Gearing up for the 2009 pre-season

   1. Is Cassel clearly our best QB?
No question about it.
   2. Is DBowe taking his game to the next level in 2009?
He’s had 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons. Even if he sticks around that level of production, I’m happy.
   3. Which WR and/or TE is likely to step up and take some pressure off of Bowe?
Mark Bradley when healthy…none of the TEs will make a significant impact.
   4. Will our O-Line improve significantly this year?
Not significantly but it will continue to be not terrible, but by no means great.
   5. Which RB/WR will emerge as our return man?
Lawrence will get his chances but I think Charles and Savage will see a lot of time there.
   6. Will Hali and McBride succeed as OLBs?
Not necessarily this year but I think at least one of them will show enough strides to give us promise.
   7. Who emerges as our starting SLB?
No opinion til training camp.
   8. Will Mike Brown steal Jarrad Page’s starting job?
Nope. Page and Pollard will start but with plenty of rotation with Brown going on.
   9. Will Glenn Dorsey, Tank Tyler, and Derrick Johnson be able to adjust to this new 3-4 scheme?
Definitely. Tyler and DJ for sure…this will be good a good scheme for them. Dorsey will show us enough promise this year at DE.
  10. What kind of player did we really get in Tyson Jackson?

Is Cassel clearly our best QB? NO doubt
Is DBowe taking his game to the next level in 2009? YES
Which WR and/or TE is likely to step up and take some pressure off of Bowe? Bradley… though Darling is looking good in the offseason… we’ll see. I am also hoping Taurus makes it!
Will our O-Line improve significantly this year? YES… Goff is an upgrade, and the additional year of experience will work wonders for Albert and Rudy… maybe even McIntosh
Which RB/WR will emerge as our return man? Lawrence, probably… but it’s way up for grabsWill Hali and McBride succeed as OLBs? My guess… Hali=YES, McBride= Not reallyWho emerges as our starting SLB? Vrabel, of courseWill Mike Brown steal Jarrad Page’s starting job? No, but he will contributeWill Glenn Dorsey, Tank Tyler, and Derrick Johnson be able to adjust to this new 3-4 scheme? I believe in all 3 playersWhat kind of player did we really get in Tyson Jackson? a VERY solid, but not spectacular player. Will make the defense better, even if he doesn’t get his name called a lot

   1. Is Cassel clearly our best QB?
Absolutely. Better accuracy and more of a leader.
   2. Is DBowe taking his game to the next level in 2009?
I’m predicting a 20% improvement in yards this year. I think his concentration will be better, fewer critical drops.
   3. Which WR and/or TE is likely to step up and take some pressure off of Bowe?
From what I saw last year, Bradley is the most likely. But in reality I think Engram will be the one making a lot of clutch catches to keep drives alive.
   4. Will our O-Line improve significantly this year?
Adding Goff was a significant improvement. Three other guys having a year of experience at their positions should be an improvement. A much better line coach is an improvement. I’m not at all sure about Waters at this point, but honestly wouldn’t worry if Smith takes over there. Of course if Waters buys in and plays up to potential he is much better, but only if he buys in. We’ll see.
   5. Which RB/WR will emerge as our return man?
It would be nice to see someone with Lawrence’s speed. Wouldn’t be shocked to see Savage take it though.
   6. Will Hali and McBride succeed as OLBs?
Yes. I think Hali will be the starter at ROLB. Since it is a transition though, it wouldn’t shock me to see Biesel start there for the first few games with Hali getting a lot of snaps.
   7. Who emerges as our starting SLB?
Vrabel will lock that up this year, with McBride as backup.
   8. Will Mike Brown steal Jarrad Page’s starting job?
If he is healthy, that’s a possibility. I think both will see significant time on field no matter who starts. If Page and Pollard retain starter status, they are going to both be better because of Brown.
   9. Will Glenn Dorsey, Tank Tyler, and Derrick Johnson be able to adjust to this new 3-4 scheme?
Yes. In fact, I think all three may thrive in it.
  10. What kind of player did we really get in Tyson Jackson?
No flash, solid player who will not have huge stats. But he will be a difference maker in how the scheme operates. Probably a 30-40 tackle season and 3 sacks.

Can we expect our running game to improve significantly? I really like Charles and, let’s face it, we need LJ. It all hinges on the OL and the strength of our passing game. I see lots of potential there.

