From a Red Raider alum: Things you may not know about Patrick Mahomes II

[JDKinman]

The majority of what has been written and publicly discussed about Patrick Mahomes II has focused on his arm and his ability to make plays. As is usual, the national sports media rarely sees beyond their keyboard.

I have a vested interest in this because I consider Kansas City my second home and my adopted hometown. The three years we spent in KC were the best of our career and the good folks of Kansas City took my wife and I in and made us feel more welcome and at home than any other place we have lived. For that, we'll always be grateful and we truly love the city as if we were born and raised there.

Now to Mahomes II.

Those of us who are Texas Tech alumni and supporters see quite a bit more. In no particular importance, I want to share my observations and experiences with Mahomes from the past three years.

1. No off the field issues and probably never will be. Patrick is not just an outstanding athlete, but he is an outstanding young man. In Raiderland, we never had to hold our breath wondering what foolishness he was going to get into. He has a solid moral compass, solid values and his focus--both professionally and socially--is on being a role model fit for both young kids and old grandmothers alike. He will be excellent for the Kansas City community in the way that Derrick Thomas and Neil Smith were active, and he has the boyish personality and "boy next door" persona of Joe Montana.

This is huge for me given as how I'm a retired ad agency and brand guy, the leader of a team has to wear that not just on their sleeve, but in their heart as well. Mahomes will make Kansas Citians proud everywhere he goes.

2. He's smart. Book smart, athletic smart and career smart. This too has been overlooked by the media. During his time at Texas Tech, Mahomes was an Academic All-American. He didn't cut or skip class and have coaches cover for him. (Kliff) Kingsbury doesn't tolerate that. We've lost some good players due to their academic hijinks and/or failures.

Concern over Mahomes' ability to learn an NFL playbook? Zero. Concerns over Mahomes' ability to manage his money rather than letting it manage him and becoming a distraction to the team and city? Zero. Concerns over his hitting an intellectual ceiling so far as being a professional quarterback goes? Zero.

3. He has an uncanny ability to not just read the defense, but to read what is happening on the defense as the play develops--and exploit it. Much of what I've read by sportswriters criticizing Mahomes for a "lack of pocket discipline" has been amusing. Watching six minutes of game film highlights and then penning a story for the press does not give one anywhere near the correct perspective of what Mahomes saw and accomplished on the field.

Tech fans have seen this for three years. Mahomes will see what the defense is doing, audible or adjust the play and then make adjustments on the run. Yes, some of this will need to change in the NFL and he will need to learn when a play cannot be salvaged or saved, but see Point #2 regarding his intelligence. The bigger picture here is that the young man has not only the vision to see what a defense is adjusting or preparing for, but also has the ability to react and counter-attack during the play. In high-scoring Big 12 games, this is critical.

4. Mahomes has the best "full field vision" of any quarterback we've ever had at Tech. Period. If what they say about reincarnation is true, Patrick Mahomes was a bird-of-prey in a previous life. His eyesight and vision is other-worldly when it comes to seeing the entire field. In three years and thousands of yards of passing, we may never have any idea how many touchdowns and first downs were made because he saw the entire field and every single eligible receiver.

Broadcasters are always good at pointing out during a replay the receivers that were open that the quarterback missed. You can go back and review all three years of Mahomes playing at Tech and you won't have more than a handful of those remarks by the broadcasters. The kid has incredible field vision and--

5. He analyzes and decides like a super computer. Maybe faster. This was another thing that kept the Raider faithful enthralled on game days. Mahomes knew who his primary and secondary receivers were, but his ability to read and analyze a defense and then adjust, sometimes even on the fly as the play was unfolding, and then process what was happening and then shift who was NOW the primary and secondary receiver was mind-boggling. Even the Tech receiving corps would shake their heads at how fast he could go from one side of the field as they were covered, to finding them as soon as the defense mistakenly thought they had the play covered, and then find his next set of primary receivers and make the play to them with laser-like accuracy.

He is a zone defense's worst nightmare. Man-on-man coverage is up to the receivers, but defensive coordinators and defensive backs are going to lose a lot of sleep trying to out guess and out-react Mahomes.

