Kansas City Chiefs: Fans Are Down On Bowe’s Production
At the start of OTA’s (organized team activities) back in the spring, Chiefs wide receiver, Dwayne Bowe, predicted that he would lead the league in receiving and his teammate, Jamaal Charles, would lead the NFL in rushing. So far, he’s been way off for himself and somewhat close with his prediction of Charles.
Sep 29, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of the game against the New York Giants at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 31-7. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Bowe has had a bad rep in KC for a few years now, dating back to the alleged comments he made to ESPN The Magazine in May of 2010 where he had several quotes that indicated that some Chiefs players, veterans mostly, were flying in women that they had met on social media to be in each players hotel rooms as escorts.
The Chiefs were lead by GM Scott Pioli and head coach, Todd Haley, at the time and they quickly put a lid on the “Bowe Show.” He wasn’t allowed to speak with media any longer with out permission and even when he was given the opportunity to speak about the article, he miss spoke when apologizing to the Hunt family saying “I apologize to the Clarks (Hunts), my teammates and the guys I put in a bind.”
He got a lot of heat for calling the Hunt’s the Clarks, especially from local radio and media. Along with his mishaps of speaking with the media, he had gained a reputation of dropping the ball at crucial times and getting lazy on his routes, often allowing defenders to beat him on simple slants and out-routes. Then the 2010 season happened.
Bowe went off, leading the league in TDs with 15 and had 5 multiple touchdown games, proving to be the dynamic threat that the Chiefs had hoped they drafted. Since then though, the production has slowed down significantly, large part due to the lack of quarterback play.
Bowe was in his contract year last season and the offense was the worst in the NFL. He had made a few nice plays, but mostly in garbage time at the end of games when it didn’t matter. On the road against Cleveland last year, Bowe fractured his ribs coming down on a crack block during a running play, and he would go on to miss the rest of the regular season. Many felt that would be the last time we would see him in a Chiefs uniform.
Insert new GM John Dorsey and head coach, Andy Reid, and their first priority was to get a quarterback then make sure Dwayne Bowe stayed a Chief. That’s exactly what they did. They made the trade to acquire Alex Smith from the 49’ers, then signed Bowe to a five year, $56 million dollar contract. A hit or miss move depending on what Chiefs fan you’re talking to.
The Chiefs were in a position where they had to keep Dwayne Bowe which meant paying him good money. If you go back and look at what was available in free agency this past off season, you will understand why KC was in the position they were when they payed him. The top WR’s on the market were, Wes Welker (Broncos), Brandon Lloyd (still available), Mike Wallace (Dolphins), Greg Jennings (Vikings), and Victor Cruz (Giants).
Sep 15, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Of those top free agents, Mike Wallace was the only other one you could say was over payed as well. Is Wallace better than Bowe? It’s up for debate, but either way, the Chiefs were in a position to where they had to pay Bowe to stay. Welker wasn’t going to come to KC, so there was no point in even trying to propose a deal to him, especially with Denver making a move immediately after his departure with New England. The Giants certainly weren’t going to let Cruz walk either and I would take Bowe over Jennings any day.
So here we are, 5-0 and Dwayne Bowe’s production hasn’t been what he predicted, especially after that expensive contract. Some fans will say, why pay Bowe $56 million when the Chiefs are undefeated and he hasn’t hardly been a factor? Well two things: One, he was the best option for Kansas City as our long time spot at reciver and two, who knew that KC was going to be 5-0 with Dwayne Bowe only catching two TD’s through the first five games?
And for the record, the Chiefs would not be 5-0 with out Dwayne Bowe right now. He made the crucial touchdown catch against the Cowboys during the third quarter of their week 2 match-up. Bowe made the catch, then split the defense to go in for the score. Call it good play design or whatever you want, Bowe still made an excellent play to get away from his defender and take the ball into the endzone.
In week 3 against Philadelphia, Bowe made several crucial blocks down the field that allowed Donnie Avery to run free and pick up long third downs. Bowe is playing very unselfish football, and fans are starting to wonder when he will speak out about his lack of production. When will the “Bowe Show” come around and start demanding the ball? What would happen if the Chiefs lost three in-a-row and Bowe still hasn’t seen many passes his way?
When has Bowe ever complained? He’s never been in front of reporters demanding his team to throw him the ball. He’s never on the sidelines yelling at his position coaches or quarterbacks demanding more throws his way. He even said so himself on the Chiefs Kingdom Show with Mitch Holthus when he was asked about his down field blocking against Philly,
"“it’s a team play and its all about determination and what you want your goals to be. I want to be an all around great football player, not just catching the ball but also helping my team score by any means.” Bowe continued, “I like the dirty work and I love what its doing right now, we’re winning and if that’s what I gotta do, then that’s what I gotta do.”"
Bowe has completely bought in and is doing whatever is necessary for the Chiefs to win. The lack of depth at receiver for the Chiefs is whats making Bowe have to face double coverage every week. Partner that with a quarterback who doesn’t make a ton of throws deep, and you have a lack of numbers from the wide out.
Chiefs fans should be patient with Bowe because he still the best receiver that they have playing each Sunday. One of these games, Bowe is going to show up in a huge way, whether it be a big TD catch, or a simple first down conversion that seals a game. Don’t let his lack of production cloud your judgment on how he’s playing this season.