War Room Team Preview: Chiefs
Posted: Sunday August 30, 1998 12:57 PM
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Grbac will and the passing attack will be very conservative and low risk, but still has talented gamebreaking receivers AP |
The Chiefs were arguably the best regular-season team in the NFL in 1997,
and it had to be a bitterly disappointing off-season for this proud group
after they were surprisingly eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
Coach Marty Schottenheimer has done a masterful job of taking the players
that he has, adding pieces to the puzzle, and then jelling this unit into a
playoff contender. He is a very organized and well-liked head coach, and he
sets the tone for this entire organization.
The Chiefs have had great success in taking disgruntled veterans from the
teams that were struggling with their careers and turning them into
productive contributors in Kansas City. The Chiefs will rely on defense in
1998, which is loaded with athletes and play-makers and, as a result, they
have a chance to dominate almost every team that they play. It is a
big-play group that flies to the football, and they will set the tone for
this team.
Defensive tackle Chester
McGlockton, acquired in free agency from the Oakland Raiders, looked
good early in training camp and has a chance to be a dominating player if
he plays up to his potential, and he will make the Chiefs even more
explosive on defense. Their philosophy in 1998 will be to control the game
on defense and utilize the conservative offense, led by a strong run game
that will shorten the clock and minimize turnovers.
QB Elvis Grbac and the
passing attack will be very conservative and low risk, and the Chiefs will
concentrate on good field position and will let their defense take over the
game. However, as sound as this philosophy sounds, they do not have a
sure-fire RB that can give them this ball control attack, although talented
Donnell Bennett will
certainly get his chance. If Bennett or one of the other RBs can emerge,
this could be a very tough team to play. They do have a solid OL,
especially their inside trio of Szott, Grunard, and Shields, but they are
not as talented at OT, especially at right tackle.
The AFC West appears to be a very competitive division in 1998, and while
the Chiefs appear to be a lock for the playoffs, they may find it difficult
to achieve their regular-season success of 1997. Off-season
Acquisitions
DT-Chester McGlockton (Franchise FA, Oakland) -- Will play end in Chiefs'
modified 34 defense, but will play inside in passing situations. If he
plays up to ability, could be huge upgrade as inside penetrator and edge
run-stopper.
WR-Derrick Alexander
(UFA, Baltimore) -- Very productive guy that will team with Andre Rison to spread field
and eliminate double coverage. Not overly explosive, but a nice upgrade to
stabilize receiving corps.
DE-Leslie O'Neal (FA,
St. Louis) -- Great career in NFL as sack artist, but best days are behind
him. Will be used as a nickel edge rusher to keep him fresh and will
probably be asked to give Chiefs 15 to 20 snaps a game.
DS-Melvin Johnson (T,
Tampa Bay) -- Experienced safety that will backup young players Reggie Tongue and Jerome Woods. Quality No.
3 safety that can fill a role.
DT-Darius Holland (T,
Green Bay) -- Will compete for starting nose tackle spot. Is fairly young
player and has inside run defense skills and some pass rush ability to him.
OLB-Ron George (FA,
Minnesota) -- Veteran player that will backup strongside linebacker Wayne Simmons, and can
play over tight end and provide decent range and cover skills -- not a
great training camp. Best Off-Season Move
This is a little bit of a gamble, but McGlockton, whom the Chiefs got in
free agency from Oakland, has a chance to really upgrade this defense. If
he plays up to his capabilities, he could be a real force for Kansas City.
He will play defensive end in their 3-man front and if his production at
training camp is any indication, the change of scenery may have been the
best thing for him. Nobody doubts his talent, but he has been an
underachiever for most of his career. He could be headed for a giant season
for the Chiefs in 1998. 1998 Team Needs
1. RB -- With Marcus Allen retired and Greg Hill gone, this position is a
little shaky, and rookie Shehee is smallish and not a power type back.
2. OT -- Chiefs got by with veteran Glenn Parker last season
at right tackle, but young 1st round pick Victor Riley should
upgrade, but they still need a solid starter.
3. OLB -- Derrick Thomas
may be starting to slow down and other starter Anthony Davis is more of a
run stopper … need to develop young speed blitzer.
4. DE -- Starters Booker and Browning are solid journeymen, but depth is a
question mark… could add another guy to this mix.
5. DT -- Chiefs are counting on Chester McGlockton to be anchor inside, but
he has been underachiever … not a lot of depth behind him… could still use
young, run stuffer type.
6. MLB -- Donnie
Edwards has been solid, but need a young guy here… Edwards may wind up
at OLB with Thomas.
7. RB/N -- Versatile Kimble
Anders is solid out of backfield and rookie Shehee, but Chiefs could
use Eric Metcalf type
matchup RB on 3rd down.
8. PT -- Aguiar is solid and consistent, but Chiefs might want to look for
young leg in future. 1998 Keys To Success
1. Chiefs must figure out way to establish ball-control offense and shorten
games for defense to dominate.
2. Great defensive coaching job must continue with even more talent in '98
… the "D" carries this team.
3. Marty Schottenheimer may have his most talented team ever … the Chiefs
must peak in playoffs.
4. OL must hold together for another year ... tackles must have career
years … inside trio may be the NFL's best.
5. Talented new veterans DT McGlockton, WR Alexander, DE O'Neal must fit in
and play hard all year. War Room Forecast
The Chiefs should have another outstanding regular season and will
hopefully put the disastrous playoff loss in the first round last year
behind them. They are a talented football team, especially on defense, and
should dominate opponents. They are not a big play offense on paper, but
should at least be respectable enough to carry them through a very strong
season. They should have a great battle with the Denver Broncos for the
AFC West Championship, but they may have to enter the playoffs as a wild
card. This Kansas City team may actually be better than the 1997 version,
and they could easily challenge for a Super Bowl berth.
War Room Prediction: 12-4.
The War Room is offering up
daily team previews throughout the preseason. Check back Monday for a look
at the Oakland Raiders.
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