Last Year:
If a song had to be chosen to represent the Kansas City Chiefs start to last season ?Super Freak? by the late Rick James? would hit the note. Just like the infectious bass line that intros the legend?s masterpiece the Chiefs? first 9 opponents were left in a funk. While the Chiefs put a scare into many, the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins were justified in their outbreak of ?U Can?t Touch This? when Kansas City lost in week 11 loss. Though MC Hammer & Rick James walked away with a Grammy, the Chiefs were left empty handed as evidently their 9-0 peak was mistimed. Can the new defensive coordinator work the sharps and flats out of the defense or is the hook going to be another unbalanced team?
What we Learned from Last Year:
The third time was supposed to be a charm for Dick Vermeil as he had previously won Super Bowls in his year three as Head Coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and the St. Louis Rams. All was well when the Chiefs transcended expectations with an 11-1 record but alternating loss-win the rest of the way released the accumulated momentum.
The Chiefs were labeled as a high scoring team, but a lesser known fact about the offense was that the passing game ranked a well-regarded 2nd, while the rushing offense was an average 15th. The key note was there are no dominant wide receivers on the team, while the running game possesses the most threatening weapon.
The positives stem from the offense, more specifically, Priest Holmes and the running game. The combination of a controlling line and a fluent running back unlocked a large part of this team?s success. In only two games was The Priest held under the average of 3.7 yards per carry, and one of those unique circumstances was in a blowout victory. His impact was not only noticed in the running game as he picked up an extra 690 yards through screens and dump offs in the passing game.
While Eddie Kennison and Johnnie Morton are close to one of the worst wide receiving tandems in the league, they seem to be adequate enough for an offense that spreads the ball around. The two starting receivers do not do anything spectacular, but a level of consistency was produced, and with Tony Gonzalez attracting most of the attention, not much more was asked of Morton and Kennison. In addition to Gonzalez, it was Priest Holmes who made this passing attack such a threat. Only LaDainian Tomlinson and Michael Pittman surpassed Holmes? reception total.
It goes without saying that the Chiefs would not be able to accomplish these feats without a stunning offensive line. With the gaping holes opened for Priest Holmes, and the eras created for Trent Green to make decisions this offensive line is easily near the top of the league.
And now the dreaded defense?
Their well documented malfunctions start and end with awful statistics ranging from 146.5 rushing yards per game, to allowing virtually 20 points per game. The first stat tells you all you need to know. If teams are running the ball for a buck fifty on your defense weekly, good luck at stopping them from doing whatever they want. Clearly the front four were not able to sufficiently pressure quarterbacks, as we all remember the AFC playoff game versus the Colts, and if that?s the case quarterbacks like Peyton Manning will dissect your defense, regardless of who plays in your secondary.
What Has Changed?:
I?m sure the Chiefs? defense desired to tap their red helmets three times and wish they were not in Kansas anymore at many points throughout the season, but somewhere over the rainbow there may be some brighter days approaching for this group.
While the defense added no significant free agents, the biggest addition may be the replacement defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. Part of the former Head Coach?s plan is to insert an aggressive mood into a feeble defense. During his 3 year stint as the Head Coach, the Chiefs defense allowed the fewest points in the NFL in two of those seasons.
The thinking is that the Chiefs have themselves a lion; all they need to do now is add the heart.
For those who don?t follow the Wizard of Oz terms, the Chiefs have installed a potent offense and now it?s time to balance with an effective defense.
The defensive line has brought in Lional Dalton from Washington, and Junior Siavii through the draft. In other words, they are praying that Cunningham has enough residue to work with.
Banking on a strong defensive coordinator is a familiar theory. This move bears resemblance to the St. Louis Rams introducing Lovie Smith as their defensive mind in 2001. Likewise, he implemented a strong, hard line system which orchestrated one of the most productive units in takeaways, sacks, and defensive touchdowns. Smith was a huge factor in the Rams returning to the Super Bowl, and why St. Louis? powerful offense finally found its defensive steadiness.
For a team that remains virtually the same, Cunningham is the one move that makes or breaks this team.
The defense is not completely barren as Dexter McCleon, Vonnie Holliday, Jerome Woods and a healthy Mike Maslowski are a good core to build around. If the run defense can be saved, then maybe this Scarecrow will get a brain after all.
Losing John Tait does worry, but with the signing of Chris Bober and the addition of John Welbourn through trade makes the subtraction less noticeable.
Offensively, the one concern remains at wide receiver. The Chiefs haven?t found a supplement to Tony Gonzalez?s superb play, and the concerns remain as to what will happen if the running game is shut down by a stellar defense.
The whole offense rides on the shoulders of number 31. Though he is past the magical running back age of 30, he?s only experienced the wear of 300+ carry seasons for only the last three years.
This team will be neck in neck for the division title with Denver, and will buzz for a super bowl if the defense mildly improves. As long as the Priest is intact, maybe the 4th year will be the charm for Dick Vermeil and the Kansas City Chiefs.
O/U 10.5:
The fact that KC was pounded in Denver, and needed a miracle victory to win at Arrowhead shows that they have lost ground to the Broncos. Now that Champ Bailey will permit the Broncos to focus on other defensive issues such as Priest Holmes, it puts a big damper on the Chiefs plan to run this division. This division is a two man race. K-City plays: CAR, HOU, @BAL, @JAX, ATL, IND, @TB, @NO, NE, and @TEN. Interesting to note that 5 of the last 6 games are versus division opponents.
Fantasy Sleeper:
An interesting selection on this offense may be backup running back Larry Johnson. Though it?s never a good idea to draft a backup expecting the first string player to get injured but given the value of the running back in this offensive scheme, if anything were to happen to Holmes, having his heir will be crucial. Gonzalez, Green, and Holmes are not sleepers.
