Fans will have mixed emotions about one decision made by a Chiefs' coach
Special teams have been really the only issue for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2022 season. Obviously, there have been other issues too, but the ones that are the most noticeable, come on special teams. We have talked about it over and over too because this is something the Chiefs and their fans aren't […]
Special teams have been really the only issue for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2022 season. Obviously, there have been other issues too, but the ones that are the most noticeable, come on special teams.
We have talked about it over and over too because this is something the Chiefs and their fans aren't used to seeing. If you told me this year there would be one flaw in the three phases of this Chiefs team, I would have guessed defense would be that flaw, as it has been in the past.
It's just the little things too. We always say that no one will beat the Chiefs but themselves because that's just how good they are now. They won't get beat by "the better team" when there isn't one.
Well, muffing punts, missing field goals, bad kicks, punt coverages, and penalties on special teams have been the issue. One of the ones that have been talked about the most has to be the rookie receiver Skyy Moore returning punts if that's what you want to call it.
There are two sides to this. Some people now hate Moore, and some don't think it's his fault. Either way, I think most fans will hate what special teams coordinator Dave Toub said about Moore and the punt return unit.
“Yeah, we’re not giving up – we don’t quit. We just don’t quit on players," Toub said. "We’re going to keep working with him and keep developing him. He’s a rookie, he’s going to get better, you know I’ve said it before. We went to the limit with him, obviously, and we need to get him out of there for a while and let his head settle down a little bit.”
I get not quitting on players. I get that. But this is a little different. This is a guy who has never returned punts in his career before coming to the NFL, and now we have several examples of him not being good at it when others are obviously better.
“Over my career, I’ve developed a lot of guys," Toub continued. "I really feel like Skyy (Moore) has that ability. He’s got that ability – innate ability to make somebody miss and he’s a good catcher of the football. I just think we cracked his confidence a little bit, and it’s hard to back there. I’ve talked about this before; how hard it is to play punt returner in the NFL. He just had some bad things happen to him and we just need some time here. Time will heal it up for him, I think.”
I think developing a player at one thing shouldn't come at the cost of some wins, at least one. You could say the muffed punt in the Colts game is what started the bad luck for the Chiefs.
Develop the guy at practice. Then, when he actually has it down, throw him out there. Don't use the game as a time to develop the guy. I'd rather have a guy who already knows how to do it, do it, and not risk something rather than use a game to help develop a kid in one area.
Featured Image Via Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
