Know your enemy: the Kansas City Chiefs

Friday evening, the Seattle Seahawks take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the the second preseason game for both teams. To help us get ready for the game, I brought in Matt Verderame, the editor from Arrowhead Addict to answer a few questions. Take a look:

1) I’ve got to start off with Alex Smith. How much of the “no TDs to a WR all year” thing is on him, and how much was because of the team’s general lack of WR talent last season?

Smith certainly needs to push the ball down the field more, but look at the disaster that was the Chiefs receiving corps last year. For most of the season, we are talking about an aging Dwayne Bowe, followed by Donnie Avery, Frankie Hammond, A.J. Jenkins and Junior Hemingway.

At the end of the year, Kansas City added Jason Avant and started playing rookie Albert Wilson. Both of them added a nice element, especially Wilson with his speed and route-running.

This year, with Jeremy Maclin in the fold now and De’Anthony Thomas moved to slot, the expectations are much higher.

2) I’m expecting that we’ll see a lot of the young backup QB Aaron Murray this week. What should we expect from him? Has he shown that they could push Chase Daniels for the primary backup job? While I’m asking, how healthy is Tyler Bray’s knee?

Frankly, Murray hasn’t shown much. Murray is going to have a tough time making the roster after this year. If Tyler Bray was healthy, he would probably beat him out. Bray is coming along with the torn ACL, but it would be surprising if he plays this year.

3) Chiefs have some of the best pass rushers in the NFL, but how is the depth behind the starters? Will the backups be able to take advantage of Seattle’s disaster of an offensive line.

The depth is actually much better this time around. Dee Ford looks a bit stronger and should be coming in to spell Tamba Hali more this season. Another name to watch is Dezman Moses. Moses had a team-high five pressures along with a sack on Saturday vs. the Cardinals and really flashed in the run game. I would say this is the Chiefs best position group.

4) What roster battle has been the most competitive so far in training camp?

Inside linebacker next to Derrick Johnson. The Chiefs run the 3-4 and Josh Mauga was penciled in to start, but he’s hurt and questionable for Friday’s game. Fourth-round pick Ramik Wilson looked terrific vs. Arizona, nabbing an interception and playing stout run defense.

Then there is a kid named Justin March, an UDFA out of Akron. March has been a revelation in camp, but tore his meniscus on Saturday after playing very well. He might be back for the season opener. My guess is Mauga starts, but maybe not for long.

5) Which rookie are you most excited to see play in this weeks game?

Marcus Peters. He has been incredible thus far in camp, making plenty of local and national folks believe he was a steal. I want to continue to see him thrive. Against Arizona, he didn’t give up a completion.

Next: Is Kam Chancellor done with the Seahawks?

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