2006 Chiefs preview
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If the preseason is any indication, the Chiefs are a long way from the team that barely missed the playoffs last season. New head coach Herman Edwards is not only trying to fix the defense but get the Chiefs to play more as a team, meaning more ball-control and game management on the part of the offense. That, of course, means lots of carries for Larry Johnson.
Edwards is installing the Tampa 2 scheme and the Chiefs have the perfect pair of corners to play it in Patrick Surtain and newcomer Ty Law. Edwards says this is the fastest group of linebackers he's coached. The D's weakness is up front. The offense's issues are up front, too, what with tackles Willie Roaf and John Welborne retiring. Kansas City still has plenty of talent, starting with Trent Green and Tony Gonzalez, but the Chiefs are old, and maybe we're seeing that this roster needs more rebuilding than retooling.
The Chiefs have some weapons to build around offensively, namely RB Larry Johnson, but they really need to get their offensive line sorted out. Due to the retirement of OTs Willie Roaf and John Welbourn, this is a line with no real identity. QB Trent Green is still playing at a high level, but he is not nearly as mobile as he once was and is used to getting great protection. The offensive line play could also affect TE Tony Gonzalez, the Chiefs' No. 1 target in the passing game. When issues arose on the O-line in 2005, Gonzalez had to be used more in pass protection, which hindered the overall effectiveness of K.C.'s passing offense.
The Chiefs really need to sort out their offensive issues because their most serious problems are actually on the defensive side of the ball. This is still a group that is not as physical as it would like to be up front. It compensates for some of that with a pair of speedy and athletic OLBs, Kendrell Bell and Derrick Johnson, who can make plays sideline to sideline. The secondary will get a great boost from the addition of Ty Law, who is coming off an extremely productive season (10 interceptions) with the Jets. New head coach Herm Edwards will bring that same scheme to the Chiefs, so expect Law to once again play at a solid level.
Prediction: Third in AFC West.
Conventional wisdom says the Chiefs' lack of a bona-fide No. 2 wide receiver should hurt them, but the organization did not try to pick up a receiver either via the draft or free agency. Do the Chiefs know something that everyone else doesn't? It looks like they do, and the metrics show what that something is.
If one were to combine the 2005 metrics for Dante Hall and Samie Parker, it would equate to 72 successful plays for 982 yards. The 9.2 yards per attempt put up by Hall/Parker would tie for 13th among all wide receivers. Their 67.3 percent success rate would also be a top 15 number.
It's an unorthodox way to approach filling a need, but give the Kansas City coaches credit for finding a creative solution to a seemingly pressing personnel need.
Larry Johnson gained 1,351 yards rushing in just nine starts last season. Opposing defensive coordinators are hoping that, armed with a season of game tape to study, they'll be able to spot his weaknesses. Good luck. The guy doesn't have any. He's big (230 pounds), fast and just as comfortable bowling over linebackers as he is running by defensive backs. The question isn't will he get his yards, it's how many records will he break along the way.
| Team Preview Centers |
| Key Stretch |
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Oct. 8: at Arizona Oct. 15; at Pittsburgh Oct. 22: San Diego Oct. 29: Seattle |
| Comings & Goings |
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Key Acquisitions: DT Ron Edwards; DT James Reed; OG Terrence Metcalf; CB Ty Law; OT Kyle Turley. Key Departures: |
| Offensive Starters (as of 8/30) |
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RB Larry Johnson FB Ronnie Cruz QB Trent Green WR Eddie Kennison RT Kevin Sampson RG Will Shields C Casey Wiegmann Lg Brian Waters Lt Kyle Turley TE Tony Gonzalez WR Samie Parker |
| Defensive Starters (as of 8/30) |
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LDE Tamba Hali LDT Ron Edwards RDT James Reed RDE Jared Allen LOLB Derrick Johnson MLB Kawika Mitchell ROLB Kendrell Bell LCB Ty Law FS Greg Wesley SS Sammy Knight RCB Patrick Surtain • Complete roster |
