The Pregame: Chiefs, Smith Host San Francisco 49ers
By Ben Nielsen
Aug 9, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) looks to throw against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
VITALS
Time: 7 p.m.
TV: KCTV 5
Radio: 101.1 KCFX
Weather: 76 degrees, 50% humidity, 0% chance of rain (It is supposed to rain all afternoon, however.)
MOTIVATIONAL MOVIE CLIP
THREE TO WATCH
1. Knile Davis
Even if Jamaal Charles does end up playing on Friday night, it is hard to imagine him taking very many snaps. So this game becomes a critical evaluation period for Davis to see how he is progressing in Andy Reid‘s system. He isn’t going to be perfect, he is a rookie after all, but he needs to show he can be a capable backup to Charles. This is going to require him to hold onto the ball, consistently catch passes out of the backfield, and make some plays in the running game.
This sounds like an easy thing to do, but the Chiefs haven’t be able to find a steady backup since Thomas Jones‘ body gave out after the 2010 season.
2. Dontari Poe
A very solid first possession in last week’s opener has raised the bar of expectations on Poe this week. The importance of Poe to the Chiefs season cannot be quantified. He is the only player on the starting defensive line with the ability to rush the passer on a consistent basis while still being in position to stop the run. If Poe continues to build of his performance from last week then the expectations of the Chiefs defense changes dramatically.
3. Tyler Bray
The hype on Bray has slowed a bit since last week’s disappointing appearance. Yes, he wasn’t as bad as he looked, but turnovers simply cannot happen when you’re trying to earn a roster spot.
Chalk up the performance to nerves, poor performance from his teammates, or whatever you wish, all of those things start going out the window if Bray has another poor performance in game two. He needs to protect the ball and show good decision-making skills in order to redeem himself from last week. We are all aware he is running with the third and fourth stringers, but that shouldn’t matter when it comes to turnovers and making decisions with the ball.
BEER OF THE GAME
How can you not go with the local staple Boulevard Wheat for the first home game of the year? It’s going to be muggy Friday night so you might as well drink something refreshing. Boulevard Wheat is always refreshing.
GAME PLAN
While the Chiefs moved the ball very well in their lone possession with the starters on the field, they were not very diverse with the offense. Dexter McCluster was the only wide receiver to be targeted with a pass as Jamaal Charles essentially owned the drive. This week it would be nice to see the wide receivers play a bigger role in the offense.
The two people who need to be featured the most are Jonathan Baldwin and Davis. For different reasons, each need to show what they are capable of and where their place is in the offense. While McCluster, Donnie Avery, and Devon Wylie can all fill niches in the offense, none of them are true number two wide receivers. Baldwin is the only one with the physical toolset to be that guy. The next few games have to be about Baldwin proving he can be that number two receiver next Dwayne Bowe. We’re not going to find that out if the offense is not more aggressive in the downfield passing game.
RANDOM TAILGATE RECIPE
Bacon Wrapped Smokies. I don’t think I need to give a reason why. (Hint: Bacon.)
Ingredients: 1 pound of sliced bacon, cut into thirds; 14 ounces of packaged beef cocktail weiners; 3/4 cup of brown sugar (or to taste).
Directions: (Prep, 45 min.; Cook, 45 min.; total 1 hour, 30 minutes)
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Refrigerate 2/3 of the bacon until needed. It is easier to wrap the wieners with cold bacon. Wrap each cocktail wiener with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle brown sugar generously over all.
3. Bake for 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until the sugar is bubbly. To serve, place the wieners in a slow cooker and keep on the low setting.
FANTASY FOOTBALL BREAKDOWN
We might as well call this the Backups Game. Fantasy players are going to get a good look at whether or not Davis, Baldwin, and Travis Kelce can be viable fantasy options when looking for supplemental players in deep leagues. If you are heading into the season with one of those guys as your starter then your season is probably already over. But if you’re keeping an eye out for backups to stash on your bench, or if you play in a deep 12 or 14 team league then this is a game you’ll want to pay attention to.
The 49ers are still trying to sort out their wide receiver situation after losing Michael Crabtree from the season due to injury. San Fran did acquire Anquan Boldin in a trade over the spring but he may not be enough to replace Crabtree’s downfield threat. Watch for how Jim Harbaugh plans to handle the Crabtree loss and if there is a receiver who sees action in the third and fourth quarter who may jump out at you.
GO CHIEFS!