Tribal Warfare
04-08-2010, 05:01 AM
Chiefs putting a priority on improving the offense (http://www.kansascity.com/2010/04/07/1863939/chiefs-putting-a-priority-on-improving.html)
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star
As the draft approaches and the Chiefs begin to see their 2010 roster take shape, it has become clear that addressing the team’s weaknesses on offense has been a top priority this offseason.
Not that quarterback Matt Cassel minds the attention.
The Chiefs signed running back Thomas Jones. Then center Casey Wiegmann and guard Ryan Lilja. Kansas City re-signed wide receiver Chris Chambers. Coach Todd Haley hired Charlie Weis to be Kansas City’s offensive coordinator. Cassel said he wouldn’t mind if the trend continues two more weeks, when the NFL draft begins and the Chiefs pick at No. 5 overall.
“I’m always offense,” Cassel said with a smile Wednesday. “Offense all day long.”
Kansas City ended the 2009 season with four victories and plenty of needs. Regardless of which direction the Chiefs go early in the draft, they have at least answered some of the questions that lingered after the team’s third consecutive losing season.
Cassel said that he has been pleased with the additions so far on offense, which struggled to find an identity — or much success — before second-year running back Jamaal Charles emerged as a big-play threat. But even then, questions remained about the offensive line, dropped passes, and finding a reliable back to share carries with the 199-pound Charles.
The Chiefs have answered some of those questions, or have at least begun to answer them, in time for the team’s offseason conditioning program, which began last week.
“The best thing for all of us,” Cassel said, “is that it’s a fresh start.”
Cassel indicated that, amid all the new faces, it was some familiar players who most needed to turn the page. Wideout Dwayne Bowe, who endured a rocky season in 2009 and was suspended four games for failing a drug test, needed to leave the past behind as much as anyone. Cassel said Bowe has attended the Chiefs’ workouts, which are voluntary and closed to reporters, and that he has high hopes for Bowe.
“I have high expectations for Dwayne,” Cassel said. “He can be a huge impact player for us. It’ll be our second year together, and I think the more time we can spend together, the better.”
Cassel said players haven’t yet discussed the particulars of Weis’ offense and how the Chiefs can improve on an offense that was ranked 25th last year in yards per game. He said that he has met with Haley and Weis to discuss goals and potential projects, but Cassel wouldn’t discuss details of those conversations or what he has outlined as areas where he needs improvement.
Cassel was sacked 42 times last season and threw 16 interceptions, the same number of touchdown passes he threw in 15 starts.
The addition of Lilja and Wiegmann could help Cassel improve those numbers. Lilja is expected to compete for the starting job at right guard, and Wiegmann will go against Rudy Niswanger to determine the Chiefs’ starting center.
Kansas City might not be finished improving its offensive line; many draft experts predict the Chiefs could select a tackle with their top pick. Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung, Oklahoma’s Trent Williams and Iowa’s Bryan Bulaga are expected to be top-10 picks in a draft heavy on line talent.
Cassel said he wouldn’t try to influence Haley or general manager Scott Pioli on their draft decisions. He said he has too much work of his own if the Chiefs’ offense is to make good on its offseason investments.
“Now all of us that have been here for at least a year understand the expectation level coming into it,” he said. “We understand what (Haley is) going to expect from us in the offseason program and as we move forward. That’s a little less stressful than what it was last year, and we have at least a core group of guys that are here that understand their role. That’s what we need to do; we just need to continue to build on those roles.”
To reach Kent Babb, Chiefs reporter for The Star, call 816-234-4386, send e-mail to kbabb@kcstar.com or follow him at twitter.com/kentbabb
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star
As the draft approaches and the Chiefs begin to see their 2010 roster take shape, it has become clear that addressing the team’s weaknesses on offense has been a top priority this offseason.
Not that quarterback Matt Cassel minds the attention.
The Chiefs signed running back Thomas Jones. Then center Casey Wiegmann and guard Ryan Lilja. Kansas City re-signed wide receiver Chris Chambers. Coach Todd Haley hired Charlie Weis to be Kansas City’s offensive coordinator. Cassel said he wouldn’t mind if the trend continues two more weeks, when the NFL draft begins and the Chiefs pick at No. 5 overall.
“I’m always offense,” Cassel said with a smile Wednesday. “Offense all day long.”
Kansas City ended the 2009 season with four victories and plenty of needs. Regardless of which direction the Chiefs go early in the draft, they have at least answered some of the questions that lingered after the team’s third consecutive losing season.
Cassel said that he has been pleased with the additions so far on offense, which struggled to find an identity — or much success — before second-year running back Jamaal Charles emerged as a big-play threat. But even then, questions remained about the offensive line, dropped passes, and finding a reliable back to share carries with the 199-pound Charles.
The Chiefs have answered some of those questions, or have at least begun to answer them, in time for the team’s offseason conditioning program, which began last week.
“The best thing for all of us,” Cassel said, “is that it’s a fresh start.”
Cassel indicated that, amid all the new faces, it was some familiar players who most needed to turn the page. Wideout Dwayne Bowe, who endured a rocky season in 2009 and was suspended four games for failing a drug test, needed to leave the past behind as much as anyone. Cassel said Bowe has attended the Chiefs’ workouts, which are voluntary and closed to reporters, and that he has high hopes for Bowe.
“I have high expectations for Dwayne,” Cassel said. “He can be a huge impact player for us. It’ll be our second year together, and I think the more time we can spend together, the better.”
Cassel said players haven’t yet discussed the particulars of Weis’ offense and how the Chiefs can improve on an offense that was ranked 25th last year in yards per game. He said that he has met with Haley and Weis to discuss goals and potential projects, but Cassel wouldn’t discuss details of those conversations or what he has outlined as areas where he needs improvement.
Cassel was sacked 42 times last season and threw 16 interceptions, the same number of touchdown passes he threw in 15 starts.
The addition of Lilja and Wiegmann could help Cassel improve those numbers. Lilja is expected to compete for the starting job at right guard, and Wiegmann will go against Rudy Niswanger to determine the Chiefs’ starting center.
Kansas City might not be finished improving its offensive line; many draft experts predict the Chiefs could select a tackle with their top pick. Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung, Oklahoma’s Trent Williams and Iowa’s Bryan Bulaga are expected to be top-10 picks in a draft heavy on line talent.
Cassel said he wouldn’t try to influence Haley or general manager Scott Pioli on their draft decisions. He said he has too much work of his own if the Chiefs’ offense is to make good on its offseason investments.
“Now all of us that have been here for at least a year understand the expectation level coming into it,” he said. “We understand what (Haley is) going to expect from us in the offseason program and as we move forward. That’s a little less stressful than what it was last year, and we have at least a core group of guys that are here that understand their role. That’s what we need to do; we just need to continue to build on those roles.”
To reach Kent Babb, Chiefs reporter for The Star, call 816-234-4386, send e-mail to kbabb@kcstar.com or follow him at twitter.com/kentbabb