How dumb do I look now?

So I wrote the following column Thursday night for a publication that will be sent out next week. I'm open to critiques.

Chiefs Preseason

The 2007 Kansas City Chiefs are rebuilding. If you pay attention to the Chiefs closely you've heard Carl Peterson repeatedly deny that fact. If Carl were calling all the personnel shots, Damon Huard would be the favorite quarterback to earn the starting role in Reliant Stadium for the season opener against the Texans. Based on the evidence presented by Herm Edwards, Brodie Croyle will be under center September 9th.

The Chiefs haven't successfully developed a starting quarterback since, well it really depends on your definition of “successful”. My definition would suggest they've never developed their own QB. If your definition is significantly more liberal than mine, you still have to go back to 1983's first round selection, Todd Blackledge to find a Chiefs developed QB who logged any amount of playing time for the team. For the record, Blackledge threw 26 touchdowns and 26 interceptions in 5 years with the Chiefs, hardly a “successful”development by any standard.

The point I'm trying to make is, Chief fans need to be prepared for growing pains and frequent disappointment in 2007. I'm no expert but I assure you that you won't see Tom Brady-like results out of Croyle this year. While both players sat their rookie seasons and saw (or will see) playing time in their sophomore efforts, Croyle doesn't have the personnel surrounding him to ease his insertion into the starting role. He's going to make poor decisions. He's going to be hurried into bad plays. We need to be patient and adjust our expectations of this team.

In the age of NFL parity, the difference between a 6-10 team and a 10-6 team is minuscule. While we're probably following a 6-10 squad, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Chiefs finish with the inverted record. Their defense would unquestionably lead the way if that were to occur.

I really don't think anybody can accurately predict how a team's regular season will play out simply by using preseason contests as an indicator. Bad teams have finished preseason undefeated and SuperBowl Champions have finished winless. However, I have learned a few things about the Chiefs (through the Aug 23rd Saints game – in no particular order):

• 1. Samie Parker can't be depended upon to catch a ball unless it's out of bounds or short of the first down marker. The Chiefs should cut their losses with this guy, but they probably won't. Fortunately, he'll be demoted far enough down the depth chart we won't be seeing much of him.
  2. The two offensive tackle spots scare me. None of veterans or development prospects have distinguished themselves to date. Most preseason sacks can be traced back to a whiffed block by one of those two spots.
  3. Tim Krumrie has made a huge difference in the attitude of the defensive line. Naturally, he has more talent there than his predecessor but if you've ever had the privilege of watching a Chiefs practice up close, you know that attitude is contagious.
  4. The two young safeties are vastly superior athletes but they'll make mistakes along the way. Their situation isn't all that different than that of Brodie Croyle. They're all second year players subject to high expectations but they're still learning. Be prepared for the inevitable mistakes.
  5. Jared Allen will be missed at Houston and Chicago. Let's hope Carl Peterson can get this kid locked up long-term during the season because he's a vital cog to this defense. While he probably isn't yet considered an elite defensive end, his playmaking ability cannot be questioned. What a steal he's been.
  6. Casey Printers has proven to be a capable backup. While I don't follow the CFL, I've probably followed Printers more closely than most writers since his arrival in KC last spring. His agent sent me his highlight DVD and since watching that, I've had faith that he had the tools to develop into a capable NFL quarterback. I'm so frequently mistaken about prospects that you may see me tooting my horn when I hit on one in this space.
  7. By all appearances, Kendrell Bell has been a mistake in Kansas City. But, why is he so frequently down the field in coverage? He's not a cover linebacker. Stop dropping him into coverage in passing situations. If he's not rushing into the backfield, he should be on the sidelines.
  8. Just when I think a running back has the 3rd spot locked up, they do something to lose favor with the coaching staff. Priest Holmes is an absolute mystery. I won't event attempt a pontification towards his motives. Derrick Ross looks strong but can't hang onto the football. Kolby Smith seems unable to catch a ball out of the backfield. Marcus O'Keith appears to be a practice squad candidate by my estimation.
  9. Kris Wilson finally looks as though he'll provide some productivity for the Chiefs. While it's strange to see #84 lined up as a fullback, he impressed with his first down carry in the Saints game.
  10. How about the new linebacker corps? The two veteran additions paired with Derrick Johnson are going to provide some memorable moments this season.
  

All the preseason questions will be answered in the next few days. We'll be 3 games into the regular season by the time you see my next column in print. Let's hope they're on the plus side of .500 by that time.