NFL Team-By-Team Previews - Kansas City Chiefs

This was pretty much the only Chiefs highlight that anyone remembers from 2008:



2009 Recap

Record: 2-14 (4th AFC West)

Best Game: Week 4 vs. Broncos, 33-19
The Chiefs only won two games all season, and the other was against the Raiders. Despite being outgained by 76 yards and allowing Denver to get more first downs, the Chiefs won the turnover battle 4 to 1, and ran for 213 yards on a woeful Denver rush defense. Larry Johnson had, by far, his best game of the season, rushing for 193 of those yards and scoring 2 touchdowns, his only multiple touchdown game of the season.

Worst Game: Week 5 @ Carolina, 0-34
By beating 3-0 Denver in week 4, it appeared that the Chiefs might be making progress. Any illusion of a competitive 2008 season for Kansas City, however, died in Carolina against the Panthers, when the Chiefs were not only shut out, but outgained by over 300 yards. The Chiefs managed just 127 yards and 8 first downs, their worst offensive output of the season.

MVP: TE Tony Gonzalez
The Chiefs were pretty awful on both sides of the ball, but they did have a few players who stood out. Aside from Gonzalez, I also considered Dwayne Bowe, Bernard Pollard, and Jarrad Page, but settled on Gonzalez, who not only led the team in yards from scrimmage and touchdowns, but also set an individual record, passing Shannon Sharpe for most receiving yards by a tight end in NFL history (he passed Sharpe in TDs and receptions last season). He and Brian Waters were the Chiefs' only pro bowlers, and Gonzalez was their only all-pro.


The Offseason

Significant Losses:
-QB Damon Huard (Cut) - Huard became expendable after Tyler Thigpen played reasonably well in 2008, and was released on February 24th despite leading Chiefs QBs in winning percentage 3 straight seasons. Four days after his release, the Chiefs traded for Matt Cassel, so it seems apparent Pioli already had a plan to replace Huard.
-TE Tony Gonzalez (Traded) - Statistically the greatest receiving TE of all time, Gonzalez is a lock for the hall of fame. In addition to what I said about him above, it is worth noting that 2008 was one of Gonzalez's best seasons yet, and for the last few years he has proved critics, who constantly say "this is the year his age will catch up with him," wrong.

Significant Additions:
-GM Scott Pioli - It may seem like a lateral move, but in Kansas City, Pioli gains more control over personnel and staff decisions, while in New England he essentially shared the responsibility with Bill Belichick. Pioli fired head coach Herm Edwards and hired former Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley.
-Head Coach Todd Haley - Haley was known for being extremely tough (and occasionally abrasive) in Arizona. In fact, in some ways, he's quite similar to another coach Pioli has worked with - Bill Belichick. They're both no-nonsense guys, and they both break down game tape like it's nobody's business.
-QB Matt Cassel (Trade) - Despite failing to make the playoffs, Cassel impressed enough when he filled in for Tom Brady that he became a hot commodity on the market this offseason. Scott Pioli engineered a trade with his former team to bring Cassel to the Chiefs.
-WR Bobby Engram (UFA) - Engram may be nearing the end of his career, but his experience should help young receivers like Bowe develop. And, lest we forget, his best season was in 2007, when he caught 94 balls and broke 1000 yards for the first time in his career. As a possession receiver with good hands, he should still be able to contribute despite his age.
-WR Amani Toomer (UFA) - Like Engram, Toomer is in his 14th season. While earlier in his career he was a legitimate deep threat, he still has the skills, like Engram, to contribute as a possession receiver, despite his declining speed.
-G Mike Goff (UFA) - Goff, who had been with the Chargers since 2004, is an experienced right guard who is starting for the Chiefs on the right side.
-OLB Mike Vrabel (Trade) - Vrabel came to Kansas City in the same trade as Matt Cassel as part of their switch to a 3-4 defense. Vrabel, an all-pro in 2007, is the starting LOLB.
-ILB Zach Thomas (UFA) - Thomas, yet another veteran, came in projected to be the starter at the right inside linebacker position, though between his age and a hamstring injury, he could lose his position to Corey Mays.
-S Mike Brown (UFA) - Brown has been an excellent player, but his career has been marred by constant injuries. He hasn't played a full season since 2003. That being said, the experience and depth he provides should have more of an impact on the defense than his expected position as a backup might indicate.