If a song had to be chosen to represent the Kansas City Chiefs start to last season ?Super Freak? by the late Rick James? would hit the note. Just like the infectious bass line that intros the legend?s masterpiece the Chiefs? first 9 opponents were left in a funk. While the Chiefs put a scare into many, the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins were justified in their outbreak of ?U Can?t Touch This? when Kansas City lost in week 11 loss. Though MC Hammer & Rick James walked away with a Grammy, the Chiefs were left empty handed as evidently their 9-0 peak was mistimed. Can the new defensive coordinator work the sharps and flats out of the defense or is the hook going to be another unbalanced team?
What we Learned from Last Year:
The third time was supposed to be a charm for Dick Vermeil as he had previously won Super Bowls in his year three as Head Coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and the St. Louis Rams. All was well when the Chiefs transcended expectations with an 11-1 record but alternating loss-win the rest of the way released the accumulated momentum.
The Chiefs were labeled as a high scoring team, but a lesser known fact about the offense was that the passing game ranked a well-regarded 2nd, while the rushing offense was an average 15th. The key note was there are no dominant wide receivers on the team, while the running game possesses the most threatening weapon.
The positives stem from the offense, more specifically, Priest Holmes and the running game. The combination of a controlling line and a fluent running back unlocked a large part of this team?s success. In only two games was The Priest held under the average of 3.7 yards per carry, and one of those unique circumstances was in a blowout victory. His impact was not only noticed in the running game as he picked up an extra 690 yards through screens and dump offs in the passing game.
While Eddie Kennison and Johnnie Morton are close to one of the worst wide receiving tandems in the league, they seem to be adequate enough for an offense that spreads the ball around. The two starting receivers do not do anything spectacular, but a level of consistency was produced, and with Tony Gonzalez attracting most of the attention, not much more was asked of Morton and Kennison. In addition to Gonzalez, it was Priest Holmes who made this passing attack such a threat. Only LaDainian Tomlinson and Michael Pittman surpassed Holmes? reception total.
It goes without saying that the Chiefs would not be able to accomplish these feats without a stunning offensive line. With the gaping holes opened for Priest Holmes, and the eras created for Trent Green to make decisions this offensive line is easily near the top of the league.
And now the dreaded defense?
Their well documented malfunctions start and end with awful statistics ranging from 146.5 rushing yards per game, to allowing virtually 20 points per game. The first stat tells you all you need to know. If teams are running the ball for a buck fifty on your defense weekly, good luck at stopping them from doing whatever they want. Clearly the front four were not able to sufficiently pressure quarterbacks, as we all remember the AFC playoff game versus the Colts, and if that?s the case quarterbacks like Peyton Manning will dissect your defense, regardless of who plays in your secondary.
What Has Changed?:
I?m sure the Chiefs? defense desired to tap their red helmets three times and wish they were not in Kansas anymore at many points throughout the season, but somewhere over the rainbow there may be some brighter days approaching for this group.
While the defense added no significant free agents, the biggest addition may be the replacement defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. Part of the former Head Coach?s plan is to insert an aggressive mood into a feeble defense. During his 3 year stint as the Head Coach, the Chiefs defense allowed the fewest points in the NFL in two of those seasons.
The thinking is that the Chiefs have themselves a lion; all they need to do now is add the heart.
For those who don?t follow the Wizard of Oz terms, the Chiefs have installed a potent offense and now it?s time to balance with an effective defense.
The defensive line has brought in Lional Dalton from Washington, and Junior Siavii through the draft. In other words, they are praying that Cunningham has enough residue to work with.
Banking on a strong defensive coordinator is a familiar theory. This move bears resemblance to the St. Louis Rams introducing Lovie Smith as their defensive mind in 2001. Likewise, he implemented a strong, hard line system which orchestrated one of the most productive units in takeaways, sacks, and defensive touchdowns. Smith was a huge factor in the Rams returning to the Super Bowl, and why St. Louis? powerful offense finally found its defensive steadiness.
For a team that remains virtually the same, Cunningham is the one move that makes or breaks this team.
The defense is not completely barren as Dexter McCleon, Vonnie Holliday, Jerome Woods and a healthy Mike Maslowski are a good core to build around. If the run defense can be saved, then maybe this Scarecrow will get a brain after all.
Losing John Tait does worry, but with the signing of Chris Bober and the addition of John Welbourn through trade makes the subtraction less noticeable.
Offensively, the one concern remains at wide receiver. The Chiefs haven?t found a supplement to Tony Gonzalez?s superb play, and the concerns remain as to what will happen if the running game is shut down by a stellar defense.
The whole offense rides on the shoulders of number 31. Though he is past the magical running back age of 30, he?s only experienced the wear of 300+ carry seasons for only the last three years.
This team will be neck in neck for the division title with Denver, and will buzz for a super bowl if the defense mildly improves. As long as the Priest is intact, maybe the 4th year will be the charm for Dick Vermeil and the Kansas City Chiefs.
O/U 10.5:
The fact that KC was pounded in Denver, and needed a miracle victory to win at Arrowhead shows that they have lost ground to the Broncos. Now that Champ Bailey will permit the Broncos to focus on other defensive issues such as Priest Holmes, it puts a big damper on the Chiefs plan to run this division. This division is a two man race. K-City plays: CAR, HOU, @BAL, @JAX, ATL, IND, @TB, @NO, NE, and @TEN. Interesting to note that 5 of the last 6 games are versus division opponents.
Fantasy Sleeper:
An interesting selection on this offense may be backup running back Larry Johnson. Though it?s never a good idea to draft a backup expecting the first string player to get injured but given the value of the running back in this offensive scheme, if anything were to happen to Holmes, having his heir will be crucial. Gonzalez, Green, and Holmes are not sleepers.
