Where is the primary weakness?

[Gaz]

It seems to me that the primary suspects are WR & DL. Sure, we have neo-rookies at K and P, but I am content with Tynes and Colquitt’s resumé is impressive [hang time and funky spin sound good to me].

Swapping Morton for Mitchell seems like a push to me. I have high hopes for Parker [admittedly without much justfication at this point]. I am also excited about the addition of Wilson at TE. I think Saunders can do a lot of damage with some 2TE sets. As has been pointed out many times before, Sanuders' Offense does not require a superior WR corps. So, while I would like to have better WRs [no, I do not want Moss or Owens, thank you], I think the receiving corps is not the Achilles Heel.

No, I would have to go with DL. Without a strong push from the DL, the upgrades at LB and the secondary are not going to lift our miserable defensive rating much. Hall brings some nice depth and Siavii has a year under his belt, which should be good news. And perhaps Sims will finally justify the excitement I felt when we drafted him. I think the word “bust” is seriously overused on the Planet, but Sims has fallen far short of expectations to this point.

xoxo~
Gaz
Hopes Sims finally wakes from his stupor.

[Braincase]

Where's the "President & CEO" option?

[Chiefnj]

I'd go with the DL (assuming Bell makes it through camp un-injured and DJ is signed within the next 3 weeks.)

WR runs a close 2nd.

[jspchief]

In general, I agree with everything you said, but would add a few other opinions.

I think we may be undervaluing Morton a bit. Green and the coaches have stated numerous times over the years that this O relies heavily on timing, which in turn requires Green to trust his WRs. If Green doesn't think his guy is going to be there, he may take longer to insure his guy is there, or he'll be forced to look elsewhere. I fully expect a drop-off on our passing offense for the first part of the year.

In regards to D-line, I think they may benefit greatly from improved pass coverage (assuming the coverage improves). I know we had a lot of near sacks last year, where the QB was able to get rid of the ball quickly, usually just tossing it up at McCleon's side. The D-line can't always blow up the O-line to get to the QB, sometimes downfield coverage needs give them an extra second or two.

My biggest concern is still our secondary. Until we actually see production from these guys, we're still the 32nd ranked pass D in the league. If these new guys come together quickly, then D-line (especially run D) would be my next concern.

[Coach]

I'd go with the DL (assuming Bell makes it through camp un-injured and DJ is signed within the next 3 weeks.)

WR runs a close 2nd.

That's pretty much my vote there as well. Of all the defensive overhauling that we been doing, the DL wasn't even touched. Nobody was either released or added, as far as I'm concerned.

I'm really hoping that Siavii makes a huge impact, and kick Sims to the bench, because, I'm sure almost the majority of us have nearly given up, or have gave up on him. If Junior makes a huge impact, then the D-line goes from suspect to solid, at least.

[BigRedChief]

My choice is not an option...........

Backup QB.

If Trent goes down for any length of time it will not matter how good our defense or OL or WR's are playing. Todd Collins can not get us to the Super Bowl.

[keg in kc]

I'm a 'clean slate' kind of guy, so I won't call anything a weakness at this point.

Primary thing I'm keeping an eye on in camp is the question of who's playing CB while Warfield is suspended. After that, and not far after that, is the play of the d-line, followed by MLB. WR brings up the rear.

CB is pretty obvious.

I mention d-line because I think that with the kind of talent I believe now resides in the back 7, the d-line should begin to show signs of dominance. If they don't, then we have a problem.

MLB is more a curiousity than a concern. I thought Mitchell looked good in shorts, I want to see him in pads and during live contact. And I want to see if he can stay healthy.

WR is also more a curiousity than a concern. I think virtually any NFL vet could provide the production we got from Morton. Including Freddie Mitchell. Or Samie Parker. I think we'll be fine there in the end.

Other thing to watch would be the health of the offensive line.

Which means, basically, everything is a question-mark to me right now. ROFL

[StcChief]

D-Line still. If they cant step up after the additions in LB,CB,Safety. we will have issues stopping other teams.

[Rain Man]

Our defensive line is full of underachievers who might as well be ex-Cleveland Browns. I hope someone lights a fire underneath them this year.

[HemiEd]

I feel very strongly that the D-Line will mature and be a strength this year. Since we added some talent that can actually cover a receiver for more than a nano second, it should give the line some time do their job. I am most concerned about special teams, hopefully it will come together.

[keg in kc]

Oh yeah, special teams is a good one, too.

