Chiefs should benefit from continuity

The Kansas City Chiefs know each other very well at this point.

The Chiefs are a franchise that finally has some stability. After years of switching coaches, players and general managers constantly, Kansas City finally has a nucleus of people at various levels of which it can rely on.

For starters, the head coach and general manager have now been the same for four seasons. Add in the quarterback also being here four years, and you have the power trio all knowing the system and expectations very well. While it sounds like a small thing, it means the difference of knowing what you have to do instinctively instead of taking that split-second to think about it.

In the National Football League, that split-second is the difference between good and bad.

Going into training camp, Kansas City is all but set at most positions. You can pretty much pencil in the following without much hesitation:

QB: Alex Smith
RB: Jamaal Charles
FB: Anthony Sherman
WR: Jeremy Maclin
WR: ?
TE: Travis Kelce
LT: Eric Fisher
LG: Parker Ehinger
C: Mitch Morse
RG: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
RT: Mitch Schwartz

LE: Allen Bailey
NT: Dontari Poe
RE: Jaye Howard
OLB: Tamba Hali
ILB: Derrick Johnson
ILB: ?
OLB: Dee Ford (Justin Houston when healthy)
CB: Marcus Peters
CB: Phillip Gaines
FS: Ron Parker
SS: Eric Berry

So, barring injuries, we are talking about two open positions. It’s reasonable to say Jah Reid could also compete at guard with either Ehinger or Duvernay-Tardif. At No. 2 receiver, it’s either Chris Conley, Albert Wilson or Rod Streater, although Streater probably goes to the slot. Finally, the other ILB spot goes to either Justin March or Josh Mauga.

Look at that starting group, though, and you will see a ton of familiar faces. Most of them have been here for at least three seasons. It’s a huge advantage over a team like the Oakland Raiders, who have to bring together so many new faces so quickly.

While the Chiefs still have to do it on the field, this is a team that could make serious noise.