2009 Kansas City Chiefs NFL Season Predictions

Written June 24, 2009 by Jason Lowry

Kansas City Chiefs 2009 Predictions The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off their worst record in the last 30 years, as they finished up the 2008 season at just 2-14. The Chiefs have a miserable record of 6-26 over the last two seasons, and with that poor of a performance usually comes change. The Chiefs fired head coach Herm Edwards and club president Carl Peterson. Todd Haley comes over from the Arizona Cardinals to become the team’s new head coach and Scott Pioli comes over from the Patriots to become the new general manager. Haley decided to keep Chan Gailey at offensive coordinator, but decided a change needed to be made on defense, as Clancy Pendergast is the new defensive coordinator. With so much change going on in KC it’s going to be hard for this team to make a big turnaround in 2009.

The Chiefs offseason moves didn’t stop with the front office, as the Chiefs traded their 2nd round pick in this year’s draft to New England for quarterback Matt Cassel and veteran linebacker Mike Vrabel. The Chiefs also brought in veteran linebackers Zach Thomas and Monty Beisel to help improve a shaky defense. Additional help was added to the offensive line, as the Chiefs signed Mike Goff to take over at the right guard spot and picked up center Eric Ghiaciuc to challenge Rudy Niswanger. The biggest adjustment Chiefs fans are going to have to make this upcoming season, is the fact the No.88 Tony Gonzalez is no longer part of this team, as the Chiefs traded Gonzalez to the Falcons for a 2nd round pick in next year’s draft. The Chiefs did pick up veteran wide receiver Bobby Engram and a unproven Terrance Copper to help build up the passing attack, but it won’t be easy replacing the production of a 10 time Pro Bowl tight end. In the 2009 draft the Chiefs passed on linebacker Aaron Curry and went after LSU defensive end Tyson Jackson with the 3rd pick. The Chiefs then added more help up front on defense, as they selected Alex Magee with their 3rd round pick, and then added some help to the secondary with their pick of Donald Washington in the 4th round. It will definitely be a new look for the Chiefs in 2009, especially on defense where they are switching from the traditional 4-3 to the up and coming 3-4 scheme.

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If this team is going to improve in 2009, it will really determine on how well Matt Cassel can come in and take over an offense that is no where near as loaded as the unit he had in New England last season. The Chiefs look like they are going to give running back Larry Johnson another shot, and while his production has dropped over the last couple of years, the Chiefs haven’t had a line or passing game. Cassel has an emerging star at wide receiver in Dwayne Bowe, but will also need to get something out of the veteran Engram and Mark Bradley, who really came on strong at the end of last season. The tight end spot now belongs to Brad Cottam, and its hard telling exactly what to expect from this guy, as he is entering just his second season and really didn’t get a lot of playing time with Gonzalez around. The offensive line is getting better, but still has a way to go. Branden Albert looks like a long term solution at left tackle, and Brian Waters is a Pro Bowl right guard, but has displayed his frustration with the Chief’s organization. Mike Goff adds some stability at right guard, but the veteran right tackle Damion McIntosh really struggles in pass protection. Overall this unit has some potential, but a lot of things have to go right for this team to really improve in 2009. Bet the Chiefs +800 to win the AFC West at Sportsbook.com.

So many of the Chiefs draft picks on the defensive side of the ball have been for the 4-3, and that means a number of players that are still with the team from a year ago will have to learn a new position. Rookie Tyson Jackson figured to start right away at defensive end, and he will be teamed up with 2008 first round pick Glen Dorsey at the other end spot. Tank Tyler and Ron Edwards figure to both see action at nose tackle, but I fear that both lack the size and talent to be a real force at this position. The Chiefs are working on transforming former defensive ends Tamba Hali and Turk McBride into pass rushing outside linebackers, while the Chiefs move Derrick Johnson inside to play along side the veteran Zach Thomas in the middle. Vrabel is expected to start on the outside, while Beisel adds depth at the inside spots. One thing the defense has going for them is they have all four starters in the secondary returning. Both Brandon Carr and Brandon Flowers played very well as rookies taking over the top two corner spots, but they are young and prone to mistakes. At safety the Chiefs stick with free safety Jarrad Page and strong safety Bernard Pollard, but both are better playing up close than defending the deep pass. After recording just 10 sacks in 2008, the Chiefs are hoping the switch to the 3-4 can put more pressure on the quarterback and eventually lead to more sacks, but it won’t be easy with no proven pass rusher on this side of the ball. Bet the Chiefs +7500 to win the Super Bowl at Sportsbook.com.

My Prediction: 4th in AFC West (5-11) I like what the Chiefs are doing and they should improve in 2009, but it would be a stretch to think this team could flirt with .500 this season. If this team responds to head coach Todd Haley and gets better as the season goes on, the Chiefs could be a team to reckon with in 2010.

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One Response to “2009 Kansas City Chiefs NFL Season Predictions”

Bob Edwards on June 24th, 2009 2:54 pm

How are Tyler and Edwards to small at Nose both were asked to loose weight during OTAs.

TAKE IS CLOSE TO 330# AND EDWARDS #350?

BOB,

A long time chiefs fan.

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