Brandon Flowers, Tamba Hali Among Kansas City Chiefs Players Missing From Buccaneers Loss

The list was long. Too long, apparently. The Kansas City Chiefs lost an abysmal effort to the Tampa Bay Buccaneeres Friday on their home turf, 25-0, without many of their starting players who were all out for one reason or another -- the primary one being the team's cautious approach this early in the preseason.

On offense and defense, it's difficult to imagine the Chiefs performing much worse in all aspects of the game, but things certainly would have fared better had the starters played. Yet the Chiefs got beat all the same in an embarrassing effort. The only good news are the names left off of the field who can claim to have had no part of the shutout.

Consider some of the names absent on offense. Tony Moeaki and Steve Breaston were both out as receiving options. Jared Gaither didn't suit up on the offensive line. Jamaal Charles didn't get a single carry, and Le'Ron McClain didn't play either. Matt Cassel didn't even attempt a single pass.

On defense, top pass rusher Tamba Hali was noticeably absent. So was their best corner in Brandon Flowers. The defensive line was incredibly thin since Wallace Gilberry, Glenn Dorsey and Kelly Gregg all remained on the sidelines. And let's not forget Derrick Johnson's inside linebacker spot either. Every single one of those players were out.

But every team can claim the same, and the Bucs were clearly more prepared at this stage than the Chiefs at every level. Still it's nice to think none of the aforementioned were involved in the debacle either way, and Chiefs fans can hope their involvement the next time around will change the outcome.