Was it worth it to wait 50 years and suffer so many excruciating playoff losses? Yes, because Mahomes. Another great article about the best player in the NFL who, if he keeps on this track, will be the greatest football player of all-time. Thank you for pointing out another way to appreciate him!
You are the best columnist in the Chiefs stratosphere and it is not close. Thank you! I chose this place to post because it is a few days old and my hope is that I can have a private conversation with you about the podcast on "The Athletic". I really looked forward to it through the season, but shortly after we won the Super Bowl, it devolved into something that is a lot less than football. I am a subscriber to "The Athletic" for one reason: Seth Keysor. For that reason I would love to visit with you and allow you to hear from someone who is here for football and would rather have my social justice formation made in my Church and in my conscience.
Thank you for the opportunity to have a conversation.
Hi Keith! I appreciate you reaching out here. Do you have Twitter as well? Because DM's might be an easier place to do it. Otherwise, shoot me an email at sethskeysor@gmail.com and let's talk there!
To truly understand and appreciate the greatness of Mahomes, one has to look beyond the stat sheet to examine WHY Pat's a quarterback unlike any other. And no one breaks it down in words and pictures like you do, Seth. Much like you've already done by detailing his scrambling ability, velocity, unique throwing platforms and killer instinct, you've highlighted yet another facet of his game that when combined with the others make him the best in the world. Nice work, as usual.
Glad you enjoyed! It's so much fun to break down each nuance of what he does, because there are so many little things that people don't necessarily notice in the heat of the moment. I feel like every time I review his film I see something new.
“Defenders need to adjust to the way he plays." BAHAHAHA!!! OK, seriously, how can they adjust when their instincts are based on how the vast majority of the rest of the league's QBs play? Changing that for one elite player (or maybe generously, there are a handful that can move defenders around this effectively) for possibly 1-2 games per season is not realistic. Then, add in the arm talent that lets him make those odd-platform throws--fuggedaboudit. It might certainly be different if he had bad pass catchers or a terrible O-Line (not that the interior line was all that good last year) or a scheme that doesn't let him use these skills--I'm looking at you, Pete Carroll. Yet another fun and rewarding post, Seth. So, what are you going to do when you hit 2,000? 10,000?
It's basically impossible. They need to maintain their instincts for every other week outside of perhaps when they play Wilson and a few others (who don't do this to the extent Mahomes does), and it's incredibly tough to adjust to a single opponent. That's why defenders still take bad angles on Hill. It's hard to do something differently the millionth time you've done it.
Seth, just wondering if I qualify for the poster contest without a twitter account? Appreciate all the extra content you have brought us die hard chiefs fans. #1000forseth
It's these subtle things that are the difference between very good and potentially GOAT (I'm not quite ready to go there yet, but santo cielo!) And no one shows the subtleties like Seth.
In the Tennessee game, Romo commented on Mahomes' habit of looking at the defender he's throwing at, not the receiver. Also comments on how that's unusual.
Great article! I think another issue is that Andy's scheme keeps defenders from reacting differently. It seems like the only way a defender could compensate would be to not react at all to what Mahomes is doing (which seems more ridiculous than not reacting), and instead have some read on the routes or play that would determine where you go and what you look for. But as we've seen numerous times, Andy's plays often make that almost impossible because for every good play he'll give you a counter that will kill you if you follow tendencies (see Wasp).
Do you think that one reason teams have had more success playing man than zone against the Chiefs is because it stops the DBs from reading Mahomes and just read the receivers? If they're not looking into the backfield, he can't manipulate them. But as we saw in the playoffs, he uses that to get yards with his legs instead, but teams would probably prefer that to having him throwing downfield all day.
I think the times man coverage has worked has been when teams have been allowed to play very, very physically or when KC has been down someone. In other conditions they've torched man.
Was it worth it to wait 50 years and suffer so many excruciating playoff losses? Yes, because Mahomes. Another great article about the best player in the NFL who, if he keeps on this track, will be the greatest football player of all-time. Thank you for pointing out another way to appreciate him!
It was absolutely worth it!
Seth,
You are the best columnist in the Chiefs stratosphere and it is not close. Thank you! I chose this place to post because it is a few days old and my hope is that I can have a private conversation with you about the podcast on "The Athletic". I really looked forward to it through the season, but shortly after we won the Super Bowl, it devolved into something that is a lot less than football. I am a subscriber to "The Athletic" for one reason: Seth Keysor. For that reason I would love to visit with you and allow you to hear from someone who is here for football and would rather have my social justice formation made in my Church and in my conscience.
