What are the Strengths of the Kansas City Chiefs?
by Chris Thorman on May 12, 2009 3:48 PM CDT
in 2009 Offseason
39 comments
In 2007, it was the Kansas City Chiefs' offense that struggled.
In 2008, it was the Chiefs' defense that, well, was the prevailing reason the team only won two games last year.
That begs the question of the 2009 Kansas City Chiefs: What are this team's strengths?
At first glance, there aren't many.
I'd be tempted to say the passing game with addition of Matt Cassel. But you take away the 96 catches Tony Gonzalez made last year and there isn't much left over.Our current crop of running backs is actually quite talented but will Larry Johnson turn himself around? The defense, well, the defense isn't exactly exhibiting any strong suits now.
So let's tweak this question a bit: What do you think will be the Chiefs biggest strength once 2009 is over?
With top draft picks stacking the defensive line, I think that the Chiefs, with their hybrid 3-4 defense, will see incredible improvement in the defensive trenches.
Tank Tyler, Glenn Dorsey, Tyson Jackson, Alex Magee and others have the talent to turn the Chiefs' defense into a strength again. All it will take is the proper scheme and coaching - which the Chiefs have.
No more surrendering 300 yards rushing in a game.
So what do you think? What will be the Chiefs biggest strength once 2009 is over? What part of the team is poised to make the biggest jump?
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Biggest Strength
Currently and at the end of the season, I think the secondary is and will be strength of this team. They are young, talented, and explosive. And as stated in the post, with the hopefully improvement of the defensive front 7, that should make the secondary even better and provide more opportunity to make huge plays all season.
by BigChief43_IL on May 12, 2009 3:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
agree also
It has to be our secondary… you find me another secondary in the league that played two safeties with only 2+ years and 3 rookie cb’s in the nickel and performed as well… i dont think you will find one… they will only inprove year two… very exciting…
by kcchiefsfan on May 12, 2009 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have to add this
I agree about the secondary. They did perform very well and our pass rush was HORRIBLE! Imagine how good they will be when the QB doesn’t have time to scan the whole field.
by Chiefsfan1970 on May 12, 2009 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Biggest Strength?
I still think it will be the offense. Haley coming in and adapting our offense alongside Chan will make a large difference. We have a better line with Goff and a better QB with Cassel to go with our new “offense first” head coach.
Most might say the defense, but I think it’s because we view them so poorly, so the starting point is lower. Next year might be a different story. We’re not going to completely right the ship in one offseason.
"I don't know if I want to go to New York. They'll have to pay me a lot more money because I like it here in Kansas City." -- Roger Maris
by KaloPhoenix on May 12, 2009 3:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Front 7
Can they get worse? I think our run d will be improved which will lead to more teams passing which hopefully results in more than 10 sacks.
by Nelly on May 12, 2009 4:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Special teams?
With all of the new guys that are being brought in specifically because they are good on special teams, or at least versatile enough to contribute on special teams…
And one of the best punters in the league
And an improvement in kicker from last year
maybe special teams can go from weakness to strength?
That would account for 3 more wins at least, in my opinion.
by stagdsp on May 12, 2009 4:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Special teams will be the "biggest" improvement.
Followed very closely by our Defensive front 7.
If our Defense does NOT improve there is nothing that the offense or special teams can do to save us. We HAVE to improve our D or we WILL have another gawd aweful season.
by KCChiefs on May 12, 2009 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have to agree
almost everyone the signed before the draft, were said to be good on special teams
by bringbacktheglory on May 12, 2009 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Me too
you don't have to win and you don't need to fight. Supertramp
by Steve_Chiefs on May 12, 2009 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
second that
yeah we picked up alot of good role players to help special teams…
by kcchiefsfan on May 12, 2009 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I honestly think it will be
our run defense. The addition of Jackson & Magee will be huge. No one will want to run at TJ’s side of the field. With the addition of some smart vets at LB, we seem to have a decent rotation going for our defensive front-7. If you stop the run, you force teams to pass, and when most teams are forced to pass a lot they make mistakes. I don’t expect us to be last in the league (and history) in sacks again, and I anticipate a more aggressive defensive scheme overall. This will make the secondary a lot better as well, so it’s a toss-up between the run D & our secondary for me. We have a ton of talent in our secondary (3-4 starters at both S & CB), and that was one of our strengths last year, so I don’t see how with better play from the front-7 it won’t be one of our strengths this year.
