Everyone from Adam Teicher to Jason Whitlock is talking expectations today over at the Kansas City Star. I think, and don’t get used to this, that we all three actually agree on something for once. I don’t care if the Chiefs go Wyclef Jean with playoff hopes that are “Gone By November”, in 2008 what I care about is progress. Progress, not win-loss record, will be the barometer for success this upcoming season.
I’m not even saying that the Chiefs need to necessarily have a better record during the second half of the season than the first one, because I actually think the second set of eight games is more daunting. That being said, how do I actually define progress when it comes to the Chiefs and the 2008 campaign? This is how:
1. The Eyeball Test - I want the Chiefs team that visits The Jungle up in Cincy on Week 17 to not even resemble the team that ventured into the unfriendly confines of Gilette Stadium on Week One. Win, lose or draw, come season’s end I want to see a confident, well-prepared team that executes with as few mistakes (read penalties and turnovers) as possible. I want Chiefs fans to be able to look at the way their team carries itself and say, we’re going somewhere, and going somewhere soon.
2. The Young Guns - Brodie Croyle is one obvious choice here, but I’m not really talking about him. Whether Brodie soars or sucks, I think the quarterback situation will take at least two more seasons to completely sort itself out. These are the guys we need to see make consistent progress as the season marches on: Bernard Pollard, Branden Albert, Brandon Carr, Brandon Flowers, Demorrio Williams, Derrick Johnson, Devard Darling, Dwayne Bowe, Glenn Dorsey, Jamal Charles, Jarrad Page, Rudy Niswanger, Tamba Hali, Tank Tyler, Turk McBride and Will Franklin. If that crew makes significant strides, we will be in great shape. If they don’t, our future will start disappearing quicker than that picture from Back to the Future. D-Bo and Swamp Thing will literally start fading in our header. No, not really, but it’s fun to imagine. If late-round picks like Barry Richardson, Brian Johnston and Kevin Robinson surprise, then our future will be even brighter. But I’m not putting too much stock in those guys–they were picked where they were picked for a reason.
3. Statistically Speaking – Offensively, I want our offense to be putting up more points in December than in September. I also want to see the offense, no matter who is under center, become more multi-faceted. All the passing numbers need to improve during the course of the season. Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez are premiere NFL targets, we have to be able to get them the ball with regularity. For Herm Edwards to succeed as the Chiefs head coach, his offense will need to become less one-dimensional and predictable. If that development is taking place, I think we’ll see improvement in the points-per-game and passing statistics. Another good indicator will be the drive chart. With what Chan Gailey and Herm are trying to accomplish, we are going to need to sustain long drives that eat up clock.
4. Special Teams Dreams – Yes, I’m dreaming of special teams units that aren’t completely and utterly inept. To field a competitive football team with 2009 playoff aspirations, we will have to make marked improvements in all assets of special teams play. Period. You can’t be a successful ball-control football team if you have lousy special teams units.
5. Winning the Turnover Battle – Forcing turnovers used to be a Kansas City staple, right there with bad baseball (unfortunately), BBQ and fountains. With Jared Allen now a Purple People Eater, will we be able to force turnovers? D.J., Tamba and Swamp Thing will have to step up in his absence. You can’t be a successful ball-control football team if you don’t win the turnover battle. Turnover margin will be very important. That also means that Brodie and L.J. will have to keep there turnovers to a minimum.
What are some of the areas you will be evaluating for signs of progress during the 2008 season?
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Tags: kansas city chiefs, progress
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