2010 Chiefs vs 2001 Pats

I posted this a long time ago but want to go over it again. 

Sitting at the game (well standing most of the game) I was just so impressed with our defense improvement.  Coaching is light years ahead (Romeo adjusts so much better on the fly) and I think Pleasant has done wonders with the D Line.  The talent on our D does not wow anyone BUT neither did the 2001 Pats D.  This team plays like that Pats team on defense right now.  Smart, hard nosed football, with a bend dont break attitude. 

Now I want to make it clear I still think we are a year away from really making a push and clearly the Chargers are the most talented team (if they get smart and get McNeil and Jackson on the field) but that Pats team beat much more talented teams along the way....so if you want to see the comparison here it is.

Position comparison:

Offense:

QB - not as much of an advantage for the Pats as you might think (I know after one week Cassel is a goat but I know he will and can play better) because Brady was a starting his first season.  He was asked to manage games but did come on in the playoffs and his legacy began.  Again, Brady is a gamer and stud but was not amazing during THAT regular season.

RB- no comparison chiefs are much better.  Smith was solid and really underrated but if we actually give Charles his 20 carries and sprinkle in jones with 10 we should be one of the best rushing teams in the NFL  (which after running the pistol 2 years ago Haley deserves a lot of credit for that its not just charles) Kevin Faulk was very solid for the Pats but still the talent gap is there.

WR - I give the nod to the Pats.  The Chiefs have more talent (Glenn was hurt that year) but until Bowe steps up the Pats were just much more consistent and we dont have a Troy brown 100 catch do it all player.  Again not a huge difference in talent if you factor if DMC and Moeki keeps improving.

OL - Again, nod goes to the Pats right now but if you look at the talent its not amazing.  They just played well together and were very well coached (recurring theme).  I would say the biggest upgrade is in the middle i am still very very dissapointed in our middle pass blocking.  Imagine adding one of the top 2 centers (O'Dowd or Wisnewski) would do for our line next year with a developing Asamoah and this could be a strength.

Defense:

D Line - I think the major difference is experience.  McGinest was still a force and Pleasant and Hamilton were very solid.  Seymour was coming along and they just had more depth (which we should feel some pain from that this weekend with injuries) I think our D Line made huge strides so far but we still have to continue and Tyson Jackson needs to keep improving.  Dorsey is a stud and a force for a long long time. 

LB - Until DJ played like a Pro Bowler I would say this is a huge gap.  Right now I like our LBers a lot.  If you factor in Studabaker I think we are closer to finding a solid 4 LBers that I thought.  I like Demario in the 3 point stance and Vrabel is still so tough and smart (anyone else see the timeout he called on 4th down right in Rivers face? that was classic) The pats played much better together than we do but it is only week 2 and again I cant say enough about Romeo's impact.

DBs - Very close actually.  Flowers reminds me of Ty Law and Otis smith had a good year that year but Carr seems to be improved this year.  Arenas made a great play on the goal line stand and that was nice to see a play by our Nickel CB.  Milloy and Berry are also similar players with Berry being more talented but not as experienced.  i was really impressed with our d backs and as young as they are they are an ascending group so this nod probably goes to the pats on experience but its close.

Special Teams - Cheifs get the nod but I think it is close since Vinateiri was so money so  many times.  But it is hard to ignore Colquit, DMC, and Arenas.

I found it pretty interesting to compare since we are being built by the same man.  I do not think we are on the path to the super bowl this year BUT there is a lot of things to be excited about and I can see the vision coming together.  Another successful offseason we should be ready to take over the AFC West for awhile.  The only wild card is Matt Cassel because if he does not progress we will almost have to take a qb round 1.

Thoughts?