Even if this is the last athletically great year of Kelce, this gives me hope that his rep can help the Chiefs for years to come. Here's to hoping he breaks some Jerry records before he's through.
Hopefully a partner who must train for physically demanding 3-hour dance performances will be accretive to his offseason focus and longevity. I got dragged to a show and my biggest takeaway is that aside from the obvious tackling, her job and his are more alike than I'd ever imagined.
I rarely do this, but those who desire to do so and enjoy the site, please feel free to share/etc, as I unlocked this one intentionally. Tell the swiftie in your life that this is their chance to sound like an elite knower of ball lol.
But I still don't understand exactly how Kelce adjusts his routes against zone coverages that is so *unique*. Rice (for his first NFL touchdown) broke off a route and stopped in a hole caused by the defense flowing the other way. What's so special about Kelce manipulating zone coverage and finding the holes in it and practicing a target to Mahomes?
Rice does it against zones on what are clearly zone-beating routes (let's say a comeback over the middle of the field).
Kelce does it when he's running a deep corner or something completely different.
So on one it's baked into the play call (sight adjustments). The other it's not. Kelce does sight adjustments all the time too, but a few times per game he just does whatever. AND, I know for a fact that there are (a few) times his job is to just "get open," which is unheard of in the NFL in terms of trust.
Does that make sense in terms of what differentiates it?
Maybe I'm just used to seeing him do it so I dont realize no one else does this. Very surprising. It seems super effective and there are a lot of great receivers in the league and some of them must have some skill in reading defenses. Maybe no other coach or quarterback would be willing to let them do it though.
First, how often he does his sight adjustments perfectly to get open. Every team has sight adjustments, but Reid does it at a higher rate and Kelce gets it right almost every time.
Second, how he makes adjustments even on route concepts that don't call for it (much harder to see and some guesswork involved), which is much rarer even for elite WR's (though not unheard of, just not a lot of coach/QB combos that can work with it as you alluded to).
Third, him doing it as a TE is genuinely weird haha.
Nowadays, so many TEs are DEs who didn't progress, or WRs who were too slow (or lacking some other trait). Kelce was a tall QB with a basketball player's awareness of leverage in tight spaces.
It seems Kelce's defining trait, though, was his WILLINGNESS to freelance and prove to Andy that he deserved the freedom to keep doing it. Kyle Shanahan would have cut Kelce for going off-script as often as he did, whereas Andy embraced it.
I believe it was in the first SB run that after one series where they did something spectacular and/or scored a TD they were mic'd up and Mahomes is saying to Kelce: "how'd you know to do that? I was hoping you would because that's what I saw/wanted and then you just did it" (or something to that affect). That was when we got to see firsthand their bizarro mind-meld and something that must drive d-coordinators and defenders crazy because it flies in the face of route concepts, film study etc.
Rice running routes underneath Kelce. Is it safe to start talking about it yet? It's the only play that worked, like, every time. Ravens seem to be the best team so will we use it more or save it for all bets off, win at every cost? Honestly, it could've dominated all year but then teams would adjust and we'd get stuffed in the playoffs.
This is why I love reading you Seth. First you made me look up a new word lol. But must importantly you have hit on the nuance of the game that most people miss. The play design is brilliant but only if he in particular is on the same page as Mahomes.
The only thing I would add is the route he scored on where he was wide open because they were thinking he was a decoy and made a mistake. It’s what the goat can do for you.
He is a great teammate who has tried to deflect the criticism aimed at his teammates all year. That said, no one is buying it - Mecole HAS to know not to do that because the penalty for fumbling thru the end zone is so severe.
Ravens fans pretty confident...actually, downright cocky, that Hamilton is just going to completely shut down Kelce singlehandedly. So according to them, there will be no worries of double teaming taking away attention to others. I really really hope the Ravens coaches are as dumb as their fanbase and keep someone one on one with Kelce
Hamilton is a GREAT player and very athletic, so he may well be that dude! The thing is, though, they try to use him as a swiss army knife around which they base some of their disguises and blitzes. So just tossing him 1x1 at Kelce would be a big change for them and result in some predictability. Reid might run mesh to death if they go that route.
Is this the best article of the year? It might be Seth's best article. Some would say it's his best article. I'm not saying that, I'm just posing the question for others to consider. What if it is?
Man how could he be 34 years old? Where does the time go? Wasn't it just a couple years ago that he was a hot headed rookie? Hopefully with strategic rest games he can go 2 or 3 more years.
Can you look into the whole Spags versus Jackson matchup ? My recollection is that Spags has had success against Lamar. He forces him into boundary throws (Lamar's weakness in the past) by clogging the middle of the field and puts a spy on Lamar. Makes him make quick decisions which is not Lamar's strength. We need to tackle well this week to limit big runs while acknowledging they will be able to run some on us.
Kelce's been so unbelievable his entire career. Too bad we couldn't have had a bit more of Travis' and Pat's careers overlap 🤷 but it sure has been a fun ride
Even if this is the last athletically great year of Kelce, this gives me hope that his rep can help the Chiefs for years to come. Here's to hoping he breaks some Jerry records before he's through.
Hopefully a partner who must train for physically demanding 3-hour dance performances will be accretive to his offseason focus and longevity. I got dragged to a show and my biggest takeaway is that aside from the obvious tackling, her job and his are more alike than I'd ever imagined.
Great read. Would like to see an article how the O-line has performed during the playoffs thus far.
Fully agree. Well done Seth and well written. Love your subtle humor.
Glad to see Travis getting his props. Always look forward to your thoughts.
I rarely do this, but those who desire to do so and enjoy the site, please feel free to share/etc, as I unlocked this one intentionally. Tell the swiftie in your life that this is their chance to sound like an elite knower of ball lol.
