Kansas City Chiefs Report Card Vs Denver Broncos
Sep 14, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Frankie Hammond Jr. (85) makes a catch during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
SPECIAL TEAMS
Cairos Santos – 1-for-2 with a 45 yard field goal and a 37 yard miss – GRADE: D-
Dustin Colquitt – 2 punts, 80 yards, 40.0 average, 2 punts within the 20 – GRADE: A+
Frankie Hammond – 1 KR, 37 yards, 2 punt returns, 2 yards – GRADE: B
OVERALL SPECIAL TEAMS GRADE: D
Rookie Kicker Cairos Santos is struggling, and I feel like that’s an understatement. Yes, he made a 45 yard field goal but, horribly shanked a 37 yard attempt that could have capped off a brilliant 10 minute drive to open the second half.
Why the Chiefs chose the rookie over Succop, who is 80% in his career, is beyond me.
Why the Chiefs chose the rookie over Succop, who is 80% in his career, is beyond me.
The verdict is still out on Santos. Yes, I know that Succop started his career off 1-for-4 before rattling off 21 straight made field goals so don’t count Santos out. But the difference between the two is I feel like I’m holding my breath on PAT’s with Santos, something I never felt with Succop.
We’ll see, but I’m not confident on the rookie from Tulane who struggled while with them as well.
Two reasons why I gave the special teams a D. One, Santos sturggles and two, the 53 yard return that was given up after the Chiefs scored a touchdown to take the early lead. Starting with a short kick that bounced (looking at you Santos) the Chiefs gave up a lane up the side line that looked like it could have gone yard had an ankle saving grab hadn’t happened.
They covered punts well, pinning the Broncos within the 20 twice but it wasn’t enough for me to grade them well. Santos needs to settle down and start making kicks, other wise the Chiefs could be on the market for a veteran kicker soon.