Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Profile

You don't even have to say his name. All you have to do is make one simple quote: “You play...to win...the game!” Definitively, Herm Edwards is a players coach. His playoff experience is only second to his ability of getting the most out of teams that have the least. He did it in New York with the Jets, and in his first year with Kansas City, he dealt with a potential career ending injury of Pro-Bowl QB Trent Green, yet somehow rallied the troops to make a playoff run.

Getting the most out of the tools he has to work with, expect Coach Edwards to get his young players as many reps as possible in the pre-season. He'll definitely play to the strengths of what he has available, adapting this year's squad as is necessary to win games. His emphasis has always been on assembling a team that plays mistake free football, minimizing mental mistakes and playing a disciplined game on the field with few penalties. Although this year will be a test for the Arrowhead faithful, Coach Edwards will most certainly be playing to WIN the game.

Kansas City Chiefs Off-Season Moves

The most obvious loss for the Chiefs between the 2006-2007 season has been that of Pro-Bowl QB, Trent Green. An underrated passer throughout his career, Green amassed numbers that surpassed even some Hall of Fame quarterbacks on a seasonal basis. Anyone who regularly throws for 4,000 yards in a season is obviously going to put your team in a good position to get some points on the board. However, his concussion last year made him an NFL liability, and in KC it's time to begin collecting some assets.

The biggest loss for the Chiefs was the retirement of Pro-Bowl guard Will Shields. Simply put, Shields was the cornerstone of the foundation. He was the leader of a line that created enough daylight for Larry Johnson, and protected the game management skills of Damon Huard. Without his leadership, it will be interesting to see how things shape up early for the Chiefs in 2007.

Kansas City Chiefs 2007-2008 Outlook

Don't call them the Chefs, “great googly-moogly,” they're the Chiefs! They're loaded with individual talent, yet most of it unrefined, inexperienced and untested. Quick question, who's their QB? The correct answer...who knows!? Although recent signs are pointing towards Brodie Croyle, it's still too early to give him the starting job. In fact, it may be week 3 before the Chiefs have a starter to take them through the bulk of the season. Croyle's confidence continues to grow in the offensive backfield, yet having never taken a snap in a game of importance, one could argue that he's unproven. I'm taking the stance that he's simply untested. His play at Alabama was promising to say the least, and Chiefs fans are ready to see him get his feet wet.

In regards to targets, whoever gets the QB nod will be handing off to one of the NFL's best running backs in Larry Johnson (if they can negotiate a contract!), and tossing to career Pro-Bowl tight-end Tony Gonzales. With Priest Holmes recent decision to come out of retirement, it will be fun to see how the Chiefs can work him into the mix. The wide-receiver corp is full of youth. A scrutinizing gaze has already been cast upon rookie wide receiver Dwayne Bowe. Fans are hoping that he'll produce as he did in his Jr. and Sr. seasons at LSU, but as talented as Bowe is, don't expect any “rookie of the year” performances from him if Huard takes the vast majority of the snaps.

So – there's the potential...here's the reality. Larry Johnson felt as if he had too many carries last year. The Chiefs quite literally rode him to the playoffs, but they ran off the strength of Pro-Bowl and possible future Hall of Fame lineman, Will Shields. That's no longer an option, so look for the front 5 to struggle in opening holes for LJ or Priest early in the season. (Or whoever happens to make the team or sign a contract.) There's no substitute for experience, so as the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how a “new” line, a potential new QB, and new running back will mature and bond together.

Defensively, the Chiefs look solid. With Gunther Cunninham running the show from the booth, Jared Allen should become a household name from the Defensive End position this season. And with vets like Donnie Edwards and Ty Law still working their defensive mojo, the Chiefs look good to stop the run and the pass. Hopefully they'll be able to help out their young offense with a few take aways and defensive scores. Ultimately, the defense will need the offense to move the ball so they have opportunities to breathe. If it doesn't happen, expect the season to look like last year's first round playoff game against the Colts.

The Chiefs will win some games in 2007, and although fans shouldn't begin a playoff campaign just yet, there's something exciting about the return of Priest Holmes that is reminiscent of a “feel good” comeback story that hasn't yet transpired.

Kansas City Chiefs Trivia

Chiefs founder, Lamar Hunt, coined the term Super Bowl.

The Kansas City Chiefs played in Super Bowl I, losing to the Green Bay Packers.

Arrowhead Stadium has been sold-out for every regular season game since 1990.

The Chiefs held the highest winning percentage in the NFL during the 1990s.

Both Joe Montana and Marcus Allen retired with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kansas City Chiefs 2007-2008 Roster

Kansas City Chiefs 2007-2008 Depth Chart

Kansas City Chiefs – Arrowhead Stadium

Construction Began: 1968
Opened: August 12, 1972
Capacity: 79,409
Location: Kansas City, MO
Surface: Natural Grass

Located just off of I-70 in Kansas City, MO, Arrowhead Stadium has been home to the KC Chiefs for 35 years. Without even giving consideration to its age, it is still one of the finest stadiums in the NFL, boasting one of the largest capacities. This makes for a hostile environment for opponents, and extreme levels of audible volume for the Chiefs – in other words, it's really loud! The stadium has boasted sell out crowds since the Schottenheimer era, and with a recent failed initiative proposing to raise KC city-tax, it looks as if Arrowhead will continue to play host to the Chiefs for several more years. Modern amenities are continually added as technology dictates, making this stadium one of the NFL's most historic.