2010 NFL Preview: Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs have had a rough time in the past three seasons, their record is a lowly 10-38, with a 4-20 record at Arrowhead Stadium, which from 1995-2006, they were 71-25, and it was one of the toughest stadiums to play in. While Scott Pioli has tried to bring the "Patriot Way" to the Midwest, it has not worked out as he envisioned last season.
So to try to remedy the 4-12 record from 2009, the Chiefs have brought in more Patriot alumni and to try to recreate the success that worked for them in the dynasty years. Kansas City brought in Charlie Weis as their new offensive coordinator and Romeo Crennel as their defensive coordinator. If they can make things a lot better and easier for Todd Haley, who did a bad job of juggling both jobs as head coach and offensive coordinator. With a few weapons added, could the Chiefs get better? Or will they still be a mess? Technorati goes inside the Kansas City Chiefs.
Recap:
- 2009 Record: (4-12, 4th AFC West, missed playoffs)
- Key Additions: RB Thomas Jones (New York Jets), WR Jerheme Urban (Arizona Cardinals), G Ryan Lilja, C Casey Wiegmann (Denver Broncos), NT Shaun Smith (Cincinnati Bengals).
- Key Departures: RB Kolby Smith (free agency), WR Bobby Wade (Washington Redskins), G Mike Goff (free agency), G Andy Alleman (free agency), G/C Wade Smith (Houston Texans).
Overview
Offense: Well the Chiefs gave Matt Cassel a huge opportunity to be a starting quarterback after his successful season in 2008 with the Patriots. It was needless to say rough on him, simply because he had no talent around him. He did get a good addition late in the season when Chris Chambers joined the team, but aside from that, there was no talent around him to protect him, and no talent around him to distribute the ball. The weakness on him is his arm strength. In a sense, head coach Todd Haley's spread offense was not the best option for him, and he tried to make Cassel a Kurt Warner. Warner has arm strength, whereas Cassel does not. Hopefully Charlie Weis will have a better scheme for Cassel to work with,
Speaking of schemes, the reasoning as to why Todd Haley did not utilize Jamaal Charles sooner is going to be a huge question mark. In the final four games of the season, Charles ran for 658 yards, had a 7.0 average per carry, scored four touchdowns and had 13 receptions for 79 yards. This is where the coaching strategy should have changed. If the spread offense was not working (and it was not in 2008 either), you would have to change up the strategy. Todd Haley did a very poor job of recognizing the talents of Charles and he should have done a lot better in the grand scheme of things. The Chiefs did bring in Thomas Jones from the New York Jets. Jones seems to be running stronger as he gets older, but he will form a nice tandem with Charles. With Haley no longer the offensive coordinator, maybe the Chiefs can be a more run-oriented team than passing, or at least have a more balanced attack.
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