Kansas City Chiefs 2008 Season Preview

Kansas City Chiefs Preview: 07-08

Expectations were high for the Kansas City Chiefs at the start of the 2007 NFL season. A string of retirements and injuries on the once legendary Kansas City Chiefs offensive line hampered the team’s campaign however. Without a solid foundation in the trenches, the Kansas City Chiefs were unable to have a consistent offense and struggled to a 4-11 record. The Kansas City Chiefs made many shrewd off-season moves and have also gotten healthy. A huge dose of youth has the Kansas City Chiefs as one of the up-and-coming teams in the NFL.

Kansas City Chiefs Preview: Moves

The Kansas City Chiefs entered the 2008 NFL Draft armed with 13 draft picks. To rebuild the team, Herm Edwards would need every one of them. The NFL was shocked when LSU DT Glenn Dorsey fell to the Kansas City Chiefs at the No. 5 spot. Often-regarded as the best player in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs happily took him off the board. With their second first round pick, the Kansas City Chiefs took G/T Branden Albert, who will be a key to rebuilding the offensive line. Second round pick CB Brandon Flowers will add speed to the secondary. Third round picks Jamaal Charles, Brad Cottam, and DeJuan Morgan will all see significant playing time or will start. Depth and role-players filled out the rest of the draft.

The addition of offensive coordinator Chan Gailey could be the key off-season signing. The Kansas City Chiefs were also busy acquiring players through free agency. The Kansas City Chiefs added a ton of O-Line depth by signing four offensive linemen, including Wade Smith and Anthony Alabi. FB Oliver Hoyte comes over from the Dallas Cowboys to replace Boomer Grigsby. The big catch of the free agent market was LB Demorrio Williams, who comes over from the Atlanta Falcons.

Kansas City Chiefs Preview: Offense

A full-blown quarterback controversy grabbed headlines in the 2007 season and continues into 2008. QBs Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard will battle it out in preseason to see who will start. Brodie Croyle is the young gun, while Damon Huard is the longtime NFL veteran. Whichever QB wins, they will depend on rookie LT Branden Albert to protect their blindside. Branden Albert is a physical freak and can play any position on the O-Line. Rookie T/G Barry Richardson could also start at either position. The young offensive line will have to come together and gel quickly.

The Kansas City Chiefs are loaded at the skill positions. RB Larry Johnson is the Kansas City Chiefs franchise and carries the offense on his back at times. Hardnosed FB Oliver Hoyt will help clear the hole for him. Rookie RB Jamaal Charles will be a change-of-pace for Larry Johnson and can burn defenses with his blazing speed. TE Tony Gonzales will probably go down as the best ever to play the position and is still at the top of his game. WR Dwayne Bowe is the best WR the Kansas City Chiefs have had in almost a decade and can thrive in any aspect of the receiving game. Stability at QB and an offensive line on the same page are both key to the success of the RBs and receivers.

Kansas City Chiefs Preview: Defense

The Kansas City Chiefs defense was the main reason the team won any games in 2007. Even with the loss of DE Jarred Allen via trade, the front seven of the Kansas City Chiefs is top-notch. Rookie DT Glenn Dorsey will be the key. A three-tech through-and-through, it will be up to Glenn Dorsey to wreak havoc upon opposing offenses. Pass-rushing specialist DE Tamba Hali will bring pressure from the outside. Big powerhouse DT Tank Tyler will be an excellent big body to pair with Glenn Dorsey. The 4-3 defense has a strong line to anchor it but also quick LBs to expand its range. Longtime veteran MLB Donnie Edwards keeps racking up the tackles and will be a big fan of Glenn Dorsey and Tank Tyler occupying blockers for him. OLBs Demorrio Williams and Derrick Johnson are two of the fastest in the NFL and can cover from sideline-to-sideline.

With the departure of CB Ty Law, the Kansas City Chiefs secondary gets younger and faster. Rookie CB Brandon Flowers was easily a first round talent that fell to the second round and will immediately start. Opposite him will be veteran CB Patrick Surtain, who should be a mentor for the other young players. S DaJuan Morgan is another rookie who should start. SS Bernard Pollard is another young player and loves to hit any receiver that comes over the middle. The intense pressure of the front seven should allow the Kansas City Chiefs secondary to make plays on arrant balls and decrease their time in coverage.

Kansas City Chiefs: Special Teams

Return specialist BJ Sams comes over from the Baltimore Ravens and looks to be the replacement for KR Dante Hall. With incredible agility and breakaway speed, BJ Sams will be a key player in managing the game and deciding field-position. With three kickers in camp, the Kansas City Chiefs do not want a repeat of the Justin Medlock debacle from 2007. P Dustin Colquitt comes from a long line of punters and is proving to be one of the best in the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs special teams unit will have to step up its game in 2008.

Kansas City Chiefs Preview: Outlook

The Kansas City Chiefs chase of the AFC West Title will have many roadblocks. The three-way rivalry with the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos is still running strong after decades, even though the programs are going through transitions. The toughest opponent in the AFC West will be the San Diego Chargers, who have been division kings for the past few years. Outside the division, the Kansas City Chiefs 2008 schedule will also have them duke it out with the likes of the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the New England Patriots. Historic Arrowhead Stadium is known as the best home-field in the NFL for a reason and is always filled with Kansas City Chiefs fans.