My Chief Concerns: The Optimist Is Back
By author
This time of year is difficult. It waxes and wanes with the excitement of new free agent signings and then the doldrums of absolutely no news whatsoever. We get “wound up” about the upcoming draft; (overanalyze it to say the least), only to have the long wait until camp begins. But, nonetheless excitement builds.
I can’t help but feel energized over the recent acquisitions the Chiefs have made; Charlie Weis, Romeo Crennel, Thomas Jones, Shaun Smith, Jerheme Urban, Ryan Lilja, Casey Weigman, etc. It appears that we are already a better team even before the draft. But I have felt this way before only to be punched in the gut; really hard.
What made the 4-12 2009 season so difficult for me was the promise of a new beginning. We had hired the best GM in football, hired a new offensive minded coach who was tough as nails, brought in a few veteran free agents, and traded for a potential franchise QB. Gone were the old regime and the previous 4-12 and 2-14 seasons. We were going to be winners again. The focus was on winning and not developing. We were going to win. Isn’t that what they said? Well that did not happen, as you all are painfully aware.
Going back many years, I can never remember being so upset and emotional exhausted during a season. Sure, I was mad at the Lin Elliot debacle of 1995. I was even sicker in 2003 when we could not stop the Colts during our home filed advantage play off game. But 2009 was a different story.
2009 was a season, out of all seasons, that I am embarrassed to say, questioned my fan hood, optimism, commitment, and even love of football altogether. As a Chiefs blogger I found it extremely difficult to come to this site and stay positive for all of you while the franchise wallowed in ineptitude. I screamed so loud at times due to bad play calling, clock mismanagement, dropped balls, missed tackles, and even bad referee calls that I would have a headache the rest of the day. I thought at one point in the “Mile Austin Game” I had a stress induced stroke, that’s no lie. The rest of Sunday and the work week was hell due to the depression, I tried to laugh but could not. Pathetic I know.
Every year we sign and draft players, and even bring in new coaches, so why am I excited now? So what’s the difference this year? Why do I believe that we will be turning the corner this year? This is why:
Charlie Weis’ Ability and Offensive Continuity
Charlie Weis has critics, but if you read as much football commentary and news as I do, he has many more fans than critics. This was a great hire. He has turned many quarterbacks and receivers into better players. (Notice I did not say stars, you can argue whether he has made stars out of Tom Brady, Troy Brown, David Patten, David Givens, Deion Branch, Brady Quinn, Jeff Samarjidza, Jimmy Clausen, Golden Tate, but it is hard to argue he did not make them better). He is highly regarded as an offensive mastermind. Oh yeah, he did win three Superbowls as an offensive coordinator. When was the last time we had a great Offensive coordinator? Mike Solari? Nope. Chan Gailey? Not so much. Todd Haley? Not even him. You have to go all the way back to Al Saunders, who turned Trent Green, Eddie Kennison, Priest Holmes, and Larry Johnson, (all arguably mediocre players), into studs.
Another reason to get excited is that we will have the same offense, and spend the whole offseason with it. Don’t forget the entire offense was scratched right before the first game of the season. Continuity can only help. Did I also mention Ryan Lilja, Thomas Jones, Casey Weigman, and Jerheme Urban were recently signed?
Romeo Crennel’s Coaching and Young Talent
It has been years since we have dominated on Defense. In recent years we have had Coach Greg Robinson, whose scheme was supposedly too technical for the team. We had Coach Gunther Cunnigham who is still resting his laurels on past defenses. Sorry to say, but Gunther’s best days are far behind him. Coach Clancy Pendergast unfortunately could never get it done. He has never had a good NFL defense as a coordinator in his entire career. They weren’t even mediocre. (Pendergast’s defenses always ranked toward the bottom of NFL every year). Let’s face it, he was not even Haley’s first choice last year, Romeo was, and now we have him (Romeo that is). Don’t forget that the last time Coach Crennel was a coordinator, he only won three Superbowls, and his players love him. Are you excited now?
The AFC West Is Changing
The recent kings of the West, the San Diego Chargers, are losing a lot of talent and getting long in the tooth. The Broncos seem downtrodden and dysfunctional, and the Raiders are still counting on Jamarcus Russel. Moreover, ask yourself this: Which coaching staff would you rather have: The Chargers, Broncos, Raiders or Chiefs? No need to answer. Can you see the change about to sweep the West?
Jamaal Freakin’ Charles
Jamaal Charles is going to get even better! I won’t rehash all the stats, (we all know them) but he was on fire as soon as he became the starter. He is young and will only get better. Aren’t you excited to see him again, especially after his shoulder surgery?
The New Arrowhead Stadium
The new renovated stadium is going to create some positive energy. Maybe this excitement will carry over to regaining our lost home field advantage. In 2003 the Green Bay Packers opened their renovated Lambeau Field and went to the playoffs with a 10-6 record. Recently, the 2010 Cowboys opened their new stadium and went 12-6. I am not saying it is necessarily indicative of success, see the Cardinals 4-12 when their stadium opened, but it can’t hurt. We need the swagger back at Arrowhead and some refurbished digs may go along way in doing so.
Todd Haley’s Passion (Misguided or Not)
I could see the losing last year was absolutely killing Todd Haley, you could see he was tired, frustrated and spread too thin. Well, he has gotten some help. He is a passionate coach who expects the best from his players. Whether you like his coaching style or not, you can tell he cares. Could you tell if Herm Edwards cared? Herm never seemed too upset about losing, in fact, he expected it, and he prepared us for it. Say what you will about Todd Haley, but he cares as much as you/we do.
The Upcoming Draft
We currently have eight (8) picks in this draft, none of which are in the bottom two rounds. We are in a good position to improve the team, especially on Defense. Through the draft we will be adding possibly three starters to defense. I read a blog recently that said the Chiefs have scouted/interviewed eleven (11) safeties, more than any other position, for the upcoming draft. This tells me a couple of things: we are in desperate need of safety talent; we probably will not pick Berry at number 5 (since we have interviewed eleven); and we are more likely than not going to use our later round picks to grab two (2) safeties in the draft. The other starter will be a NT or ILB. Why do I say this, because we have to, we have only made moves to improve the team on Offense. Just a prediction, we will see. Also, we can hopefully pick up a KR/PR, TE, and WR to complement the offense, but it appear our draft will and should be defense heavy.
As you can see, the optimist in me is back. After being literally beaten to death by the 2009 season, the recent moves and direction the Chiefs are heading has breathed new life and energy into me. I really intended on criticizing the franchise and demanding that they do something to avoid repeating the 2009 season. But after reviewing the moves so far, I realized, I can’t. This offseason is different. They are obviously trying hard not to repeat the 2009 season by doing more than they ever have done in recent memory.
Even the staunchest of pessimists have to agree that we are moving in the right direction, right?