2008 Kansas City Chiefs Season Preview

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2008 Kansas City Chiefs Predictions
By Adam Barone

Rundown
The Chiefs seem to be in contention every season, no matter what, but they finished 4-12 in 2007. Quite a few veterans are gone from Herm Edwards’ squad, and a huge draft load officially vaults the chefs into rebuilding mode.

Following two seasons with 336 and 416 carries, Larry Johnson played in just eight games last season and carried the ball only 158 times. Johnson’s absence due to a broken foot and a lousy offensive line are the likely explanation for the Chiefs’ 78.0 rushing yards per game. That was good for last in the league. Not coincidentally, Kansas City accumulated only 14.1 points per game, better than only San Francisco’s 13.7.

Third year quarterback Brody Croyle played in nine games last season with a nauseating 69.9 quarterback rating. He’ll be the starter going into the season, with veteran Damon Huard waiting for him to blow it. Expect Huard to be happy sooner rather than later.

Kansas City brought in a few mid-level free agents, the most notable being kick returner B.J. Sams. Missing faces from a season ago include tight end Jason Dunn, wide receiver Eddie Kennison, offensive tackle Kyle Turley, guard John Welbourn, and center Casey Wiegmann.

The Chiefs were 13th overall in total defense in 2007, so they have something positive to build on. Brody Croyle will have to make his potential a reality, and Larry Johnson will have to stay healthy for Kansas City to have any chance to avoid another embarrassing season.

Draft Analysis
In an attempt to accelerate a rebuilding effort, the Chiefs compiled a load of draft picks. They had 12 overall, including two first-rounders. Major needs were on the offensive line, and at cornerback and wide receiver.

K.C.’s first pick was the fifth overall. Fortunately, incompetent division rival Oakland picked right in front of them and took Darren McFadden. The Chiefs were left with possibly the draft’s best player, LSU defensive tackle Glen Dorsey. The other first round pick, the 15th, was used on Virginia guard Branden Albert. Albert was considered the best guard in the draft.

In the second round they chose Virginia Tech cornerback Brandon Flowers. Flowers has all the skills, and dropped mostly because he lacks size. He could turn out to be a steal at pick 35. Third round pick Jamaal Charles is a burner who will compliment Larry Johnson nicely.

Overall the Chiefs spent five picks on defense and seven on offense. They had one of the NFL’s better drafts. Expect many of these new faces to be in K.C. for years to come.

Now that you read the Kansas City Chiefs preview check out the rest of the AFC West teams including the Raiders, Chargers, and Broncos.

Related Pages:
Chiefs Official Site
NFL Sports Lines