Team Preview: Kansas City Chiefs

As amazing as it sounds now, Kansas City was leading the NFC West in Week 8 last year. Let me repeat that. Kansas City was the division leader halfway through last season. Now that your shock has worn off, you’ll remember KC’s 0-8 record in the second half of the season, capped off by an embarrassing loss to the Jets. Herm Edwards, in the midst of their losing streak, had his contract extended by the front office. Was this the right decision? Edwards obviously sold himself as someone who could rebuild this team from the ground up. He knew KC wasn’t good enough to compete with San Diego down the stretch so he focused his efforts on developing the young players on the team. One of those decisions was to start Brodie Croyle, who remains winless as a starter. However, the in-game experience Croyle got last season will be valuable if he is going to be the new face of this franchise.

Croyle has a few choices at receiver in Dwayne Bowe, last year’s first round pick from LSU and Pro Bowl Tight End Tony Gonzalez. The problem with Kansas City’s passing game is in their offensive line, which gave up a league-high 55 sacks last season. More often than not, Gonzalez was kept in to help block, taking away the most reliable receiver on the field. Kansas City will have to address their offensive line issues, which they started doing by drafting Albert, if they want to make that jump up to the next level.

On the upside of KC’s monumental collapse was the fact that they landed a high draft choice, enabling them to snag defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey (LSU) who will bring improvement to a run defense that ranked 29th in the league last year. KC used their second first-round pick on offensive lineman extraordinaire Brendan Albert (Virginia). The team also drafted Brandon Flowers (CB-Virginia Tech), who looks to be the replacement at Ty Law’s corner position and Jamaal Charles (RB-Texas) who will probably see time as a 3rd down back this season.

In looking to rev up their offense from the run-run-sack/interception that plagued them last year, the Chiefs have called upon the services of one Chan Gailey, former Steelers offensive co-ordinator. You might remember Gailey as famous for throwing 3-yard passes in 3rd and 7 situations. This is not going to benefit KC in the long run and will probably increase the wear and tear on Pro Bowl back Larry Johnson, even though the Chiefs have stated they are going to use him less this year. For an offense that ranked 31st in scoring last season, with an average of just over 14 points per game, Gailey is not the answer.

On the defensive side of the ball, Kansas City was in the middle of the pack in terms of scoring defense last year, but their inability to score on offense lead to a lot of close low-scoring games. Former Penn State star Tamba Hali will be called upon to fill the pass-rushing end role vacated by Jared Allen’s move to Minnesota. The Chiefs secondary, which has been historically bad against the pass, actually ranked 5th in the league in pass defense last year. However, this was a facet of their terrible run defense, as teams only attempted 28.9 passes per game against them, fourth fewest in the league.

Kansas City is going to be battling Oakland for the bottom spot of this division again this year. However, with AFC East and NFC South teams on the schedule, the Chiefs may squeak out 6 or 7 wins. This team is still a few years off from being a competitor, and the front office, in rehiring Edwards, has stated their commitment to the rebuilding process they understand this team will be undergoing for the next few years. Look for this team to be drafting in the top 10 once again next year.

Ian’s 2008 prediction: 5-11
John’s 2008 prediction: 4-12