by DCJayhawk57 on May 12, 2009 4:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Can we say the Ball-Hawking Chiefs secondary again.
you don't have to win and you don't need to fight. Supertramp
by Steve_Chiefs on May 12, 2009 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In Addition
I like the Defense as well . But I think we are going to see a HUGE improvement in our Run Offense. I Think Larry Johnson is going to be back with something to prove and shoring up the O-Line is going to help. I also cannot wait to see how Haley uses Jamal Charles. I think the Defense is going to be greatly improved, but will also look better because of a solid running game that can wear teams down and control the clock… My bet is LJ having over 1200 yards and 16 TDs this year. Charles and Smith will each have solid numbers as well.
by Skrappy on May 12, 2009 4:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree
But I think we are going to see a HUGE improvement in our Run Offense.
I think Pioli knows that the running game is important (both doing it and stopping it)…I think Haley will realize this too (if he doesn’t already)
If our d-line doesn’t improve, something is seriously wrong. Actually, I think our defense may surprise some people. DJ will be better since he doesn’t need to babysit the other LB’s anymore (I guarantee he was constantly checking to make sure Ginger Boiman and Asshat Dacus weren’t lining up in the wrong place, or staring at the wrong gap, or keying on the wrong player)
Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.
by PVChiefsfan on May 12, 2009 4:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You are so Bad.
But True
you don't have to win and you don't need to fight. Supertramp
by Steve_Chiefs on May 12, 2009 6:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Strengths? Brand Name Players
Brandon Flowers
Brandon Carr
Branden Albert
by sunny D on May 12, 2009 5:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
very true
I definitely agree with this statement…
by kcchiefsfan on May 12, 2009 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not the front 7
I think our front 7 will be improved over last year this year, but not after 2009. At the end of this season the old vet LBs we brought in will likely be injured or retire, leaving us needing a new crop of LBs again next offseason. Heading into 2010 our biggest strength will be the offense. We have a better QB, a line with some young bodies that can improve, a few RBs with ability, and at least one (maybe 2) reliable WRs. If one of the WRs we picked up in the draft or FA step up and we get a franchise back next offseason, our offense we look good going into 2010. Our D will have improved play from the D lineman and secondary but we will need new LBs (a lot of them) to run a 3-4 scheme in 2010.
by Chiefs4Life on May 12, 2009 5:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
true
so vrabel and thomas will be gone, thats 2 out of 4, thats a free agent and a draft pick next year, with johnson and most likely hali still there… plus still have demorrio williams and who knows if some young player will step up… I think we will be fine…
by kcchiefsfan on May 12, 2009 6:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let us check the Ahem 2010 draft for Linebackers
Brandon Spikes
Sergio Kendle
Navarro Bowman
Rolando McClain
Travis Lewis
Sean Weatherspoon
Obi Ezah
I think that to have to draft a Guard, OLB,ILB, and WR is more manageble than what we needed in 2009 draft
you don't have to win and you don't need to fight. Supertramp
by Steve_Chiefs on May 12, 2009 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
2 out of 4
only if Hali works at OLB, which remains to be seen. So, that leaves DJ as the only LB we can be relatively sure about coming back in 2010, and I don’t know how much “veteran leadership” he can give the rookies. plus, our backup LBs currently look to consist of a bunch of UDFAs. While I hope Pierre makes the team, I won’t exactly count him as an asset in 2010 just yet. So, we are looking at needing at least 2 (possibly 3) new starters and a whole mess of backups in 2010.
by Chiefs4Life on May 13, 2009 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I say
Our coaching staff and business people ie. GM and preisident will be our greatest strength.
