Kansas City Chiefs??

[thunderkyss]

What do you think?

I'm thinking they've got what it takes, to be 2009's Cinderella. They've got an OL. Anchored by Brandon Albert. They've got Dwayne Bowe, Larry Johnson & Jamal Charles.

They've picked up Matt Cassel, Bobby Engram, & Terence Copper.

Defensively, they've got Tamba Hali, Glen Dorsey, Tank Tyler, Derrick Johnson, DeMario Williams & Brandon Flowers.

They've picked up Zach Thomas, Mike Vrabel, & Mike Brown.

They also got Tyson Jackson, Alex McGhee, and Donald Washington in the draft.

First Year Head Coach Tod Haley Comes over from Arizona, He helped the Cardinals to a SUper Bowl Appearance, and an offense with 3 1000 yard recievers.

I think, like the Saints of 2006, they have way more talent than a 2-14 team. People are going to sleep on them, and they are going to make some noise in 2009.



What say you?

[Texan4Ever]

IDK about there offense, but if Cassell is anything like he was last year they should be okay, but there defense is the key. Switching to a 3-4 takes time and IMO I don't think they have the right players to run the system.

Another big question is is what happens to Glenn Dorsey? At 6'1" 300-Lbs he fits a 4-3 defense but in a 3-4 I don't feel he's capable of playing the DE spot let alone the NT spot.

I like there coaching staff but untill I see there defense in action I think its going to be another long season, maybe a 5-11 record?

[mancunian]

5 - 11 maybe 6 - 10, 7 - 9 if they get lucky. Having said that they do play the Raiders and Broncos twice....

[Lucky]

I think the Chiefs will struggle with new offensive and defensive systems. On the offensive side of the ball, I question whether Haley's system will fully exploit LJ's capabilities. With Gonzalez gone, all of the coverage rolls to Bowe. I'm not sold on Cassel without Moss, Welker, and the Pats o-line.

On defense, I don't think the 3-4 is a good fit for Dorsey or Hali. Vets like Vrabel & Thomas could help. But not enough to avoid being one of the bottom 10 defenses in the league.

The Chiefs play in the AFC Worst, so they could get a couple of wins off the Broncos & Raiders. Arrowsmith is a tough place to play, and that could add a couple of more victories. I would say their over/under win total would be 5. And I would take the under.

[Maddict5]

alot of young talent there alright... but young talent tends to underachieve. i dont really rate haley that much. they could go anywhere from 6-10 to 9-7 though if things go ok

[Ryan]

2010 maybe, but this year...no.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Lucky

I think the Chiefs will struggle with new offensive and defensive systems. On the offensive side of the ball, I question whether Haley's system will fully exploit LJ's capabilities. With Gonzalez gone, all of the coverage rolls to Bowe. I'm not sold on Cassel without Moss, Welker, and the Pats o-line.

On defense, I don't think the 3-4 is a good fit for Dorsey or Hali. Vets like Vrabel & Thomas could help. But not enough to avoid being one of the bottom 10 defenses in the league.

The Chiefs play in the AFC Worst, so they could get a couple of wins off the Broncos & Raiders. Arrowsmith is a tough place to play, and that could add a couple of more victories. I would say their over/under win total would be 5. And I would take the under.

Valid reasons to question the chances of the Chiefs establishing a good record in a year with as much transition as they are going thru with a new GM, HC, and offensive & defensive systems . And I also got a hunch the Raiders may be a tougher team this year than many realize.
BTW its Arrowhead not Arrowsmith. And it is one of the great Sunday afternoon experiences in the NFL. We can only hope that someday Reliant Stadium will be thought of in the same sense that Arrowhead is in this league.

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

BTW its Arrowhead not Arrowsmith.

I have to blame the toys in my attic on that one.

[Goldensilence]

Definitely have the pieces to make some noise next year.

I like Bowe but, without Gonzo to fall back on he's going to have to carry the WR corps and hope Copper can step up as a viable #2. They do have a good stable of RBs with Larry Johnson, Jamal Charles and Dantrell Savage.

Some good pieces to work with on defense now, and should have a good line up front. Should be interesting to see how Dorsey and Jackson work together again on the DL.

I'll also add how I think think the AFC West will be wide open this year.

San Diego had an 8-8 season to win the division after Denver melted down the stretch. The Turner effect is starting to take hold. I really didn't think it was possible to drag such a talented team down, thanks for proving me wrong Norv!

Denver's off-season is well chronicled.

Oakland is well..Oakland. While they have another unproven HC, they also have a defense that is capable of playing good in stretches and have a good stable of running backs. WR corps relies heavily on Walker being healthy and DHB developing quickly. I'll add that I do like Johnnie Lee Higgins and think he can come on strong as the #3, he's also a good returner.

