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2009 Team Report: Kansas City Chiefs

Quarterbacks

Starter: Matt Cassel
Backup(s): Tyler Thigpen, Brodie Croyle, Ingle Martin

Starting QB: Scott Pioli left New England to become the do everything GM for the Kansas City Chiefs, and his first order of business was to get Matt Cassel in a trade. Cassel never started a game in college when he backed up Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart. His pro career was following the same path, backing up Tom Brady for four years. He played poorly in the 2008 preseason but secured the No. 2 job and took over in Week 1 when Brady was lost for the season. Cassel struggled early as a starter, but each week he seemed to get better and better. The Patriots just missed the playoffs despite having an 11-5 record. Many thought a QB controversy was brewing when the Patriots put the franchise tag on Cassel. Instead, the Patriots dealt Cassel to the Chiefs for a second-round pick. Now the starting QB for Kansas City, there will be pressure for Cassel to duplicate his 2008 performance in New England.

Backup QB: Tyler Thigpen played surprisingly well for the Chiefs at times in 2008. While somewhat limited as a QB he was able to run Chan Gailey's pistol offense very effectively. He finished the season as the No. 12 fantasy QB and many thought he would start the season as the No. 1 QB for KC. When the Chiefs traded for Matt Cassel, it signaled the end of Thigpen's starting days. However, he does have the athleticism and experience to be a quality backup. There was a time when Brodie Croyle was supposed to be the QB of the future in Kansas City. He has struggled to stay healthy during his three years with the Chiefs and has thrown only six TDs and eight INTs. With only Ingle Martin behind him on the depth chart, it appears that Croyle's job as the No. 3 QB is safe for this year.

Running Backs

Starter: Larry Johnson
Backup(s): Jamaal Charles, Kolby Smith, Javarris Williams [R], Jackie Battle, Dantrell Savage
Fullback(s): Mike Cox

Starting RB: Larry Johnson started the 2008 season on fire, highlighted by his 198-yard effort against Denver in Week 4. However, his season started to slide after that, and he missed several games due to injury in the middle of the season. He returned in limited duty at first but only scored two rushing TDs over the last half of the season. Earlier in the offseason there were reports of Larry Johnson demanding a trade. Those talks have died down and it seems like LJ is going out of his way to make a positive impression on the new regime in Kansas City. He should be the lead back in a RBBC for the Chiefs in 2009. If he stays healthy he could be a Top 20 fantasy RB in the new system.

Backup RBs: The new regime is expecting a lot from Jamaal Charles this season. Charles could play the Kevin Faulk role for this team and should get plenty of opportunities on passing downs. He is dangerous in space, and has the speed to take defenses by surprise. Kolby Smith has been an effective backup when healthy but presents little upside if pressed into duty. Javarris Williams is the powerful rookie from Tennessee State that the Chiefs drafted in the seventh round. He runs with a low pad level, has good field vision, and shows adequate patience when running the football. Jackie Battle is a tweener that can be used as a receiving back. Dantrell Savage was off and on the Chiefs roster in 2008 and will once again be on the roster bubble.

Fullback: Mike Cox is a bruising lead blocker that can be used as an emergency receiver out of the backfield. His fantasy upside is limited as there are better options in the backfield.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Dwayne Bowe, Mark Bradley
Backups: Bobby Engram, Devard Darling, Jeff Webb, Terrance Copper, Taurus Johnson

Starting WRs: Dwayne Bowe likes to call himself "D-Show" and he could certainly put on a show in 2009. He will be asked to play the Randy Moss role in this new offense. Entering his third year, many inside the organization are expecting a breakout year from the big receiver. He's gone from the No. 24 fantasy receiver in his rookie season to No. 16 last year. This could be the year that he breaks into the Top 15, and because he's such a great option in the red zone, getting double-digit TDs isn't out of the question. Mark Bradley surprised many around the league with his out-of-nowhere performance in 2008. He was certainly on the fantasy radar when he came out of Oklahoma, but injuries and inconsistencies plagued him during his time in Chicago. Signed by the Chiefs in Week 7, it didn't take Bradley long to make an impact. In his second game with the Chiefs he caught five passes for 42 yards and one TD. With Dwayne Bowe drawing double teams consistently, Bradley should be able to exploit one-on-one coverage. The biggest question with Bradley is whether he can stay healthy for an entire season.

