Chiefs Prospects 2022-3

Tribe Rocks Again!

Football is right around the corner.  As usual, the prelude is the release of the 53 man roster for the tribe’s assault on yet another division title and Super Bowl.

Time to look at who is in and who is not.

Offence

QB’s   Patrick Mahomes, Chad Henne, Shane Buechele

Buechele is the sleeper here.  The Chiefs usually only keep two QB’s but they are keeping three this season: they really like Buechele!  Question is, is it not then time to let Henne go?  Maybe!

Running Backs:  CEH, Jerick McKinnon, Isiah Pacheco, Ronald Jones.

Pacheco is the real surprise here: is he really that good? Our fingers are crossed for a real steal!

Full Back:  Michael Burton

Big Red loves a full back and Burton is the man!  Why?  They like a lead blocker on some running plays and he catches the ball when asked to. Nuff said?

Wide Receivers:  Juju, MVS, Hardman, Skyy Moore, Justin Watson

Is five enough as both Juju and MVS have had real injury concerns in the past?  Look for Hardman and Moore to have real big seasons!

Tight Ends:  Kelce, Fortson, Gray, Blake Bell

I see the Chiefs playing a lot of three tight-end sets in an effort to get the running game going – especially early in the season.  Bell starts the season on IR.  Fortson may be the player of the season!

O-line:  Brown, Thuney, Humphrey, Smith, Wylie (that’s the starters left to right) Christian, Allegretti Prince Tega, Kinnard are the back-ups.

Is there enough depth? Is Wylie a good enough right tackle? If this bunch can generate a run game and protect Mahomes then Chiefs will again be a real force in the AFC.

Defence

Tackles:  Jones, Nnadi, Wharton, Saunders

Thin, but if they stay healthy they can be a real rock to build on.

Ends:  Clark, Karlaftis, Dunlap, Danna

Chiefs are putting the rookie in a tough spot!  How well will he hold up?

Line-backers:  Bolton, Gay, Elijah Lee, Chenal

Problems! Problems!  Is this group good enough?  I doubt it!

Cornerbacks:  Sneed, Fenton, McDuffie (rookie) Williams, Watson and Lammons

I think this will be the Chiefs Achilles heel on defence.

Safeties:  Thornhill, Reid, Bryan Cook,  Deon Bush

Three specialists: Buttkicker, Townsend, and Winchester.

In addition, 14 players have been signed to the practice squad.

Summing up: the Chiefs are in the Super Bowl window and despite trading Hill to the Dolphins are well-equipped to mount another challenge.  The AFC West competition will be better: Chargers look better, Raider may surprise a few folks, and the Broncos are the Broncos despite getting Russel Wilson to take the snaps.  I still expect the Chiefs to take care of business in the West.  But, I’m not as confident as I was last year!

Why? Simple. Defence!  You may remember we had the Bengals on the ropes last year and the defence could not finish the job!  Will this bunch be much better?  I’m just not convinced!

And the rest of the AFC West has loaded up.  The Chargers will be better the Raider will be better and the vibes coming from Denver are positive.  The Chief’s stroll through the West may not be as easy as it had been.  However, what doesn’t kill you often makes you stronger!
 

Chief's Prospects 2021

 Chiefs Prospects 2021-22 - run it back mark two

Well if a week is a long time in politics then six months is a very long time to shake off the shellacking that the Chiefs suffered at the hands of the Buccaneers in Super Bowl 51.  That particular bad taste will take some time to go away.  And, quite rightly so.  We got murdered.

We move on to the next season with the cut down to the 53 man roster to be made today. 

One thing is certain, the O-line will be very, very different on opening day - very different from the Super Bowl and very different from last season’s opener.  According to reliable reports, after the Super Bowl Brett Vietch, the GM, told Patrick Mahomes that the team would fix the O-line, and fix it they have,  The season’s opener may well feature two rookies and some big-name signings who will revitalise the ruin game and keep St Patrick from getting murdered while running for his life from what was a good, but not spectacularly good Buccaneers defense.

Much has been made of the Bucs decision to bring back all their Super Bowl starters. I much prefer the Chiefs strategy. Keep your core of great players, add some excellent experienced lineman,,, both on offense and defence and use your draft picks wisely, mostly on defense. Let's not forget that the opposition in February scored more than 30 points. Shoring up the defense may be the most important outcome of the super bowl thrashing. Patrick Mahomes is on record as predicting an undefeated season. Very unlikely, but that should be the goal of every team in August. In order to even get close the Chiefs will have to improve significantly in a number of areas.

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks:  Patrick Mahomes, Chad Henne, Shane Buechele

This is a tough one, believe it or not.  The Chiefs seem committed to Henne as the back-up to Mahomes, but Buechele had an excellent pre-season.  In the Covid era it may be that they decide to keep three quarterbacks.  My guess?  They will.
Roster spots left: 50

Running backs: CEH, Derrick Gore, Jerrick McKinnon, Darrel Williams. 

That’s too many.  Gore and McKinnon looked excellent in the pre-season, but Williams is the primary back-up.  I look for three of four to make the final roster and McKinnon to make the practice squad.

Fullback:  Michael Burton

Looks like the job is his, unless the team decides to go with other blocking options from some other multi-skilled players.  My guess - he gets a practice squad place only.
Roster spots left 50

Wide Receivers:

Gehrig Dieter, Daurice Fountain, Mecole Hardman, Tyreek Hill, Marcus Kemp, Cornell Powell, Byron Pringle, Demarcus Robinson, A.N. Others
My guess, Chiefs keep only 7 wide-outs and Powell is the odd man out

Roster spots left:  43

0-LINE:

Allegretti, Blythe, Brown, LDT, Humphrey, Long, Niang, Smith, Thuney, Williams

My guess, they can keep only eight:  LDT gets traded, Allegretti and Williams go. 
That’s seven with Long to come back from injury they may decide to keep eight so, Williams may get in.  Allegretti could make the team

Roster Spots:  35

Tight Ends:  Travis Kelce, Blake Bell, Noah Grey, Jody Fortson

One has to go and I think it’s Fortson to the practice squad
Roster spots:  32

Specialists: 

Tommy Townsend (punter) Harrison Butker (kicker) James Winchester (long snapper)

Locks  That’s 29 left

DEFENSE

D-line:  Danna, Jones, Kaindoh, Nnadi, Reed, Saunders, Ward

That’s seven with Wharton Harrris and Okafor to the practice squad (if we’re lucky)

Roster spots:  22

Linebackers:  Bolton, Cobb, Gay, Harris, Hitchens, Niemann, O’Daniel, Smith

Three have to go either cut or to the practice squad.  I’m losing: Cobb, O'Daniel and Smith

Roster Spots:  17

Corner Backs:  Baker, Fenton, Hughes, Lammons, Sneed, Ward

It’s Lammons out for me and keep five.

Roster Spots:  12

Safeties:  Mathieu, Sorenson, Thornhill, Watts

I’m guessing they keep all four

Roster Spots:  8

That’s where I finish, yes with still eight spots to fill.  The coaches will have their work cut out for them.  But, following my advice has a lot of slack in the system, but relies heavily on players clearing waivers and still leaves spots to sign players released by other clubs.

