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What are the Realistic Expectations for the Chiefs' 2009 Defense?

 

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via i.a.cnn.net

As we all know, the 2008 Kansas City Chiefs defense was one of the worst in franchise history. We surrendered nearly 400 yards a game on offense and couldn't even sniff an opposing quarterback.

Below is a list of the NFL's two worst defensive teams in a given year and in parenthesis is their defensive rank and the subsequent year's rank right after that.

1998: Indianapolis Colts (29th to 15th), Carolina Panthers (30th to 26th)

1999: Washington Redskins (30th to 4th), Cleveland Browns (31st to 26th)

2000: Arizona Cardinals (31st to 28th), Seattle Seahawks (32nd to 20th)

2001: Atlanta Falcons (30th to 19th), Carolina Panthers (31st to 2nd)

2002: Detroit Lions (31st to 24th), Kansas City Chiefs (32nd to 29th)

2003: Houston Texans (31st to 23rd), Atlanta Falcons (32nd to 14th)

2004: Kansas City Chiefs (31st to 25th), New Orleans Saints (32nd to 14th)

2005: Houston Texans (31st to 24th), San Francisco 49ers (32nd to 26th)

2006: Washington Redskins (31st to 8th), Tennessee Titans (32nd to 5th)

2007: Buffalo Bills (31st to 14th), Detroit Lions (32nd to 32nd)

2008: Kansas City Chiefs (31st to ???), Detroit Lions (32nd to ???)

The worst two defensive teams in the last ten years have increased their defensive ranking by an average of 11 spots. It seems like a best case scenario for the Kansas City Chiefs next year would a ~20th ranked defense in the NFL.

Would you be satisfied if the Chiefs' defense improved to be the 20th best squad in the league?

Poll
Would you be satisfied if the Chiefs defense ended 2009 ranked about 20th in the NFL?
Yes, that is a huge improvement
467 votes
Not really. We didn't improve enough
360 votes
Not at all. Anything less than a top 15 defense is inexcusable
380 votes

1207 votes | Poll has closed

Comment 28 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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Comments

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I expect nothing less than

a shut out every single game!

Blame my wife!

by sir eccles on Mar 5, 2009 12:13 PM CST reply actions  

We are on the list 3 times

How pitiful have we been on D since DT? I want to bring back the tomahawk chop and get rowdy with some @ss kicking D. Lets get it done baby!

by TonyG88 on Mar 5, 2009 1:36 PM CST up reply actions  

To me

If the scheme is changed to a 3-4 (which it looks like will happen) then bottm 1/3rd defense would be admissable.

If we stay with the 4-3/cover2 scheme, then we had better be in the top half of the league.

Since we’ll be in a transition year or using a hybrid 3-4-3 my most realistic expectation will be somewhere between 15th-25th

All I have to say is "Thank you, Clark."

by IISaiNtII on Mar 5, 2009 12:25 PM CST reply actions  

agreed

if we do end up switching to a 3-4 or hybrid, I am willing to give them a couple years to get into the top half of the league

by Pontiaclvr on Mar 5, 2009 12:58 PM CST up reply actions  

4-4

Chiefs should go to the 4-4

by GracieKal on Mar 5, 2009 12:36 PM CST reply actions  

I think we should run the 1-5-5 from Madden 2007

=)

Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.

by PVChiefsfan on Mar 5, 2009 1:09 PM CST up reply actions  

I told ya'll it should be the 9-1-1

"But what do I know, I'm AP's new assclown and I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"

by Lanier63 on Mar 5, 2009 1:15 PM CST up reply actions  

Is that the one that is popular in bars?

"But what do I know, I'm AP's new assclown and I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"

by Lanier63 on Mar 5, 2009 2:06 PM CST up reply actions  

Ha

It’s some A-11 offense or something.

by Chris Thorman on Mar 5, 2009 3:05 PM CST up reply actions  

Roy Williams the safety was just released from Dallas

They could convert him to a LB and then run the 4 -4.

by rustdog on Mar 5, 2009 12:40 PM CST reply actions  

Part of the 2008 problem

Was that the head coach wanted his Tampa-days defense, but Gun’s heart and soul was in a different scheme. Bad mix. We’ve got talented d-backs who should almost be hitting their prime next year. I have to believe the line and the backers will play better together this coming year, and that they have a little more talent than they showed. Vrabel should help in the leadership area.

I’m disappointed that we’re keeping the strength and conditioning coach. And the crew of coaches we’ve brought in so far don’t make me very excited.

All in all, I expect them to rank between 11 and 15 in 2009.

by sunny D on Mar 5, 2009 12:42 PM CST reply actions  

I'd be happy

with the 2001 Carolina Panthers turnaround.

by JayrodT on Mar 5, 2009 12:46 PM CST reply actions  

Upper half of the league.......

….and I believe it’s very realistic.

by jcox31mc on Mar 5, 2009 12:48 PM CST reply actions  

Call us when the Crennel Question is answered

Our expectations are gonna be a lot different if we got the “mustache of justace” on our side.

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on Mar 5, 2009 12:49 PM CST reply actions  

Wouldn't that be the mustache of justash?

Sounds like a Nivea ad.

Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are more pliable. Mark Twain

by Chiefho on Mar 5, 2009 3:22 PM CST up reply actions  

crennel

would be nice but we need igor to suit up lilke now lock that in right now.

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 5, 2009 12:51 PM CST reply actions  

where is igor

is that guy like in russia eating a wendys bake potatoe and chives or whaat ?haha

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 5, 2009 12:52 PM CST reply actions  

In all realism

we are still a majority of young guys…young guys starting a whole new defensive scheme that they may or may not fit in. I can see our defense geting better. But I see us moving to 24-23 at best. Nothing more, nothing less. I would LOVE to get Crennel in here to be our D.C. but since he’s not then how come we’re picking up and talking to defensive players without a D.C.? It would be common sense to talk to your D.C. about what players in the FA look to fit the scheme that the D.C. is running. I don’t know…maybe that’s just me.

There's no hope with dope...

by chrisjo07 on Mar 5, 2009 1:01 PM CST reply actions  

all across the board

Our secondary will be badass next year. If the front 7 can do their damn jobs (or even try to improve a little bit) I can see us moving into the top 20. Besides all of the defenses in th AFC West sucked last season.

Call me Pacman...cuz I MAKE IT RAIN!

by mistamic on Mar 5, 2009 1:09 PM CST reply actions  

Look at the 2006 stats

How ridiculous is that?

The two worst defenses in the league went to Top 10 defenses the next year…WTF?

Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.

by PVChiefsfan on Mar 5, 2009 1:09 PM CST reply actions  

Are we keeping 85% of the players?

Seriously tho, there isn’t any reason a complete offseason can’t produce a team that’s middle of the road, so on the low end of the top 15 is realistic.
If Miami can turn it around and win 10 games after old man Bill, than I don’t see why Pioli couldn’t turn around the defense.

Bill Parcell’s: "You are what your record says you are."

"My job is not to collect talent, but to build a team. Individuals make the Pro Bowl. Teams win championships. That is our goal."—Chiefs GM Scott Pioli.

by THE_TRUTH on Mar 6, 2009 8:24 AM CST reply actions  

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