-First let's talk about the defense. The obvious first thing to mention about the D would be the addition of Romeo Crennel as DC. This is huge in my opinion as we finally have someone who is well aversed in the ways of the 3-4 and who made his name coaching D-Line, so he can coach up all of our young talent. I think this addition cannot be emphasized enough.
On the defense there are a few things I am looking for. First, Brandon Flowers will be a pro bowler this year. Last year when Derelle Revis got all his acclaim it was his third season. Flowers is entering his third season and I fully expect him to make the same strides. He made play after play last year and it is the Jeff Report's humble opinion that he is the best defensive player we have (at least as of right now).
Next thing I look for is for Tamba Hali to have another excellent year bordering on pro bowl. Double digit sacks wouldn't surprise me, assuming he can get some help on the other side. He really embraced the change to the 3-4 last year and should continue to flourish this year.
Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson will prove their worth and become one of the best DE duo's in the league. Sometimes I feel like the only one who watched these two play last year. People to continue to talk about Dorsey as a bust and Jackson as well. The games I saw (which was all of them) saw Dorsey to be an integral part of the defense. He didn't tally many sacks but tackle numbers were right on par with normal 3-4 DE's and what people are not mentioning is how much pressure he was able to put on the QB throughout the year. If we had any presence on the left side to rush the passer this would have led to many more sacks; however, QB's were able to sidestep and get the ball out. Jackson definitely had a tough time last year, but he was a rookie and it's notoriously hard for rookie D-Linemen to come in and succeed immediately. However, near the end of the year he started to show up more and definitely showed flashes. If you ask me, Dorsey and Jackson are in route to becoming the next Richard Seymour/Ty Warren 3-4 DE combo. You watch.
It's hard to say what Eric Berry will be able to do but all I know is that I am excited for him and the other rookies we have on defense. It will be fun to see this young D develop.
-Next we can take a look at the offense. Just like the defense, the biggest addition to the offense is the coordinator. Charlie Weis was tapped in the offseason to take over OC duties and playcalling duties and the anemic Chiefs offense to start performing better. Weis made his name coaching up Tom Brady and getting the most out of an offense that had very few stars. Weis was able to get enough out of this group to win 3 super bowls and it is the Chiefs hope he can do the same in KC. I do believe that Weis will be able to coach up some of our players and get them to take the next step, mainly Matt Cassel. Which brings me to my next point...
I think Matt Cassel will fare better than he did last year. How much better remains to be seen but with an entire year in the system with the same players and coaching behind him from Charlie Weis, I suspect Cassel will take a step forward. Not to mention after a lackluster year last year Cassel looks and seems more determined than ever to prove he is a franchise QB and worth the money he got paid. Hopefully, he can prove that, if Cassel can tweak his accuracy (threw too many high balls last year) and get a more accurate downfield throw, then he definitely has all the other necessary tools to be a franchise QB.
Jamaal Charles had a breakout year last year and I fully expect that to continue this year. Charles should be regarded as a top 10 back in the league, if not top 5. With Thomas Jones in the mix and now Dexter McCluster, the Chiefs have a very scary backfield and should be able to run all over defenses. McCluster especially excites me with his versatility and I definitely expect him to make an impact with the Chiefs.
The receiver core I'm not so high on. Chris Chambers played well last season but he will be 32 this season has been plagued with inconsistency his entire career. Hopefully he can put together one or two more successful years for us here in KC. Next is Dwayne Bowe. After a promising first two years in the league he took a fairly large step back last year and things do not look good for Bowe. There is talk that recent off the field issues have been a wakeup call for Bowe and he has a new fire but he has shown nothing to me to make me think that. I would like to believe that Bowe will come out and prove himself a true elite #1 receiver this year, but with the inconsistency he has shown in his career so far and his mental lapses, I highly doubt it and am starting to feel his days are numbered in KC.
The O-Line will be much improved this year. With an entire year in the system and the additions of solid veterans Casey Weiggman and Ryan Lilja the O-Line has been bolstered significantly. We are looking at a lineup of Albert, Waters, Weiggman, Lilja, and O'Callaghan - I will go to battle with those 5 for sure.
-Finally, what are my overall thoughts on the Chiefs? Well, I feel they are definitely moving in the right direction and are poised to take a few huge leaps forward this year. However, I think they will be short of putting it all together this season. I feel that 8-8 is a realistic possibility and would be pleased with that, but I do think that is the Ceiling (maybe they can sneak another win in there). I with the additions this team has made they should be no worse than 6-10. I will not be happy with 6-10 but I wouldn't think it cause to make any major moves such as firing Haley or Cassel or anything of that nature. Ultimately, I think 7-9 or 8-8 and I will be pleased with either. Can't wait for September.
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