The biggest move on defense was bringing Gunther Cunningham back in as defensive coordinator. Team officials believe they have adequate talent on defense and Cunningham will be able to develop some of the younger players and hold it all together this year. So the pressure is squarely on him to pull this underachieving squad back to somewhere near average if the team is to be considered legitimate contenders to win it all.
Things aren’t completely rosy on the offensive side either. Injuries at wide receiver, along with a slight transition on the offensive line, are also concerns, but the Chiefs have done a good job of disguising their deficiencies at wideout in the past and their line is still extremely talented. As long as the heart and soul of this team, also known as Priest Holmes and Tony Gonzalez, stay healthy, the Chiefs should continue to put up a lot of points.
Quarterback
Veteran Trent Green, who appears to be in the prime of his career at age 34, will once again start for Dick Vermeil’s club. He does a nice job of distributing the football, goes through his progressions well, and is good at finding check downs when under pressure. Green is also a very consistent and durable QB, starting every game the last three seasons and passing for more than 3,500 yards in each since coming over from the Rams.
Todd Collins will fill the backup role, which is where he is best suited. He seems to understand the offense very well, but he lacks poise and would likely struggle if forced to play for an extended period. Damon Huard is another solid backup, but like Collins, he lacks upside. In my opinion, with Green’s durability, the No. 3 role would be better filled by a developmental prospect who could possibly take over a few years down the road.
Running Backs
Priest Holmes continues to be one of the best backs in the league. He scored an NFL record 27 touchdowns in 2003 on top of the more than 2,100 total yards he produced. Holmes doesn’t have great top-end speed, but he is quick and possesses great instincts. He’s also a huge receiving threat out of the backfield.
Holmes will turn 31-years old in October, so last year’s first round pick Larry Johnson may get a few more carries, but he has struggled since entering the league. Derrick Blaylock is another guy who will see playing time behind Holmes. He is a solid receiver, as well, with good speed who can fill in for short stretches. Fullback Tony Richardson is one of the best blocking backs in the league and will continue to seal off holes in the running game again this year.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
The Receiving corps is a serious concern this year with the rash of preseason injuries and the lack of a true No. 1 wideout, but the Chiefs have been successful without the benefit of a superstar at the receiving position. Johnnie Morton and Eddie Kennison will be the starters again, and both are probably better suited to be the No. 2 guy. Morton has had problems with his Achilles tendon, but says he will be ready to go for the season opener. Kennison, who has been bothered by a wrist injury for much of the preseason, is a potential deep threat, but struggles against the league’s top corners.
Return specialist Dante Hall will probably come in as the third receiver this year. He is quick and elusive with the ball, but he lacks size and durability is a concern. Marc Boerigter was being counted on to play a significant role as well, but he was lost for the season with a knee injury, leaving Samie Parker as the team’s probable No. 4 receiver.
Helping to disguise the Chiefs weaknesses at receiver is All-Pro Tony Gonzalez, who is the focal point of Kansas City’s passing attack. He is still the best receiving threat at tight end in the league, and he creates mismatches by lining up all over the field. Jason Dunn’s blocking ability is a nice complement to Gonzalez, and he is likely to get some playing time in obvious running situations.
Offensive Line
The tremendous play of the line has been the key to this offense’s success over the past couple seasons, and the unit remains relatively intact with the exception of right tackle John Tait, who signed with the Chicago Bears during the off-season. Tait was replaced by John Welbourne, who was acquired in a draft-day trade with Philadelphia where he was probably their most consistent lineman. Welbourne played left guard for the Eagles, but has the skills to make the transition to right tackle.