6. He is a freakshow of an athlete.This has been touched on, but Mahomes' athleticism goes far beyond his right arm. He's a husky, big kid who is a gym rat and fitness fanatic. He has eye to hand coordination that can fake you out on the football field or dazzle you on the baseball diamond.

7. He's humble. I doubt you'll see entourages or "crews" hanging with every move. Mahomes is self-confident and assured. He's not a Manziel that needed hero-worshippers falling all over him every step of the way. Mahomes gives credit to his coaches and receivers and teammates before he talks about anything he might have done in the game. Too much of that gets edited out by the sports writers and broadcasters, but this young man is the consummate team player and a natural leader.

In conclusion, I wanted to share these thoughts, views and experiences from the past three years of thoroughly enjoying Mahomes in a Texas Tech jersey. That he is trading Texas Tech red for Kansas City red. . . Christmas came in April and is now running non-stop for as long as this outstanding young man calls Arrowhead Stadium home.

Best regards,

--JD

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

yeah, winning tradition from a 2 win team must really suck to a bunch of inbred KC fans with nothing to enjoy aside from tooth decay, drug-addled, three eyed birth defects.

Why are you even here among all us drug addicts and hillbillies then- just to verbally suck off Alex in every ****ing thread. You obviously know Nothing about the Midwest or Chiefs fans - which is still more than you know about football.

Hopefully, you will find the door when Alex is gone. Good riddance to both of you.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

yeah, winning tradition from a 2 win team must really suck to a bunch of inbred KC fans with nothing to enjoy aside from tooth decay, drug-addled, three eyed birth defects.

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

Are you ****ing kidding me??????

Yeah... KC has been beyond reproach, aside from the QB... wow... perfect. Just a perfect, wonderfully flawless team, except QB.

pugs... you have truly gone potato.

I would say that I hope Mahomes wrecks the team like Kaepernick did his.. but I can't... because unlike popular belief.. I want the Chiefs to excel.. despite their potato fans that deserve far less.

Under Todd Haley and Romeo Crennel, this team underachieved.

The change at the top, from Dorsey to Reid and his staff is the reason this teamed righted itself, and to his credit, Alex Smith didn't screw that up.

But, let's be clear here.
Alex Smith isn't the reason this team started to play at the level they are capable of.

[TimBone]

Hahahaha...Sandy having a meltdown.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

yeah, winning tradition from a 2 win team must really suck to a bunch of inbred KC fans with nothing to enjoy aside from tooth decay, drug-addled, three eyed birth defects.

I think it's time for you to go.

Or, better yet, I could personally show you the door.

[IA_Chiefs_fan]

Full field vision due would be nice to have. Great post, OP.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

I think it's time for you to go.

Or, better yet, I could personally show you the door.

What is the point of the Romper again? Capn Butt Cheeks has lost it as has Freighters. We broke them both.

[Halfcan]

Sandy Balls comes into this great PM2 thread and turns it into a one man Alex fan club letter, takes a dump on the "inbred, drug addled, toothless, birth defected" Chiefs fans and then surfs off into the sunset.

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Sandy Balls comes into this great PM2 thread and turns it into a one man Alex fan club letter, takes a dump on the "inbred, drug addled, toothless, birth defected" Chiefs fans.

Not really fair, if to read through the evolution of posts.

I took exception to pugs' flip-flopping of now blaming Smith as the primary problem for all of the team shortcomings. We should all have a right to agree or disagree with opinions. It simply escalated into other idiots throwing fuel on the fire.

It was a brief fire that quickly turned cold and dead... and now, you are trying to breathe life back into it? meh.. pass. It's a beautiful day. Enjoy it, and FFS, contact O City about getting that grill of yours fixed.

[JDKinman]

Originally Posted by milkman

Under Todd Haley and Romeo Crennel, this team underachieved.

The change at the top, from Dorsey to Reid and his staff is the reason this teamed righted itself, and to his credit, Alex Smith didn't screw that up.

But, let's be clear here.
Alex Smith isn't the reason this team started to play at the level they are capable of.

As a native Texan, I grew up cheering for the Cowboys. My dad and granddad also liked the Packers as they were both big fans of Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry. I became a Chiefs fan after the first Super Bowl even though I was in single-digits in age. My granddad thought Hank Stram was a blend of Lombardi and Landry, plus he liked Lamar Hunt's dedication to forming the AFL.