I like it!

Run It Back

 

Chiefs Super Bowl Chances 2020-21

I have spent some time this week watching last year’s Super Bowl. Some things are real pointers as to how this Run it Back season may pan out.

Firstly, I was struck by how fortunate the Chiefs were to win last season. Behind for most of the game until 8 minutes left in the fourth, they somehow managed to find something great at just the right time.

The 49ers were unlucky, as well as out-played. Why did they lose? It’s an offensive league. Before the game the focus was on the San Francisco defensive front four and how they would dominate the Chiefs offensive line and make Patrick Mahomes run around scared all day – forcing bad throws and getting sacks. In fact, Mahomes was intercepted twice and missed a few receivers (at least in the first 32 minutes) and was sacked a few times. But critically, he had time to make the throw of the season to Hill for 40 yards – on a third and fifteen – and the rest, as they say, is history.

Fast-forward. How will the Bucs fare against the Tribe’s offensive fire-power? Is the Tampa pass rush as good as San Frans? Can Tampa sack Mahomes more than a few times? Can they pressure him into interceptions? Not likely. Not by a long shot. The Chiefs handled the Tampa rush quite well in the regular season game and I expect they will again. (Yes, I know they have injuries on the line, but somehow they always manage to find a way to protect Mahomes enough for him to make plays!)  Tampa will not be able to stop the Chiefs. I trust Reid and Spagnolo to scheme on both sides of the ball.

Again this season, just in time, the defence is coming good. They look as strong as last year on the defensive line with both Chris Jones and Frank Clark rounding into form at just the right time. This season’s secondary looks even stronger than the Super Bowl winning squad. Will Tom Brady be able to complete some passes? Yes, of course he will. Will he be able to hit the home-run ball? Not very likely, the Chiefs will pressure him and force a lot of short throws. They will sack him multiple times and hit him a few more and constantly force him out of his comfort zone. I can’t see the Bucs scoring more than 21 points. That will not be enough for the Chiefs as they will be good for 35+.

The coaching match-up is both interesting and crucial. Andy Reid does not lose with two weeks to prepare. Bruce Arians is in his first Super Bowl. The Buccaneers will be out-coached as well as out-played.

Am I being too optimistic?  Only time will tell, but there is a swagger about this team that refuses to go away.  I’m a believer.

What might derail the Run it Back tour? 

Injuries, particularly on both lines. The game is usually won or lost in the trenches. Super Bowl LV will be no exception. And, the Chiefs are quite short of replacements. In a two horse race the underdog always has a chance. For the Bucs to prevail they need everything to go their way, including the bounce of the odd - shaped ball. Whereas the Chiefs can win at 80 to 90 %of all factors. 

My prediction Chiefs by 10.

Reminds me of their first triumph. I took the Chiefs and gave 10 points. We all remember how that turned out. At the end I felt sorry for the Vikings. 65 TPT will shine again. 

2020-21 Chiefs Draft

Chiefs draft and the NFL season looking forward.

With the caveat that there may be no season to look forward to at all!

This may well turn out to be the oddest season ever. With the coronavirus overseeing all efforts, predicting what may or may not happen to the Chiefs in 2020 could end up being more difficult than picking the winner of the Grand National - hang on, that will be easy, there isn't one this year because of the coronavirus!

Everything I see, hear or read confirms that the NFL powers that be are determined to produce some sort of season this year. They will move heaven and earth to play the 256 games of a regular NFL season. The how is not understood or even likely to be decided until so many factors which at present are complete unknowns become much clearer.

Still we proceed as if the season will be played, or we all just do a Rip Van Winkle, wake up in Jan 2021 and pretend it was all a bad dream.

The Chief's draft was interesting to say the least. Picking last in round one they very unexpectedly grabbed a running back from LSU, Clyde Edwards-Hillaire. All the pundits said this as a major cock-up. Nobody picks a running back in round one, they are a dime a dozen and even Kareem Hunt was a a third round pick. So, what's the deal? The tribe have 20 of the 2019 Super Bowl winning team returning. They grab what they feel is the back which best fits their scheme and bugger the pundits! Result? The Chiefs offence now looks almost impossible to stop. Edwards-Hillaire can catch the ball on the swing pattern and block.  What's not to like?  The pundits now think it's a genius pick.

The rest of the draft looks solid, though not addressing the corner-back position until round six again has those supposedly in the know gasping for air. Truth is what the draft was supposed to provide was solid football players who can be developed. If only Edwards-Hillaire is on the field for the opening set of downs this year, that's not a problem. If any of the others make the 53 man roster and contribute great! If not? Not.

Much has been made of how the rest of the league will be playing catch up with the Chiefs already way ahead. Why? Because with a short pre-season every other team is at a big disadvantage. They will have to get better quickly or just stand on their side-line and gawp as the red wave breaks over their heads and all NFL stadia need larger scoreboards to accommodate the points racked up by the Big Red.

We are a long way from another Super Bowl appearance in February 2021,and talk of a Chiefs dynasty is premature, but we can live in hope and, for the first time in 50 years, expectation.

Those genii at Pro Football Talk, Florio and Simms, are convinced that there will be a season. The NFL in conjunction with the politicians will make sure that NFL football happens in 2020. They may be right – only time will tell.

Until then the Chiefs are best placed to do the improbable – if not the impossible - and repeat as Super Bowl Champions in Feb 2021. Chop til you drop!

Chiefs EoS Report 19-20

We won the Lombardi Trophy!

Well, who’d a thought it? How much easier is the end-of-season report when the Super Bowl is sitting in a display cabinet at Arrowhead!

Still there are issues to discuss/resolve. Firstly, there is talk of a Chiefs dynasty. I’m sure we’d all like that, but is it possible, likely, realistic, inevitable? I’m going for just barely possible. Then again, with St Patrick at the helm just about anything seems possible.

So, we must look forward. On the positive side, the tribe have a lot of talent in contract already for next season. This group includes Allegretti, D-Tardif, and Swartz – in other words the backbone of what turned out to be a very good offensive line. At QB we have Mahomes. His new contract will be the talking point for the whole off-season until it is signed and delivered. He will cost what he will cost. End of. Kelce, Thompson, Hardman, Hill are on longer contracts and will form the core of the winning offence. I see Pringle has already signed a new contract. Others will follow, but Sammy Watkins probably leaves – he’s just too expensive. Damien Williams gets a new contract. Defensive players to watch are Frank Clark (expensive but contracted till 2023) Saunders (2022), Nnadi (2021) and my favourite Kpassagnon (2020). This is the core of the Super bowl defence, Okafor and Ogbah return from injury. Chris Jones, Mike Pennel, Xavier Williams and Terrell Suggs are free agents. Chris Jones is a lock provided a contract can be done. Suggs takes his Super Bowl ring and rides off into the distance with the cheers of the Arrowhead crowd ringing in his ears. The linebackers Hitchens, O’Daniel, Neiman and Wilson should be on-board. Lee and Ragland are UFA linebackers. Lee probably goes. In the secondary, Thornhill returns after injury, Sorenson stays (his demise has been foretold more often that that of Trump), Breeland and Fuller are UFA but both get new contracts. Clairborne and Lucas probably leave.

