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

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by TigerUppercut

How sure are you? Smith played most of those reps outside of the last preseason game. And you're forgetting Bray will be more game ready than PMII.

If Bray was really "more game ready" we wouldn't have had Nick Foles or drafted Pat Mahomes.

We've been waiting about 3 years for Bray to be "game ready" and it doesn't look like he is any more ready than he was when he came out of college.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

I heard an interview with donovan McNabb the other day and he said he had to tell Reid "Hey, I'm not Brett Favre" so then Reid let him be himself. So yeah, the same thing crossed my mind. But Reid is a professional Coach so he knows the natural abilities a player has is why they're where they are.

Hog my man, after Mahomes flashes this pre-season your Manziel pain will be gone for sure.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by DRM08

Mahomes' nickname at Tech was Patty Ice. Take it or leave it.

Meh. Something far cooler will eventually present itself.

Really loving watching Tigger melt down. **** Alex Smith in his hidden cornhole.

[FlaChief58]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

Hell it takes Alex Smith into the second quarter most games before he can lead a touchdown drive. ****ing 15 touchdowns 8 interceptions ****ing ****.

That's our pro bowl caliber QB for ya

[Sandy Vagina]

Very encouraging stuff, JDK.

I honestly hope dude is everything they think he will be.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

I want to make an observation without it being taken as a racist comment but as you know there are very few succesful black QB's for whatever reason just as you don't see white RB's WR's or hell anything else except for linemen. Mahommes is mixed so we're getting the best of both worlds here. A smart athletic individual with a wonderful pedigree. God loves the Chiefs now !

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

Would love to see your writeup on Jace Amaro.

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

I want to make an observation without it being taken as a racist comment but as you know there are very few succesful black QB's for whatever reason just as you don't see white RB's WR's or hell anything else except for linemen. Mahommes is mixed so we're getting the best of both worlds here. A smart athletic individual with a wonderful pedigree. God loves the Chiefs now !

... wouldn't touch this racist post with rico's shriveled 2 incher.

[TigeRRUppeRRcut]

So you're saying we don't have to worry about him kneeling during the anthem? Oh wait... Kaepernick is mixed too..

[Fairplay]

Originally Posted by rydogg58

Thank you! I'm like the neighbor that's lived next door for years but never introduced himself, only waved politely when he saw you working in the yard. I'm THAT lazy guy.

I have a lazy neighbor like you that mows his grass maybe once every six weeks.

Are you lazy like that? Not taking care of your yard because I'll neg rep you if you say yes. That's how much he pisses me off.

[kysirsoze]

Originally Posted by milkman

PM2? 2PM?

Nah.

He's a gunslinger.
I'm just going to call him "Doc".

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

The nickname that is used within his own circles is 2PM, based on a shirt I saw that was worn at his draft party.

I prefer 'The Face That Runs the Place, The Champ That Runs the Camp' but it's kinda long.

Someone on Twitter said, if he's as great as we hope he is, we should start calling him Saint Patrick. I thought that was pretty good, though he'd have to earn it.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Originally Posted by TigerUppercut

So you're saying we don't have to worry about him kneeling during the anthem? Oh wait... Kaepernick is mixed too..

He has no brains . Proven fact !

[Fairplay]

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties

It boggles the mind that a rookie already has better field vision than our "smart, cagy, 12-year veteran."

But he's a good game manager.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

I want to make an observation without it being taken as a racist comment but as you know there are very few succesful black QB's for whatever reason just as you don't see white RB's WR's or hell anything else except for linemen. Mahommes is mixed so we're getting the best of both worlds here. A smart athletic individual with a wonderful pedigree. God loves the Chiefs now !

One of, if not the funniest post I have ever read on this board.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

One of, if not the funniest post I have ever read on this board.

It's what I do !