Coverage units have to be better.

[jspchief]

My choice is not an option...........

Backup QB.

If Trent goes down for any length of time it will not matter how good our defense or OL or WR's are playing. Todd Collins can not get us to the Super Bowl.Isn't this true for pretty much every team?

I wish we had some young stud waiting in the wings too, but this team has had more pressing needs than upgrading it's bench.

[Coogs]

I find it interesting, and maybe a good thing at the same time, that the defensive line is now viewed as the weak link. Because it seems to me that that unit was pretty much the consensus pick as the strength of the defensive side of the ball last season.

I will agree with a couple of other posts that the improved play in the secondary should give the d-line even more time than they had last season.

Weak link for me right now, is the CB spot opposite of Surtain. That is not really one of the options of the poll, but it is the one that concerns me the most.

[Rukdafaidas]

I find it interesting, and somewhat encouraging, that Gun didn't have any DT's or rush DE's on his wish list. I also find it interesting that Gun had Carlos Hall, a rush specialist on his list. It seemed our weekness' last year were Sims/Siavii and Hicks. Yet, the Chiefs chose to get yet another rush DE and ignore every down DE's and DT's.
Gun kept saying last year that inept players can't hide in his system. So, it looks as though Gun feels they'll be fine at these positions.

[HemiEd]

I find it interesting, and maybe a good thing at the same time, that the defensive line is now viewed as the weak link. Because it seems to me that that unit was pretty much the consensus pick as the strength of the defensive side of the ball last season.


I think the numbers do falsely show that the line was the strength due to the fact it was so easy to pass against us. It made the run defense look stronger. Bottom line IMO is that the secondary is upgraded and should be able to cover, allowing time for the rushers to get to the QB.

[J Diddy]

That's pretty much my vote there as well. Of all the defensive overhauling that we been doing, the DL wasn't even touched. Nobody was either released or added, as far as I'm concerned.

I'm really hoping that Siavii makes a huge impact, and kick Sims to the bench, because, I'm sure almost the majority of us have nearly given up, or have gave up on him. If Junior makes a huge impact, then the D-line goes from suspect to solid, at least.


Um they got that Carlos guy from the Titans....

[RedThat]

My choice is not an option...........

Backup QB.

If Trent goes down for any length of time it will not matter how good our defense or OL or WR's are playing. Todd Collins can not get us to the Super Bowl.

I concur. Although, I think Damon Huard is pretty good for a backup QB. I like him.

[RedThat]

No, I would have to go with DL. Without a strong push from the DL, the upgrades at LB and the secondary are not going to lift our miserable defensive rating much. Hall brings some nice depth and Siavii has a year under his belt, which should be good news. And perhaps Sims will finally justify the excitement I felt when we drafted him. I think the word “bust” is seriously overused on the Planet, but Sims has fallen far short of expectations to this point.

xoxo~
Gaz
Hopes Sims finally wakes from his stupor.


I concur with your statements. The key here is Ryan Sims, it'd be nice to see him have a breakout year. And, this is the year he has to do it. "Bust" is overused a lot. Um, had he be a bust, he would be cut right now. Or, possibly playing in NFLE or the CFL. He is not near that. He is inadequate though, and disappointing. Siavii has a year under his belt, however, he was very limited in his playing time, and was dinged up several times last year. Would like to see the Chiefs use him more, especially, if Sims continues to disappoint.

[Coogs]

I think the numbers do falsely show that the line was the strength due to the fact it was so easy to pass against us. It made the run defense look stronger. Bottom line IMO is that the secondary is upgraded and should be able to cover, allowing time for the rushers to get to the QB.

I don't think it was the numbers that folks here were going by. I think most here liked what they saw from Allen and Dalton. And others along the line, while inconsistent, had their moments. The same really couldn't be said for any other area of the defense.

[Fishpicker]

the DL still needs some work. I was impressed with Dalton and Allen last year. hopefully Siavii and Hicks can step up. an improved secondary will help the defensive line a lot.

[Chiefnj]

I don't think it was the numbers that folks here were going by. I think most here liked what they saw from Allen and Dalton. And others along the line, while inconsistent, had their moments. The same really couldn't be said for any other area of the defense.

Being better than the secondary isn't saying much. Someone posted a link to an article the other day where the writer made an interesting point about sacks. He said the fact that the Chiefs finished top 10 in sacks was misleading because they went many games without any at all and that they didn't generate as much pressure as people think. It makes sense, when you look at how badly the secondary got lit up.

