Last year the Chiefs finished second in the AFC West at 10-6, the best record not to make the postseason.
So they fired their coach. Not really. Dick Vermeil just retired. The Chiefs replaced him with Herman Edwards, late of the New York Jets. I want to mock Edwards, who feels like a downgrade from Vermeil. But in five years with the Jets he won two playoff games, or one more than the beloved Broncos in that span.
Edwards' performance has been up-and-down. In those five years, his team had double-digit wins twice and double-digit losses twice. It's hard to say how good he really is, because the Jets had some serious questions every year. It'll be the same with Kansas City.
Fantasy football alert! Larry Johnson is a consensus top fantasy player this year. Last year, he gained 2,093 yards from scrimmage. He's the added dimension that will get the Chiefs over the hump this year, right? Not really. Priest Holmes beat that total each of his first three years with K.C. (2001-2003).
I like to watch Gatorade X-Factor Dante Hall at this point of his career. The explosive Hall has the ability to blow any game open. Emphasis on ability, not on actually doing it. If he was feared during that four or five-game stretch a couple years ago, he isn't now. Hall caught more than three passes in a game only twice last year and returned one kick for a touchdown.
The offense is still in good hands with Trent Green, who finished second in passing yards last year. I don't get Green-when I watch him, he doesn't do anything too special, but at the end of the year his statistics are always beautiful. He's got to be pretty, you know, good. And it's not like he loads up on short passes, either. The only questions are his age and backups.
I am slightly concerned because someone who knows way more football than I do, Sports Illustrated's Dr. Z, questions the Chiefs' offensive line. But the Chiefs had the league's top-rated offense last year, so even with a moderate slide they'll be spectacular.
On paper, the defense looks improved, but we've heard that song before. That said, I am intrigued by new corners Ty Law and Lenny Walls. Law is getting old, but he was amazing in the playoffs a year and a half ago and Walls is...well, I like Walls, too.
They'd better be solid, because I don't fear the pass rush. The Chiefs were below-average against both the pass and run last year, but weren't that bad. Edwards is certainly more defensive-minded than Vermeil, but I'm not sure if that will translate into actual improvement or just a slower-tempo club.
So I'm picking the Chiefs to do about what they did last year, which is what I'm doing for all the AFC West teams, it seems. Right now, they're the Broncos' most dangerous competition for the division title. I think they'll finish in second, with around nine wins, but they could surprise.
So they fired their coach. Not really. Dick Vermeil just retired. The Chiefs replaced him with Herman Edwards, late of the New York Jets. I want to mock Edwards, who feels like a downgrade from Vermeil. But in five years with the Jets he won two playoff games, or one more than the beloved Broncos in that span.
Edwards' performance has been up-and-down. In those five years, his team had double-digit wins twice and double-digit losses twice. It's hard to say how good he really is, because the Jets had some serious questions every year. It'll be the same with Kansas City.
Fantasy football alert! Larry Johnson is a consensus top fantasy player this year. Last year, he gained 2,093 yards from scrimmage. He's the added dimension that will get the Chiefs over the hump this year, right? Not really. Priest Holmes beat that total each of his first three years with K.C. (2001-2003).
I like to watch Gatorade X-Factor Dante Hall at this point of his career. The explosive Hall has the ability to blow any game open. Emphasis on ability, not on actually doing it. If he was feared during that four or five-game stretch a couple years ago, he isn't now. Hall caught more than three passes in a game only twice last year and returned one kick for a touchdown.
The offense is still in good hands with Trent Green, who finished second in passing yards last year. I don't get Green-when I watch him, he doesn't do anything too special, but at the end of the year his statistics are always beautiful. He's got to be pretty, you know, good. And it's not like he loads up on short passes, either. The only questions are his age and backups.
I am slightly concerned because someone who knows way more football than I do, Sports Illustrated's Dr. Z, questions the Chiefs' offensive line. But the Chiefs had the league's top-rated offense last year, so even with a moderate slide they'll be spectacular.
On paper, the defense looks improved, but we've heard that song before. That said, I am intrigued by new corners Ty Law and Lenny Walls. Law is getting old, but he was amazing in the playoffs a year and a half ago and Walls is...well, I like Walls, too.
They'd better be solid, because I don't fear the pass rush. The Chiefs were below-average against both the pass and run last year, but weren't that bad. Edwards is certainly more defensive-minded than Vermeil, but I'm not sure if that will translate into actual improvement or just a slower-tempo club.
So I'm picking the Chiefs to do about what they did last year, which is what I'm doing for all the AFC West teams, it seems. Right now, they're the Broncos' most dangerous competition for the division title. I think they'll finish in second, with around nine wins, but they could surprise.
Comments
Kennison all the way
1100 yards. wow. stop the press, this guy is the next jerry rice
Besides, a Chiefs receiver is like a Broncos tailback. With the way the teams operate, the No. 1 guy ought to have a thousand yards at the bare minimum, right?