So, we have to get used to an off-season where the Chiefs are not constantly looking over their shoulders to see what went wrong, but confidently building on what we have and moving ever upwards. This will take some getting used to!

The importance of the General Manager and the Coaches can not be over-inflated. They take the blame when it goes wrong and they now look like genii. The fact is we got more than a few breaks on the way to the win. Grabbing the top seed from the Pats was crucial. Coming back after a multitude of mistakes against teams with poor defences ( Titans and Texans ) and, most importantly, wearing out the 49-ers so that the last eight minutes could happen and march us into history, are just the high-lights. Next year starts now. History has been made ans some of us are privileged to have been around for both wins – against the Vikings and now the San Fran mob. It is just possible that the future will be talking about a Chiefs dynasty, possible but not entirely likely. Who cares.

Let’s bask in the glow and give thanks were here to see it!

NFL Play-offs 2020

We’re down to the last eight, and the Chiefs are in it!

My picks:  49ers to beat the Vikings (Viks were excellent but lightning doesn't strike twice - at least not in the NFL.  At San Fran, the home team wins. Shame, I’d love to have a Chiefs - Vikings Super Bowl again so we can humiliate them as we did in 1970.  49ers by 14.

Ravens to beat Titans:  I hate this pick cause I’d love the Chiefs to host the AFL Championship game, but my head says the Ravens will, again with home field advantage, be too strong for the “ground them into the dirt” Titans.  Ravens by a touchdown.

Packers lose to the Seahawks: again for sentimental reasons I’d like the Pack to win so we can beat them in the Super Bowl and avenge our only Super Bowl loss.  But, the Shitehawks are just too strong and even on the road should have enough defense to whop the Packers even with Aaron Rodgers. Seahawks by 10.

Chiefs mash the Texans.  I was at Arrowhead when we lost to them.  It was ugly, Mahomes was injured and the defense was having a hard time doing anything other than getting eleven healthy players on the field. This time Andy Reid has a week off to prepare and he will do a real number on Desean Watson.  A healthy Chiefs team could go all the way. We win and win big. Chiefs by 14.

Update 49ers won, Packers won, Titans upset the Ravens, Chiefs won a wild one v the Texans. 

The 49ers host the pack and the Chiefs host Tennessee in the championship games. 

My best guesses: the 49ers will beat the Packers at home, the Chiefs will be too good for the Titans at home. So the Super Bowl will be San Francisco v Kansas City.

Chiefs Prospects 2019

Sharpen the tomahawks!

Let’s start with last season, which ended spectacularly with an agonising loss to the Pats.

From last year:

Mahomes will make mistakes – all rookies do. How many and of what sort will decide the season.

(I got this one spectacularly wrong! No-one expected St Patrick to be quite as good as he was. He carried the team to spectacular heights with some truly memorable plays. He did make a few mistakes but hardly anyone remembers them!.

Offence

The wide-outs are: Tyreek Hill (speed to burn who scares the pants off defenders), Demarcus Robinson (don’t like him, never did, hope I’m wrong), De’Anthony Thomas (again speed to burn), Sammy Watkins (brought in specially to be the number one target – did little in pre-season to justify the huge contract), Chris Conley (always liked him – hoping for a break-out year), and Marcus Kemp (unknown quantity). There should be enough weapons here for Mahomes to score touchdowns. Running backs: Kareem Hunt (spectacular rookie season, can he keep it up?, Spencer Ware (returning now fully fit – we’ll see), Damien Williams (unknown quantity – probably a special teamer), and Darrel Williams (ditto) Don’t forget RB’s are the QB’s best friend. If a run offence can be generated to help Mahomes – great. If not he just becomes cannon fodder. Anthony Sherman is the fullback and has been for years, Dependable and great on Special Teams.

(What a difference a year makes. Hunt is gone – courtesy of his own inability to either tell the truth or behave himself. Personally I think the Chiefs were too hasty to throw him to the wolves. Yes, he was the author of his own demise but was there not a way to rehabilitate him? We will never know. He’s now at the Browns. I hope he does not come back to haunt us. The result is that we will now see a running back by committee type offence. I did say that a quality back is the QB’s best friend. For Mahomes’ sake I hope whoever is on the field produces. Still, don’t like Robinson. Never did. Full stop. Sherman remains. Excellent. Damien Williams is the running back – ish. Carlos Hyde is a proven if unspectacular performer. Tremon Smith is in the mix. So is Darwin Thompson. I am not impressed. What was our strength now seems to be ordinary at best. The good news is the O-line is intact and may even be improved. A healthy Sammy Watkins is joined by Tyreek – fresh from his brush with the law – and rookie Mercole Hardman. Mahomes may throw 60 touch down passes to this bunch!)

Defence

The real weakness of the team last season. Therefore an overhaul was needed and was duly undertaken.

In come Spagnolo and a 4-3. Out goes the 3-4. Chris Jones is joined by Frank Clark (big bucks and he may well be worth it) Alex Okafor also joins this revamped group. The linebackers were very poor last year. I predict they will move up to at least poor this season. Great. The secondary looks thin and lacking in talent across the board. I better be wrong or it could be a long season – a very long season. The pundits are thinking that the Chiefs over-achieved last year thanks to Mahomes. They may be right – but we were an off-side penalty away from a Super Bowl appearance! Good things are coming out of the training camp about Kpassagnon (a puzzle wrapped up in an enigma). If we get four good down linemen who can stop the run and provide some kind of pass rush, the skies the limit.)

I’m loving the morons who are insisting the Chargers are the team to beat in the West. I bet Andy Reid is as well. We own the Chargers. Philip Rivers is mostly past it. We will win the AFC West again. Pundits again think the schedule is tough. So it should be we were so close to the big prize last year.

From last year:

Prediction time: the pundits are all over the place. Some even see a Super Bowl season. I all goes well they win 10 games. Super well – 11 and the Division Champs. Super bad – 8-8 and no-where.

My money is on 10-6 but I have no real faith in it.

We find out a lot tonight as they take on the Charger (many folks favourites for the division in game one). Ask me after this one! (we won!)

2019 prediction: We win the AFC West again we get to the Super Bowl and we may even well win it.

Red Sieve or Red Peril

Chiefs Post Season Chances

What a roller coaster! Where to start? Kareem Hunt.

What a tragedy for a young professional sportsman. It was interesting to see Arrowhead Pride take down the fan comment feed shortly after it was announced that Hunt would be released (fire effectively) with immediate effect. Whilst on a human level it is right to feel compassion for Kareem, on a professional level the Chiefs organization acted swiftly and correctly. Notwithstanding the obvious, Kareem lied to his employers about an alleged assault. In most occupations this is grounds for instant dismissal. Chiefs fans who really think some other plan might have worked are seriously deluded. Mr Hunt has left the building and he’s not coming back.

