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2007 Team Report: Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterbacks
Starter: Damon HuardBackup(s): Brodie Croyle Starting QB: After sending Trent Green to Miami this offseason, the Chiefs allowed Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle to battle for the starting job, eventually naming Huard the winner of that competition. Huard is an 11-year veteran entering his fourth season with the Chiefs, and could start a good chunk of the season depending on Croyle's performance. Huard started eight games for the Chiefs last year leading the team to five wins in those starts and bringing his career record as an NFL starter to 10-4. He finished second in the NFL with a 98.0 passer rating and threw just one interception in 244 attempts, a Chiefs single-season record (0.4 percent). He has good intangible qualities but only an average arm and poor throwing mechanics. Backup QB: Croyle was the Chiefs third-round pick in 2006 and efficiently ran a pro-style offense at Alabama under Mike Shula. He has a good arm and showed good poise and leadership in college, but did not play well enough during the 2007 preseason to lock down the starting job.
Running Backs
Starter: Larry JohnsonBackup(s): Michael Bennett, Kolby Smith, Priest Holmes
Fullback(s): Kris Wilson, Boomer Grigsby Starting RB: After holding out for most of camp, Larry Johnson agreed to a 5-year, $45mm deal with $19mm guaranteed and will once again serve as the focal point of the Chiefs ball control offense. Johnson logged an impressive 1,789 yards rushing and 17 TDs last season, but it took him 416 carries to get there. The offensive line has undergone further change, so LJ will again have to get yards after initial contact, something he thrived on a season ago. The team hopes to get Johnson more involved as a receiver this year, which would be a welcome sight for fantasy owners to be sure. Backup RBs: The Chiefs traded for Michael Bennett during training camp a year ago but got little production from him as he was slowed by injuries during much of the year. Durability has been a problem for Bennett throughout his career. He rushed for 1,296 yards for the Vikings in 2002, but he hasn't come close to that since. Rookie fifth-round draft pick Kolby Smith is a big, powerful runner who has good speed for his size. He runs hard between the tackles and could even see some action at fullback if he improves his blocking. Priest Holmes would make a nice third-down back, but Holmes is still recovering from injury and has not yet taken part in any full-contact drills. Fullback: The Chiefs one-back offense typically does not use a fullback. Tight end Kris Wilson sometimes lines up at fullback in formations that call for it.
Wide Receivers
Starters: Eddie Kennison, Samie ParkerBackups: Dwayne Bowe [R], Jeff Webb, Eddie Drummond, Bobby Sippio Starting WRs: Eddie Kennison has led the Chiefs WRs in receptions in each of the past four years. The 12-year veteran still has above-average speed and has developed into a reliable route-runner with good hands. In 2005, Kennison set career highs in both receptions and yards. In 2006, however, he failed to reach 1,000 yards for the first time in three years. While that may be an indication that his skills have started to decline, many observers believe his drop-off in production was due to the Chiefs' struggles in their overall passing game, not to poor play on Kennison's part. Opposite Kennison, Samie Parker appears to have held off rookie Dwayne Bowe, at least for the time being. Fourth-year player Samie Parker has occupied the starting job opposite Kennison for the last two years, but he has failed to distinguish himself. Parker has good speed and hands, but is not a physical receiver and often disappears for long stretches in games. Backup WRs: Dwayne Bowe will be a starter in Kansas City at some point, but whether he gets as hot in 2007 remains to be seen. Bowe is a big, physical receiver known for his excellent run-blocking in addition to his receiving skills. He is not a speed burner, but he is a polished receiver who can be a dangerous red-zone threat -- something the Chiefs have lacked in the past few years. Jeff Webb was a big-play receiver in college, but he saw very little playing time last year as a rookie for the Chiefs.
Tight Ends
Starters: Tony GonzalezBackups: Jason Dunn, Michael Allan [R] After setting an NFL record in 2004 for most receptions by a tight end with 102, Tony Gonzalez came back to Earth in 2005 and 2006. While Gonzalez has been at or near the top of the league in receptions and receiving yards by tight ends in each of the past eight years, his drop-off in touchdowns over the past two years is a concern. Gonzalez averaged 8.3 touchdowns per year from 1999-2004, but has averaged just 3.5 touchdowns per year since then. Jason Dunn gets plenty of playing time in the Chiefs double-TE formations but is used primarily as a blocker.