The Swifty elite knower of ball! That thesaurus is really working out for you!
NGL, I just queried whether TS has any songs with Gravity or Greatness in the title, but what came back was Blank Space.
GOATness! Way to illustrate the poetry in motion.
Good examples of his gravity in this one.
But I still don't understand exactly how Kelce adjusts his routes against zone coverages that is so *unique*. Rice (for his first NFL touchdown) broke off a route and stopped in a hole caused by the defense flowing the other way. What's so special about Kelce manipulating zone coverage and finding the holes in it and practicing a target to Mahomes?
Rice does it against zones on what are clearly zone-beating routes (let's say a comeback over the middle of the field).
Kelce does it when he's running a deep corner or something completely different.
So on one it's baked into the play call (sight adjustments). The other it's not. Kelce does sight adjustments all the time too, but a few times per game he just does whatever. AND, I know for a fact that there are (a few) times his job is to just "get open," which is unheard of in the NFL in terms of trust.
Does that make sense in terms of what differentiates it?
Maybe I'm just used to seeing him do it so I dont realize no one else does this. Very surprising. It seems super effective and there are a lot of great receivers in the league and some of them must have some skill in reading defenses. Maybe no other coach or quarterback would be willing to let them do it though.
Right, the rarity comes in a few different ways.
First, how often he does his sight adjustments perfectly to get open. Every team has sight adjustments, but Reid does it at a higher rate and Kelce gets it right almost every time.
Second, how he makes adjustments even on route concepts that don't call for it (much harder to see and some guesswork involved), which is much rarer even for elite WR's (though not unheard of, just not a lot of coach/QB combos that can work with it as you alluded to).
Third, him doing it as a TE is genuinely weird haha.
Nowadays, so many TEs are DEs who didn't progress, or WRs who were too slow (or lacking some other trait). Kelce was a tall QB with a basketball player's awareness of leverage in tight spaces.
It seems Kelce's defining trait, though, was his WILLINGNESS to freelance and prove to Andy that he deserved the freedom to keep doing it. Kyle Shanahan would have cut Kelce for going off-script as often as he did, whereas Andy embraced it.
I believe it was in the first SB run that after one series where they did something spectacular and/or scored a TD they were mic'd up and Mahomes is saying to Kelce: "how'd you know to do that? I was hoping you would because that's what I saw/wanted and then you just did it" (or something to that affect). That was when we got to see firsthand their bizarro mind-meld and something that must drive d-coordinators and defenders crazy because it flies in the face of route concepts, film study etc.
It was against the Texans! I remember that very clearly, such a crazy moment.
He backs it up with sure hands
Damn.....a Talor Swift reference.........lol....just kidding...I like her
I believe the just get open call was used on the last pass in regulation in the 13 second game.
Rice running routes underneath Kelce. Is it safe to start talking about it yet? It's the only play that worked, like, every time. Ravens seem to be the best team so will we use it more or save it for all bets off, win at every cost? Honestly, it could've dominated all year but then teams would adjust and we'd get stuffed in the playoffs.
This is why I love reading you Seth. First you made me look up a new word lol. But must importantly you have hit on the nuance of the game that most people miss. The play design is brilliant but only if he in particular is on the same page as Mahomes.
The only thing I would add is the route he scored on where he was wide open because they were thinking he was a decoy and made a mistake. It’s what the goat can do for you.
Seth = Dr. Wordsmith!
I just listen to the New Heights podcast: He took the responsibility for not maintaining his block, and the reason Mecole lost ball in end zone-
Kelce is a humble warrior:
He is a great teammate who has tried to deflect the criticism aimed at his teammates all year. That said, no one is buying it - Mecole HAS to know not to do that because the penalty for fumbling thru the end zone is so severe.
Ravens fans pretty confident...actually, downright cocky, that Hamilton is just going to completely shut down Kelce singlehandedly. So according to them, there will be no worries of double teaming taking away attention to others. I really really hope the Ravens coaches are as dumb as their fanbase and keep someone one on one with Kelce
Hamilton is a GREAT player and very athletic, so he may well be that dude! The thing is, though, they try to use him as a swiss army knife around which they base some of their disguises and blitzes. So just tossing him 1x1 at Kelce would be a big change for them and result in some predictability. Reid might run mesh to death if they go that route.
Is this the best article of the year? It might be Seth's best article. Some would say it's his best article. I'm not saying that, I'm just posing the question for others to consider. What if it is?
Some say it is the bestest. Others called it hugely awesome.
Many are saying this is the best. I was saying it a while ago, but others are saying it now.
Cute reference
Man how could he be 34 years old? Where does the time go? Wasn't it just a couple years ago that he was a hot headed rookie? Hopefully with strategic rest games he can go 2 or 3 more years.
Now he's a hotheaded vet!
Fun read, Seth, and great new word usage.
Question: if Thuney, Gay, Edwards, and Cook are all out, do we even have a chance?
Is Mahomes on the field? Because if so, the answer is always yes.
Cmon, Seth. Elite knowers of ball such as yourself fully understand the difference between a pick and a rub.
When we do it it's a rub.
When they do it it's a pick.
Great job Seth 13 personnel ! ! ! !
Can you look into the whole Spags versus Jackson matchup ? My recollection is that Spags has had success against Lamar. He forces him into boundary throws (Lamar's weakness in the past) by clogging the middle of the field and puts a spy on Lamar. Makes him make quick decisions which is not Lamar's strength. We need to tackle well this week to limit big runs while acknowledging they will be able to run some on us.
Kelce's been so unbelievable his entire career. Too bad we couldn't have had a bit more of Travis' and Pat's careers overlap 🤷 but it sure has been a fun ride