What consolation there is may be gained from knowing that in the medium to long term excellent running backs are not in short supply. With Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware set to become a running back by committee with Darrell Williams the Chiefs are not short of bodies. None, however can match the skill set of Hunt. Fans should just consider that he had a season-ending injury and move on. That’s the only choice.

Next: The Chiefs sighed Kelvin Benjamin today to bolster their receiving corps. It’s a one year deal. Not a problem. Benjamin gives them cover in a skill position. How much he plays is another question. He’s a good player. It’s a good move.

Negative: Eric Berry; Chiefs’ Thursday injury report vs. Ravens: Eric Berry limited again, could be on snap count if active Sunday. No-one can really figure out what the Berry situation is! He’s been on the roster all year and has not played a down. Common sense would tell you that the Chiefs believe he will be able to play sometime this season or they would have put him on injured reserve by now. Then again – if he does play can he really “fix” what is the worst KC defence ever? I can’t see how.

History tell you that the best way to have a successful post-season run is to lock down home field advantage. Right now the Chiefs are the Number One seed in the AFC. Can they hold that spot? We may learn on Sunday when they entertain the Ravens. The Ravens are fighting for their lives and will prove a stern test. Beating them would go a long way towards getting the number one spot. Oh, wait a minute they also have the surging Chargers (home) and Seattle (away) to overcome. The number one spot doesn’t really look so easy now – does it? Then again – even the number two seed is good – at least you get a week off. And, even playing the Pats in the AFC Championship game in Foxboro doesn’t look all that frightening. Sum up: Barring real disaster, Chiefs make the play-offs.

How far could they go?

Not too far.

Why?

They have no defence. Even with an average defence they would have a chance. The one they have is so far behind average that it makes anyone else’s look good. The truth is the Chiefs are wholly dependent on Patrick Mahomes – who has delivered a miracle of a season so far. Should he get hurt – finito!

The Chiefs are one draft and one free-agency away from a Super Bowl. And, not just an appearance, but winning the whole tamale. Fans would do well not to get caught up in the hype, enjoy the ride as long as it lasts and look forward with optimism. Fact: defense wins Super Bowls. End of.

Update: Chiefs beat the Raiders easily to secure the number one spot in the AFL Play-offs.  The Colts beat Houston easily to set up a match at Arrowhead next Saturday.  Mal's worst nightmare

One and Done - Minus the One

Chiefs Blow it Big Time

An historic loss and I watched the whole thing live courtesy of Sky Sports. Happy Days. I almost wish I had had the flu and only had to read about it the next day!

But no – like the live-streaming of a train wreck – you just have to watch even when you know the outcome is going to be a disaster.

UGLY: What was that call?

Marcus Mariota fumbled the football on the play, which Justin Houston recovered, but it was ruled a stoppage of forward progress, which cannot be challenged. This was the first of two questionable forward progress calls on the evening.

The Titans kicked a field goal to get on the board.

"Anyway that aside, I have to say that these rules now a days are getting very complicated and they are starting to pull at the fabric of the game. The forward progress call where Mariota fumbled was egregious and atrocious. The quarterback was standing still - the impact of the hit jarred the football loose and the referee decided to call his forward progress stopped - even though he was standing still looking downfield - negating an obvious fumble. The definition of a sack fumble has now been called into question. Calls like this should never happen and yet are becoming routine and familiar. These calls are absurd and way overcomplicated. So I wanted to open a discussion and see what people think should be done to stop this lunacy of calls. Instead of a rant I thought it may be constructive to have a discussion about solutions to a problem rather than being pissed that we follow the biggest choke artists in sports. Hence this post.”

“The odd thing was – at half time with the score 21-3 and I was thinking that if we can get a touchdown on the next possession maybe we can rest some of the starters for next week’s encounter with the Steelers. (Talk about some rose-coloured lenses).

Then the wheels not only came off but went rolling off indifferent directions. The running the ball plan was abandoned (it wasn’t working anyway). The injuries piled up (two were extremely critical – Travis Kelce and Chris Jones). The defense began to show their true form (the Greeks have a word for it “pathos”). Finally, Alex Smith (in what will surely be his last game in red) began to look confused and shell-shocked, as if “surely this can’t happen again!” Oh, yes it can and it did, Alex.

At the end of the day the truth is the Chiefs lost because they did not make enough good plays on either offence or defence. This self-evident analysis is only useful going forward if it forms the basis for progress.

Let’s start with the offence: where, at least, there were some bright sparks.

Alex Smith has been a great servant to the franchise, but next year he is just trade bait. Patrick Mahomes will be the QB and the Chiefs cannot afford to have Alex as a back-up. He goes for either high draft picks or a quality player which fills a need. We have the rushing leader in Kareem Hunt. That should be enough! No, it is not. In he Titans game, he was generally ineffective, whilst a much leas talented back got the glory for the Titans by pounding the Chiefs D-line. We could use a real pounder as compliment to Hunt. At Tight end we have Travis Kelce and when he got injured the game was lost. Demetrius Harris and Orson Charles are poor, and very poor respectively substitutes. The much talked-about Chiefs three tight end offence was shown to be nonsense. We need another proven tight end via the draft or free agency. The O-line has been poor all season. Some good games have only masked the inadequacies. Upgrades are required across the board. You simply cannot have a rookie QB with a poor O-line and a one-dimensional running game. The core of the problem is the receiving corps. Alex has been hampered all season by a lack of quality receivers to throw to. Mahomes will need proven NFL receivers and some top draft picks to come in and challenge for starting spots. The Chiefs have been making do with Tyreek Hill – who is not really a wide-receiver at all! Getting in some real big-bodied wide-outs who can catch the ball is the number one priority!

Moving on to Special Teams. What a disappointment. In the most critical game of the season they made one play – a fumble recovery on a punt. Result: no points. The Butt Kicker missed a chip shot. Shame to blame him but it comes with the job. He makes it and we probably win. Shame because he is very good and will have the job next season. Dustin Colquitt will be a free agent and may go. I can see a low draft pick being used on the next Chiefs career punter.

The Chiefs defense is overall graded at about D or C- at best. D-line needs help and players who could help are not on the roster. LB’s are D at best. Help! Help! The secondary is solid but needs another quality cornerback and a safety (even if Eric Berry returns and is in his old form.)

There are no mysteries here. You can call it a rebuilding year or a revamping year or a treading water exercise, call it what you will. Problem is almost every other team will be looking for the same things!

Still, until these issues are addressed and solved the next play-off win is a mirage in the distance.

65 TPT

Chiefs on the run rack

I’m not really a betting man, but I did invest £50 in Sky Bet with the idea that I would back the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl in 2018.

After five weeks of wins they odds were not good. With the tribe sitting on top of the AFC West, my investment was just waiting for the odds to improve to climb on-board the Chiefs steamroller. Of course, Mr Dismay was not long in arriving. 

