The Kansas City Chiefs are off to a hot 3-0 start through Week 3 of the 2010 NFL season and people are noticing. The Chiefs offense came alive in Week 3 and the defense has been stout, not allowing more than 14 points in any game. The special teams has added a touchdown as well.
Basically, they're doing a lot of things right.
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com has come out with wayyyy too early awards and can't help but adding a few Chiefs to the list. Here's how Brooks ranks the Chiefs in the wayyyy too early awards along with my commentary.
Offensive rookie of the year
5. Dexter McCluster: After three games and two touchdowns I think this is fair. The Chiefs didn't pay much attention to him in the passing game the first two weeks but McCluster came alive in Week 3 with 69 yards receiving, a nice 31-yard catch and run that went for six. McCluster is in the offensive rookie of the year conversation.
Defensive player of the year
5. Tamba Hali: Now we're talking. Hali hasn't gotten a ton of sacks over the years but he has consistently pressured the quarterback. He probably won't be in the conversation for this award at the end of the year but make no bones about it -- he's a difference maker. It's nice to see Hali finally getting some credit.
Defensive rookie of the year
4. Eric Berry: While Berry has been solid through the Chiefs' first three games, I think he's getting this spot on name recognition. He allowed a few critical mistakes that directly resulted in touchdowns. The good news is that stuff like that is to be expected. Berry is a good player but I think defensive rookie of the year talk is a bit much right now.
Coach of the year
1. Todd Haley: In the top spot as he should be. Haley has taken a miserable Chiefs team over the last three years and turned them into believers. The Chiefs players truly believe in what is happening right now. Much of what Haley did last year is starting to make sense and we're reaping the benefits of that.