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Kansas City Chiefs 2009 NFL Predictions

Written August 14, 2009 by InfoPlays

2009 Kansas City Chiefs NFL Predictions The Kansas City Chiefs are starting over. They went out and got a new general manager, head coach, defensive coordinator, quarterback and defensive scheme after losing 14 games last season. First-year GM Scott Pioli wants to shape the organization into one that resembles the New England Patriots, where he was Bill Belichick’s right hand man for nearly a decade. Tony Gonzalez, the face of the franchise, was traded away to Atlanta. The Chiefs now move forward, turning past mainstays into afterthoughts and proving that no player is safe. NFL lines have the Chiefs listed at +900 to win the AFC West at Sportsbook.com.

Offense: In recent years, the Chiefs went with aging veterans and unproven youngsters to try and find a quarterback. Matt Cassel marked the end of Kansas City’s experiments with its most important position. Cassel led the New England Patriots to 11 wins in 2008. Tyler Thigpen started in 10 games last season, and he gives the Chiefs a reliable backup. Larry Johnson isn’t the player he once was, and he too often voices his opinion to the media which hasn’t sat well with the coaching staff. Since carrying the ball more than 400 times in 2006, Johnson suffered a foot injury in ‘07 and wasn’t given many opportunities last season as the Chiefs moved to the spread. In Todd Haley’s new offense, Johnson will be given a chance to reclaim his role as the feature back. Incase Johnson isn’t the answer for the future, the Chiefs have taken running backs in the draft each of the past two seasons. They grabbed seventh-rounder Javarris Williams this year and Jamaal Charles last season. Williams is a big back like Johnson while Charles gives K.C. a nice change-of-pace back.

Third-year wideout Dwayne Bowe attracts a lot of attention, and that’s why the Chiefs signed free agent slot receiver Bobby Engram in the offseason to distract some of it. Bowe caught 86 passes for 1,022 yards with 7 touchdowns last season. Mark Bradley is expected to be the team’s No. 2 option, unless Armani Toomer is still fit enough to take that role after being signed from the Giants. The loss of Gonzalez leaves second-year tight end Brad Cottam, who is more of a blocker than a receiver. Guard Brian Waters did not get along with Haley in conversations with the head coach early in the offseason, and he asked for his release. It was not granted, and the Chiefs need Waters because he is the one guy on the offensive line that demands respect from the youngsters as a four-time Pro Bowler. The team has not addressed the line adequately in the offseason, but second-year left tackle Branden Albert is the most encouraging player among and aging an unreliable line. Free agent Mike Goff was signed to play right guard, but the Chargers don’t think they will miss him too much. The line needs upgrades at center and right guard, where Rudy Niswanger and Damion McIntosh occupied those spots for all but one game last season.

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Defense: The Chiefs drafted the right players to man the new 3-4 look on defense. Tyson Jackson and Alex Magee were drafted to help out on the three-man front. Glenn Dorsey is too small to play nosetackle, so he’ll start at right end. The Chiefs had 10 sacks last season which was a franchise-record for the lowest amount in a 16-game season. Tank Tyler and Ron Edwards will rotate at nose tackle, and Magee will likely begin the season as a backup at end. Jackson might play linebacker to give the Chiefs a pass rush off the edge. In four-man fronts, Tamba Hali is expected to play at end. Kansas City brought in some experience to help out at linebacker by signing Zach Thomas and Mike Vrabel. Derrick Johnson faces the most pressure in his fifth season with the team. The former first-round pick has yet to live up to expectations, but coaches have a lot of faith in him. Ends Hali and Turk McBride are expected to play some outside linebacker in the new scheme. Veteran Monty Beisel will find a place in the lineup as well.

In an otherwise miserable defense, the secondary is the one encouraging unit. Young cornerbacks in Brandon Flowers, Brandon Carr and Maurice Leggett are all second-year guys who had surprising ‘08 seasons. The Chiefs drafted Donald Washington in the fourth round to push Leggett for the nickelback job. The safety positions were adequate with strong safety Bernard Pollard and free safety Jarrad Page. Pollard will be pushed by second-year safety DaJuan Morgan after a sub-par ‘08 season.

InfoPlays Prediction: 4th in the AFC West – The Chiefs should have an improved offense with the additions of Cassel and Ingram, but it won’t be enough to make up for a suspect defense. Kansas City has a very young defense, and teams are going to be able to run wild on this unit again. Bringing in Thomas and Vraebel should help provide leadership to the youngsters, but both are far past their prime. Kansas City is starting over and it will take until at least 2010 to start seeing some results. For now, a last-place finish in the AFC West is all that can be expected in 2009.

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