Place Kicker
Justin Medlock : General inconsistency did not help Lawrence Tynes' job security. Hitting the upright on a 23 yard attempt in a playoff game definitely didn't help. Although the Chiefs re-signed him during the off-season, the writing on the wall became clearer when they drafted Medlock in the fifth round. Medlock finished his career at UCLA in strong fashion, going 26 of 30 (86.7%) on field goals during his senior year. He has good range, and made some pressure kicks in games during college. The Chiefs slipped to 16th in kicker scoring in 2006, after having finished fourth the year before. CAMP UPDATE: After a good first game, rookie kicker Justin Medlock stumbled in the second game of the preseason. He made a 34 yard field goal against Miami later in the game, but missed wide left from 42 yards and hit the left upright from 37 yards out. HC Herm Edwards added, "I walked up to him after the second one, and I said, 'Hey, let me tell you something. We drafted you because you're a good kicker. You'll get another chance to kick before the night is over and you'll make the next one.' And he made it. At that point, we were winning the game."Kick and Punt Returners
Kick Returners: Jeff Webb; Benny Sapp; Samie Parker; Larry Johnson The Chiefs will have a very different and younger look on returns this year, having traded Dante Hall to the Rams. WR Jeff Webb did well in relief of Hall last year (7 returns, 24.1 avg.), and will likely be the starter this year. WR Chris Hannon saw work on kickoff returns last preseason, and may gain this year. Most of the potential backups' experience dates back to their college years. RB Larry Johnson had 59 career returns (22.8 avg.) and one TD at Penn State, WR Samie Parker had 7 career returns for Oregon as a sophomore, and CB Benny Sapp averaged 24.9 yards during his senior year at Northern Iowa. Sapp did have one return last year for 21 yards. Punt Returners: Samie Parker; Eddie Kennison; Jeff Webb; Derrick Ross WR Samie Parker has limited experience, but has emerged as the early frontrunner for the lead punt returner role. On those rare occasions when Dante Hall did not return punts, WR Eddie Kennison has typically gotten the call. He is the Chiefs' second leading punt returner since 2003, albeit with a grand total of seven returns. He averaged 6.0 yards on three returns last year. Jeff Webb is better suited to kickoff returns, although he may be tried on punt returns out of need. RB Derrick Ross had one return for no gain last year.Offensive Line
Projected Starters: LT Damion McIntosh, LG Brian Waters, C Casey Wiegmann, RG John Welbourn, RT Chris TerryKey Backups: Will Svitek, Rudy Niswanger, Kyle Turley, Herbert Taylor How the mighty have fallen. Once the class of the entire NFL, this unit now looks average at best. On the plus side, center Casey Wiegmann is getting long in the tooth but has started 95 straight games for the Chiefs. He'll do a good job again in 2007. Obviously Brian Waters is an excellent left guard. But that's where the sure things end and the questions begin. At right tackle it appears that veteran Chris Terry will start, but he is only a stopgap solution. The Chiefs paid big bucks to sign Damion McIntosh; but he isn't a dominant tackle and was considered expendable in San Diego and Miami. John Welbourn is a lunchpail type with a nasty streak; he wouldn't start on many NFL lines.