1. Yes!
2. Yes.
3. Bradly
4. Don’t know.
5. LJ
6. I’m a new Chiefs fan and don’t know many defenders.
7. Don’t know.
8. Yes.
9. Don’t know.
10. Don’t know.

1. Is Cassell clearly our best QB? Yes. But it’s great to have Thigpen at #2. Never thought I’d type those words a year ago.
2. Is DBowe taking his game to the next level in 2009? Definitely. Cassell and Haley will make sure of it.
3. Which WR and/or TE is likely to step up and take some pressure off of Bowe? Bradley, Engram, Cottam and Charles. …oh…and Turtle.
4. Will our O-Line improve significantly this year? Yes. Our RBs will at least get TO the line of scrimmage a higher percentage of the time.
5. Which RB/WR will emerge as our return man? On a limb…Savage. The help from Priest will push him over the top.
6. Will Hali and McBride succeed as OLBs? Hali, yes. McBride as a back-up this year.
7. Who emerges as our starting SLB? Vrabel the first half of the season.
8. Will Mike Brown steal Jarrad Page’s starting job? No. Brown’s time will take a LB out half the time and most of the other snaps will come at Pollard’s expense.
9. Will Glenn Dorsey, Tank Tyler, and Derrick Johnson be able to adjust to this new 3-4 scheme? All three – Yes! Because the coaches will make sure the scheme adjusts to them, to some degree.
10. What kind of player did we really get in Tyson Jackson? Best Chief’s D lineman in 2010. Playmaker. Not a lot of sacks. More tackles that other players in his position, though.

Tyson’s much better lookin, but inside the helmet on Sunday

Dorsey’s is much better lookin too, inside the helmet on Sunday.

Has anyone received their season tickets yet? or know when they are going to be sent out?

   1. Is Cassel clearly our best QB? Yes i hope
   2. Is DBowe taking his game to the next level in 2009? I think Bowe has done a great job in his first 2 years,and i think he will be a top 5 WR this year.
   3. Which WR and/or TE is likely to step up and take some pressure off of Bowe? I think Engram will take some pressure off of Bowe, and i also think J.Charles will be catching alot of stuff out of the back field.
   4. Will our O-Line improve significantly this year? With the addition of Goff i believe our o-line will be better this year.
   5. Which RB/WR will emerge as our return man? Not sure.
   6. Will Hali and McBride succeed as OLBs? I dont know if either player will suceed at the OLB position, but Hali i think has the best chance.
   7. Who emerges as our starting SLB? Not sure.
   8. Will Mike Brown steal Jarrad Page’s starting job? I doubt he takes the job from Page,but could play alot of 3rd downs.
   9. Will Glenn Dorsey, Tank Tyler, and Derrick Johnson be able to adjust to this new 3-4 scheme? I only worry about Dorsey being big enough, but i’ll never question his ability, at least not this early in his career.
  10. What kind of player did we really get in Tyson Jackson? To early to tell yet, but i think he will be just fine.

Is Cassel clearly our best QB?
yes in that he presents himself as a true leader unlike Thigpen who seems to just be filling in.

Is DBowe taking his game to the next level in 2009?
Yes because if he doesn’t there will be a sideline fist fight between him and Coach Haley
 
Which WR and/or TE is likely to step up and take some pressure off of Bowe?
Likely it will be Bradley or Darling but it my hope that Tauras Johnson really steps up and slides into that #2 spot

Will our O-Line improve significantly this year?
Probaly not but with the addition of Mike Goff it might happen
  
Which RB/WR will emerge as our return man?
I dont see any real talent on our team as far as the return game, Lawerence has speed but technique will be a problem

Will Hali and McBride succeed as OLBs?
Hali will have decent success and Mcbride will go down and end up being kicked off the team
  
Who emerges as our starting SLB?
Probaly Vrabel… not sure

Will Mike Brown steal Jarrad Page’s starting job?
if he is as good as all the chicago fans say he is then yes

Will Glenn Dorsey, Tank Tyler, and Derrick Johnson be able to adjust to this new 3-4 scheme?
Dorsey and DJ yes as for Tyler I am not sure

What kind of player did we really get in Tyson Jackson?
Solid starter
nothing more nothing less

   1. Is Cassel clearly our best QB?

Yes, if #4 (o-line), below is also affirmative. If not, then Thiggy will give the Chiefs their best chance in a chaotic backfield.

   2. Is DBowe taking his game to the next level in 2009?

Indications are mostly very positive. Better conditioning may give him better quickness and overall speed. Be nice to see him not drop a wide-open pass behind the defender. But first we’ll have to see him actually get some separation down the field. Should be as good or better at making the tough grab in the seam of the zone.

