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

[Buns]

Ban Tigger from this thread please. It's not about Alex.

[Rasputin]

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.

Haha haha the reason Alex Smith played so much is because he couldn't get the offense on a roll so they kept putting him out there to find some kind of success.

Also he didn't have any type of threat of competition for them to give reps too.


I can be sure that Patrick Mahomes II will over take Bray during TC before preseason. They gave up next years first and a third this year for him to move up 17 spots. They will be giving Mahomes ample of opportunities to shine.

[rydogg58]

Originally Posted by TigerUppercut

24 posts and you act like you've been here...cool. story. girl.

24 posts is much better than 7,500 posts of Alex Smith cock gobbling, Princess.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Buns

Ban Tigger from this thread please. It's not about Alex.

Anyone saying negative things about the first R1 QB we've drafted in 30 years should be automatically dumped from whatever thread they're spreading their filth in.

We don't need that. At all.

[TigeRRUppeRRcut]

Checked out your location. Makes sense now

[MahiMike]

Originally Posted by mdchiefsfan

An interesting tidbit in regards to his footwork, I thought, was in the Gruden's Camp video. He was discussing his throw off his back foot, while running to his left, to the back left of the end zone, and said something along the lines of," That is the Short Stop coming out of me." I found that interesting, and that throw is much like a SS throwing to first after a slow-roller.

Now, I am sure Mahomes isn't the first baseball/football player to play QB, but it may actucally give him so leeway on his footwork in the sense of consistency. If that is the case, the footwork is actually intentional and developed, and doesn't appear to affect his accuracy.

Yep, and I originally (foolishly) thought that was a bad thing at the time. The more I watch of him, I see how great an attribute this is. Not only can he wing it with that arm, but it allows him to wait a split second longer which can mean all the difference.

[TigeRRUppeRRcut]

Originally Posted by Buns

Ban Tigger from this thread please. It's not about Alex.

Somebody call the wambulance for the senior citizen

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by penchief

He doesn't need to be better than all those guys 1 year out of college. He only needs to be better than Alex Smith.

All he needs to be is himself and people will compare future draft picks to him.

All he needs to be is himself and make a name for himself by his play on the football field.


The kid is humble and hungry. Those are attributes he will take on in the NFL.

[mdchiefsfan]

Originally Posted by MahiMike

Yep, and I originally (foolishly) thought that was a bad thing at the time. The more I watch of him, I see how great an attribute this is. Not only can he wing it with that arm, but it allows him to wait a split second longer which can mean all the difference.

Same here. I saw that as proof he needed work until I heard the interview. Time will tell if it is an actual benefit, or a perceived one. I still would like it to be ironed out, because you can only go so far in football on physical talent. Once that starts to fade, fundamentals are paramount (much like a shooter vs a dunker in basketball).

[RippedmyFlesh]

Originally Posted by TigerUppercut

Preseason reps in the 4th quarter against 3rd string even if outstanding is not a safe way to determine playability.

Originally Posted by rydogg58

24 posts is much better than 7,500 posts of Alex Smith cock gobbling, Princess.

Welcome to the board. We just got the Mahomes of new posters so far.

[rydogg58]

Originally Posted by RippedmyFlesh

Welcome to the board. We just got the Mahomes of new posters so far.

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.

[bigjosh]

Originally Posted by TigerUppercut

Somebody call the wambulance for the senior citizen

Dude, we get it. You like Alex Smith. Its admirable that you stick to it. You dont have to derail every thread to make it all about him though. 90% of chiefs fans are ecstatic that we took a strong armed gunslinger with ACTUAL potential to be great, and you just want to keep talking about Smiths well manicured hands, his ability to set up the punter and his hidden stats. Give it a rest. Stop shitting in everyone's cereal with it.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

[Mosbonian]

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.

Then you really do belong here.....

[Frazod]

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.

Damn, I guess. 28 posts in 15 years? You're the Anti-Clay.

[RippedmyFlesh]

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.

2002 embarrassed I called you new. Sorry

So I'll say the Kurt Warner of postors.