe Spags doesn't trust him for some reason. It's weird that he's not letting a guy with 17+% win rate even sniff the field. I think Karlaftis is under that.
Yeah it's weird, and a waste of draft capital. Seth would have a better answer here. I didn't listen to intently to Spag's recent presser to have a good takeaway on this.
Well, my wife and I just decided that we're gonna run 3hrs north Saturday morning to watch this pivotal game at Arrowhead. Why not end the year in the most stressful way possible? I was sad to not go to one game this year, so gotta get it done!
You’ll get there a lot faster if you drive 😉
Great review as always.
3 games played and Omenihu's snap counts are 50%, 40% and 50% exactly. (FootballGuys used for snap counts).
Spags is bringing him back slowly from injury. Last year, while there was games he only played say 55%, his avg was more like 70%.
Should be noted that they say the Texans have one of the weakest interior offensive lines in the league.
CJ95, Karlaftis and Omenihu are going to eat healthy.
If Omenihu continue to play like this, do the Chiefs pay him instead of Bolton (we know you don't like either one of them... LOL)?
That's the real question on top of OT acquisition this offseason.
On a separate note, we don't know if this is it for Kelce this year..... I'm leaning 60/40 yes.
Probably comes down to how Kelce does in the playoffs...
I think Bolton's contract comes in way below what people are expecting. He'll get the Drue Tranquil deal (~3/19M), if he's lucky. Omenihu, on the other hand, seems pretty likely to get at least 10-15M/year, if he closes strong, with his age (still just 27) and versatility (the size and speed to play inside and outside on demand). If we can keep Omenihu for 3/45, with maybe $25M guaranteed (i.e. 2/25 with a $20M team option for 2027), I think that would very likely be a solid value, given how well he fits into Spags' schemes, but he'd be a lower priority for me than keeping Trey Smith.
Linebackers and guards don't get paid like defensive ends and tackles. So I'm guessing Trey and Nick stay and Charles walks.
Guards are starting to get $20M/year deals, so if we keep Trey, I'll be moderately surprised. But he's worth it.
Also, Trey has had a bad year pas blocking at the wrong time. I have still seen some punishing run blocks, but the pass blocking has been, to me, noticeably off.
How in the heck did we win the Super Bowl without Omenihu last season? That defense was so stacked. Also, why on earth did the rest of the league let us have Omenihu for 2/16? Even with the injury, he's right up there with Drue Tranquil for greatest FA signings of the Veach era. So glad Omenihu is back and looking like his old self. If he performs in the playoffs, he is getting *paid* this off-season, and we're probably getting a 2026 3rd round comp pick.
500 nickels might get you a small beer at Arrowhead.
Charles is still not moving as fluid as he was prior to the injury, but that is improving every week.
It's about time you said something nice about Omenihu, Seth! (Just getting that in before Josh says it on OWG.)
Good to see you giving Omenihu credit instead of constantly doubting him! Lol great article.
I watch warm ups down by the rail and GO is a huge guy. For him to rush like you show is impressive. I'm so glad he's back. "We're putting the band back together!" All we need are some dark sunglasses.
Ask a five year old if they'd rather have 500 NICKELS! or two hundred dollars and see which they choose.
NOTE: Very much appreciate your tip to skip to the Omenihu part. Thanks Seth!
When we were kids, I used to trade my sister nickels for dimes. She liked the nickels because they were bigger.
This sounds like you had the natural skills to grow up to be an investment banker. I hope your life turned out better than that.
Never made that much money myself, (had mostly jobs instead of a "career") but I did invest heavily in my own 401K and lived pretty responsibly. I have no debt, been married over 25 years, I have more friends than time, and I will retire early next year. Especially considering the poor background I came from, I feel extremely lucky every day.
I guess we now know that the Chiefs front office isn't reading Seth, given that it looks a lot like PM is playing this week - hoping for the best there. Great to see CO adding much needed gravitas to the D, when they need it the most. Given the secondary attrition, they need all the cover up front they can get ...
In the next to last clip, I love the guard #77 looking back at the ref to see if he is going to get called for the blatant hold.
Why are the Saints becoming the next home of casts aside Chiefs?
Honey Badger
Sorenson (although I know he's gone)
Saunders
Gay
MVS
Clyde