Last Year: 2-14
Key Addidtions in ’09: QB Matt Cassel, HC Todd Haley, GM Scott Pioli, LB Mike Vrabel, LB Zach Thomas, WR Bobby Engram, DE Tyson Jackson
Key Losses: TE Tony Gonzalez, QB Damon Huard
Offense: New GM Scott Pioli and the Chiefs believe in Matt Cassel. Matt Cassel stepped in for injured Tom Brady last year and threw for 3600 yards, 21 TDs and 11 Ints while leading the Patriots to the brink of the playoffs. Great pickup, right? Maybe. The difference here is the New England had arguably the best skill position players in the league and KC does not. Dwayne Bowe may be a step away from an elite WR but how much will Tony Gonzalez’s departure hurt him? Tyler Thigpen is an adequate backup QB and may challenge Cassel after throwing for 18 TD’s and running for 3 more in ’08. The Cheifs scored more points when Thigpen was given the keys to Chan Gaileys spread offense. Larry Johnson will look to revive his career after an injury plaqued 2008. Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith will be used to keep LJ fresh. If the Chiefs hope to compete, they will need Johnson to revert to his 2006 form and for Bobby Engram to fill the # 2 receiver role for Cassel. This offense may struggle, but still put up yards and points due to consistantly playing from behind.
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Defense: The Chiefs are coming off of a season in which they registered 10 sacks, fewest in the history of the 16 game schedule. They are now moving from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense that leaves former LSU Tiger Glenn Dorsey out of position at DE opposite fomer LSU Tiger Ty Jackson. Former Pat, Mike Vrabel and former Nittany Lion Tamba Hali will man the OLB’s for KC. The Chiefs used their first 3 draft picks to improve the D. This unit will also most likely struggle.
Fantasy Studs: Dwayne Bowe: 86 Rec, 1022 yds, 7 TD’s in ’08. He is clearly the #1 option in this pass happy offense and has hovered around the 1000 yard mark in each of his first two seasons. He should look to improve with the upgraded QB position. Matt Cassel: 21 TD’s, 3693 yds. Fantasy risk considering the drop in talent around him but should put decent enough numbers in K.C.’s 4 wide out, spread offense. Larry Johnson is hardly a stud anymore but could be a mid round sleeper if he can get back to the days where he was the consensus #2 overall pick.
Prediction: 4-12 Scott Pioli brought in a number of veterans to make a quick turnaround but will more than likely find that hard to come by.
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Posts
I've never seen a GM listed as a key addition. Can this guy live up to his hype?
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't seem like he has the roster to right away.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with the Cassel signing. He may be the next Scott Mitchell
I hear Barry Word is primed for a comeback. He's consulting with Favre, who we'll hopefully never have to speak of again.
ReplyDeleteIf the Nigerian Nightmare comes back, I may predict Super Bowl.
ReplyDeleteAgree about Favre. Hall of Fame QB but still somehow overrated. Other QB's would not have survived making the mistakes he made.