Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
When the San Francisco 49ers face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second week of preseason action. We’ll be seeing two teams heading into 2013 in totally opposite places.
San Francisco is coming off a Super Bowl appearance, and looking for a return trip this winter. Kansas City, on the other hand, is coming off a league worst 2-14 season and the number one overall pick in this year’s draft.
Related: Alex Smith Stifled in Preseason Matchup With San Francisco 49ers
Both teams couldn’t be looking for more opposite things tonight.
The 49ers want what all contending teams want in the preseason, to survive without any major injuries. Anything else on top of that would be gravy.
For the Chiefs, the preseason is much more. They’re trying to integrate a new coach, quarterback and offensive lineman, all at the same time. They need all the practice time they can get.
New head coach Andy Reid is a master at getting the most out of his offensive weapons, especially his quarterbacks. We’ve seen him work magic with players like Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick and even Kevin Kolb. That bodes very well for new Chiefs signal caller Alex Smith.
Smith, a former number one overall pick himself, has had a disappointing career so far in the NFL. His last two years in San Francisco showed he has the skills to be capable at worst, even taking the 49ers to the NFC Championship game.
Now Smith’s current team and former team are facing each other in exhibition action, with very different things on the line.
Look for the 49ers to play the starters in limited action, and not show anything to future opponents that could be used against them; basically what we always expect out of good teams in the preseason.
The Chiefs are going to be much more interesting to watch in their preseason action, as young teams in transition always are.
Ben Sullivan is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @bensullivan52, “Like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google.