Backup WRs: The Chiefs signed Bobby Engram to work out of the slot and perhaps be a starting receiver if Mark Bradley is injured or ineffective. Engram is getting up there in age, but is one of the hardest workers in football. A savvy route runner, Engram knows how to find the soft spot in a zone and should help KC keep drives alive with his sure hands. Devard Darling is a reclamation project of sorts since leaving Baltimore last year. He has deep-threat ability as evidenced by his 18.1 YPC in 2007. Jeff Webb was selected in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft but has yet to stay healthy and develop as a consistent WR. Terrance Copper has bounced around from Dallas, New Orleans, and Baltimore and now finds himself in KC. He will be in a fight for a roster spot with Priority Free Agent Taurus Johnson. Johnson is a raw speedster with natural talent and could develop into a solid backup receiver.

Tight Ends

Starters: Brad Cottam
Backups: Sean Ryan, Tony Curtis

The Chiefs made plans for life without Tony Gonzalez when they picked Brad Cottam out of Tennessee in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. With Gonzalez now gone to Atlanta it will be time for Cottam to shine. He is a big target at 6'7, 270 pounds and moves surprisingly well for such a big man. He does have good hands and can overpower defenders for the football. New Head Coach Todd Haley didn't feature the TE in his offense in Arizona. In New England the TEs were asked to stay in and block more than go out for passes, so we'll see if that holds true now that Scott Pioli is in Kansas City. Cottam is very talented but shouldn't come anywhere near Tony Gonzalez's stats from 2008.

Place Kicker

Ryan Succop : Rookie Ryan Succop had a strong career placekicking, punting, and kicking off at South Carolina, although an abdominal muscle tear affected his senior year numbers. He appeared to be fully recovered by year's end, and the new coaching staff (i.e. Steve Hoffman) thought enough of him to select him with the final pick in the draft. After some success during the Dick Vermeil years, Kansas City slipped to 16th in Herm Edwards first year in 2006, and then plummeted to 31st in 2007 and 32nd last year scoring only 79 points. Succop may not be very busy.

Kick and Punt Returners

Kick Returners: Dantrell Savage, Quinten Lawrence, Jamaal Charles, Maurice Leggett, Jeff Webb

RB Dantrell Savage didn't initially win the return specialist role last year as a rookie; however he has survived B.J. Sams and Kevin Robinson and enters 2009 as the incumbent. His 24.3 yard average on 26 returns was the best on the team last year. His primary competition is expected to come from the small and very fast sixth round draft pick WR Quinten Lawrence from McNeese State. He didn't have extensive kickoff return experience, averaging 19.0 yards on 22 returns during his four years. RB Jamaal Charles had not handled any returns in college at Texas; however he averaged 21.3 yards on 15 returns for the Chiefs in 2008. Potential backups/upmen include CB Maurice Leggett (5 returns, 20.6) and WR Jeff Webb (10 returns, 20.4 in 2007).

Punt Returners: Dantrell Savage, Quinten Lawrence, Bobby Engram, Ricardo Colclough

In contrast to his kickoffs, Dantrell Savage posted the worst numbers on the team last year on punts (8 returns, 2.1 avg.). Quinten Lawrence had even less college experience on punt returns, but he made it count. His lone punt return came last year and went 70 yards for a score. Savage and Lawrence will compete for the primary punt returner role. As a fallback option, there's always reliable and effective WR Bobby Engram. With Seattle from 2001 to 2008 he averaged 11.0 yards and scored twice on his 70 returns. As a last resort there is Ricardo Colclough. He started out 2006 as the Steelers' punt returner (4 returns, 1.5 avg.), however it didn't last long after he kept putting the ball on the ground. The Chiefs typically ranked in the top half of the league in fantasy returns during the Dick Vermeil and Dante Hall era, including a number one in 2003. The last two years they ranked 28th and 23rd.

Offensive Line

Projected Starters: LT Branden Albert, LG Brian Waters, C Rudy Niswanger, RG Mike Goff, RT Damion McIntosh
Key Backups: T Colin Brown [R], T Herb Taylor, C Eric Ghiaciuc

The Chiefs have made some good moves along the offensive line, but age is becoming a concern and needs to be addressed for the future. However, the outlook in 2009 looks decent with 38 years of experience among the starters. The best of the bunch is likely second-year starting left tackle Branden Albert, who has elite potential as he gains experience. A solid addition this year is veteran right guard Mike Goff, who brings a tenacious attitude to the group. Brian Waters is still a top-notch guard, and Damion McIntosh has held his own at right tackle.

