SB Nation Kansas City - Kansas City Chiefs Quarter Season Reviewhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48935/kc-fave.png2010-10-13T14:56:31-05:00http://kansascity.sbnation.com/rss/stream/15129612010-10-13T14:56:31-05:002010-10-13T14:56:31-05:00Kansas City Chiefs Quarter Season Review: Secondary
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> secondary was both strong and weak in 2009, if that makes sense.</p>
<p>I think most folks were happy with the cornerbacks. <span>Brandon Flowers</span> is turning into an elite cornerback in the NFL. He has two picks on the season and a touchdown. He's starting to get noticed around the league as well. Flowers is legit. <span>Brandon Carr</span> has been among the league's best values over the last couple years. He's working on a fifth round rookie contract and has started every game. He'll pair with Flowers for a long time.</p>
<p>At safety, the Chiefs had a big problem after 2009. <span>Jarrad Page</span> clearly wasn't part of the future plans and <span>Mike Brown</span> definitely wasn't part of the future.</p>
<p>Here's a breakdown on the Chiefs safeties to this point....</p>
<p><b><span>Eric Berry</span>:</b> He's definitely made some rookie mistakes but I've been surprised at how well he's done in run support. If anything, I think that's been his biggest impact this year. Learning from the rookie mistakes will come with time. There's no worry here.</p>
<p><b><span>Kendrick Lewis</span></b>: He's another surprise. He was a fifth round pick so I didn't expect much out of him but, with <span>Jon McGraw</span> injured, he stepped in and played well. You can tell the extra time McGraw has spent with him has helped quite a bit.</p>
<p><b>Jon McGraw</b>: You won't see all of his impact on the field (but you did with his pick against <span>Peyton Manning</span>). When he was injured, he still traveled with the team. It's no accident Kendrick Lewis seems to "get it" early on. There are positives from McGraw that you'll get without seeing him on the field.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-chiefs/2010/10/13/1749526/kansas-city-chiefs-eric-berry-kendrick-lewisJoel Thorman2010-10-13T14:48:06-05:002010-10-13T14:48:06-05:00Kansas City Chiefs Quarter Season Review: Linebacker
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> linebackers were a weak point in 2009.</p>
<p>In 2010 they've been part of the solution.</p>
<p>The biggest surprise has been Derrick Johnson. He didn't play much last year but now is becoming one of the better linebackers in the league. He's really starting to thrive, as folks suggested he would when the Chiefs first made the switch to the 3-4.</p>
<p>His partner has been <span>Jovan Belcher</span>, a rookie undrafted free agent. He's been playing well particularly when you consider where he came from.</p>
<p><span>Corey Mays</span> and <span>Demorrio Williams</span> haven't been starting. Mays has been more of a special teams guy while Williams has seen time with his hand on the ground in the Chiefs nickel defense. Williams is among the team leaders in penalties.</p>
<p>The linebackers are becoming better and it's good timing. The Chiefs will face a very difficult decision this year with Derrick Johnson in the final year of his deal.</p>
<p>As for the outside linebackers, the Chiefs can be pretty happy right now. They've got Tamba Hali who is my defensive MVP to this point. There are no problems with him (other than not getting enough holds called). He's on pace for 18 sacks and an outstanding year. I can't say much bad about Tamba Hali. On the other side, I think the Chiefs are happy with Mike Vrabel (this year) and Andy Studebaker (next year). Studebaker hasn't played quite as much this year as I originally thought he would. He's being utilized more on special teams. The Chiefs had a nickel package with Studebaker on the outside and Vrabel on the inside that we haven't seen much of this year.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-chiefs/2010/10/13/1749515/kansas-city-chiefs-derrick-johnsonJoel Thorman2010-10-13T14:45:23-05:002010-10-13T14:45:23-05:00Kansas City Chiefs Quarter Season Review: Defensive Line
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> defense has been the biggest surprise of the year. They're fast, strong and smart. That's a good combination.</p>
<p>The defensive line was the biggest point of worry heading into the season but they've been doing something right.</p>
<p><b>DE <span>Glenn Dorsey</span></b>: He's having a very solid season. I can see now why the Chiefs were banking on guys like him already in-house to improve. He seems much more disruptive this season.</p>
<p><b>NT <span>Ron Edwards</span></b>: I'm pleased with him as well. With the players around him playing better, it makes his job easier. Considering what he is -- a veteran journeyman -- Edwards is a solid play for the Chiefs.</p>
<p><b>DE Shaun Smith</b>: <span>Tyson Jackson</span> has been out much of the season but that hasn't been a problem. I'd argue that Smith has played better than Jackson has at any point. Smith has a case of, uh, itchy hands, but he's much more disruptive than Jackson has been.</p>
<p><b>DE Tyson Jackson</b>: I liked his first half against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">Chargers</a> but he's been injured since.</p>
<p>Overall, this group has improved and that was the idea heading in. Count me as someone who's been impressed.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-chiefs/2010/10/13/1749503/kansas-city-chiefs-glenn-dorsey-tyson-jacksonJoel Thorman2010-10-13T13:04:23-05:002010-10-13T13:04:23-05:00Kansas City Chiefs Quarter Season Review: Offensive Line
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<p>One of the biggest surprises in 2010 for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a>? No one complaining about the offensive line.</p>