   3. Which WR and/or TE is likely to step up and take some pressure off of Bowe?

The running game and the play fake are going to do more than anything else to help him, especially on 1st and 2nd down. And, quite frankly, that remains an open question until we see what the right side of the KC line is going to do next season. We should also wait and see what kind of magic Haley can do with Bowe’s hands, before we start talking about 3rd down and D Bowe in the same breath.

   4. Will our O-Line improve significantly this year?

Define “significantly.” Certainly “incrementally” better. Whether the upgrade is decisive or not, only time will tell. With all the talk about 2 TE sets, I DO think it’ll take more hats on D to stuff the run. That’s a good thing. But the lack of any earth-shattering moves up front, and the 2-deep-in-mobile-QBs decision, I think they’re shootin’ for “good” on the o-line, rather than “great.”

   5. Which RB/WR will emerge as our return man?

If the blocking is effective (rules changes make this a point of interest across the league), Lawrence’s speed is the x-factor on special teams. I have a feeling Charles will figure more in the regular offense, and will see limited time on special teams, if any. I have NO feeling about Savage. No disrespect – just ignorant. I also like the way that Taurus Johnson and Donald Washington see the way the broken field is breaking down. These two seem to have great whatchacallit “field vision.”

   6. Will Hali and McBride succeed as OLBs?

Yes. Outside chance that McBride fills in on d-line if the injury bug bites. Depending on which one can run the best with a TE, I can see them both on the field at the same time in years to come. They played as opposite ends, before, only this time, there’d be 3 d-linemen securing the center between them.

   7. Who emerges as our starting SLB?

I think the obvious answer, here, is Vrabel. Let me scan others’ responses to halfway avoid looking like an idiot. …Please wait… Yeah. I’m an idiot. But I still agree with others. Heh. Also in the back of my head, I can see Vrabel rotating to SILB as field general when Thomas takes a break, with Beisel somewhere in that mix. I think they want WOLB to play BIG, WILB to play FAST, SILB to play SMART, and SOLB to play BIG and SMART.

   8. Will Mike Brown steal Jarrad Page’s starting job?

If he’s healthy, he SHOULD. If Jarrad Page is half the man you all think he is, the term “starter” at safety will come to mean little. Brown can play either safety spot. Also, I don’t know if you noticed, but neither Page nor Pollard was asked to man up against anybody of note, and I think Brown has, and will. Just having Brown on the roster suggests some interesting nickel packages involving 3 safeties that can come up and WHOMP on anybody who tries to RUN against it as a changeup in their 3-WR set.

   9. Will Glenn Dorsey, Tank Tyler, and Derrick Johnson be able to adjust to this new 3-4 scheme?

Two of these 3 guys I worry less about than many OTHER positions. What was the purpose of this question? Heh. Just kidding.

Tyler’s a natural 3-4 NT (and Edwards is more 3-4 NT at this stage of his career than 4-3 DT, imo), with years of experience as 4-3 DT. Will be interesting to see what he ends up doing. Sounds like he’s lining-up in strongside 1-tech and slanting toward the weakside in the base D. This should get the most out of his natural strengths, and if he can keep his feet, some cheap sacks, from time to time.

Dorsey’s getting to play the kind of DT role he was signed to play, but never could, due to exigent circumstances in surrounding personnel and scheme. Offenses will really have to bend things outta shape to either double him, or simply avoid his part of the field. Tank and he never had a true 3-4 DE in the trenches with them, before.

DJ should have the time of his life. I think his job description will be relatively simple, and he’ll be able to get the most out of his speed. Maybe the biggest decision he’ll have to make (and he might simply be TOLD in the huddle) is whether to help out against the TE in the pattern when both OLBs have their ears pinned back, and Thomas is also crashin’ the line.

  10. What kind of player did we really get in Tyson Jackson?

A true 3-4 DE, who’ll tie up two blockers every play. Traditional 4-3 fans will maybe hate watching the ROT set the edge on him, but I’ll be measuring his success by how good the D does beTWEEN the tackles. I THINK he’ll be more of an inside move than an outside move kind of player, although I bet he’s working hardest on the outside move, right now, but mainly to keep offenses honest, rather than garner a bunch of sacks. Probably the poster child for the term “laconic,” expect him to know everything there is to know about Hoplite Warfare – in other words, his JOB, but don’t expect him to give a long speech about it.