Kansas City Chiefs: Stepping Back In 2014

Jun 17, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches drills during the Kansas City Chiefs minicamp at University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Now this might get me some hate, but I never-the-less feel that while most don’t believe it, in our guts we can understand how the Kansas City Chiefs will take a step back in 2014.

Now before the haters come out in force over this post I want to say this: I am a hardcore Chiefs fan. I was given the honor last year of trying to predict the Chiefs record, and while I was incorrect in assuming they would go 13-3 and win their first playoff game since I was in middle school, I did look at it from a rational perspective.

That is how I am taking this, from a rational perspective. Now as a fan would I love to see them surprise the NFL again and finally dethrone the Denver Broncos from the first in the AFC West? Well that is a duh! But at the same time I see all the changes that have occurred this offseason and the steps that were taken back in the second half of the season.

Now why do I feel that my team will take a step back? Well there are a couple of reasons for this thought process.

Dec 1, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws a pass during the second half of the game against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. Denver won 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

1. Key offensive losses.

Any team that loses as much as this team lost in the off season is already starting the season behind. The loss of play makers like Dexter McCluster, Quentin Demps, John Asamoah, Branden Albert, not only hurt the team they will be missed. Now an argument can be made that Albert was not worth it, and McCluster’s skill set can be easily replaced and one would be correct. But anytime a starter is lost off of a team it can be a tedious task to replace them. There are some doubts that the players they have signed through the draft and free agency can fill the shoes of the lost players.

2. The Defense Still Has Strides To Make.

Dec 1, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno (27) is pursued by Kansas City Chiefs players Kendrick Lewis (23), Sean Smith (27), Quintin Demps (35) and Derrick Johnson (56) at Arrowhead Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Chiefs 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Coordinator Bob Sutton brought in a new in your face type defense and this led to the Chiefs being the number one defense through the first half of the season. However the loss of both Justin Houston and Tamba Hali towards the end of the year revealed some major flaws in the defensive scheme. Now this can be attributed to not having the right players in place, especially with rookie Marcus Cooper. However even with the personnel in place the defense still had an extremely hard time against great quarterbacks. The loss of Pro-Bowler Brandon Flowers, despite the off season he had, is still not a good sign that this defense is going in the right direction. I think that this defense will still be good, they will not be as good as they were last year.

Now before the verbally ripping comes into play from commentators who will call me not a true fan let me say this.

I believe in this team. I believe in what Andy Reid and General Manager John Dorsey are doing with this team. Was 2013 a fluke? No I don’t believe so, what I believe is that it was a great building block to start with. I feel that we cannot rationally expect this team to go 11-5 again especially with teams such as the San Diego Chargers seem to be getting better, oh and that one guy in Denver they are gaga about. I think this year they take a step back and go maybe 7-9 9-7 at best, maybe they get into the playoffs again maybe not, it is so tough to predict what is going to happen. But one thing is for sure, this Chiefs team is not done building and they are certainly not done winning.

So what say you Addicts? Am I completely off the mark on this one? Let me know, sound off below.

Go Chiefs!