Kansas City Chiefs 2010 Season Preview, Predictions Picks & Odds
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Kansas City Chiefs 2009 NFL Record: 4-12 Home: 1-7 Away: 3-5
Kansas City Chiefs 2010 Preview
The new has worn off the Chiefs’ top-to-bottom changes from last year, and now the leadership group will try to prove it was worth all the fuss of a year ago. General manager Scott Pioli and coach Todd Haley joined the Chiefs in early 2009, and it didn’t take long for them to realize that players’ work habits were poor, the locker room lacked talent and leaders, and that many of the organization’s gambles before and after Pioli’s and Haley’s arrival – just weren’t paying off Kansas City changed most everything last year, and the renovation project has continued into 2010. In the shadow of last year’s chaotic season, the Chiefs hired two new coordinators, embraced the surprising emergence of running back Jamaal Charles and put together a free agent and draft class designed to strengthen the myriad weaknesses that led to last season’s 4-12 finish. The Chiefs, now in the second phase of the project, are confident that time, familiarity and comfort will lead to success. But after a third consecutive losing season, fans in Kansas City need proof that the new way is different from the disappointment they’ve gotten used to.
2010 Kansas City Chiefs Quarterbacks
The Chiefs expect more from Cassel in 2009, and they hope the improvements on offense – the addition ofWeis, a strengthened line and more weapons at receiver will give him the kind of confidence he showed two years ago in New England. Cassel was inconsistent last season, and that’s something Haley has said he won’t stand for. Cassel threw 16 interceptions (and 16 touchdown passes), and too often he looked rattled behind a patchwork line. He rushed passes, made off-balance throws and forced passes to receivers. Haley benched Cassel during a home game against Denver in favor of Brodie Croyle, who will return as the backup. Cassel was at his best in difficult situations, leading desperate comeback attempts and making perfect throws to give the Chiefs a chance. Kansas City needs Cassel to be calmer, particularly early in games, if he is to remain the unquestioned starter. Croyle has started at least two games in each of his four seasons in the NFL, but he is 0-9 as a starter and appears destined for a career as a backup.
2010 Kansas City Chiefs Running Backs
Charles was so dazzling at the end of last season that it was difficult to remember that the Chiefs listed him among their inactive players in a Week 2 loss to Oakland. Charles showed that he was among the NFLs most talented backs while rushing for 968 yards in the season’s final eight weeks. For the season, he averaged a dazzling 5.9 yards per carry. But Charles is neither big nor durable. He played through a nagging shoulder injury, and that compelled the Chiefs to find help. They signed veteran Thomas Jones, who won)t be expected to rush for 1,402 yards, as he did last season with the Jets but should handle at least a dozen carries per game. He could steal more carries from Charles if he proves he still has feature back skills at age 32. If nothing else, Jones will keep Charles fresh. And if Charles keeps improving, the Chiefs might have the NFLS next star rusher.
2010 Kansas City Chiefs Receivers
Time is running out for Dwayne Bowe to prove he’s capable of being a No. 1 receiver. His concentration, judgment and hands are suspect, and despite direct coaching from Haley, a former receivers coach, Bowe was as inconsistent as ever in 2009. Haley was often frustrated with Bowe, who the Chiefs believe possesses elite talent but a poor approach. That’s why it was essential that Kansas City re-sign Chris Chambers, who seemed to spark the Chiefs’ offense when Bowe couldn’t after being claimed offwaivers frorn San Diego last November. Still needing playmakers, the Chiefs used a second-round draft pick on Dexter McCluster of Ole Miss. They plan to use McCluster, who also played running back in college, as a slot receiver. Haley likes McCluster’s versatility, and the 5’8″ speedster needs to help an offense that has learned it can’t yet trust Bowe to shoulder the load. Asfor tight ends, nobody on the roster is the least bit reminiscent of Tony Gonzalez.
