Speed kills in the NFL, but who’s the deadliest? In a twist that would make Sonic the Hedgehog do a double-take, the Kansas City Chiefs might just have zoomed past the Miami Dolphins in the race for the league’s fastest team. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero dropped this bombshell on The Rich Eisen Show today, leaving fans and pundits alike scrambling to keep up.
“I might say Kansas City could beat Miami from top down if you took the top six on each team,” Pelissero declared, comparing the speed of both squads. He didn’t stop there, adding, “They have to have the fastest team in the NFL and I understand Miami is a really really fast team.” This revelation can sent shockwaves through the football world, considering the Dolphins’ reputation as the NFL’s speed merchants, led by none other than former Chief Tyreek Hill.
But don’t tell that to Hill. The self-proclaimed “Cheetah” isn’t ready to relinquish his crown just yet. When asked about a recent practice race with teammate Jaylen Waddle, Hill quipped to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network that he is still ‘one of one’ and even liked his chances in the Olympics. Clearly, the man who once hit 23.24 miles per hour on a kick return isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
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However, the Chiefs have quietly assembled their own track team disguised as a football squad. “The Chiefs have six or seven guys who are all just straight up burners,” Pelissero noted, referencing players like Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice, Skyy Moore, and Mecole Hardman. They’ve added first-round pick Worthy, who blazed a 4.21-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, shattering the previous record. Pair him with these speedsters, and suddenly Patrick Mahomes has more burners than a gourmet kitchen.
This speed surge isn’t just for show. In their 2023 matchup, the Chiefs effectively neutralized Miami’s quick-strike ability, holding them to just 14 points. Kansas City’s defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo employed a clever strategy, using zone coverage on a season-high 61% of dropbacks. The result? Tua Tagovailoa’s QBR plummeted from 76 against man coverage to a measly 19 against zone.
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But it’s not just about defense. The Chiefs’ offensive creativity was on full display during a recent training camp session. They unveiled a wild trick play involving Kadarius Toney, Mahomes, and rookie Worthy that reportedly included four passes.
Speaking of Toney, the enigmatic receiver might be in for a position change. Reid hinted at using Toney more as a running back, saying to reporters on Tuesday, “He had some pretty good snaps for us at running back last year. I think he enjoys doing that.” It’s an intriguing development for a player who’s had his share of controversies, including an infamous offside penalty against the Bills that negated a potential game-winning touchdown and an Instagram Live rant where he accused the team of faking his injury status.
As for the quarterback pulling the strings, Mahomes continues to evolve. Hill, who’s played with both Mahomes and Tagovailoa, offered an interesting comparison to Robert Griffin III on the RG3 and The Ones last year: “When I was in KC, it was big play. Allow Pat to create plays with his feet. … Here it’s different. It’s all about timing. You gotta be in a certain area. … All your routes gotta be precise.” This adaptability could be key as Mahomes navigates a receiving corps that’s faster than ever.
Pelissero summed it up best: “This might be a better Chiefs team than the past two years that’s now going to be going for the three-peat.” With their newfound speed and creativity, the Chiefs are ready to leave the competition in the dust.
The origins of the wild Kadarius Toney play
The Chiefs’ recent trick play unveiling at training camp has fans buzzing about the possibilities for the upcoming season. This wasn’t your average gadget play – it involved four passes, with Toney, Mahomes, and Worthy all getting in on the action.
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QUADRUPLE PASS‼️
Mahomes ➡️ Toney ➡️ Mahomes ➡️ Toney ➡️ Worthy 👀 pic.twitter.com/W29kHqU2Gh
— KC Sports Network (@KCSportsNetwork) July 29, 2024
What makes this play truly remarkable is its origin story. According to reports, Reid and his coaching staff drew it up on the fly, proving that sometimes the best ideas come over a plate of cafeteria meatloaf. It’s this kind of spontaneous creativity that has become a hallmark of the Chiefs’ offense.
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While we may not see this exact play in a game anytime soon, it’s a testament to the Chiefs’ willingness to push the envelope. With Toney potentially seeing more snaps at running back, the possibilities for misdirection and trickery seem endless.
As the 2024 season approaches, one thing is clear: the Chiefs are ready to run circles around the competition. Whether they can outpace the Dolphins, who boast four of the top 10 fastest players in the NFL (Hill, De’Von Achane, Raheem Mostert, and Jaylen Waddle), remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure – it’s going to be one heck of a race.
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Are the Chiefs better off without Tyreek Hill, given their current speed and performance?