Thank you for the opportunity to have a conversation.
Keith R
Hi Keith! I appreciate you reaching out here. Do you have Twitter as well? Because DM's might be an easier place to do it. Otherwise, shoot me an email at sethskeysor@gmail.com and let's talk there!
To truly understand and appreciate the greatness of Mahomes, one has to look beyond the stat sheet to examine WHY Pat's a quarterback unlike any other. And no one breaks it down in words and pictures like you do, Seth. Much like you've already done by detailing his scrambling ability, velocity, unique throwing platforms and killer instinct, you've highlighted yet another facet of his game that when combined with the others make him the best in the world. Nice work, as usual.
Glad you enjoyed! It's so much fun to break down each nuance of what he does, because there are so many little things that people don't necessarily notice in the heat of the moment. I feel like every time I review his film I see something new.
You’re so good at clearly breaking it down step by step. Love your articles!
Thanks Jane, that's very good to hear! The goal is to make a complicated game a little more simple :)
“Defenders need to adjust to the way he plays." BAHAHAHA!!! OK, seriously, how can they adjust when their instincts are based on how the vast majority of the rest of the league's QBs play? Changing that for one elite player (or maybe generously, there are a handful that can move defenders around this effectively) for possibly 1-2 games per season is not realistic. Then, add in the arm talent that lets him make those odd-platform throws--fuggedaboudit. It might certainly be different if he had bad pass catchers or a terrible O-Line (not that the interior line was all that good last year) or a scheme that doesn't let him use these skills--I'm looking at you, Pete Carroll. Yet another fun and rewarding post, Seth. So, what are you going to do when you hit 2,000? 10,000?
It's basically impossible. They need to maintain their instincts for every other week outside of perhaps when they play Wilson and a few others (who don't do this to the extent Mahomes does), and it's incredibly tough to adjust to a single opponent. That's why defenders still take bad angles on Hill. It's hard to do something differently the millionth time you've done it.
Phenomenal! And Mahomes is pretty incredible, too!
haha thanks Steve
His rushing touchdown against the Titans comes to mind as well
Yep, the way he manipulated the linebacker into laying off was masterful.
Thanks Seth. Great piece!
When I view these clips, I see a point guard playing football. Same vision, same mentality. We are so lucky.
Yep, that's the mentality for sure.
Seth, just wondering if I qualify for the poster contest without a twitter account? Appreciate all the extra content you have brought us die hard chiefs fans. #1000forseth
Sure, I'll throw your name in the hat!
It's these subtle things that are the difference between very good and potentially GOAT (I'm not quite ready to go there yet, but santo cielo!) And no one shows the subtleties like Seth.
That's very kind of you to say! It's genuinely fun to look at every little nuance with Mahomes.
Fantastic article, Seth. Can’t wait to read all that you post throughout the season!
Can't wait for new film to break down!
This is so fun to watch, I could leave it on repeat all day!
I feel that way every time i review his film.
Simply put, this is the best Chiefscentric site around. Thanks.
Hey, that's so kind of you! Please spread the word! I started off with some goals and those goals keep getting bigger and bigger, lol.
Pretty solid evidence that Pat would be great in almost any organization IMO. Wasn’t he also really good while playing for a really bad TT team?
He was tremendous, people just didn't think he could possibly play the same way at the pro level.
In the Tennessee game, Romo commented on Mahomes' habit of looking at the defender he's throwing at, not the receiver. Also comments on how that's unusual.
An excellent observation!
Great article! I think another issue is that Andy's scheme keeps defenders from reacting differently. It seems like the only way a defender could compensate would be to not react at all to what Mahomes is doing (which seems more ridiculous than not reacting), and instead have some read on the routes or play that would determine where you go and what you look for. But as we've seen numerous times, Andy's plays often make that almost impossible because for every good play he'll give you a counter that will kill you if you follow tendencies (see Wasp).
Do you think that one reason teams have had more success playing man than zone against the Chiefs is because it stops the DBs from reading Mahomes and just read the receivers? If they're not looking into the backfield, he can't manipulate them. But as we saw in the playoffs, he uses that to get yards with his legs instead, but teams would probably prefer that to having him throwing downfield all day.
I think the times man coverage has worked has been when teams have been allowed to play very, very physically or when KC has been down someone. In other conditions they've torched man.