Teicher: Offense is the Chiefs' biggest problem
 

I went to the Chiefs’ first full offseason practice wondering more about their defense, but I left with more questions about the offense.

Let’s start with the offensive line: Very thin without Brian Waters there. They’ve got two starters who are over 30 — Damion McIntosh is 32, Mike Goff is 33 — and both those guys had better hold up or the Chiefs might be in some trouble. Very thin as far as depth; very few proven experienced guys as backups.

The receiving group without Tony Gonzalez: I’m wondering, like everybody else, how that’s going to all play out. Dwayne Bowe dropped some balls and made some nice catches also, but he looked a lot like the Dwayne Bowe we saw last year. The Chiefs really need him to be more consistent because you’ve got Mark Bradley and Bobby Engram behind him. Engram is 36. Not a lot of depth there, either.

The running game with Larry Johnson: You’ve heard me say before the Chiefs need Johnson. He’s their running game. I didn’t really see a guy who’s capable of handling the every-down load like Johnson is. They used Jamaal Charles like they did last year as a third-down back.

Matt Cassel didn’t have one of his better days, but he’s the least of the Chiefs’ concerns right now. It was a windy day; I’ve seen him throw indoors since joining the Chiefs at an earlier minicamp, and there’s no problem with Matt Cassel.

Chan Gailey: I have a lot of respect for him. He did a great job turning the offense around last year after a rotten start and all the quarterback problems. But he’s going to have to earn his money again this year, because there are a lot of issues with the Chiefs offensively.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...y/1206906.html


Not sure if this is a repost or not, but very interesting considering our defense was 2nd worst in the league last year. Your thoughts?

Tiecher is probably a dumb****. If the QB position is improved, and the OL can provide as much pass protection as they did for Thiggy in the latter half of the year, than that should offset Tony being gone.

It is very likely that the offense will not be good next year, but the level of SUCK the Defense is coming off of is just unbelievable. It's got a lot further to go before it can be even servicable than does the offense.

The is the extended Rotoworld remix of that song:

Bastards.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/fea...rticleid=32761


Misplaced Optimism in K.C.?

Chiefs beat writer Adam Teicher touched on his offensive concerns this morning, a sentiment with which I happen to fully agree. Despite the feel-good additions of GM Scott Pioli, coach Todd Haley, and nominal franchise quarterback Matt Cassel, expectations for the Chiefs offense this season are far too optimistic.

Let's break this down position-by-position:


Quarterback: Matt Cassel led the NFL in sacks taken last season while the Pats receivers led the league in yards after the catch. With the major downgrade in both receiving talent and offensive line security, Cassel is fighting an uphill battle in proving that last year's production was not simply the product of the Patriots' system. His backup, Tyler Thigpen, was an inaccurate turnover machine in a lost season last year. He has no future under center and must be limited to a shotgun spread offense.

Running Back: Knucklehead Larry Johnson turns 30 during the season and has missed 12 games over the past two years. His running, receiving and blocking abilities have fallen off a cliff since his 2005-2006 career seasons. Backup Jamaal Charles is not capable of handling every down duties, and the rest of depth chart is nothing more than roster fodder.

Wide Receiver: Though he's been inconsistent in his young career, Dwayne Bowe is a dominant talent who rivals Steve Smith and Calvin Johnson for the ability to catch the ball in traffic (other-worldly Larry Fitzgerald obviously excluded). After Bowe, though, we're into finger-crossing territory. Mark Bradley may have potential, but he's been as injury-prone as any wide receiver in the league since being drafted in the second round five years ago. Slot receiver Bobby Engram, 36 and going downhill fast, has played just one full season in five years. As there's zero depth beyond the top three receivers, a Bowe injury has the potential to sink the passing game.

Tight End: Tony Gonzalez is taking a two-year average of 98 catches and 1,115 yards to Atlanta, leaving the Chiefs with a black hole at the position. Brad Cottom recorded just 21 receptions in his college career and figures to be used as a blocking specialist in Haley's offense. His four pedestrian backups have a total of 25 receptions in eight seasons.

Offensive Line: Still holding out for a trade, Pro Bowl guard Brian Waters isn't participating in OTAs. Last year's first-rounder Branden Albert has anchor potential on the left side, but right tackle Damion McIntosh, right guard Mike Goff, and center Rudy Niswanger will struggle to keep the ship afloat. And, again, there's no insurance in reserve, much less the talent to push three ineffective starters.

The masterminds imported to run the operation this offseason have engendered high expectations in Kansas City, but skepticism is advised for fantasy leaguers in 2009. The Chiefs may be battling the Browns and Raiders for the No. 1 pick in next year's draft.

Thigpen didn't get good protection. Thigpen alone lowered our sack total with his athleticism.

Why is McIntosh still on this team????

Other Chief news from rotoworld today:

Jamaal Charles-RB-Chiefs
The new Chiefs coaching staff has been using Jamaal Charles as a third-down back at minicamps.
Coach Todd Haley could employ Charles like he did J.J. Arrington in Arizona last year, although Charles should finish with more touches. Larry Johnson will only be a two-down back. Charles will be an excellent L.J. handcuff pick.

Brad Cottam-TE-Chiefs
New Chiefs starting TE Brad Cottam acknowledged that he doesn't expect to catch many passes in new coach Todd Haley's offense.
Haley rarely threw to tight ends in Arizona, too. "I was brought here...to be more of a blocker," Cottam said. He started seven games in two-TE sets and caught seven passes as a rookie. Don't expect more than 20 grabs this year.

And why again, in a deep offensive line draft, this position was not addressed is beyond me.

gotta get waters on board.

thigpen was a turnover machine last year????

Thigpen: 12 INT, 2 Fumbles Lost

Cassel: 11 INT, 4 Fumbles Lost


Cassel is clearly better, but to say Thigpen was a turnover machine is a gross overstatement. (minus the ATL and MIA games, of course!)

If KC can finish in the top 20 in either offense or defense that would be considered an excellent year for that side of the ball.

Yep, I wouldn't be surprised to see Cassel get sacked alot more this year. I mean hopefully the scheme and coaching will keep him upright but Thigpen's legs helped a ton last year.

Yeah, but Cassel's pretty mobile, too. Not that we really want to see our QB running all over the place.

what is really scary is that with the lineup we had at the mini camp that McIntosh is arguable our 2nd best lineman maybe 3rd behind Goff. But Goff is not great either.

wow... that sounds terrible. they gave Bowe more credit than he was due as well. He's inconsistent and drops too many balls.