[HemiEd]

I don't think it was the numbers that folks here were going by. I think most here liked what they saw from Allen and Dalton. And others along the line, while inconsistent, had their moments. The same really couldn't be said for any other area of the defense.

I can not argue with the fact that Dalton and Allen were the bright spots on the defense last year at all. I think the crappy play by the rest of the defense even made them look better. I sure hope the others on the line step up, if they do we should have a very good defense.

[BigRedChief]

Isn't this true for pretty much every team?

I wish we had some young stud waiting in the wings too, but this team has had more pressing needs than upgrading it's bench.

I agree, its a common problem. And no, I wouldn't be for spending big bucks for a backup. Vet minimum kind of thing. Maybe a Tim Couch kind of player that could possibly get hot for a little while till Trent got back in there.

[ct]

Linebackers and Secondary were improved on paper, but they've still got to show it on the field. The WR corp still leaves much to be desired, but I think they are adequate, though certainly not a strength. The DLine, however, was only tokenly addressed this off-season. I believe the LBs and DBs were so horribly awful last year, it really shielded the reality of our weak DLine. DLine gets my vote.

[TRR]

If Ryan Sims is ever going to bust out, it will be this season. This is his contract year.

I think the addition of Kendrell Bell will really help our DLine. Not many LB's can get to the QB like Bell can when healthy. Both Fujita and Barber struggled in that role.

I also look for Carlos Hall and Junior Siavii to bring something unique to our DLine this season. Hall is a solid pass rusher, and Siavii had flashes of potential last season. Also, Jimmy Wilkerson could surprise some people as well.

Between Hicks, Dalton, Sims, Allen, Browning, Wilkerson, Hall, and Siavii, the coaching staff should be able to get something done.

[whoman69]

The only statement I can't agree with is Morton/Mitchell a push. That's irrelevent. I don't think Mitchell is even really competing for the starting spot. If those two are a push then we are ahead because Mitchell will be at best our #3 WR this year. IMO he should not even make the squad if Boe is healthy.
DL was not improved much by bringing in Hall. We have to hope that a 2nd year under Gunther will bring out improvements in Sims and Siavii.

[tk13]

I'd say WR. It's Kennison and a bunch of guys who haven't really done much, save Boerigter's one 8 TD season a couple years ago.... although potential is obviously there. But if we're going to go off pure potential, you'd probably have to say we have more potential on the D-line. Sims and Siavii were high draft picks, and Hicks/Allen/Hall have all flashed potential with good seasons at one time or another.

[Logical]

I would still say linebacker. Without a quality middle linebacker of which we have nothing close (unless they move Bell to the middle) you are always going to be weak at linebacker and that will make a defensive line look worse. We also have to play a rookie to have anything close to two quality OLBs and that is always risky.

In my mind we have three adequate D-tackles in Sims, Browning and Jelly, with a guy that is still likely 2 years away from being NFL caliber ability in Siavii. We have what appears to be a talent in Allen at DE and a suitable backup for either end in Hall, but a true weakness with Hicks, I only pray Allen does not turn out to be the second coming of Hicks.

In my mind we are weak slightly at CB due to the Warfield suspesion and out thin talent with all the backups. Safety seems to be a relative strength assuming Wesley can handle free safety and I like Bartee at the safety position I have always felt that is where he belongs.


We are great on offense decent on special teams.

One other severe weakness that was not an option was coaching. We have find coordinators but our coaching under them seems to be poor. JMO.

[go bo]

good point on coaching, but it's the defensive backs coach that really sucks...

[patteeu]

Our WR's were a weak link on a strong unit (offense) and I don't think swapping Mitchell for Morton is much of an improvement. Our DL was a relative strength on a weak unit (defense) and if the significant upgrades that were made to the LB corps and secondary have any impact on the DL it should be positive. I agree that the DL isn't as good as it should be given the investments that have been made there over the past several years, but I say WR is the weakest link.

FWIW, Adam Teicher was on 610 today and his concern areas were Safety, Middle LB, and WR in that order. He didn't mention defensive line.

[Alphaman]

I'd say defensive line, middle linebacker, wide receiver and cornerback (the first 4 games).

[HC_Chief]

Primary weakness? Backup QB. No doubt about it. IF Green were to get injured (not saying he will - he has been exceptionally durable since coming here), we are done. Stick a fork in the season; o v e r.