Dreadful Past and Hopeful Present...

Bored off my ass at work and tired of hitting F5 every two minutes, I decided to review our past three losing seasons. Keep in mind that in that span of time, Kansas City has been sailing in rough waters. I am not here to make excuses as to why we bottomed out, but I will say that I am glad that it happened. The tracks our beloved Kansas City Chiefs were on seemed to lead down a darkened tunnel, with no light at the end. We fans had to strap ourselves in and just ride it out, praying for change. Change has finally come, but not before going through highs and lows that, looking back, seemed to be essential for Clark to throw up his hands and say enough is enough. After the jump, I point out some highlights and lowlights for each of the past three seasons. Highlights? Yes folks, there were actually a few, depending on what type of fan you are and how much Kool-Aid you consume.

Throughout the past three years, we faced heartbreak and although miniscule, some joyous times. Starting with 2007, here are a few of what I recognize as the good and bad of each season.

2007:

Record: 4-12, finishing 3rd place in the division

Offensive Production: 226 total points / 14.1ppg / ranked 31st

Defensive Production (or lack thereof): 335 points allowed / 20.9ppg / surprisingly ranked 14th

Takeaway-Giveaway Differential: -11 / ranked 28th

Highlights: Smashed San Diego IN San Diego 30-16; Drafted Dwayne Bowe (considered a lowlight to some); Featured on Hard Knocks  

Lowlights: Lamar Hunt passes on at the end of 2006; Trent Green traded to the Fins; Will Shields Retires; King Carl gives LJ a King’s Ransom extension offer; Signed Eddie Drummond as KR after trading the human joystick

Rest in Peace, Lamar (August 2, 1932 - December 13, 2006)

2008:

Record: 2-14, finishing last in the division

Offensive Production: 291 total points / 18.2ppg / ranked 26th

Defensive Production (or lack thereof): 440 points allowed / 27.5ppg / ranked 29th

Takeaway-Giveaway Differential: +5 / ranked 8th

Highlights: Final season under Herm; Start of the youth movement; Tyler Thigpen emerged; Carl Peterson resigns; Hired Chan Gailey as OC; Draft picks received from Jared Allen trade; 2.7 released

Lowlights: Worst season in franchise history; Traded Jared Allen; Worst sack total in NFL history

"I said if I got fired, I promised myself I wouldn't cry."

2009:

Record: 4-12, finishing last in the division

Offensive Production: 294 total points / 18.4ppg / ranked 23rd

Defensive Production (or lack thereof): 424 points allowed / 26.5ppg / ranked 29th

Takeaway-Giveaway Differential: +1 / ranked 16th  

Highlights: Hired Scott Pioli; Hired Todd Haley; Derrick Thomas inducted into HOF; Improved in the win column; Jamaal Charles emerges; Acquired Chris Chambers; Picked up Cassel / Vrabel; Beat Pittsburgh like Big Ben beat his women (tasteless?); Crushed Denver snapping the Invesco Field curse and ending the season on a high note; 2.7 released

Lowlights: Lost Tony Gonzalez; Signed Mike Brown; Shaky draft choices; Lost 12 games

"Aw shit Todd, what did we get ourselve into?"

As you can glean from the stats, our offense was in fact, improved in Haley’s first year. We doubled our wins, increased our point and ppg total, increased our sack totals (not too hard to accomplish from 2008), lowered the amount of points given up as well as per game, and recognized a considerable amount of talent from which to build a foundation. The puzzle pieces are still strewn all over Arrowhead, but Pioli and Haley are beginning to piece it together. I won’t beat a dead horse and state why we are on the rise because that fact is implicit. We all have expectations, from the fans all the way up the ladder to Clark himself. "I have expectations for us to be significantly improved…I always hate to put a specific number on the win/loss record but I have said publicly I expect us to be competing for a playoff spot when December rolls around." Our draft choices have everyone realizing the potential that Kansas City has to offer this season. It seems that we are all shooting for the moon this season. That isn’t too bad considering if we miss, we are still amongst the stars…