Team Defense
The Kansas City team defense was stuck in a deep tier of mediocre fantasy team DEF2 in 2006. Middle third finishes in total yards and points allowed and lackluster sack counts kept them from building on a top ten finish in takeaways. The Chief defense turned over the LB corps this offseason, bringing in Donnie Edwards, a perennial big play threat in San Diego. Kansas City may also start a youth movement in the defensive backfield with at least one and possibly two second year starters at safety. Jared Allen's loss to a suspension under the league's substance abuse policy will hold this unit back in the first two games of the season, but the prospects for the remainder of the season look good, especially if the middle of the run defense can improve and veteran corners Ty Law and Patrick Surtain can provide some more big play capability.Defensive Line
Starters: RDE Jared Allen, LDE Tamba Hali, DT Ron Edwards, DT Alfonso BooneBackups: DE/DT Jimmy Wilkerson, DT James Reed, DE/DT Turk McBride, DT Tank Tyler Starting DL: After finishing the 2006 season as one of the best all-around linemen in the league, Jared Allen spent the off-season complaining about his contract situation as a restricted free agent and was later suspended for the first four games of the 2007 season for violations of the conduct policy. The suspension was decreased to only two games in July, but while out Allen leaves a gaping hole on the right side of the line that the Chiefs will try to plug with a very average Jimmy Wilkerson and rookie Turk McBride. When Allen returns, he should go back to his usual disruptive presence as an edge rusher and pursuing run stuffer. Tamba Hali quickly established himself as one of the league's best all-around strong side ends as a rookie. Hali more than held his own, posting a solid 60 total tackles and seven sacks with four forced fumbles despite a hip injury that hindered him for a few games at mid-season. Alfonso Boone and Ron Edwards are currently listed as the starters at tackle but the Chiefs will use a rotation that now includes rookies Turk McBride and Tank Tyler in the hopes of improving last season's weak up-the-middle run defense. Backup DL: Jimmy Wilkerson and Turk McBride will have to cover for Jared Allen at end during Allen's suspension. Wilkerson is better inside and isn't likely to provide much pass rush. McBride, the team's second round pick, blossomed in his final college year as an end/tackle swingman but may not be strong enough or quick enough to fill that role in the NFL. Tank Tyler should provide the Chiefs with a valuable two gap defender on rush downs. He could vastly improve the front seven if he plays to his reported potential.
Linebackers
Starters: ROLB Donnie Edwards, MLB Napoleon Harris, LOLB Derrick JohnsonBackups: LB Kendrell Bell, LB Keyaron Fox, LB William Kershaw, WR Nate Harris Starting LBs: The Chiefs elected to overhaul their linebacking corps this off-season, bringing in veterans Donnie Edwards and Napoleon Harris to replace the disappointing Kendrell Bell and Kawika Mitchell, who had regressed after a solid 2005 season. Edwards continued to play at a high level in 2006, putting to rest concerns about how well he would recover from a knee injury in 2005 and what effect an ongoing contract feud with Charger GM AJ Smith might have on his on-field play. He can be exploited as a run defender at times but remains one of the league's best cover and pursuit backers. Harris was signed after spending a season as the MLB in Minnesota's Cover-2 scheme. He will bring a more physical presence in run support but projects only as a two down backer in this group. Derrick Johnson lost a number of games to a high ankle sprain last season but is one of the better young backers in the league. He has proven himself a younger version of Edwards; excellent in coverage and pursuit to go with an above average ability on the blitz. Backup LBs: Kendrell Bell moves into a reserve role and perhaps a fight for his roster spot with the addition of Donnie Edwards. Bell progressed last season but still struggled with consistent tackling and gap responsibility. Keyaron Fox put up decent boxscore lines while filling in for Derrick Johnson last season but wasn't impressive enough overall to keep the team from targeting extra help. He will remain an insurance policy behind the starting group.
Defensive Backs
Starters: CB Ty Law, CB Patrick Surtain, SS Bernard Pollard, FS Jarrad PageBackups: CB Benny Sapp,`S Greg Wesley, S Jon McGraw, CB Tyron Brackenridge, CB Dimitri Patterson Starting DBs: Ty Law and Patrick Surtain will be back at corner in 2007. Both are solid in coverage and have the ball skills to make plays. Law was his usual steady self in 2006 after signing just before camp, grabbing six interceptions. Surtain wasn't as productive turning the ball over but joined Law in providing above average run support. The Chiefs will get both of their promising second year safeties into the starting lineup this year. Jarrad Page got significant playing time last year rotating with Sammy Knight at strong safety. He proved scouting reports praising his ball skills and instincts in coverage accurate with four interceptions and nine passes defended as a part-time player. He'll take over at free safety while Bernard Pollard takes over on the strong side. Pollard is even bigger than Page and a physical presence in the middle. Backup DBs: The Chiefs will be thin behind veterans Ty Law and Patrick Surtain at corner. Benny Sapp is an average nickel corner; but will see the field some. The Chiefs have been very impressed with rookie Tyron Brackenridge and second year player Dimitri Patterson. Both have forced themselves into the mix at corner. Jon McGraw was added this offseason to provide depth. He has struggled with health and inconsistent play during his now five year career. The Chiefs have yet to move veteran Greg Wesley and will keep him on as a valuable veteran presence if they can't find a taker before the season begins. Last modified: 2007-09-03 19:48:31
