Well would you have expected anything else? I sat down and began to watch the last Chiefs game of the year this past Sunday and got what I expected, not a whole lot. If this season was not enough of a mess, how about a nice beating by a group of backup players the Chargers threw together to face the Chiefs in order to rest their stars. This was just what I wanted to end a horrible season, a big slap in the face performance by my hometown team. I have not seen a more uninspired effort by a NFL football team since, well never I guess.
I understand the Chiefs were disappointed by the way the season had gone, but how about ending this nightmare season on a nice five game winning streak instead of a Pop Warner like effort from a bunch of over paid cry babies. The lack of effort I think is what bothered me the most. I saw a nobody tight end from San Diego, who will probably never see the field again for them until Antonio Gates leaves their team, I saw this guy just run through Dexter McCleon and other so called defensive Chiefs players like they were 5 year olds trying to tackle him. I have no idea what this guys name was for the Chargers, but I didn’t need to, I really did not care, all I cared about was why he was doing whatever he wanted all day.
Thankfully folks this bad dream of a season is all over now, but now we have to look forward to our annual off-season nightmare, draft day! How will they mess it up this year? This is a question I get asked all the time, and like usual, I answer with the optimistic approach of, “Hey, you never know, they could pull off a surprise and get everything they need!” I know this is very unlikely, but I can’t help it, I have to look on the bright side. I think people who have never seen a football game could tell that the Chiefs need a ton of defensive help. So it’s easy to say that this offseason should be a 24/7 job of looking over every defensive free agent, and every defensive college player that could make an instant impact.
Even though there is not much to smile about after this 7-9 season, there are a few thing to look back on and be proud of. As usual it’s a bunch of offense and a speck or two of defensive things.
Trent Green had the best season ever for a Kansas City Chief quarterback setting records for yards passing and completions in a season. Green also had the most 300 yard passing games in a season. He has been a constant bright light for the Chiefs ever since he arrived in 2001. Green has started every game in the time he has been a Chief, and he is behind only Hall of Famer Len Dawson in career victories for the Chiefs.
Tony Gonzalez had the best season of his brilliant career. He set an NFL record for tight ends with 102 catches, and a new record for himself with well over 1,200 yards receiving. Gonzalez is well on his way to re-writing the record books for tight ends in the NFL.
The Chiefs running backs were an amazing story this season. Until his knee injury ended his season, Priest Holmes was on his way to smashing records left and right. Even though he only played half the season, Holmes recorded a team high 14 touchdowns, which was among the league leaders to finish the season. Holmes was one game short of reaching another 1,000 yard season also, just another step to making his case as the best running back in the NFL. I’m sure Holmes will be back better then ever next year.
Derrick Blaylock stepped in for Holmes after his injury and was an instant factor, the offense did not miss a beat at all with Blaylock in the line up, in fact they were better at some points. Blaylock was a great surprise to the Chiefs with his play, but injury also took his playing time down as well, and this opened the door for the much-discussed number one draft pick Larry Johnson.
Needless to say Johnson took the controls of the starting running back and sped away. Johnson was an amazing surprise as he produced multiple 100 yard rushing games and touchdown games just as Priest Holmes had done for the past few years. Johnson displayed the type of play you would expect from a number one pick, and made a big statement for himself in the NFL.
The best part of the offense in 2004 was the offensive line, no doubt about it. This was the best line in the NFL and produced three Pro Bowlers in Will Shields, Willie Roaf, and Brian Waters, center Casey Weigman was another on the line that deserved to go, but he simply got caught up in a numbers game and was overlooked. This offensive line does not need much to describe it, I think excellent and number one says all you need to know about them.
I will give the lone defensive bright spots to defensive linemen Lional Dalton and Jared Allen. Dalton was a free agent pick up that produced surprising pressure on the quarterback and helped the defense get better at stopping the run. Jared Allen was by far the best defensive player this year. Allen was a rookie who produced nine sacks which is the second most in Chiefs history by a rookie behind the late great Derrick Thomas. Allen also gave much needed pressure at all times on the Chiefs defense, which it has lacked for several years now. Allen should be a starter next season for the Chiefs.
It’s all over folks, take a deep breath and relax now, its time to refocus and look forward to a fresh new season in the near future. Training cap will be here before we know it.
Happy New Year!
