Team Profile: Kansas City Chiefs

Few teams may be as active during the 2009 offseason than the Kansas City Chiefs. They finally have all the key pieces in place on the staff with the head coach hiring of the red hot offensive coordinator, Todd Haley, from the Cardinals. This followed the appointment of the most highly sought after available General Manager of this, and many, offseasons, in Scott Pioli of the Patriots.

The breadth and scope of what the Chiefs need to accomplish on offense and defense is likely to make them one of hte most significant players of the offseason, and the #3 overall pick in the draft guarantees that some of the best talent in the draft is theirs for the taking. Will they be looking at the high price tag of QB Matt Cassel? Will they be cutting ties with franchise rusher Larry Johnson? Will they be in the lead for the crown jewel of 2009 free agency, DE/OLB Julius Peppers? Will their needs at ILB cause them to flip the draft on its head at the #3 spot, taking Muauluga over Curry?

Stay tuned....

Believe it or not, the Chiefs actually got better in 2008, over their performance in 2007. Their offense could actually run the ball and their defense wasn’t the overall worst in the league. But an underacheiving defensive front seven divested of leadership, and a set of offensive weapons that were chronically misused and misappropriated led to a team that most would consider a doormat, barely worth a weeks preparation.

At QB the Chiefs may face their biggest question, in that the Pioli-Cassel connection has been put on alert by the Patriots, who franchised Cassel, the most significant FA QB expected to be available. His steep price tag should end any speculation that the Chiefs may pursue him, but it shouldn’t be ruled out, as new coach Todd Haley, known for his explosive, league-leading offenses, may require a serious upgrade at the position.

But a closer look at the QB roster shows opportunities if the Chiefs are willing to exercise patience here. Thigpen, while questionable as a league star, did manage to improve once the offense was redirected towards his strengths as a scrambling, spread offense type QB. By the end of the season he featured a 2-to-1 ratio of TDs to INTs, and had fans thinking about scoring those funny number things, you know, the things that go up on the scoreboard, the ones that help you win... points? Is that what they are called? The strategy was almost unheard of under Herm Edwards’ reign. The backup Damon Huard held his own as a starter, and should be healthy for 2009. And the great unknown, the oft-injured Brodie Croyle, could find himself in the mix if he can develop enough consistency on the field.

At RB the Chiefs should seriously look at dumping the controversial Larry Johnson, who will likely be a poor fit in Haley’s offense anyways. Serious character concerns involving off-field incidents, as well as a terrible attitude regarding the team, and the perceived lack of effort he has put forth since “cashing-in” on his contract in 2007 all point towards a major change between the Chiefs and Johnson. For my money I say trade him for a sixth round draft pick. Could you get more? Sure, if the right team came along. Could they just cut him? Sure, except they would absorb some cap-hit, nothing that makes it impossible though. But I say trade for an exceptionally low pick and let another team pick up the tab, absorb some of the cap hit, and make LJ take a hit to the ego, which is better than he deserves. The Chiefs have an excellent chance to storm out of the cellar of the AFC West, and they don’t need LJ bringing them down. Rookie Jamaal Charles showed that he could take on more responsibilities, but the Chiefs would undoubtedly be in the market for a RB, possibly early in the draft.

Of course, KC is in a prime draft position to pick up the stellar prospect out of Texas, WR Michael Crabtree. Paired with studs Bowe and Tony Gonzalez, they could make up a receiving corp that could compete with any group in the West. Gonzo and Bowe had good connections with Thigpen in 2008, with Bowe coming into his own as a big, hard to cover receiver, and Gonzo nearly recording his second 100-catch season.

The Chiefs are in need of depth throughout the Oline, but they also have opportunities. The tackle spots look good with rookie Branden Albert picking up the game nicely, and McIntosh looking better when the team switched to a more spread style offense. Niswanger, the teams 2008 center could potentially slide over to right guard, where he should be a stalwart with probowl guard Brian Waters solidifying the LG position. To move Niswanger though, the Chiefs may have to target center in free agency (Birty from Minnesota is an option) or with their second round pick (#34 overall) where either Mackor Unger should be available. Replacing McIntosh and targeting depth throughout should be secondary concerns.

On defense nothing stands out as much as the record setting lack of QB pressure that the front seven managed to eke out, and with rumors brewing about a switch to a 3-4 defense, this is as good a time as any to retool the defense.

The Dline itself should get a lot of blame, but something tells me that as long as the coaching can stay consistent, critics will be singing a different tune in a few years. Loaded with talent, the Dline is also stunningly young. High picks Tank Tyler and Glenn Dorsey man the middle, and neither is a character or attitude problem. Tamba Hali and Turk McBride make a great end combo, and there is some depth to go around, especially with a switch to the 3-4. If Kansas City screwed up anywhere it was in letting Jared Allen leave, which left the line with no experience or leadership. Enter Julius Peppers, who is interested in a move to a 3-4 where he would flex between standup outside rush LB and rush RDE. He is a veteran’s veteran, yet still has plenty left in the tank. This would be a stellar pickup for the Chiefs, adding versatility, talent, and the critical leadership that this front needs. Mocking Dan has other thoughts though, and thinks that the Chiefs need look no further than the #3 pick in the first to put this line back on track:

My vote for most important need on the team goes to LB where, whether they go 3-4 or 4-3, they just do not have enough talent to go around. Veteran Donnie Edwards needs to get healthy and get a full season on the field, but lately, he hasn’t been able to do that. Derrick Johnson is futility squared, and doesn’t seem to have the “it” factor to go along with his talent. This team has needed his help more than ever the last two years, and he has been chronically underwhelming. Demorrio Williams and Boiman are pretty much interchangeable, and make good depth. I would love to see KC target some free agents, including Bart Scott of Baltimore, and even Johnathon Vilma. I really think Derrick Johnson would play better if he weren’t the center of attention. Move him back outside and firm up the middle with Vilma, get some competition at OLB in the draft, and let the chips fall where they may. Two bodies minimum need to be ready to step up here.

By far my favorite area of the team, and a critical one in the AFC West where the Philip Rivers-Vincent Jackson-Chris Chamber-Antonio Gates and the Cutler-Brandon Marshall-Eddie Royal-Brandon Stokely connections are in their primes, has to be the KC defensive backs. Rookie starters Brandon Carr and Brandon Flowers are quite a tandem, and rookie Maurice Leggett joined the crew before the end of the year, as reliable vet Patrick Surtain likely played out the end of his career in KC. The group is young and talented and held up well in bad situations. The deep help of Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard was suitable, but Page truly came into his own and should be starting in centerfield in 2009. Pollard needs to play within his abilities a bit more, and get focused on his tackling, or else he may not last long. Dajuan Morgan waits in the wings to pressure Pollard, but has yet to show his stuff.

Overall the Chiefs have needs that should tend to make their names come up often this offseason, whether in talking about likely destinations for the hottest free agents or in discussing the merits of the top talents available in the draft. With Pioli at the helm in Kansas City, I think it is safe to say that the organization can truly feel like they are at the beginning of something great again, finally.