I can pretty much write it word for word.
It was 1998, and I thought Peterson had landed the final piece that would turn Kansas City’s solid defense into a great defense. I thought McGlockton and Derrick Thomas and James Hasty and Donnie Edwards and the rest of the Dream Team Defense would carry the Chiefs to the Super Bowl and an undefeated season.
Of course, the season went terribly, Marty Schottenheimer quit, and I get a squeamish feeling every time I dine at Tanner’s on 119th Street.
I don’t know what to feel today. I’m excited and scared, stunned and satisfied.
Ty Law, a Hall of Fame cornerback with plenty of Super Bowl experience, is now a member of the Chiefs. He’s the most accomplished, decorated, successful and important football player to join the Chiefs organization since Joe Montana and Marcus Allen settled here in 1993.
Montana and Allen gave the Chiefs and this town a swagger, made their teammates and Kansas City football fans believe the Chiefs were on the brink of greatness.
Law can’t match Montana’s and Allen’s star power, but he can give this football team and this city the boost it needs going into the 2007 season. The longtime member of Bill Belichick’s New England dynasty knows all there is to know about winning in the postseason and overcoming adversity.
Leadership and confidence should not be issues for Kansas City’s defense, especially now that Peterson locked up Law before the start of training camp. The timing of Law’s signing is the most surprising and pleasing aspect of the deal.
No one is all that surprised that Law chose to reunite with Herm Edwards, Law’s coach in New York last season. But plenty of people will be surprised that Law will report to training camp on time. The fact that Peterson signed Law “early” is an indication of just how serious Peterson, Edwards and Lamar Hunt are about winning this season.
If first-round pick Tamba Hali signs before camp, it’s just another indication that Peterson is trying to remove every obstacle in his coaching staff’s way.
He owes that to this coaching staff because this team is far from perfect. That’s not a knock on Peterson. He’s done a good job this offseason. But this team has some obvious holes. That’s why it’s so important that the Chiefs have a few pronounced strengths — offensive line, cornerbacks, Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez.
If Priest Holmes doesn’t return, the depth at running back is very weak. Peterson foolishly let fullback Tony Richardson, L.J.’s best friend in the locker room, bounce to Minnesota for virtually no money. The receiving corps is still suspect. The Chiefs are opening yet another training camp hoping Ryan Sims will decide he wants to be a professional football player. Can the Chiefs create a pass rush with their front four?
And have I mentioned that Kendrell Bell is scheduled to start again?
Oh, I almost forgot Trent Green doesn’t have a legitimate backup. Is this a good time to remind Carl that Jeff George is in shape, available and waiting by the phone?
Seriously, I’m just happy Peterson added my favorite corner. I’m not going to go overboard with my optimism, though. Defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham has some pieces to play with now. Law and Surtain can form a Hasty-Dale Carter duo and give Cunningham freedom to play bump-and-run and blitz the quarterback.
Law should make KC’s other defenders better. That should be enough to make the Chiefs a playoff team this season.