David Logue
by dklogue1 on May 12, 2009 6:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
add Clark Hunt that saw that we needed a fresh perspective and was able to make it happen :)
you don't have to win and you don't need to fight. Supertramp
by Steve_Chiefs on May 12, 2009 6:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not too sure...
but IMO, i think that the secondary will be better, and so will the front 7…but i think the offense will do the best. We still have Bowe, Bradley, and Engram..and we still don’t know if Pioli and Haley will pull some strings to get Boldin in a Chiefs uniform. With Goff at guard i think we will have a much improved line. I think our LB core will do better but not the best because we do have aging veterens and who knows if they’re game will slip. Maybe we wont have one biggest strength, hopefully the WHOLE team will be the strength and all will improve dramatically. =]
Have faith!
GO CHIEFS!
by Wrestler189s on May 12, 2009 7:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Special Teams will see biggest improvment
Don’t forget all these LB’s they’re bringing in for the 3-4 contribute to a solid Special Teams group .. to me this is one of the big advantages of the 3-4. Second, I the Defense will see a significant improvement …. but jeez how much is that saying?
by RatsoReily on May 12, 2009 7:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I have to say Linebackers
Thomas and Vrabel will teach these guys a lot. And they were so bad at times last year, they have to be the most improved by the end of the year.
by TheQ on May 12, 2009 9:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I am optimistic about the LBs
Vrabel and Thomas are very solid. They are dependable and smart, and will make the whole team better.
DJ could have his best year yet, if the system lets him run around more.
The “rush” OLB position will be fun to watch… Hali could step up, or Johnston/Robertson/Walters or someone new could come in and surprise everyone.
Either way, this LB corps is MUCH improved.
by stagdsp on May 13, 2009 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely. Having smart, veteran LBs around
should help athletic guys like DJ have a better season. And if we run a 3-4, then one of the “others” might surprise too. I think part of the reason they didn’t draft Curry, was they like the backers they had, and we absolutely didn’t have any DEs.
by TheQ on May 13, 2009 9:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We will believe we are winners
and not accept losing every week as an option.
by Nemoi on May 12, 2009 11:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
I think there was a bit of the “Hey, we’re the youngest team in the league, and we’re rebuilding, so while it sucks to lose all the time, it’s okay” mentality last season…
Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.
by PVChiefsfan on May 13, 2009 8:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
no more...
No more “close but not quite” or “moral victories”
I think this team will fight harder for every win, and find ways to win the close games.
if last year’s team could have won the close ones… we’d be talking about the playoffs this year instead of how “miserable” the team was in 08.
From my memory, the Defense showed signs of greatness last year… but were left on the field too much, and couldn’t play all 4 quarters. With better conditioning, coaching and talent… they might be able to put a complete game together and finish some other teams off!!!!
by stagdsp on May 13, 2009 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
as Mr. Dawson has said on almost every broadcast during every game
“you don’t HAVE to SACK the qb every time…..just get in his face and force him to make throws he wouldn’t make otherwise” I don’t know if that’s verbatim what he said, but it’s very similar, I’m sure. Solid run D is the key to all this. When you can stuff the run on 1st & 2nd down, you won’t get caught w’ 8 in the box leaving yourself vulnerable to the play-action pass, AND you can blitz more effectively if you KNOW that a pass is coming on 3rd & long.
to stagdsp’s point, the O needs more long, sustained drives ESPECIALLY in the 2nd half to wear out the opponent’s D & give ours adequate rest. More of these things are going to happen this season with better conditioning and a tougher mindset overall
by reedeasy on May 13, 2009 12:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What up Reed!
On my lunchbreak here. I agree fo sho. The run D HAS to improve this year or we will be doomed to another crap season. Stop the run and the passing defense will improve as well.
Wouldn’t it be cool if we COULD sack the QB on every play though. That would be awesome!
by Chiefsfan1970 on May 13, 2009 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
85 Bears?
you don't have to win and you don't need to fight. Supertramp
by Steve_Chiefs on May 13, 2009 7:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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