Team Defense

The Chiefs are yet another club in the process of converting to a 3-4 scheme. Just like all the others they will experience a learning curve and a period of personnel adjustment. One advantage they have is that their DL is set. Last year's first-round pick Glenn Dorsey should fit very well at one DE and they used this year's No. 1 on Tyson Jackson to play opposite him. The huge, 320+ pound run-stuffer Tank Tyler should be right at home at nose tackle. Unfortunately, that's where the good fit ends. Tamba Hali will try to transition to OLB. He may be fine, but it will take time and there are no assurances. The Chiefs traded for Mike Vrabel to play the other OLB spot, but at 34 he is no more than a stopgap and an extra coach on the field. Derrick Johnson and Zach Thomas will man the ILB positions. Johnson may be fine here but Thomas tried to play ILB in a 3-4 last year in Dallas with less than stellar results. The Chiefs were hurting for talent on defense last year when they finished in the Bottom 4 against the run and pass, in yards and scoring. It may actually get worse before it gets better.

Defensive Line

Starters: DE Tyson Jackson, NT Tank Tyler, DE Glenn Dorsey
Backups: DE Alfonso Boone, DE Alex Magee, NT Ron Edwards

Starting DL: The Chiefs will install a hybrid front defense under new defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast this season. Expect the team to mix its fronts up this season, with fewer pure 3-4 fronts until they are able to bring in more versatile personnel along the front seven. The defensive line jobs are all open competitions entering OTAs, but third overall draft pick Tyson Jackson should be a lock to start at one defensive end position. His role will likely mirror that of Darnell Dockett in Arizona last season, who moved inside as a pass rushing tackle on nickel downs. The Chiefs have yet to decide what to do with last year's high first round draft pick Glenn Dorsey. Initial reports suggested that he'd be tried at nose tackle, despite his relative lack of size for the position. Followup reports have him slated to take snaps at end. His transition to a hybrid front may be difficult at either position. Tank Tyler would play the nose if Dorsey is used as a defensive end.

Backup DL: Alfonso Boone has played both end and tackle in previous seasons. He'll see time in rotation at end and could earn the starting nod if Glenn Dorsey is used at nose tackle. Alex Magee may be the long term answer with Tyson Jackson at end. He fits in a 3-4 scheme. Ron Edwards will be a reserve tackle.

Linebackers

Starters: OLB Tamba Hali, ILB Derrick Johnson, ILB Zach Thomas, OLB Mike Vrabel
Backups: ILB Monty Beisel, OLB Brian Johnston, LB Demorrio Williams

Starting LBs: The Chiefs will be looking for a consistent rush OLB this season. Mike Vrabel came over from New England in a trade and his veteran presence will be valuable during the transition to the hybrid front defensive scheme, but he's no longer an impact pass rusher. Tamba Hali is likely to start at the other outside linebacker spot, but may struggle in a two point stance in all phases of the game. The Chiefs will need him to be as successful as Greg Ellis was in Dallas in a similar change in role. Derrick Johnson will play the strong inside linebacker position and should be a solid player. Veteran Zach Thomas was signed in free agency and will likely start at WILB. Thomas struggled in a similar role in Dallas last season behind a much better defensive line. He's unlikely to return to form in Kansas City.

Backup LBs: The Chiefs are very thin at linebacker for the 3-4 portion of the hybrid front. Demorrio Williams is athletic, but has no clear role in this scheme. He might work his way into nickel packages and could start inside if Zach Thomas struggles. Monty Beisel is a reserve with some experience in Pendergast's scheme but won't see the field unless there's an injury. Last year's seventh round pick Brian Johnston has some edge rushing talent, but will have to show he can play from a two point stance to stay on the roster.

Defensive Backs

Starters: CB Brandon Flowers, SS Bernard Pollard, FS Jarrad Page, CB Brandon Carr
Backups: CB Travis Daniels, CB Maurice Leggett, CB Donald Washington, S DaJuan Morgan

Starting DBs: The Chiefs found two solid young corners in the draft last season. Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr should continue to improve in their second seasons and fit well in an aggressive scheme with a lot of zone coverage. Both will be needed in run support and could surprise with good interception numbers if the Chiefs can find a way to consistently rush the passer. Bernard Pollard survived the threat of a rotation at safety last season to put up 78 solo tackles. Pollard is a big play, in-the-box safety but only average in coverage. He could see more time around the line of scrimmage and in pass rush in the new scheme. Jarrad Page also had career highs in tackles last season and continued to make plays in coverage with four interceptions and twelve passes defensed.

Backup DBs: Travis Daniels was signed in free agency and heads into camp as the favorite to play in nickel packages. Rookie Donald Washington will battle Maurice Leggett for playing time behind Daniels. DaJuan Morgan is very capable third safety and could see playing time in rotation if either starter struggles.

Last modified: 2009-07-28 20:26:32