Starting with the loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers (who else), it became obvious that the Chiefs could not stop the run. Like all good football teams the Steelers simply kept running the ball until they were stopped. This never happened.

Half-ignoring the annoying loss to the Raiders (though once again the run game was instrumental in the debacle) against the Cowboys again the defense could not prevent simple running plays. “Smash-mouth football” had returned and it was here to stay.

So, what has happened? From my lofty position it just appears we are not good enough. Chris Jones, Bennie Logan, and Allen Bailey can not occupy their opposite numbers for long enough for the inside line-backers to make plays Sadly, Derrick Johnson and Reggie Ragland are either not good enough or so out of form they can’t tackle anyone inside. Result? Teams run with impunity against the Chiefs. They control the clock. Their O-line relishes firing out and creating holes that you or I could run through.

What’s to be done? It appears we have few options. The problem is up-front and inside. There are no available replacements waiting for their chance.

This week against the lowly Giants the short-comings may well be masked. The Chiefs will win and probably win big. If they do, all will be forgiven – or at least the short-comings will continue to be disguised.

(I am so much of a non-betting man that I foolishly took my £50 and bet it – by mistake – on the Giants to win at 7-2. I thought I was getting 7-2 on the Chiefs – fortunately I manage to bail out and preserve my stake!)

However, the return to the glory days of 65 TPT seem to have receded into the Super Bowl mists of time.

(For non-Chiefs fans 65 TPT was the play called by Hank Stram against the vaunted Minnesota Purple-People-Eaters defense which won Super Bowl IV. It was a running play and the Vikings could not stop it. No wonder Hank was so excited – like me he realised that if the Vikings could not stop a simple running play then they could not possibly win!)

Chiefs Prospects for 2017

Here We Go Again!

Well, here we go again. The roundabout that passes for professional football in Kansas City is about to hit the road again. What are the chances that come next January we will be anticipating a run to the Super Bowl? Or, what about another year of “if only” for the Arrowhead faithful?

2017 follows 2016. (Brilliant insight!)

Lots has happened since that most forgettable night when holding all the cards and with home field advantage the Chiefs stumbled and coughed their way out of the play-offs against the Steelers. Some old wood has been burned. Most notably, both Jamaal Charles and Jeremy Macklin have been unceremoniously dumped. Another draft class had arrived, and with it a new QB – Patrick Mahomes, fresh out of Texas Tech. But, and this is a big but, Alex Smith remains the MAN.

So, how do we progress?

The offence looks better. Tyrek Hill is now installed as a receiving threat from day one – and not just a bit player – hence the departure of Macklin. Chris Conley has another year under his belt and should provide stability along with Albert Wilson – whose stock is always low but always finds a way to get on the field. D'Anthony Thomas rounds out the group. The truth is this bunch will scare no-one and is still a weakness compared to other NFL squads.

Riches are found at tight end. Travis Kelce is teamed with Gavin Escobar (he could be the find of the season!) and Demetrious Harris ( a solid performer). We may see they all on the field at the same time in the three tight-end formation so loved by Andy Reid.

The games is build on the O-line and they should be better. No great upgrades here but no glaring weaknesses either. Can they stay healthy? If the back-ups have to stand up then the season looks a lot dimmer.

Alex Smith is the QB (from last season's report - “As usual, the rock is on Alex Smith's shoulder. He was brilliant in Week One and very ordinary in Week Two. Consequence? We are one and one.”)

It's sameo – sameo. Alex probably knows this is his last season to be the starter. Rookie Mahomes backs him up with Tyler Bray for cover. Will this spur Smith to greatness or burden him with a monkey (or perhaps if Bray plays a donkey) on his back. My take -

Alex has four or five games to achieve a good start before the calls for him to step down are so loud they can be heard all the way to Wroxham. I hope he takes the Chiefs to the heights, but like many fans I think he is approaching his sell by date.

Last year I said, “Running backs should be the strength of the team. Anthony Sherman is a mainstay at fullback. Jamaal Charles is still a class act. Spencer Ware is getting a lot of snaps. Chacandrick West is a capable back-up.”

Today, Sherman is still the fullback. Ware has a season-ending injury. West is serviceable. Rookie back Kareem Hunt may well get the starting job with import CJ Spiller spelling him. An upgrade? From Jamaal Charles? You have to be joking me. One thing is for sure a good running back is the QB's best friend. Whoever is the signal-caller they will need a running game as they can't do much if they are flat on their back. I'm not very confident.

The defence may well have to carry the team. The good news is that they may well do it.

Gone is the Memphis Mauler (aka Dontari Poe). This one is such a classic. When he was a Chief the man was the best thing since sliced bread. Now that he is gone, his replacement, Bernie Logan is according to the press reports a real upgrade at nose tackle. We'll see. LB's Justin Houston and Tabma Hali are back, healthy and ready to wreak havoc. They are spelled by former number one pick Dee Ford and Ramik Wilson (who may well be the starter with Hali to come off the bench).

Chris Jones anchors one end with Allen Bailey on the other side. They are good. Their back-up's are serviceable to good as well.

DBs are a class above the rest of the Division with Peters, Parker, Gaines and Nelson all able to contribute. Eric Berry is Mr KC at safety and Daniel Sorenson is better than he gets credit for.

Special Teams is a trademark and marquee class for the Tribe. They are always better than most of the league.

Time to sum up: if Alex Smith rises to the challenge and stays healthy he may well be leading the team into the play-offs. Most pundits are predicting a winning season. How many? Anywhere from nine to eleven.

My guess – somewhere in between. We win 10 and just make the end-of-season party.

Chiefs Inept?

Chiefs Woes Continue

I've been lucky. The scheduling has meant that the Chiefs have been live on TV for two of the three games so far this season.

(I can hear someone out there screaming that I've been very unlucky the way they are playing!)

Fans could just about take the lacklustre performance against the Texans – at least we won the game. You could make some kind of a case for the effort against the Broncos. Given just a little bit of co-operation from the football gods, we could have won.

But, the Packers? The Packers? Crisis time is looming large.

Now don't get me wrong, the Packers are a good football team. But, disappointingly, and I mean ugly disappointingly, the Chiefs made them look like a great football team. One of my enduring images of the game was Aaron Rogers sitting on the sidelines (having constructed a big lead) looking over the results of his efforts and smiling condescendingly.

Forget the score. The Chiefs were never in this game.

Why? Where to start?

On offence the Chiefs could not move the ball. The tone was set right at the beginning. The pre-game hype had it that the boys in red could run the ball and Jamaal Charles would have a big day. He got 49 yards on 11 carries. The three TD's are irrelevant. The running game was more or less non existent the whole game. Meanwhile the Packers could keep the Chiefs defense honest by rushing for 130 yards.

So, we had to rely on Alex Smith to win the game with his arm. Not pretty sight. Again the stats are misleading. The Great Hope that was Jeremy Macklin had no catches in the first half. He finished with what looks like a respectable afternoon – 8 catches for 141 and a touchdown. Take away the one big catch and he averages about 10 yards a catch. For this we paid big money? (Watching him miss simple downfield blocking assignments was too painful to comment on.)