[gary]

I just don't see KC doing much in one year. Just too many changes and it does take some time to rebuild. 8-8 might land them in the playoffs though.

[stingray]

Matt Cassel is the key. If he is the real deal and not a one year wonder than they will be a tough out.

[Jackie Chiles]

Their defense last year was like our defense would have been if we never drafted Mario. They literally had zero pass rush, 10 sacks as a team. Losing Jared Allen was a huge blow. They still have no one capable of being a reliable rusher but I think the 3-4 will allow them to scheme up some pressure. The offense could definitely surprise, I could see them winning 6 games pretty easily much like after our 2-14 debacle.

[BSofA04]

I see them with 7-9 wins this year. We'll see how the offense does under Cassell. Todd Haley said that Dwayne Bowe showed up to OTA's 20 lbs. over weight. Not what you want to see from your #1 WR.

[LonerATO]

Originally Posted by BSofA04

I see them with 7-9 wins this year. We'll see how the offense does under Cassell. Todd Haley said that Dwayne Bowe showed up to OTA's 20 lbs. over weight. Not what you want to see from your #1 WR.

I agree with you on their record next year. I have a feeling Cottam will step up in Gonzo's absence. I still think the D will run in 4-3 till they get the pieces together, but you will see some 3-4. To be honest I have always liked the Chiefs and they have a good year.

[GP]

Originally Posted by Jackie Chiles

Their defense last year was like our defense would have been if we never drafted Mario. They literally had zero pass rush, 10 sacks as a team. Losing Jared Allen was a huge blow. They still have no one capable of being a reliable rusher but I think the 3-4 will allow them to scheme up some pressure. The offense could definitely surprise, I could see them winning 6 games pretty easily much like after our 2-14 debacle.

Agreed.

Their defense will hold them back.

I can see heir offense improving, and I bet they have a better season. The hiring of Herm Edwards a few years ago was interesting. He tanked that Jets team, and went right into another HC job in K.C. where he also had brought his Jets offensive coordinator with him.

Anything that's not Herm Edwards should do better, sort of like our situation when Dom was fired and Kubiak came along. It's almost a given that the team will improve. Herm really screwed that team up. I have a friend who's a Chiefs fan...and he says he now has hope.

[HOU-TEX]

I agree with what many have said about the Chiefs. IMO, their defense might be even worse than they were last year. Vrabel and Thomas are not the answers they need defensively. Thomas was horrible for Dallas last season. Hopefully DJ can thrive in this transition.

I think Lucky was spot on describing their offense. Cassel was behind one of the better Oline's in the League last season, but still led all QB's by getting sacked 47 times. He holds the ball way too long in the pocket. If he's unable to improve on this he will consistantly be getting smoked behind his new Oline.

I think that division will be SD's to lose with the Raiders pushing them. The Raiders are a Coach and a QB away from being pretty good. Is Cable their guy?

[beerlover]

NFL schedule did not favor them at all, if I were a Chiefs fan I would be mad as hell looking at those first six games, they're going to be lucky to win one (Oakland) out of six (Baltimore, Philly, Giants, Cowboys, Skins & Chargers) thats just brutal.

so they come out of their bye week 1-6 scratch & claw @ Jacksonville then @ Oakland in a rematch they probably lose this time. Then the Superbowl champion Steelers come to town, to Quallcomm in San Diego, before finally catching a break @ home for three consecutive winnable games, Denver, Buffalo & Cleveland. maybe a split last two road games @ Cinncinnati & Denver.

so best case as I see it would be 5-11

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by beerlover

NFL schedule did not favor them at all, if I were a Chiefs fan I would be mad as hell looking at those first six games, they're going to be lucky to win one (Oakland) out of six (Baltimore, Philly, Giants, Cowboys, Skins & Chargers) thats just brutal.

so they come out of their bye week 1-6 scratch & claw @ Jacksonville then @ Oakland in a rematch they probably lose this time. Then the Superbowl champion Steelers come to town, to Quallcomm in San Diego, before finally catching a break @ home for three consecutive winnable games, Denver, Buffalo & Cleveland. maybe a split last two road games @ Cinncinnati & Denver.

so best case as I see it would be 5-11

Oooh.... forgot to look at their schedule. YOu're right, that's brutal.

[Texan4Ever]

Matt Bowen has a different opinion with regards to Dorsey and the 3-4 defense:http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_yl...yhoo&type=lgns.

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by Texan4Ever

Matt Bowen has a different opinion with regards to Dorsey and the 3-4 defense:

Dorsey struggled as a rookie, and now has to learn a defense he's never played in. His best fit is as a 4-3 undertackle. Why Haley came in and decided to switch to a 3-4, with personnel suited for a 4-3, is puzzling. And it will likely set back this franchise a couple of years until they find the right pieces.