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

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Originally Posted by TigerUppercut

So Mahomes 1 year out of college is going to immediately be superior to that of Carr, Mariota, Brady, Luck, Big Ben, Rivers, Flacco and Dalton...and people say I'm the one that's delusional? Am I missing something that people see that give reason to hype him like he's the next Russell Wilson?



Pump the brakes, kids.

No, it's true !

God likes us now that Peyton retired.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by TigerUppercut

So Mahomes 1 year out of college is going to immediately be superior to that of Carr, Mariota, Brady, Luck, Big Ben, Rivers, Flacco and Dalton...and people say I'm the one that's delusional? Am I missing something that people see that give reason to hype him like he's coming out of the gates and going to be successful like Russell Wilson?



Pump the brakes, kids.

Patrick Mahomes II has potential to do wonderful things for the Kansas City Chiefs a HELL of a lot more potential than Alex Smith has now. So he needs to develop and work on his game so he can fulfill that potential I know it can take time but he has time and I think this year will be a good test for him if/when he gets playing time. He could very well take over Alex Smith job by years end or by mid-season even or if Alex Smith gets a nice concuss to the noggin again we may see him after only a few games.

The future is Patrick Mahomes II

[Frazod]

Alice is a dead man walking. Every start he makes just delays the future.

I wish they'd trade him tomorrow.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by Frazod

Alice is a dead man walking. Every start he makes just delays the future.

I wish they'd trade him tomorrow.

AMEN BROTHER

[TigeRRUppeRRcut]

Seriously, where does CP get all those scumbags and sociopaths that wish injuries to players?

[JDKinman]

Originally Posted by MahiMike

This is what I was talking about in other threads. We're going to see all kinds of new Chiefs fans. And for good reason.

KC got their Russell Wilson.

Excellent write up BTW. This one could make it to our Hall of Fame and it's posted by a brand new Chief fan.

Actually, I'm not a new Chiefs fan--I go back to the Len Dawson, Ed Podolak, Willie Lanier and Buck Buchanan days when Hank Stram coached them to a Super Bowl IV victory over Joe Kapp and the Minnesota Vikings. A childhood buddy of mine grew up in Kansas City and was a rabid Royals and Chiefs fan and convinced me to add KC to my roster of favorites that included Dallas and Green Bay. His dad always said that Hank Stram was the "perfect combination of Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry and that therefore, a coach couldn't get any better."

We lived in Kansas City (Olathe, actually) from 1995 to the last days of 1997. I froze my Texas butt off the first Sunday in January when it was cold, windy and freezing at Arrowhead and we lost to Indianapolis in the first friggin' round of the playoffs.

Martyball worked in the regular season, but it didn't work in the playoffs. I remember the excitement, short-lived, over Elvis Grbac and the calls for Paul Hackett's scalp.

As with the Royals, I've endured some lonely dark seasons cheering the hometown teams of my adopted hometown, but being a Texas Tech alum, I'm used to such emotional elevator rides.

I'm as excited as I've ever been to see my alma mater's prize jewel packing his bags and headed for Kansas City!

--JD

[TigeRRUppeRRcut]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

Patrick Mahomes II has potential to do wonderful things for the Kansas City Chiefs a HELL of a lot more potential than Alex Smith has now. So he needs to develop and work on his game so he can fulfill that potential I know it can take time but he has time and I think this year will be a good test for him if/when he gets playing time. He could very well take over Alex Smith job by years end or by mid-season even or if Alex Smith gets a nice concuss to the noggin again we may see him after only a few games.

The future is Patrick Mahomes II

Mahomes has high upside but you want to throw him out to the wolves so we ruin his confidence before he fixes his flaws and has any understanding of the playbook.

Dimwit.

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by TigerUppercut

Seriously, where does CP get all those scumbags and sociopaths that wish injuries to players?

And their ballwashing, sycophant fanboys, too. Don't forget that part.

[DRM08]

Originally Posted by TigerUppercut

For having strong legs I'm curious as to why his running ability is so mediocre.

He's not a straight line burner, but QB's are not expected to run 40 yards downfield every play unless they're Michael Vick. Pat does have elite quickness for a QB to extend plays behind the line of scrimmage. Faster 20 yard shuttle time than Christian McCaffrey at the Combine.

[notorious]

Maybe one or two guys are doing in, but Hootiger's narrative groups everyone together.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

So ....... is everyone ready to turn on all the Mahomes' fan that come to CPlanet for no other reason that to cheer for him?

isn't that a CP rule or something

No, they are welcome as Mahomes is a CHIEFS first round pick, not some used condom from San Francisco, thanks.

Thanks for the write-up, OP.

#4 is particularly intriguing and MOST welcome after the one and done reading skills of our current, used, San Francisco condom.

[TigeRRUppeRRcut]

Originally Posted by DRM08

He's not a straight line burner, but QB's are not expected to run 40 yards downfield every play unless they're Michael Vick. Pat does have elite quickness for a QB to extend plays behind the line of scrimmage. Faster 20 yard shuttle time than Christian McCaffrey at the Combine.

I like the description that he's more of a scrambler than he is a runner. Could work out to his benefit. Goal line stand he has the power to get into the end zone.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by TigerUppercut

Mahomes has high upside but you want to throw him out to the wolves so we ruin his confidence before he fixes his flaws and has any understanding of the playbook.

Dimwit.

No I want to see how he does in preseason first then if he proves himself I'm hoping we see him sooner than later. I do think he can have success not if we win or lose but how he plays and grows from his mistakes because I know he will make plenty of mistakes but his first year is the time to make them.

I think he is a brilliant kid and can handle the pressures of the NFL. I don't think mid season would be too soon. Maybe not right out of the gates but I'm highly hopeful by years end he will be taking all the snaps. It's not going ruin the kids confidence going out there and take a hit but get him up for the challenge. I think he is a competitor that will thrive in diversity.

He is better than what Alex Smith was in his college years.

[O.city]

Don't want him running. Win from the pocket and use your feet to get out of trouble. Not as a crutch.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

I've seen Mahomes say in multiple interviews that though he can run, he is always looking to throw on the run because the receivers are the guys who are fast and put the ball in the paint.

It shows up on the tape. He runs as much as Rodgers does. They both look to throw when outside the pocket.

Another thing to consider is that Tech O-Line was average in 2015 and horrendous in 2016. So there were plenty of games where the G or the T got plain beat badly, and Mahomes had to bail out to keep the play alive.