On defence, the tribe looked like rabbits in the headlights. Tamba Hali had a sack. The containment of a mobile QB like Rogers was on a high school level. The tacking dummy would have been of more use than the real players. It was embarrassing to watch. The Packers had seven sacks and god knows how many hurries.

So, is this just a bad day at the office? Was this just a game the Chiefs were destined to lose anyway? Can they put this performance behind them and move on?

The signs are not good.

Andy Reid's post-game press conference was interesting. He could barely contain his exasperation at the lack of skill, preparation or professionalism in the team. It is his job to prepare the players, and I'm now wondering if he is up to it.

Yes, it's only game three. There is another game away next week (mercifully not on TV, I hope) against the 3-0 Bungles who were narrow winners over the Ravens.

Another poor performance by Reid, Smith and the other starters could start the boo-boys, start the calls for Chase Daniels at QB, start the call for Reid to go and start the beginning, if not the end, of a reality check. A one and three start is staring the Chiefs in the face and the omens are not good.

Chiefs - Moving Forward?

Chiefs Draft/Free Agency Analysis

Time to un-mothball the pigskin chatter and find out where the Chiefs are now – and, more importantly where they are going.

First the moves in free agency.  The tribe were winners and losers.  They grabbed Jeremy Maclin, a proven NFL receiver. This addresses need number one.  The signed Ben Grubbs, another NFL proven talent.  The also added OL Paul Fanaika.  The is a solid base of new talent to add depth, provide some kind of a passing threat and get the O-line moving in the right direction.  Overall a B or B - is my verdict.

In the draft, the Chiefs look like making an already sound defence better.  First round, a cornerback from Washington, Marcus Peters.  As with all first round picks, you need them to make the team, make an immediate impact and be a starter for years to come.  On this basis, the Chiefs record is patchy at best.  Remember that great wide out Baldwin?  I do.

They added Missouri guard Mitch Morse in Round 2. Georgia wideout Chris Conley and Oregon State cornerback Steven Nelson were selected in Round 3.  These are solid selections addressing the needs of the team.  Good.

Later round picks:  the Chiefs kicked off Round 4 by selecting former Georgia linebacker Ramik Wilson and added guys like D.J. Alexander and James O'Shaughnessy later in the day.

Overall a solid, if unspectacular draft.  But, when free agency is added into to the mix, things look a lot better.  The two things must be seen together as the team moves forward to 2015.

I particularly liked the analysis of where the Chiefs are in relation to the division done by Arrowhead Pride.

They say:

1) Does this team have a great quarterback OR a way to neutralize a great quarterback?

Good question.  The verdict on QB Alex Smith is still out.  This year should provide him with the tools he needs to do the job - a better offensive line – better receivers. Can he move up to the next level?  Does he have to?  Remember, it's defence that wins Super Bowls and the Chiefs should be better on that side of the ball.  Can Smith get enough production out of the offence?  I think he can.

2) Does this team have any glaring weaknesses good teams will expose in the playoffs?

Another good question.  Last season the run defence failed miserably at critical times.  Will it be better?  It depends on a large number of variables.  Will Eric Berry be back, fit and able?  Will Derrick Johnson be back and as a solid LB?  Mike DeVito, returning from injury, competing?  This could be the crunch topic.

3) Does this team show the ability to beat other playoff-caliber teams?

I was happy to be at Arrowhead to see the boys demolish the Pats.  The big question is can they find a way to beat Peyton and the Broncos?  They may.  That will be the crunch for the season and this topic.

Chiefs at the Crossroads

Chiefs 2014-5 Review

Well the dust has just about settled on the 2014 NFL season. There is the small item of the Super Bowl to come this Sunday, but for most of us it's time to evaluate last season and look forward to a draft day and a long hot summer before we get back to the action in September.

BTW, do you know which team owns victories against the Super Bowl contenders this season? Yep – it's the Chiefs. The destroyed New England on 29 September 41 – 14 (I was at Arrowhead) and they beat Seattle 24 – 20 in November. Did they peak too soon? Certainly looks like it.

Summing up the season: if the Chiefs had not imploded against the Oakland Raiders and failed to show up against the Tennessee Titans in the opener; they would have waltzed into the play-offs and might still be playing. But, as they say, that's football.

So, how did it all come about? What lessons are to be learned? Where do we go from here?

Number one – the Chiefs had no production from the wide receivers. This has already been well-documented. This is probably the reason they didn't make the play-offs, so we can move on to other more interesting topics.

Lessons to be learned – it's becoming a game of inches – literally. More and more there are imponderables that affect the result of games. The officials miss a call – the wide receiver drops a sitter – the cornerback slips at an inopportune moment – the list is getting longer every season. Hence we have the NFL's stated goal becoming more and more to the fore. Any given Sunday. It's a fine line between winning and losing and most teams can make a good case for “we wuz robbed”!

Where do we go from here? Firstly, I found on Arrowhead Pride a chart grading the Chiefs players for this season. Interesting reading.

According to the grading system used the Tribe had only three Elite players: Justin Houston, Sean Smith and Anthony Sherman. Hard to argue with these but when your blocking fullback is one of your elites – it says a lot (BTW the NFL average is 2).

In the Good category we have only two – Travis Kelce and Rodney Hudson. Two offensive players I will grant you. (Can't see how Kelce gets in - the man drops too many easy catches!) The NFL Average is 4.3.

We have 18 Average players. Tamba Hali, Jamal Charles and Alex Smith are in this category. Surprises might include Dontari Poe (too low) and Zac Fulton (too high). The NFL average is 21.

In the Bad category we find 8 Chiefs. Eric Fisher is in. So is Knile Davis. The NFL average is 5.8.

So anything interesting here? Well for starters comparing your team to the NFL average is not very useful. I'd like to see how we stack up against the play-off teams. That's a better area with which to make a meaningful comparison.

In any event, 2014 was a rebuilding year. We won more games that I predicted at the start. We had some excellent wins and some surprising losses.

What does 2015 hold in store?

As the song says, the only way is up!

The Chiefs are two or three players away from a guaranteed play-off appearance next season. And, once you make the play-offs anything is possible!

The draft will have to improve (where is Dee Ford – top pick in 2014?)

With improvements on the offensive line and also at wide-out we could easily improve on the season's record. (Added bonus – Peyton Manning will almost certainly retire!)

2015 should bring better times.

Super Bowl for the Chiefs?

Chiefs Take to the Play-off Road

The KC Chiefs will have their work cut out for them if they are to make significant progress in the AFC post season play-offs.

With the number 5 seed just about clinched, it looks like the boys in red will take on Indianapolis in the first round at Indy. Significantly the Colts are banged up for the match-up at Arrowhead on Sunday – and may well play it safe by not showing too much. If so, look for the Chiefs to win fairly comfortably and put a marker down for the rematch.

If Indy is dispatched it's likely the Bronco wait at Mile High in the next round. So far this season the Broncos and Peyton Manning have owned the Chiefs. Looks like “one and done” all over again.

