Another training camp done, and another preseason complete, now it’s time to get down to the grind of another exciting season of Chiefs football. Like every other year that has come and gone, we all have expectations and goals we want the Chiefs to reach, and we also have plenty of concerns to go around.
Trent Green and the rest of the offense looked good during the preseason when they all played together, but like we have wondered every year since Trent has been here, what in the world are we going to do if he goes down? I think we saw in the games that Trent either hardly played, or did not play at all that the thought of him not being available to the Chiefs during the year is a scary thought and that the offensive line must continue to be it’s usual dominate self.
The one problem that the Chiefs have that just about every other team in the NFL wishes they had is the fact that the Chiefs have essentially two number one running backs to try and spread carries to. Larry Johnson (AKA L. J.) and Priest Holmes will head up what should be one of, if not the best, running games in the NFL. A one two punch like these guys should provide way more than enough power in the running game to give the opposing defense headaches galore. As an extra dose of a migraine, the Chiefs will also toss in the powerful fullbacks Tony Richardson and Ronnie Cruz to bust open holes for Holmes and LJ, not to mention get a few of the “tough” yards themselves once in a while. As an added feature to all of these backs, they all catch the pass very well also.
Speaking of passes I think we all know the Chiefs main weapon in the passing game, the best tight end in the NFL, Tony Gonzalez. Supporting Gonzalez will be a less than famous cast of receivers, but solid nonetheless. The rest of the receiving corps consist of Eddie Kennison, Samie Parker, Mark Boerigter, Chris Horn and Dante Hall. Big names? No. What we need? Yes.
The biggest problem with the Chiefs for the past few years has been the lack of a defense. After one of the busiest off seasons in recent history, that just might be a thing of the past. With new additions like cornerback Patrick Surtain, safety Sammie Knight, linebacker Kendrell Bell, and defensive end Carlos Hall, the Chiefs are banking on these veterans to be the pulse of a new and improved defense.
The Chiefs also added a dimension to the defense that has been missing for several years now, speed! In the draft the Chiefs picked up Derrick Johnson from the University of Texas. A young fast linebacker who even though he came into training camp a few days late, was quickly promoted to one of the starting linebacker positions along with Kendrell Bell and Kawika Mitchell. This new defense under the direction of Gunther Cunningham could be the final piece of the Super Bowl puzzle.
Sunday is going to be here before we know it ladies and gentlemen, so it’s time to get our game faces on and our throats nice and rested. For years now our offense and special teams gave us reason to be loud, but now the defense is ready to join the party and bring back the thoughts and feelings of the days when D.T., Smith, Saleaumua, Maas, Cherry, and “ROCK” Ross dominated Arrowhead. Let’s bring NOISE to the Jets!! See you all in the “RED SEA”.
