Kansas City Chiefs 2005 Preview

By John Onan  |   Monday, August 15, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

Kansas City Chiefs
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Rumors have already begun swirling that this could be Dick Vermeil's last hurrah as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. Depending on how well his new look defense performs, led by former Dolphins secondary mates Patrick Surtain and Sammy Knight, this will either be a fond farewell or a rebuilding project for the guy who succeeds him.

Strengths: The Kansas City Chiefs possess one of the top running backs in all of football, Priest Holmes, and his backup could probably be first string for a handful of the other teams in the NFL. Larry Johnson stepped in for the injured Holmes, who could only play half the season in 2004, and proceeded to gain 581 yards and with nine touchdowns. Shortly before Johnson's offensive outburst, Vermeil questioned the former Penn State star's toughness, which almost resulted in the bruising runner being dealt away. Luckily for the Chiefs, Johnson is still town, particularly since Holmes turns 32 in October and has a history of knee and hip problems. He is an extremely valuable insurance policy. These two will team up in 2005, which gives KC a two-headed monster in the backfield. The fact they'll run behind one of the most talented and experienced offensive lines in the league won't hurt either.

Tony Gonzalez, now entering his ninth season, is not only the best tight end in football but also one of the all-time greats at his position. It's not very often that a tight end is the key to a team's passing game. Judging by his statistics he just keeps getting better. 2004 was his finest season, as posted career highs in receptions with 102 and receiving yards with 1,258.

The Kansas City Chiefs passing game also got a big shot in the arm by deep threat Eddie Kennison, who had his first 1,000 yard receiving season, but the departed Johnnie Morton was a big disappointment and is now in NFL purgatory; San Francisco. Vermeil hopes than Sammie Parker or Dante Hall can become more productive targets for passing machine QB Trent Green. If former Eagles WR Freddie Mitchell can put up numbers to match his big mouth, he can be a factor, but I seriously doubt that it will happen.

On special teams, while Dante Hall didn't quite match his phenomenal 2003 season, he still had an extraordinary year in 2004, returning two kicks for touchdowns and having six returns of more than 40 yards. Kicker Lawrence Tynes shook off some early problems to gain a stranglehold on his position, while the team used a 3rd round draft pick on punter Dustin Colquitt despite the fact that Nick Murphy did a fine job when called upon in December. He averaged almost 44 yards per punt.

Weaknesses: The Kansas City Chiefs defense will remain a much criticized unit until the new moves begin to pay dividends. Chiefs fan were amazed that the team didn't make a bigger effort before last season to bring in more defensive help. Gunther Cunningham is considered one of the top defensive coordinators around, but if this defense doesn't improve drastically, the KC faithful may begin to focus on him. Management upgraded the secondary by snatching up two former Miami Dolphin starters, shutdown corner Patrick Surtain and safety Sammy Knight. Eric Warfield, the man who was supposed to start opposite Surtain, will have to sit out the first four games due to a drug suspension. A former Vermeil player from St. Louis, Dexter McCleon, will attempt to hold down the fort in Warfield's absence.

The linebacking group underwent a makeover also, as Derrick Johnson was chosen with the team's first round selection in the draft. He should start immediately, adding speed and intensity to a defense that lacked both in 2004. Former Pittsburgh Steeler Kendrell Bell looks as though he recovered from a groin injury that forced him to miss 13 games last season. He has looked good in training camp so far. If he gets back to where he was when he was defensive Rookie of the year in 2002, this unit can become the blitzing hell raising style of defense that Cunningham prefers to play.

Despite the defensive misery of 2004, the front four held up pretty nicely. Jared Allen registered nine sacks and Eric Hicks, Ryan Sims, and Lionel Dalton were serviceable at starters. Underrated Carlos Hall was acquired in a trade with the Tennessee Titans and should receive quite a bit of playing time possibly earning a starting role.
Overall, the time is obviously now for Kansas City with a coach on the verge of retirement and most of the team's top players approaching or already in their 30's. How quickly the new guys on defense gel with the holdovers will decide if this team comes close to 2003's success or 2004's shortcomings. I say the truth lies in between the 7-9 and 13-3 years, I'll take 10-6 and a wild card birth.
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