Cowboys fans. . . we had Danny White after Roger Staubach retired. White was good, but not capable of taking us to the Promised Land, even though we had some outstanding offensive and defensive talent. Then comes Troy Aikman and a few more weapons and we take three out of four Super Bowls--and rather handily, I might add.

Then after several seasons of struggle and disappointment, Tony Romo enters the picture. Again, a Danny White type of guy--solid citizen, athletic, smart. . . but doesn't have that unidentifiable intangible to take us to the Promised Land. Last season, Dak Prescott burst onto the scene and a big thing he brought with him was confidence.

Now, Kansas City. We suffered through Bono and Grbac and a few others. Alex Smith helped solidify a talented and potent offense enough to get us in the playoffs, at home, where once again we lost in a heartbreaking fashion.

I see Patrick Mahomes in the same light in terms of bringing that unidentifiable intangible with him that Aikman brought to the Cowboys. By now, everyone has seen the undeniable other-worldly talent that Mahomes possesses, and his work ethic and intelligence has been verified at all levels from the coaches down to internet forum participants.

Mahomes has that special, magical ability that pushes players to play above their normal levels and capabilities. Aaron Rodgers has that, so did Favre. Tom Brady has it and I think Dak Prescott has it.

That is the difference and that is why I think we'll see a noticeable change in attitude and enthusiasm every time Mahomes steps on the field for many years to come.

Alex Smith helped get the bus to the playoffs level. Mahomes has the ability and sheer will and determination to take it all the way to the loading dock where the Lombardi trophy will be loaded onto it.

--JD

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

Not really fair, if to read through the evolution of posts.

I took exception to pugs' flip-flopping of now blaming Smith as the primary problem for all of the team shortcomings. We should all have a right to agree or disagree with opinions. It simply escalated into other idiots throwing fuel on the fire.

It was a brief fire that quickly turned cold and dead... and now, you are trying to breathe life back into it? meh.. pass. It's a beautiful day. Enjoy it, and FFS, contact O City about getting that grill of yours fixed.

Smith IS the primary reason for the team's shortcomings- he is the QB. The Most important position on the field. Alex gets credit for the wins and also takes the loss. That is the way it is and has Nothing to do with Pugs.

Oh, thanks for the tip- you know cause..I am a Chiefs fan that lives in the Midwest..and we are all toothless meth heads according to you.

Nice job not taking any responsibility for your ignorant post and then doubling down on it. Pathetic. As a true "drug addled" CHIEFS fan- I will be glad when Alex is gone and all of his fairweather, uninformed fans like you move on as well.

[TimBone]

Sandy Vagina is definitely losing it.

[Fairplay]

Originally Posted by TimBone

Hahahaha...Sandy having a meltdown.

His man crush for Alex is showing.

[Coochie liquor]

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

he has exemplary balls, but when in the sack he bails out of the pocket early or just can't get enough zip on it to make a completion... maybe he needs better protection, or a better weapon?

Interdasting!

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by TimBone

Sandy Vagina is definitely losing it.

I'm really not, good sir. It's all in fun. At moments, can be frustrating, but mostly just good natured **** you's here and there.

I recognize that every forum needs contention and drama to spice things up... so I understand the need to have enemies.. even create them if they are not truly there. To add, it must be fun to imagine scenarios where these enemies are miserable, crying in the corner, and devastated that their boo is to be someday replaced.

Truth is, it's not a big deal. Smith had/has his 5 years, and his last chance to step up his game. He probably won't, and that's unfortunate, but at least he helped to win games and help KC become relevant again. I just hope Mahomes becomes worthy of the premature adulation, and really can get em over the hump. I really do.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by vailpass

Now, at the end, they reveal their true colors.

"Now?"

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

Meh.. my golden boy was not remarkable, but like other losses... was not the problem. For GBlow to go so far out of his way to simplify the blame on Smith.. along with the other silly insults... Man, **** him and **** you. Ignant fans like you deserve to lose. Sure as hell don't deserve a 22 year break from the misery that you had prior to Smith's arrival.

So yes. **** you and anyone that rips on Alex as some significant reason as to why KC lost tonight. **** you in your face assholes.