Things, as usual, are never quite that simple. Football isn't played on paper. The Colts may well parley the home field advantage and dispatch the visitors in the first round. They have some good players and play well at home.

Then we get to Mile High - in late December. The weather may have a great effect. If so it's the quick release, short passing game of the ponies which might prove effective. And, the Chiefs will have to do what they have been unable (as has almost everyone else!) to do – stop, of at least, slow down Manning. The prospects are not good. This is probably the Chiefs season in a nutshell.

If they can handle Denver away then they can win the Super Bowl. Nobody in the NFC looks anywhere near as good as Denver. But, it's a funny old game!

I predict: Chiefs to win in Indy and lose to Denver. Denver to play Seattle in the Super Bowl and the Seahawks will win.

Take it or leave it – but stay away from the bookies – this should be one of the most interesting play-off seasons for a long time.

Chiefs Sink and Fast

Picking your way out of trouble?

Trying to account for the Chiefs disastrous season so far is a bit like trying to find an honest man in politics – hard to do and over ripe with choices.

Having got egg all over my face (not the only one I may add) in predicting a break-out season, what has gone wrong?

Obviously, if I knew that I'd be the General Manager or Coach or both.

But, I think I've got a handle on something that might go some way to explain the terrible smell coming out of Arrowhead at the moment.

You will remember that General Manager Pioli has long advocated building the team through the draft. His special talent is (or is supposed to be) identifying talent and signing the right players. That's the way to success on the field, he says.

So, how has he done and, more importantly, how have the Chiefs done in the draft in general?

Lets go back to 05 for the starter. Pioli wasn't around then but it's just 8 years ago and by now something should have happened? Surely? I could have started in 09 when Pioli came on board but the picture would seem depressingly similar – or even worse.

Starting on 05 allows some comparison with what came before Pioli and what came after. And, all the first round picks since 05 are still on the KC roster. So, it makes sense that they should be the basis of the team and the team should be winning a lot of games – at least that was the Pioli plan.

In 05 the Chiefs went for Derrick Johnson, a line backer. Is he in the starting line up? Yes, quite regularly. Is he making big plays and stuffing the run and intercepting passes? A bit. Yes, just a bit. Give him a C+.

In 06 we got Tamba Hali – originally a defensive end but now a line backer in the 3-4 defence. He has made the pro-bowl and regularly features in the sack count. Give him a B.

In 07 the Chiefs drafted Dwayne Bowe a wide receiver. How's he done? He's made pro bowl appearances and regularly leads the team in receptions and yardage. He drops too many balls, everyone will tell you that. Can get a B-

08 was a big year – we had two picks in the first round. Glen Dorsey and Branden Albert both came on-board. Dorsey is a bit player, He starts at defensive end – when he's fit. He has never shook off the number one pick disease and gone on to stardom. He's barely adequate and gets a D.

This, incidentally, is the start of the Pioli reign. Branden Albert is a starter on the O-line and has done quite well. He's solid and dependable. His pass protection is generally good and he can run block. He's a good player. Is he a great one? No. He can have a B-.

In 09 Tyson Jackson was drafted in round one. He's opposite Dorsey on the D-line. He's adequate. He may get better. He is only a D+ on present form.

In 10 Safety Eric Berry was picked at number one – fifth overall in the draft. He was going to be the lynch pin around which the defence would solidify. Before he had a serious knee injury and sat out all of last season he was living up to the hype. Now he may struggle to regain the momentum. He's a good player but the jury is out on whether he can be the world-beater we hoped for. At present he's a C-.

Wide receiver Jon Baldwin was the 11 pick. So far this is a disaster happening before out eyes. His numbers are poor. His play is poor. He has never really recovered from a chequered start to his NFL career – as the speculation about a pre-season injury never was cleared up satisfactorily. I had Bowe and Baldwin as a real twin receiving threat. This has never happened. He can only get an E.

Finally we took Dontari Poe, a real nose tackle, in the 12 draft. I thought he'd be the final piece in the puzzle. Now with three first round picks on the D-line, the pieces all fit together. No-one could run the ball on us and we'd get pressure on all QB's. Not happened. He may be a rookie but he seems not to be a factor. He can only manage a D-.

Something really depressing is building up. The Pioli picks are all bombing.

That's why we have never led in a game this season and why we are 1-8.

I'd like to see the way back, but I can't.

I'm depressed.

Any Given Sunday

Chiefs inconsistent or just normal?

As the Raiders beat the Chargers to move to 5 and 4 the Chiefs wait in the wings to pick up the pieces and get a grip on the AFC West. Will it happen?

Who knows?

What is certain is that nothing is certain. That's for sure.

Why? Because the old any give Sunday has never been so true as it is today. Just look at the San Diego – Raiders game. Experts called it a San Diego opportunity, but the Raiders had different ideas. Still, the game was close and Carson Palmer performed well after the mauling the Chiefs dished out to him.

Except for a few big plays the game was a toss-up.

The Chiefs host a much improved Denver team this week and desperately need a win to keep up with Oakland. Have they any reason for optimism? Not really.

Last time out they were embarrassed by a Miami team without a win (any given Sunday).

Their home form has been erratic to say the least.

If you were a bookmaker you'd bet on Denver, and this is not just getting down on the home boys, but a measure of how poorly the Chiefs are look at the half-way stage.

The offence cannot really generate a running game and therefore Matt Cassell cannot generate a passing game. QED, the Chiefs are going to struggle unless they can untrack some kind of rushing game. Can they do it? Looks problematical.

Tebow dishes out something different and the Chiefs look vulnerable to a running game.

The defence will have to have a big game, with interceptions as well as hurries and fumble recoveries.

Prediction time: hate to say it but Denver may well win.

Re-group time for the Reds – it might be next year before we really have a team.

Picking the Right Stuff

Hang on to your tomahawk!

As we approach the annual slug-fest that is the NFL draft, the KC Chiefs appear to be sitting pretty with the number five pick.

Would that it were so easy.

For months I've been willing the Chiefs to draft the top line-backer available at number five. None of the the professional scenarios are with me on that one.

Thomas Jones, Casey Wiegmann and Ryan Lilja all arrived on the offensive side of the ball in free agency. This is a departure from usual Chief's tactics and has pleased the fans no end. But, with the offence being strengthened will the folks who are supposed to know (Coach and GM) then go for a defensive player in Round One?

Early in the process it was mooted that Eric Berry – Safety from Tennessee was a sure fire pick for the Chiefs at five. Now, nobody is quite sure. Apparently the draft is deep and some very good players (including safeties) might be still on the board in round two. Chiefs might pass on making a rookie safety a number one pick. With only four linebackers in the top 32 picks it may be that the Chiefs will not go with my choice for that reason alone.

Where else might they go on offense? Tackles? With two in the frame to go in the first few picks there may be none available.

Then again, on defense have the Chiefs given up on the Tackles they have, specifically Glenn Dorsey? If so, and there is quality still on the board when the five pick rolls around the pick may go that way.