Draft Picks:
Round 1, Pick 3: DE Tyson Jackson -- LSU
Round 3, Pick 3: DT Alex Magee -- Purdue
Round 4, Pick 2: CB Donald Washington -- Ohio State
Round 5, Pick 3: OL Colin Brown -- Missouri
Round 6, Pick 2: WR Quinten Lawrence -- McNeese State
Round 7, Pick 3: RB Javarris Williams -- Tennessee State
Round 7, Pick 28: WR Jake O'Connell -- Miami (Ohio)
Round 7, Pick 47: K Ryan Succop - South Carolina

Grade: B+
A great deal of the B+ grade for the Chiefs is in what they did with their second round pick, trading it for QB Matt Cassel and LB Mike Vrabel. Getting two proven starters - even if one is a bit on the older side and the other only has one good year under his belt - is great for a second round pick. That being said, they had a decent draft even without considering that trade, and showed that they were committed to switching to a 3-4 by taking Tyson Jackson. The pick has gotten a lot of criticism, but (without actually making the comparison) Pioli has shown he does know how to draft defensive linemen early, as evidenced by 6th overall pick Richard Seymour. Alex Magee, their third round pick, will be switching from a 4-3 DT to a 3-4 DE, and has the tools to do so. Washington is a bit of a project but has good size. My favorite late-round pick of theirs was Lawrence out of 1-AA McNeese State, who was a sprinter in college in addition to playing football, and could develop into a good returner, and perhaps a good deep threat on the offense. Ryan Succop, this year's "Mr. Irrelevant", will be the starter at kicker.


Training Camp Report
-First round draft pick Tyson Jackson signed a 5 year deal with 31 million in guaranteed money on August 7th, one of the last handful of first-round picks to be signed.
-Recent rumors have suggested that Matt Cassel isn't locked into the starting position, and Tyler Thigpen has impressed in camp. Brodie Croyle has been strong as well, and led the team in passing in their first preseason game. Still, Cassel has to be the odds-on favorite here.
-There is some speculation that either Engram or Toomer won't make the team, and Toomer has looked a bit better than Engram. However, Engram and Cassel have had good chemistry.
-Not only has RB Larry Johnson looked extremely sharp in practice, but he's been unusually good-natured, a change from the last few years when he was, more often than not, unhappy with the Chiefs organization.
-Despite raising some eyebrows by skipping the voluntary workouts, Mike Vrabel has been one of the hardest workers in training camp, and any questions about his desire to play for the Chiefs have largely been quelled.
-OG Brian Waters, on the other hand, has reportedly asked to be traded, and has had a confrontational relationship with new head coach Todd Haley, who's approach - treating veteran pro bowlers like Waters and undrafted rookies the same way - clashes with Waters' ego as the best lineman on the team.
-Along with Vrabel, other veteran acquisitions have been setting a good example in camp. Mike Goff and Zach Thomas, in particular, have shown the young guys how to work hard. The last few years, the Chiefs have lacked the cohesiveness that comes with great veteran leadership, and that seems to have changed this offseason.
-Fumbling seemed to be an issue in the first preseason game, as Cassel and Croyle fumbled once each. Second-year RB Dantrell Savage fumbled twice, though he also led the team in rushing.
-Dwayne Bowe has had a mediocre training camp, and even dropped down the depth chart, despite having an outstanding season in 2008. That being said, he caught 5 balls for 70 yards in the first preseason game, leading the team in both stats.

2009 Outlook

Best Case Scenario: The Chiefs gain what they've lacked the last few years - veteran leadership on the offense and defense and a head coach who can pull it all together. Matt Cassel shows he wasn't a fluke, and Larry Johnson follows a great training camp with a return to the form he showed a few years ago. The Broncos and Raiders fail to improve, and the Chiefs battle with the Chargers for the AFC West.

Worst Case Scenario: The "veteran leadership" turns out to be just a bunch of old, declining players. We see the Larry Johnson of 2007 and 2008 instead of 2005 and 2006. Brian Waters not only causes a distraction, but a questionable offensive line can't get it together. Matt Cassel shows he was just a product of New England's offense. The transition to a 3-4 defense largely fails, and the Chiefs limp to a last place finish in the AFC West with just 3 or 4 wins.

Prediction: 10-6 (2nd AFC West)