2008 NFL Preview > Kansas City Chiefs Preview

2008 Kansas City Chiefs Football Preview

Head Coach: Herm Edwards

2007 Record: 4-12

Key Additions: OT Branden Albert, RB Jamaal Charles, WR Devard Darling, DT Glenn Dorsey, CB Brandon Flowers, WR William Franklin, FB Chris Manderino, S Dajuan Morgan, RS B.J. Sams, OLB Demorrio Williams

Key Losses: DE Jared Allen, LB Kendrell Bell, FB Boomer Grigsby, WR Eddie Kennison, CB Ty Law, WR Samie Parker, C Casey Weigmann, G John Welbourn, S Greg Wesley

The Chiefs have aged rather quickly over the past few years. Under Dick Vermeil, the Kansas City offense was among the most efficient in the NFL and featured players such as Trent Green, Priest Holmes, Willie Roaf, and Will Shields. Holmes, Roaf and Shields have retired, Green should have saved his cranium the trouble and followed suit before last season. One has to wonder what Herm Edwards was thinking when he walked out on the Jets a few years ago in order to take the Kansas City job. To make matters worse for next season, sack champion Jared Allen demanded a trade in the offseason and was sent to the Vikings for draft picks.

2008 Kansas City Chiefs Offense:

The Chiefs are beginning to resemble Herm Edwards’ Jets teams on offense, and that is not a positive development for Kansas City fans. Edwards has taken his conservative, play- not-to-lose offensive philosophy (or what I like to call Dave Wannstedt football) and indoctrinated it into Kansas City’s offense with dogmatic fervor, so much that the once proud offense scored only 14.1 points per game last season, the 2 nd worst total in the NFL. However, not all of the Chiefs offensive woes can be laid at the feet of Edwards. General manager Carl Peterson has failed to replenish an aging offensive line that lost future hall of famers Shields and Roaf to retirement before last season. The selection of Virginia offensive lineman Branden Albert should help, as the former Cavalier has reportedly looked good in training camp and was set to start at left tackle before going down with an injured foot. However, besides Albert and guard Brian Waters, the rest of the offensive line is short on talent. Brody Croyle is the starting quarterback, but he has shown little in his two years in the league, besides that he looks like he belongs in the cast of Porky’s. This year will be telling for Croyle. His best target at wide receiver is second year starter Dwayne Bowe, who put up a solid rookie campaign, especially for a wide receiver. Future hall of fame tight end Tony Gonzalez is back for another season, and should continue to play at a high level. Fourth round pick Will Franklin and free agent pick up Devard Darling will compete for the starting wide receiver spot opposite Bowe. Larry Johnson is hoping to rebound from his worst season as a starter and would benefit from some imaginative play calling from new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey (ironically he served in the same position under Wannstedt with the Dolphins).

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2008 Kansas City Chiefs Defense:

The Chiefs drafted Glenn Dorsey fifth overall, and the beastly defensive tackle from LSU could contend for defensive rookie of the year honors if he can stay fully healthy. Turk McBride will aim to replace Jared Allen at defensive end and Tamba Hali who notched 7.5, sacks last season will start again at right end. Derrick Johnson can fly to the ball from his position at outside linebacker, however the linebacking unit as a whole is rather weak. Rookie Brandon Flowers has won the starting cornerback spot across from Patrick Surtain and should be tested early and often by opposing offenses.

2008 Kansas City Chiefs Special Teams:

B.J. Sams is penciled in to return kicks and punts. Nick Novak, formerly of the Redskins is the favorite to become the place kicker. Dan Colquitt returns at punter and will likely play a major role again this season.

2008 Kansas City Chiefs Expectations:

The Chiefs could very well be the worst team in the NFL this year, although the same thing could have been said at the beginning of last season. Kansas City is clearly rebuilding, but one has to wonder if Carl Peterson in the right man for the job, given his recent track record. In Peterson’s defense, he did receive high marks from all the experts in the Chief’s most recent draft. Dorsey should give Chiefs fans a reason to cheer this season and if Croyle can develop into a legitimate starter, the Chiefs could hold their own in the underwhelming AFC West.

2008 Kansas City Chiefs Prediction: 4th place in the AFC West

By Glenn Katzman
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer

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