ya, devito can shed and stack blockers so he will be a better run stuffer. In this new attack style, DJ is going to have to play physical & smart ball in there. this is more like a Ravens defense up front -- we used to hear Ray Ray talk bout how he had to fight off OL guys to make plays inside. This defense is going to be very dependent on DJ. While he's as athletic as any at that position, he has not played very smart on a consistent basis throughout a season, though he did get his head out his ass and ball it the last 10 games of 2012.

To me, DJ is the pivot man in 2013.

His yards per attempt (8.0) puts him in a tie at #3 with P. Manning and Cam Newton, with Griffin at #2 (8.1) and Kaepernick at #1 with 8.3 ypa.

His ypc, at 11.35, was roughly middle of the pack, though there isn't much separating the QB's on ypc. (Quinn was one of the worst at 10.18 and Cassel was 11.15. Best was Newton at 13.81.)

Smith was also #3 in the league in first down passing % at 39.9%, with Brady and Ryan tied for #1 at 40.0%.

All I am saying is that while Smith hasn't put up huge total yardage numbers, he's been exceptionally efficient with passing the ball and he doesn't put the ball into the defenses hands. Combine that with a solid running game, which the Chiefs have, and you've got yourself, potentially, a pretty capable offense.

It's not going to be a Martz/Vermeil aerial showcase, but it's got all of the hallmarks of being a very solid, consistent and successful system. Smith, Bowe, Charles, the O-line and Reid look to be perfect matches. Add to that a very good tight end group and it's a nice looking offense.

While I took it with a grain of salt, I'm more inclined to lean towards Bowe's prediction of him leading the league in completions and TD's and Charles wearing the rushing crown than away from such grandiose statements. Smith will set both of those guys up very well to let them do what they do, which no one around here should complain about.

If you look at the rookie numbers for Casey Hampton and Poe, they are not all that much different. If Poe can make the leap into the elite NT group and dominate the position like Hampton did for years at Pittsburgh, I think our defense has a chance to rocket to the top of the NFL.

To me, Poe is the key man in 2013.

I'm still holding out hope for Powe as a solid rotational guy.

He seemed to be the Greg Hill on defense last year. He'd be in for one play, penetrate and get in the backfield, then he's walking off the field.

I'm not saying he should start over Poe but he should get his PT...

Absolutely. I don't see why people can't understand that this is a team sport and that with the different pieces in place on this team the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

8.0 YPA is a little misleading, that was his YPA for the half season he played in 2012.

In 2011 it was 7.1, and his career YPA is 6.6.

The stat isn't misleading at all. That is the stat. he threw the exact same amount of passes that Colin Kaepernick threw during the regular season, to the number 218. Kaep ended .2 higher at 8.3. And Alex Smith had finally found consistency with Crabtree. 3 tds in their last 5 quarters together. If anything, that number was going to get better. They were getting ready to play some pretty shitty defenses.

http://nfl.si.com/2013/07/11/2013-nfl-preview-afc-west/

Here's one for ya...

"This is the one division that will head into this season with an absolute, obvious favorite to finish first. That team is the Denver Broncos..."


Chiefs:
Where they stand: Seemingly every season in the NFL, a team bounces back from a last-place finish to make the playoffs. Are the Chiefs the 2013 Cinderella? Granted, it is a massive leap from 2-14 to the playoffs, so let’s start a little more slowly: Kansas City could have an elite secondary after adding CBs Sean Smith and Dunta Robinson; RB Jamaal Charles might bust loose in Reid’s scheme; Smith has developed into an impressive QB, and he’s behind what might be a very solid O-line; the receivers and defensive front seven have ample talent. This may not be a 10-win team, but a minimum of six wins is realistic.

LMAO I will eat a literal poop sandwich if we only win 6 games.

Noted.

youd better not welch

This is very unwise...

Screencapped

Here are the teams that have gone worst to first in the last 10 years (which is when the current division structure started), and the number of games behind they were when they were worst.

2003 KC 3, CAR 5
2004 SD 9, ATL 6
2005 CHI 5, TB 6
2006 PHI 5, NO 8
2007 TB 6
2008 MIA 15
2009 NO 4
2010 KC 9
2011 DEN 6
2012 WAS 4

The Chiefs were 11 games behind last season, and it seems like a similar situation to Miami's 2008 season would be necessary to go worst to first.

Interestingly, going worst to first (14 times in 10 years) was more common than going worst to wildcard (11 times).

Am I reading this right? You're saying that the Chiefs have gone from worst to first twice in the last 10 years, attempting to make it 3 out of the last 11 years in 2013? A freaking roller coaster of highs and lows...