Five Questions With The Enemy: Kansas City Vs. Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins are not set to take the field until shortly after 4:00 p.m. this afternoon when the Kansas City Chiefs try and win their first game of the season. Earlier this week I sat down with, or rather I sat at my computer and exchanged emails with Ben Nielson of ArrowheadAddict.com and we asked each other a few questions about the game.

"K.C. looked good with Kniles Davis in place of Jamal Charles last week but now there will be game tape on his play. What game are you expecting from him?This is three games now that Davis has come in reserve of Charles and posted two touchdowns and 100+ yards of total offense. He’s a powerful guy with good straight line speed who can do enough to keep the Chiefs offense moving against just about any defense. KC will be okay with him back there.What Davis isn’t, at least so far anyway, is dynamic. Charles could bust any play for a big gain but Davis hasn’t really shown that ability yet. He’s also not a good in the screen game and in pass protection, two areas where Charles is extremely good.Davis should be good but KC loses a ton with Charles either out or limited."

 
The Chiefs have opened the season 0-2 after giving their fans a two digit win total last season before their first loss. How does it feel to be tied with Oakland and if Dennis Allen is on the hot seat shouldn’t Andy Reid be as well?

"Nah, Andy Reid is fine at this stage.We need to remember a few things about the Chiefs and where they were 18 months ago. Reid and GM John Dorsey were taking over a 2-14 roster that had no hope of future success. There was nothing at quarterback or offensive skill positions, nothing in terms of depth, and nothing along the defensive line.In a matter of a few months Dorsey and Reid have built a team that nearly went on the road and knocked off Denver even though the team was missing seven starters and three of their five best players. No way does that happen under the previous regime.Everyone around here knew this season was going to be tough due to the injuries, the schedule, and the fact we dramatically overachieved last season. Reid is safe for at least this season."

 
Seeing how the Oneida Indian Nation is calling for a name change with the Washington Redskins, when will the Chiefs become the target of the group?

"They already are a target. The Chiefs and the community have received letters and statements from OIN about the naming of the team. Many around here think the argument to get rid of ‘Chiefs’ is going to be much more difficult to make than the one they are making in Washington.For their part, Chiefs ownership has been very active behind the scenes with local groups to ensure the franchise is being sensitive to the Native American community. There is still some progress that could be made there but I think KC’s name is safe for now."

 
Dwayne Bowe has all the tools to be an elite WR in the NFL, yet he has failed to reach that potential even after signing an extension two years ago. What is the biggest issue for Bowe?

"Quarterback play killed him early in his career. The best quarterback he had ever had before the Alex Smith era was Matt Cassel. Yeah, Matt Cassel. Damon Huard, Brodie Croyle, Tyler Thigpen, Kyle Orton… the list of quarterbacks in KC during Bowe’s time is pretty terrifying.Last season was as much about the team trying to learn a new offense as much as anything else. Bowe also came in out of shape and didn’t really look prepared to deal with what Reid was going to ask him to do in the his offense.Bowe came into camp this year in better shape but he’s been battling injuries to his quad plus was suspended for week one against Tennessee for a marijuana incident. He can be a productive target in this offense when healthy but we really haven’t seen that yet since Reid and Smith arrived."

Alex Smith was high on the Chiefs wish list and they made the trade to bring him to K.C. Is he the teams franchise quarterback or a caretaker until they can get someone else?

"He’s the man for at least this season and next season. Andy Reid is in love with him and it makes sense in terms of Smith’s decision making abilities and the way he protects the ball. Whether or not he is dynamic enough to win a Super Bowl is the question that still lingers for most fans in Kansas City.Personally, I’m a fan of Smith and think he can be a very good quarterback here once Dorsey and Reid have figured out the offensive line situation. The Chiefs are in the middle of trying to revamp the line to fit what Reid is looking for so there has been a lot of turnover there. (You may know a guy named ‘Branden Albert’ no?). Injuries have also killed the Chiefs o-line this season so everything is out of flux.Fix the line and Smith could be very productive in Reid’s offense. Whether the line ever gets fixed is the question."

Final question: It seems that the Chiefs are in a win now period but it doesn’t appear that they are ready to challenge the Broncos for the division, what is holding them back?

"I don’t see them as being in a win now period.Remember, this was a 2-14 team a year ago and the rebuilding stage was going to take at least three years. It is a testament to the job Dorsey and Reid did last year that the Chiefs even sniffed the playoffs last year. Truly, I have no idea how that team won 11 games, it is was quite remarkable.2015/2016 seems to be the target seasons for the Chiefs. They have a bunch of draft picks coming next year and will finally be out of salary cap hell. Those picks plus the extra cash should help KC fix some holes in the secondary and on the offensive line, which should then put the Chiefs in a spot to be a serious contender in the AFC.Show message history"