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

[raybec 4]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

In fairness, he didn't just run out of bounds.

He missed the throw downfield to Ware.

All part of the strategy. If the defense would have done their job and not let Pitt score a touchdown he would have had the opportunity to implement his plan.

[Bufkin]

That's awesome that he's a good guy and humble. Christian Ponder was humble too. He's still gonna bust.

[chiefscafan]

So I guess the elephant in the room does he really sit the entire year or do you see him starting at some point?


Just curious of the overall opinion?

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by chiefscafan

So I guess the elephant in the room does he really sit the entire year or do you see him starting at some point?


Just curious of the overall opinion?

I'd say 2-1 against.

But there's a non-zero chance that he does. A) Smith is not exactly injury prone, but he's not 100% durable either. He's going to miss a game or two. If it's in the first 6 weeks, I expect Bray takes the snaps. If it's in the last half or so, it may well be Mahomes. B) If they're scuffling a bit at something like 7-5 and they're going to need a strong finishing kick to make the post-season, if Smith's having some of the same troubles he was having mid-year last season, I could also see Reid making a move.

I think it's important to remember just how much Reid neutered Smith in that Denver road game. Sure we won it but we got a little lucky and Reid got truly desperate in the 4th quarter. For 3 quarters of that game, Reid was terrified to let Smith do anything. It was a shockingly conservative gameplan.

I do not believe that's what Reid WANTS to do. I don't think he's a Mike Martz, damn the torpedoes and air it out kind of guy, but I don't think he's sub-Marty either. If he's in a situation later in the year where he thinks he has to install that kind of gameplan again, I could see him deciding "**** this - put in the kid and lets play actual football..."

[Graystoke]

Boner ENGAGED!

[JDKinman]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Mahomes absolutely has to realize that any time he CAN set his feet and fire conventionally, he should. He doesn't seem to understand that right now or at least consistently practice it. He does some things that are just a little lazy and if he does them often enough, that's trouble. He can't just take a sidearm flip if coming over the top with a solid base is available to him. And no, his feet aren't right nearly as often as some are saying - they're really really bad. Like, arguably the worst in the draft bad. He has to fix that and quickly because if your platform isn't sound, you can never be confident where the ball is going, especially under duress.

Just something to think about and consider. . .

Most of what everyone here is seeing of Mahomes is coming from the "hot dog highlight" reels.

In the three years I watched him play, both at the stadium and on tv during road games, there were PLENTY of passes he made while his feet were set. And those throws were truly things of beauty.

Lots of college QBs can make beautiful, accurate throws with their feet set. It's when they have to scramble and/or throw on the run that their accuracy and arm strength becomes suspect.

Reel after reel of QBs making picture perfect throws from the pocket or when they weren't scrambling and were set up to throw has no sex appeal to the fans. If all Mahomes ever did was throw on the run, I doubt he would have been drafted until the (much) later rounds. But what coaches see in the hours and hours of compiled film reels, plus from their scouts in the stands and at practice have a lot more to do with how and when they choose their best draft picks.

I guess what I'm saying is to not get overly concerned about the perception of Mahomes' "bad footwork" that is being hung on him. He has made more than his fair share of other-worldly throws from a set position--they're just not as much fun to watch on the highlight reels.

--JD

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Thanks for the info, friend

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by Bufkin

That's awesome that he's a good guy and humble. Christian Ponder was humble too. He's still gonna bust.

Why are you so sure PM2 is going to be a bust? I have not heard him say anything or watched any of his plays that make me feel that way at all.

If another team in our division had drafted him, I would be very worried now.

PM2 is going to win multiple SB's and MVP's before he retires from his HOF career.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Why are you so sure PM2 is going to be a bust? I have not heard him say anything or watched any of his plays that make me feel that way at all.

If another team in our division had drafted him, I would be very worried now.

PM2 is going to win multiple SB's and MVP's before he retires from his HOF career.

Bufkin is a troll. He's a Falcons fan, of all things.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Dude is stuck with Scooter...punishment enough

[FlaChief58]

Originally Posted by Bufkin

That's awesome that he's a good guy and humble. Christian Ponder was humble too. He's still gonna bust.

Based on what? He passes the eye test, which is the best we as fans can hope for at this point. But when other coaches and those who have way more football knowledge than anyone on a football BB are saying he's the real deal, I tend to believe that he's going to be just fine.

[Titty Meat]

So JD you sound like you think he can play right away am I wrong? To me he looks like he could be really damn good but needs atleast 1 if not 2 years. The Chiefs are in no hurry it's perfect situation
.

[PHOG]

Originally Posted by JDKinman

Just something to think about and consider. . .

Most of what everyone here is seeing of Mahomes is coming from the "hot dog highlight" reels.

In the three years I watched him play, both at the stadium and on tv during road games, there were PLENTY of passes he made while his feet were set. And those throws were truly things of beauty.

Lots of college QBs can make beautiful, accurate throws with their feet set. It's when they have to scramble and/or throw on the run that their accuracy and arm strength becomes suspect.

Reel after reel of QBs making picture perfect throws from the pocket or when they weren't scrambling and were set up to throw has no sex appeal to the fans. If all Mahomes ever did was throw on the run, I doubt he would have been drafted until the (much) later rounds. But what coaches see in the hours and hours of compiled film reels, plus from their scouts in the stands and at practice have a lot more to do with how and when they choose their best draft picks.

I guess what I'm saying is to not get overly concerned about the perception of Mahomes' "bad footwork" that is being hung on him. He has made more than his fair share of other-worldly throws from a set position--they're just not as much fun to watch on the highlight reels.

--JD

CFB just saying, not NFL.

[JDKinman]

Originally Posted by BigMeatballBillay

So JD you sound like you think he can play right away am I wrong? To me he looks like he could be really damn good but needs atleast 1 if not 2 years. The Chiefs are in no hurry it's perfect situation
.

Don't think he's ready to start. Not even if he has an All-Pro performance training camp. He needs to break some bad habits, chief among them (no pun intended) is his mistaken thinking that he's also a fullback. Second, he needs to learn when to sacrifice the play and let it die a natural, non-traumatic peaceful death. This will be harder for him to learn because it is never taught at Texas Tech.

Third thing, learning the NFL offense AND myriad of defensive schemes and alignments will take at least a full year for him.

However, I DO think he needs to get some "on the field" playing time in games where he can be afforded the opportunity to do so--and rather than putting him in with (other) second/third stringers, he needs some on-the-field time with the starters to begin developing "when it counts" chemistry.

And finally? He needs a year or more to prove himself and his worth ethic to the veterans and be accepted and respected.

--JD

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Why are you so sure PM2 is going to be a bust? I have not heard him say anything or watched any of his plays that make me feel that way at all.

If another team in our division had drafted him, I would be very worried now.

PM2 is going to win multiple SB's and MVP's before he retires from his HOF career.

Because Bufkin is a moron and a Falcons fan. I guess that sentence was redundant.