Kansas City Chiefs 2011 Preview
OK, I have a confession to make. Not only did I have no motivation whatsoever, as in nada, zero, to write about the Kansas City Chiefs or the NFL during the recently ended lock-out, but the fact is it has taken several more days for the sting of the strike to wear off. I hate strikes. There are far too many people involved with ancillary aspects of the NFL; we are talking not only jobs here but also the enjoyment of football for its own sake, a reprieve from the realities of the daily grind in this economy of ours. For the owners to lock-out the players & threaten the livelihood of the game we all love doesn’t sit well with me, particularly given the leagues history of actually cancelling real games. So please forgive me if I am slow to warm-up to this suddenly new reality that we really are ready for some football.
In 2010 the Kansas City Chiefs shocked most NFL fans as they jumped from a 4-12 record in 2009 to 10-6 & an AFC West Division Title before flaming out in the playoffs, falling hard to the Baltimore Ravens. This year’s version of the Chiefs should prove to be a lively & fun team to follow with not so great a difference from the year before in terms of productivity & competitiveness. Make no mistake, Kansas City has improved its football team further during this off-season & they enter the 2011 NFL season with high hopes. The big challenge for KC this year will be a significantly more difficult schedule. Instead of playing the NFC West (Rams, Seahawks, 49ers & Cardinals) they get the NFC Central (Packers, Bears, Vikings & Lions). Also, instead of AFC matchups with the Jaguars, Texans, Titans & Browns, they get the Steelers, Patriots, Jets & Dolphins. Which set of teams would you prefer to see on your schedule?
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Significant moves for KC on the offensive side of the ball include signing two new wide receivers: #1 draft pick WR Jonathan Baldwin out of Pitt along with free agent Steve Breaston from the Arizona Cardinals. These two receivers could prove very complimentary to Pro Bowler Dwayne Bowe & give the Chiefs a truly dangerous vertical passing attack. KC also picked up bruising fullback Le’Ron McClain from the Ravens, no doubt to plow open monster holes for Jamaal Charles, Dexter McCluster & Thomas Jones. Quarterback Matt Cassel will be the key again for this team. He will have plenty of skill players around him to work with but the offensive line continues to be a big question mark if KC hopes to win a playoff game.
On the defensive side of the ball the Chiefs helped their cause immensely by re-signing two key players: pass rusher Tamba Hali & cornerback Brandon Carr. 3rd round draft pick Justin Houston, a linebacker out of Georgia, might be a starter & impact player right away if he can keep his head on straight. Another acquisition to watch is defensive lineman Allen Bailey out of Miami who might contribute in a big way.
Suffice it to say the Chiefs should have a good chance this season to defend their AFC West crown. Certainly the Chargers & probably the Raiders will contend too. No telling with the Broncos. Given the ramped up strength of their 2011 schedule KC looks like this: have they improved enough to hang with the big boys of the NFL and, ultimately, can they win a playoff game for the first time in 18 years? Time will tell. At least they can entertain that question thanks to Scott Pioli dragging this team out of the gutter & the fact that the Kansas City Chiefs are ready for some football!
By Allan Gardner
ProFootball-fans.com Kansas City Chiefs Correspondent