Character....it is the mold of the Chiefs...it is what forms great teams.  There are winners.  But teams that win without character rarely become dynasties.  They do not hold teams knocking at the endzone door.  They do not win the ugly games.  They may at times, as an egotistical superstar gallops the length of the field to save the game and prances thru the endzone and blows kisses to himself or takes a moment to fake a cell phone call.  But the teams that are remembered are the ones who win year in and year out.

Whether or not it is planned..the current play on the field will only grow the Chiefs into a better team.  I think the limited play of JC and even toning down Dexter is a good thing.  We have a lot of blossoming stars...the defensive backfield is going to be an awesome force when these young kids grow and learn.  JC and whoever is in the offensive backfield with him are going to explode down the field.  But we need a wide receiver to step up, besides Moeaki, and get good openings and seperation.  Cassel is getting time that he has never had before.  And some blame has to be on him, but I am not seeing a wide receiver step up to take leadership.  And perhaps that is what is needed for this team to take the next step....and perhaps that is what Haley is looking for, people to step up and take control.   He challenges players.  And while we all questioned his tactics last year in benchings and demotions, etc., the players responded.  Not negatively, save one or two players who have moved on and will continue to drift into obscurity.  No, great players are responding to the call for leadership.  DJ is taking his place where he was hoped to shine.  Dorsey and Jackson are responding, Smith is playing a little ugly with a Chiefs flavor.  The defensive backfield of youngsters will continue to gel and be out of this world...seriously out of this world.

OFFENSE--sarcasm is needed here.  We lack it...we lack leadership.  And not all of that falls on Cassel.  Yes he is the one who should be seen as the leader...but any leader needs captains, not matter if we had a cannon armed demi-god throwing TDs or not.  And perhaps that is also why Jones is seeing more carries.  Because he is a veteran that can bring leadership to the young offensive players,  because even though Bowe and JC have been around for a bit now, they still are playing like youngsters.  They need to step up.  Not be talkers off the field, but on the field (Bowe reference here, JC seems to be a team player on and off).  Bowe needs to be coming to the huddle with fire in his eyes, or Chamberlain, or someone.  Someone needs to be coming into the huddle and looking into Cassel's eyes and saying "What next Boss"  And perhaps that is what Jones is being asked to bring.  To bring the voice in the huddle to support the growth.  Just like a quiet leader did for the defense...a person of character named Vrabel.