2010 Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Line
The Chiefs are trying to rebuild their line, and the most looming question centers on left tackle Branden Albert’s ability to restore coaches’ faith after a disappointing 2009. Albert was among Kansas City’s most promising players after his rookie season but was then ordered to lose upward of 40 pounds last year. He struggled, and his confidence was damaged. The team leaned on left guard Brian Waters to counsel Albert, and Kansas City signed veteran guard Ryan Lilja and center Casey Wiegmann to strengthen an otherwise unreliable line. Lilja is expected to start at right guard, and the Chiefs hope Waters, 33, can be counted on for another season or two. But the main concern is whether Albert can return to the promise he showed as a rookie. For now, the Chiefs say he’s their left tackle; they passed on drafting a tackle and, for better or worse, have elected to stick with Albert (as well as right tackle Ryan O’Callaghan).
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2010 Kansas City Chiefs Defense
Kansas City is still waiting for ends Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson to live up to the top-5 draft slots in which each was taken, and in the meantime, nosetackle has become a serious concern. Pioli didn’t address the nosetackle spot in free agency or the draft, leaving only Ron Edwards and backup journeyman Shaun Smith in one of the most important positions in the 3-4 defense. Dorsey and Jackson took steps last year toward showing they were capable starters at end, but Dorsey had the only sack between them. The Chiefs also had trouble stopping the run in 2009, and there’s no evidence to suggest that that deficiency will improve this season. Pioli said during the offseason that he considered trying Dorsey at nosetackle, but that would mean a third position change in as many seasons for Dorsey, and a particularly strange fit at that, considering Dorsey’s 6′ 1″, 297pound frame.
Outside linebacker Tamba Hali is the team’s best pass-rushing threat, but the Chiefs need help at the other linebacker positions. Outside linebacker Mike Vrabel will be 35 when the season starts, so the team has begun to scale down its expectations for him. Andy Studebaker showed flashes of potential last year while filling in for Vrabel; another promising season could win the former defensive end a more secure place in the team’s plans. The team’s top inside linebacker, Derrick Johnson, has enough talent to anchor the defense but has never put together a full season of reliable play. He was benched most of last year in favor of the smaller and less athletic Demorrio Williams, whom the Chiefs could turn to again if Johnson, a former first-round pick, struggles. Corey Mays, a fifth-year pro from Notre Dame, is expected to be the other starter at inside linebacker, but his speed and tackling occasionally leave him vulnerable against some of the league’s more talented ball-carriers.
Kansas City could be on its way toward having one of the AFC’s better secondaries if strong safety Eric Berry is as good as advertised, cornerback Brandon Flowers continues to improve and free safety Jarrad Page can stay healthy. The Chiefs used two draft picks to improve at safety, including the No. 5 overall pick on Tennessee’s Berry and a fifth-rounder on Kendrick Lewis of Ole Miss. Berry steps directly into a starting job opposite Page, while Lewis will compete for a backup spot in a mix that includes DaJuan Morgan and Jon McGraw. Kansas City also spent a second-round pick on Javier Arenas, who is expected to play nickelback. Flowers is an emerging star, and third-year corner Brandon Carr has shown that he’s above average in coverage. Shortly after the draft, Carr began mentoring Berry and establishing chemistry. That will be valuable for a team that had little to brag about a season ago.
Kansas City Chiefs 2010 Season Prediction
The Chiefs appear to have established some direction to improve a team with plenty of weaknesses. They placed a clear emphasis during the draft on character and speed, attributes that were lacking on the 2009 team. Kansas City has parted ways with the likes of Larry Johnson, and it barely considered adding players with personal baggage. Although the Chiefs might have sacrificed talent in their pursuit of laying a proper foundation, the first steps were taken in building a long-term contender. For now, though, contending for anything other than improvement on last year’s 4-12 record will likely have to wait. But after the past three seasons, a flirtation with a .500 record would be tantalizing to the regulars who flock to Arrowhead Stadium on Sundays.
We predict that the Kansas City Chiefs will finish 4th in the AFC West, with a record of 6-10.
Kansas City Chiefs Betting
AFC West Odds: 6-1 AFC Conference Odds: 50-1 Super Bowl Odds: 100-1
Kansas City Chiefs Five-Year Win Betting Trends
2005: 10 2006: 9 2007: 4 2008: 2 2009: 4
Bet on the Kansas City Chiefs
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