All the mock drafts highlight one immutable dilemma.

Do you pick the top player left on your team draft board – or go for the top player at the position you are most in need of? I expect the latter.

Why? Some area are already sown up. Matt Cassell will be the QB in 2010. Scott Pioli has a record of grabbing good QB's in the late rounds. He won't hesitate to do the same this time if the opportunity presents itself. RB's look full with the addition of Jones. O-line has already been strengthened – but youth might tempt Scott at center, guard or tackle. D-line may need improvement, but at what cost? You can't have too many good CB's but the Chiefs look strong here.

That only leaves Wide Receivers. How I would love it if the management grabbed the top receiver at five! Problem is Des Bryant, Oklahoma State is the top mock prospect – but he has personal issues! After losing WR Dwayne Bowe to a bout of “inappropriate activity” and finally getting rid of Larry Johnson, the Chiefs are unlikely to take a flyer on Bryant. Next up is Arrelious Benn from Illinois and they are the only two in the top 32 mock picks. Despite my efforts to upgrade the receivers it looks like real talent is lacking in round one.

My final take. It's most important for the Chiefs not to make a mistake at number five. They may well try to trade out of this high pick. If they have to choose, I expect them to take the top player, whatever the position, at number five. My gut feeling is it will be Berry – but one of the top quality offensive tackles, if available, might just trump him.

Chiefs Grades

Getting Better?

It's the end of term. The pads are being put away and the players are on their way home. Time to sum up and evaluate the 2009 version of the KC Chiefs.

Management

It's the Scott Pioli and Todd Haley show, so at the end of the day it's their performances which will power the Chiefs to the next level or see them sink. How did they do? Well, Scott has the last laugh, but only because he is up in the office and his decisions are not always apparent. Todd is on the front line and way too visible. Scott had his work cut out for him because he inherited a team from the previous regime and would have had to be a real Houdini to escape the mediocrity that was the previous incarnation. Has he failed? No, not yet – but he only has this year's draft and free agency to come up with some solutions. Todd has already made some moves to improve his coaching staff. A smart move. As a beginner he has had it rough. Again, he has only one more year to show some real progress. After that it could be adiós!

Quarterbacks

The blaze of anticipation that came with Matt Cassell soon foundered under the realisation that without any quality receivers and a make-shift backfield he was not going to be a Pro Bowl QB this season. The Chiefs will persevere with him and rightly. With some quality around him he can only get better. Brodie Croyle is a good back-up – question is can the Chiefs keep him?

Receivers

See above. No quality. Dwayne Bowe took over the Larry Johnson role as Idiot in Residence. Others arrived, left or just bombed. Must be priority number two in draft/free agency.

Running backs

Jamal Charles is now the saviour after a good second half to the season. Shows a lot of promise. Could be a thousand yard plus back. One thing is for sure, the running back is the quarterback's best friend and if Cassell is to prosper then so must Charles. Chiefs may well draft here but not in the top three rounds. The demise of Larry Johnson was long past doing and benefited everyone. Now he can set about messing up Cincinnati.

O-line

Got a bit better but only just. Chiefs will try to acquire some quality at center and maybe one tackle. Some incumbents will be out of a job next season – at least in KC. Draft priority – equal second.

Special Teams

Not enough quality and the result often found the Tomahawkers behind before they started. Change of coach? Change of philosophy? Change of personnel? Probably all of the above. Chiefs fringe draftees must be able to contribute to this part of the team. Draft priority – below five

Kickers

Just about a plus for Mr Irrelevant. Chiefs will persevere with him and should. Punting rock solid – probably the only area the Chiefs will not have to look at next season. Draft priority – not on the radar. If the Chiefs draft a specialist kicker they really have lost the plot!

Defensive Line/Linebackers

Here's where Pioli and Haley really can point to the first year blues. Trying to change the 4-3 to a 3-4 with more or less the same personnel was always going to be a killer, and it was. So, now they must fix it. They must draft high (first/second round) and explore free agency. They may trade/get rid of Glenn Dorsey. Makes sense – he's not a 3-4 player. The 2010 Chiefs must be able to stuff the run with the front three. End of story. Linebackers are not good enough and will be cleared out – with the exception of Tamba Hali and maybe one or two others. Draft high! Imperative!

Secondary

Suffered because of the non-existent pass rush. Still developing and will probably be down in the draft priority.

Fringe players

Did not contribute much. Despite noises that everyone on the roster must be the right kind of player it just did not happen From the 50-odd man roster that finished the season I expect no more than 35 -40 to be starting the next.

Under Achieve - Over Achieve?

Both impersonating stones.

Contrasting fortunes for the England Cricket Team and the Kansas City Chiefs.

One has, seemingly, been over-achieving whilst the other is moving, or possibly sinking, rapidly in the other direction.

No prizes for guessing which.

England did more than expected in reaching the semi-finals of the ICC One-Day Tournament in South Africa. Still, in the end they were found wanting. First, South Africa exploded – nothing new there then – and India could not win a match. Pakistan flattered to deceive whist England and New Zealand just moseyed through the tournament doing little wrong, albeit not that much right either. So, an independent view must be that England were lucky to make the semis.

Having just been hammered by the Aussies at home 1-6 it is not surprising that the initial reaction to England's new-found capacity to win in the 50-over format was over-optimistic. Actually, they are still not very good at 50 over cricket. Why?

Primarily because they do not have the right bowlers. Wait a minute, I thought that the shorter form of the game was meant to be just a batsman's glory hunt. You are correct.

Therefore to win you must have bowlers who can both take wickets and stop runs flowing. South Africa had none. Neither did Pakistan. Ditto West Indies and Sri Lanka. Result? England flattered to deceive by getting so far with so little. They were fortunate to play on a few circumspect wickets that suited their bowlers. It's that simple – not a new dawn.

Meanwhile the Chiefs are stuck in a morass of losing and losing badly.

What fans were looking for this season was a new beginning. What we have got so far is not a stutter-start – more of a stutter-slide. True the odd NFL scheduling system (how can the AFL West be matched with the NFL East?) has not helped as the Chiefs were mashed by the Giants, Eagles and Ravens and then, in the only game they really had a chance to win in the first four, stumbled like born losers against the woeful Raiders. Ouch! That one hurt!

Coach Haley is bravely trying to put some sort of face on (perhaps it's a Halloween one so he can't be recognized!) but his coaching staff must be wondering what to do. With a team almost last in team defence and not much better on offence there is not much to cheer them up!

Fact is, when you are not a very good team you must have everything go your way in order to compete and have a chance. If not? Not much hope.

This week the Cowboys visit Arrowhead. I did pick them to beat Denver last week and they just failed. Maybe they don't play well on the road. More likely, they will bushwhack the Chiefs and sentence us to a long wait for a win – any win.

Matt Cassell has been a real disappointment. The running game is poor. Receivers are dropping balls at just the wrong time. The defence is still feeling its way into a 3-4 and cannot make a play when they have to. Too many players are under-performing. It's going to be a long season.

At this rate Coach Haley could be a one year phenomenon.