NFL 2006: Kansas City Chiefs

(This is the Corners look at the upcoming NFL season. For the next 32 days we'll be previewing each team and their prospects for the 2006 season. Today we look at the Kansas City Chiefs.)

The Kansas City Chiefs became one of a handful of teams to finish 10-6 and still not make the playoffs. It's a distinction that left a bad taste in the mouths of players, coaches and fans. To play that good and not make the playoffs was disheartening for Dick Vermeil, who retired for the second time, after the season ended.

New field boss Herm Edwards, a defensive-minded coach, will look to transform the Chief defense, the weak spot on an otherwise solid team, and get them to the playoffs in 2006.

Offense: Kansas City has one of the strongest offenses in the league, as evidence by scoring 403 points last season, but the window of opportunity will be closing soon. This is a veteran offense that is starting to show signs of age and wear.

Trent Green returns from a 4,014-yard, 17 touchdown campaign in 2005. Green is a quiet, steady leader who just gets the job done. Damon Huard will serve as the backup. Rookie Brodie Croyle is the potential future of the franchise.

Priest Holmes suffered a serious neck injury and may be forced to retire. He hasn't been cleared to participate in practice and even if he does play again, he'll probably miss significant time. But one mans loss is another mans gain. Larry Johnson came off the bench, started the last nine games and had a monster season. The former Penn State star rushed for 1,750 yards and 20 touchdowns. He will be the focal point of the Chiefs offense in 2006. Free agent Quentin Griffin and Dee Brown will serve as backups. Tony Richardson is gone at fullback so Ronnie Cruz takes over.

The weak spot of the KC offense is the receivers. After Eddie Kennison (68-1,102-5) the pickings are pretty slim. Samie Parker (36-533-3) is the other starter, while Dante Hall (34-436-3) serves as the slot man. Craphonso Thorpe and rookie Jeff Webb will compete for the four spot.

No need to be concerned at tight end when Tony Gonzalez prowls the field. Gonzalez, arguably the best tight end in the game, had another solid season in 2005 with 78 receptions for 905 yards and two touchdowns. Edwards definitely wants to get Gonzalez more scores in 2006. Jason Dunn is a capable reserve.

The offensive line is one of the best, if not the best, in the NFL. Four starters return to a unit that's helped Holmes and now Johnson smash the Chiefs record books. Casey Wiegmann is at center, All-Pros Brian Waters and Will Shields are at guard, and All-Pro Willie Roaf is at tackle. John Welbourn retired before training camp and Jordan Black will replace him on the right side. An interesting offseason acquisition was the signing off former All-Pro tackle Kyle Turley, who missed the past two seasons with a back injury. He may move to tight end, but tackle is where Edwards wants him. Will Svitek and Chris Bober provide depth.

Defense: The one weak spot the Chiefs have had in the Vermeil era. Kansas City gave up 325 points last season and were terrible against the run. This unit must improve if the Chiefs hope to garner a playoff berth.

The defensive line is led by end Jared Allen. Allen racked up 55 tackles and 11 sacks, but unfortunately, he was the only pass-rushing threat on the squad. That's why Penn State end Tamba Hali was taken in the first round of the this years draft. Edwards and GM Carl Peterson are hoping he can team up with Allen and make a fearsome combo on passing downs. Eric Hicks (43 tackles, four sacks) starts at the other end spot, while Ryan Sims and Lionel Dalton are on the inside. John Browning, Carlos Hall and free agent pickups Ron Edwards and James Reed, will see action as well.

Derrick Johnson (95 tackles, two sacks) had a solid rookie season at outside linebacker and looks to be a future star. Former NFL Rookie of the Year, Kendrell Bell is on the weak side and Kawika Mitchell (105 tackles, two sacks) roams the middle. Rich Scanlon and Boomer Grisgby are the backups.

Greg Wesley (82 tackles, six interceptions) and Sammy Knight (89 tackles, two interceptions) are solid performers at free and strong safety respectively. William Bartee and rookies Bernard Pollard and Jarrad Page, will fight for playing time. Patrick Surtain (57 tackles, four interceptions) returns at one corner, while Julian Battle, free agent Lenny Walls and rookie Marcus Maxey will battle for the other corner job.

Special Teams: Lawrence Tynes (125 points, 27-33 field goals, 44-45 extra points) and Dustin Colquitt (39.4) return and Hall (6.6 punts and 24.0 kickoffs) is still one of the deadliest return men in football.

Outlook: The Chiefs defense must step up if Kansas City wants to make the playoffs or win a division, especially with Denver and emerging San Diego in the picture. The offense is getting older by the minute, but is still capable of putting up piles of points. Drafting Hali and having young stars like Johnson and Allen is a start, but there are too many holes on defense and a lack of overall depth to make Kansas City a top echelon team. The Chiefs have the talent to make the playoffs, but their defense will prevent them from going very far if they do.

Prediction: Kansas City will battle Denver for the division and fight for a playoff spot. The offense will hold its own and even though the D will get better under Edwards this season, the pieces aren't in place yet for a big playoff run. The Chiefs will finish 9-7 or 10-6.

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