Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 1/4

Good morning and welcome to Arrowheadlines! We have today's Kansas City Chiefs news from across the internet. Enjoy!

Since the NFL merger in 1970, 61 assistant coaches have been promoted to head coach and only five - 8 percent - led their teams to Super Bowl victories.

Those five former assistants were the Baltimore Colts' Don McCafferty (1970), the Raiders' John Madden (1976) and Tom Flores (1980, '83), the Giants' Bill Parcells (1986, '90) and the 49ers' George Seifert (1989, '94).

Certainly, it's difficult winning a Super Bowl under any circumstances, but of those 61 promoted assistants, only 11 - 18 percent - managed winning records with the programs they inherited.

Hiring An NFL Coach Can Be A Perverse Exercise from KC Star

Fan voting is currently underway on the Chiefs Facebook page for the top offensive play of the 2011 season. This year, fan voting will determine the order of 65TPT's Top-10 of 2011 lists.

First up, it's the Top-10 Offensive Plays of the 2011 season. Voting will stay open through Thursday night (VOTE HERE) before the Top-10 results are unveiled on KCChiefs.com Saturday morning (1/7/12). Next week, we'll open voting for the Top-10 Defensive plays of 2011, followed by voting for the Top-10 Moments of 2011.

Some of the nominees for the top offensive plays include...

Vote For The Chiefs Top Offensive Play Of The 2011 Season from The Mothership

Symbolic of the ever-changing NFL climate, 50-gallon trash bags lined the Chiefs locker room as players prepared to exit for the offseason.

Some players cleaned out their lockers completely; fully aware it might be the last time they step foot inside the team's training facility. Others only removed immediate necessities.

Hugs were had, handshakes received and contact information exchanged. A group of players would gather for a final game pickup basketball at a local health club Monday evening before heading separate directions for the next few months or longer.

Players For Leave For Offseason With Eye On Head Coaching Direction from The Mothership

The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Tuesday that the club has signed six players: FB Shane Bannon, OL Rob Bruggeman, LB Caleb Campbell, WR Jamar Newsome, DL Luke Patterson and DT Anthony Toribio.

Kansas City Signs Six Players from The Mothership

Typically it has been Jackie Battle getting the most carries, with Thomas Jones (-0.7) and Dexter McCluster (+2.6) getting a fair amount. With Battle on injured reserve for the last game, McCluster had more carries than usual and he made the most of them. Late in the first quarter, the Chiefs had 90 yards to go for a touchdown, and McCluster accounted for 54 of them on four carries. The first two runs came on third downs, and he gave the team a new set of downs both times. The last two were longer runs, where on the first he followed his blockers for 16 yards. On the second, however, he decided to cut back since he saw open field, and then was simply able to outrun everyone else for the game's only touchdown. On the game he had 12 carries which was a season high for him.

Re-Focused: Chiefs @ Broncos from Pro Football Focus

The remaining question is with the Kansas City Chiefs. However, it would be a major upset if interim coach Romeo Crennel isn't kept. The Chiefs went 2-1, including a win over the 15-1 Green Bay Packers, in the three games Crennel was the coach after Todd Haley was fired. The Chiefs' brass likes Crennel and he is revered by Kansas City's players. It would be a shock if he isn't given the permanent job soon.

Unexpected Stability In The AFC West from ESPN

The home schedule is notable as fans will be able to see former Chief, Tony Gonzalez, come back to town in what could be his final season. Gonzalez signed a one-year contract on Monday for a reported $7 million, according to the team's official web site.

While Gonzalez is finishing up a Hall of Fame career, Chiefs fans will get to see a player that some think is just embarking on what could turn into a Hall of Fame career, Panthers quarterback, Cam Newton.

KC Chiefs 2012 Opponents Announced By NFL; Gonzo Returning To KC With Falcons from Examiner.com

Let's establish something right away.

The Chiefs will not become one of the NFL's elite teams unless they upgrade significantly at quarterback...
...Surely if all those injured players return, and the offensive line can be made a little stronger, that's good enough - isn't it?

No.

Cassel had the benefit of a powerhouse running game led by Jamaal Charles, he had a healthy Tony Moeaki at tight end - and STILL the Chiefs managed just a single TD in each of their last two games that year.

Candid Cameron: Chiefs Need QB Upgrade from FOX Sports Kansas City

Cassel was back throwing passes by the end of the year, though his place on injured reserve meant he wouldn't have been able to help down the stretch. And the trio of torn ACLs has recovered nicely, which means Moeaki, Berry and Charles should be ready by the start of April minicamps.

"They're all making good progress, they're all rehabbing," said interim coach Romeo Crennel, who is expected to learn soon whether he'll get the permanent job. "I've been told they're on schedule as far as their rehab goes. Whether that's football-ready or not, I can't say that right now."

After Season Marked By Devastating Injuries, Chiefs Hope To Be Back At Full Strength By April from The Associated Press via The Washington Post

11. Kansas City Chiefs*: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama: The Chiefs lost Jamaal Charles in the second week of the 2011 NFL season, and the offense never rebounded. Charles should be back and healthy next season, but Richardson is the rare running back talent who can completely change an offense. The way this mock draft has unfolded, he'll be slipping out of the Top 10 - something few scouts or experts expect. A different type of back from Charles, the two could work together to form a dynamic duo in the Kansas City backfield.

Post-Regular Season Mock Draft from FOX Sports

Best fit, team/coaches: Burfict would be an excellent fit for the Kansas City Chiefs as a violent interior force in their 3-4. Not only would he fit in the Chiefs' scheme scheme, but Romeo Crennel could help Burfict overcome issues controlling his emotions - if Crennel remains as head coach.

Projected draft position: Burfict has been rumored to be a late first-round pick. While that is possible, we believe hes most likely will be a second- or third-round pick by a team that has a history of handling players who come into the NFL with baggage.

Vontaze Burfict's Intensity Intriguing, But Rage A Red Flag from SportingNews

Patriots Pro Bowl left guard Brian Waters is returning to the playoffs this season in his first season with the Patriots. He was on a 13-3 Chiefs team in 2003 that lost in the AFC Divisional round to the Colts, 38-31. So he knows the heartbreak of one-and-done at home.

He also knows what an intimidating factor noise can be as he played 11 seasons in Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium.

"Good question," Waters responded before a very long pause and some laughter, presumably to himself. "It's a tough question. You're right, I have played in some loud places, and this place can be loud - at times."

Could the Patriots' home venue be louder and more intimidating?

"You said that. I didn't say that," Waters smiled, quick to cover his rear.

Brian Waters: Gillette Stadium 'Can Be Loud - At Times' from It Is What It Is

KANSAS CITY -- This one is easy, once the Chiefs decide whether to keep Romeo Crennel as coach (they should). Getting back running back Jamaal Charles, safety Eric Berry, quarterback Matt Cassel and tight end Tony Moeaki will be a huge boost. The secondary could be among the league's best with Berry.

How To Fix 20 Teams For 2012 from The Las Vegas Review-Journal

TODD HALEY, Kansas City: Oftentimes when coaches are fired, players feel awful about it and try to convince the media that the underperformance was not the coach's fault. The Chiefs responded by going out and beating the undefeated Packers. So yeah...pretty sure Todd Haley's players weren't all that fond of him. The only thing missing after the Packers game was the Chiefs' entire team kneeling before Romeo Crennell and chanting, "Hail to Romeo! The wicked Todd is dead!" and Kyle Orton handing Crennell Haley's broomstick.

Forecasting The NFL Head Coach Guillotine from The Houston Press