2007 Rankings
Rushing: 32nd (78.0)
Passing: 20th (198.8)
Total Offense: 31st (276.8)
Run Defense: 28th (130.6)
Pass Defense: 5th (188.9)
Total Defense: 13th (319.4)
What was the Chiefs’ best/worst move during the offseason?
How it will play out in the future is anyone’s guess, but for the upcoming season, losing defensive end Jared Allen was possibly the worst thing that could have happened to this team. His trade to the Minnesota Vikings did, however, net the Chiefs a slew of extra draft picks that the team used to get much younger. Kansas City added a total of 12 draft picks, including two of the better linemen available in defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey out of LSU and offensive guard/tackle Branden Albert from Virginia.
The team also expects to get significant production from second-round cornerback Brandon Flowers from Virginia Tech and third-round running back Jamaal Charles out of Texas.
What needs to go right for the Chiefs to succeed this season?
Other than having some of the above-mentioned rookies step in and produce, the Chiefs need quarterback Brodie Croyle to take a step forward in his development and prove he’s franchise QB material. For him to do that, though, the offensive line is going to have to do a much better job blocking for both the run and the pass. Kansas City was near the bottom of the league in yards rushing in 2007, and better production from the run game would take a lot of pressure off the young quarterback.
Where will the Chiefs finish the 2008 NFL season?
With all the new young faces will come some growing pains, so big things aren’t expected from the Chiefs, which means they could surprise some teams if things go their way. But far too much has to go right for this team to compete for a playoff spot, and I just don’t see it all coming together this year. In fact, I look for a lot of struggles out of this team this year with a record somewhere around 3-13 and a last-place finish in the AFC West.
