Kansas City Chiefs Predictions
July 2, 2008
The Chiefs used to be one of the oldest teams in the league, but they have made their move in 2008 to become younger and build more for the future. They got rid of several aging starters and unproductive reserves, and replaced them with 12 draft picks. Many will be asked to help out immediately. While the Chiefs have a foundation to contend for an AFC West Championship by 2010, this season could be a bumpy one. Let’s see how bumpy it will be with our 2008 Kansas City Chiefs predictions below.
Offense:
A lot depends on Brodie Croyle in his first full season as a starter. How far Croyle takes the Chiefs is yet to be seen, but he should be improved by being more mentally prepared to be a full-time starter in this league. The Chiefs will give Croyle more help this season with an improved offensive line and a solid running game. If he falters, the Chiefs will go with veteran Damon Huard. He’s more than just a capable fill-in.
The Chiefs are heavily dependent on Larry Johnson returning to his previous form if they are to be competitive this season. A contract holdout, a terrible offensive line and a broken foot made 2007 a year Johnson would like to forget. Johnson will be in camp on time and fully recovered from injury for a fresh start to his 2008 campaign. Kolby Smith will see playing time after impressing Chiefs’ management in Johnson’s absence last season. Kansas City drafted Jamaal Charles of Texas and they have high hopes for this speedy playmaker in the near future.
Dwayne Bowe finally gives the Chiefs a big-play receiver they have desperately been missing for years. Throw in Tony Gonzalez and the Chiefs look solid in their receiving corps for the first time in a long time. But there’s a big drop off after those two. Brad Cottam was drafted in the third round to be a blocking tight end and Gonzales’ eventual successor.
Refusing to be more active in free agency hurt the offensive line’s chances of improving. The Chiefs did sign journeyman Wade Smith from the Jets, and he easily could wind up being their starting center. The major acquisition was Branden Albert, who cam over from Virginia in the first round. Albert is penciled in as a starter at left tackle, but could end up on the right side or at guard depending on how effective he is. Veteran Damion McIntosh will shift to right tackle or guards depending on Albert’s ability to win the left tackle job. Fromer Pro Bowler Brian Waters is back at left guard. The other two spots will either go to Smith or waiver pickups or other young players on the team.
Defense:
The Chiefs will fill the loss end Jared Allen not only for his 15.5 sacks, but also his all-out effort on every single play. But this retooled defensive line will include their top draft pick, Glenn Dorsey from LSU. Tamba Hali becomes the featured pass rusher by moving from left end to right. Hali has all the tools to record 15.5 sacks himself. Tackle Alfonso Boone shifts to left end, while Dorsey becomes the tackle next to Ron Edwards. Depth is a major concern once you get past these four starters, though.
Demorrio Williams is a big-impact free agent signed by the Chiefs in the offseason. He’ll likely win one of the outside linebackers spots. Veteran Donnie Edwards could be moved to the middle if he does. Despite being 35, Edwards has great range and should fit great in the middle in the Chiefs’ Cover 2 system. Derrick Johnson has Pro Bowl potential as the Chiefs’ other outside linebacker. Williams will be pushing Napoleon Harris, who started at middle linebacker last season. Harris missed too many tackles, prompting the Chiefs to pick up Williams from the Falcons.
Second-round pick Brandon Flowers replaces Ty Law after the Chiefs released him in the offseason. He’s faster than Law so the Chiefs feel better about Flowers’ ability in one-on-one coverage. He’s a reliable tackler who isn’t afraid to come up and lay the wood on opposing running backs. Patrick Surtain retains the other starting spot, but the Chiefs will groom fifth-round pick Brandon Carr to eventually take his spot. Tyron Brackenridge will retain his nickel spot after playing well there as a rookie. The Chiefs worked with Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollards as their starting safeties last year and could begin to reap the benefits this season.
Info Plays 2008 Kansas City Chiefs Predictions
We like the move for the Chiefs to get younger in the offseason. This is precisely what they needed to do to be able to compete in the future. But it’s likely to be another bumpy season this year. Chiefs’ fans won’t have many expectations, though, so maybe K.C. can surprise some folks this year. The Chiefs just have to try and remember what it takes to win ball games after losing 9 straight to end the 2007 season. Kansas City will be competitive against the Raiders and Broncos as they always are, but look for this young team to get absolutely destroyed by the Chargers within their division. K.C. hangs tough in the AFC West with Oakland, but in the end they don’t have enough experience to win many ball games in 2008. The Chiefs finish in last place in the AFC West division.