<p>That had been a weekly tradition in years past, complaining about the lack of a running game or the quarterback being sacked and it always came back to that line.</p>
<p>This year? Much improved. The unit has given up less sacks (3) then any other offensive line in the NFL.</p>
<p><b>The additions</b>: The Chiefs changed up 40 percent of the line from last year adding starters <span>Casey Wiegmann</span> and <span>Ryan Lilja</span>. Wiegmann, in particular, has surprised me. At his age he definitely still has it and this scheme seems to fit him best.</p>
<p><b>Playing through injury</b>: The Chiefs have yet to see their starting right tackle play a game. <span>Ryan O'Callaghan</span> has been injured and <span>Barry Richardson</span> did a solid job filling in. You couldn't tell very often that O'Callaghan wasn't in there and I think that's a good sign in a backup.</p>
<p>Overall, this is a group that's done much better than expected. The challenge moving forward will be to continue replacing the parts that need to be replaced (such as <span>Brian Waters</span> and Casey Wiegmann with age concerns in the next couple years).</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-chiefs/2010/10/13/1749239/kansas-city-chiefs-quarter-season-review-offensive-lineJoel Thorman2010-10-13T12:59:04-05:002010-10-13T12:59:04-05:00Kansas City Chiefs Quarter Season Review: Tight End
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<p>If you want the possible surprise of the 2010 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> offense, here ya go: TE <span>Tony Moeaki</span>.</p>
<p>He was a third-round pick and had been injured on and off during the offseason and training camp. Then he steps onto the scene and becomes the Chiefs' leading receiver to this point.</p>
<p>He has very nice hands, as evidenced against San Francisco (<i>the </i>catch) and is an all-around solid player, complete with blocking skills.</p>
<p>He works hard, seems to respect everyone and gets results.</p>
<p>There's not much to dislike about Tony Moeaki.</p>
<p>Also at tight end the Chiefs have <span>Leonard Pope</span>. He's been more of a blocker this season but is okay with being a role player. Todd Haley said a few weeks ago that maybe no one else on the team cares as much as Leonard Pope.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-chiefs/2010/10/13/1749232/kansas-city-chiefs-quarter-season-review-tight-endJoel Thorman2010-10-13T12:56:16-05:002010-10-13T12:56:16-05:00Kansas City Chiefs Quarter Season Review: Wide Receiver
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> are 3-1 after the first quarter of the season so they're doing something right. But there's always room for improvement.</p>
<p>The Chiefs receivers are a group that have been less than impressive this year.</p>
<p><b><span>Dwayne Bowe</span></b>; His season has been disappointing. He's entering his fourth year so many figured this would be either a return to his 1,000 yard status he had in his first two years or a truly breakout year. Unfortunately he has just 9 catches for 152 yards and a touchdown to this point. I'm not sure he's the future No. 1 receiver.</p>
<p><b><span>Chris Chambers</span></b>: What happened to him? Through four games he has just 7 catches for 76 yards. He's been non-existent this year after providing a spark the second half of 2009.</p>
<p><b><span>Dexter McCluster</span></b>: He has one solid game as a receiver when he had 69 yards and a touchdown against San Francisco. Outside of that he hasn't had a lot of opportunities.</p>
<p>The Chiefs don't really have a true threat at receiver so that hurts everyone else. I imagine at some point in the near future (next 1-2 years) the Chiefs will look to overhaul this group.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-chiefs/2010/10/13/1749215/kansas-city-chiefs-dexter-mccluster-dwayne-bowe-chris-chambersJoel Thorman2010-10-13T11:07:57-05:002010-10-13T11:07:57-05:00Kansas City Chiefs Quarter Season Review: Running Back
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<p>Running back is the position the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> are excited about.</p>
<p>They've got thunder (<span>Thomas Jones</span>) and lightning (<span>Jamaal Charles</span>) handling the bulk of the load.</p>
<p>The big brouhaha early in the season was the distribution of carries. Fans, seeing Charles 6.5 yards per carry, feel he needs the ball more. The Chiefs will tell you they base carries on the particular matchup that week. For example, against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a> quick defense, Charles saw the bulk of the carries, while Jones took a backseat. Two of the first three games saw Jones with the most carries.</p>
<p>Here's a look at each back through one quarter.</p>
<p><b>Jamaal Charles</b>: He's my pick as the offensive MVP to start the year. He's getting 6.5 yards per carry and has been consistent throughout the season. He's on pace for over 1,200 yards despite sharing the load. He's the real deal through the last half of a season until now.</p>
<p><b>Thomas Jones</b>: He has 236 yards and a touchdown to this point. He's averaging just 3.9 yards per carry so there may be some truth to the age argument with him but to this point he's matched up well with Charles in the backfield. He'll be needed throughout the season as the pound-it-out back as the Chiefs likely plan on rushing a lot down the stretch.</p>
<p><span>Dexter McCluster</span> has taken a few carries at running back (5 attempts, 5 yards) but not enough for him to be considered any sort of threat as a running back at this point.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-chiefs/2010/10/13/1748980/kansas-city-chiefs-jamaal-charles-thomas-jonesJoel Thorman2010-10-13T11:01:37-05:002010-10-13T11:01:37-05:00Kansas City Chiefs Quarter Season Review: Quarterback
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> have been average to below average at quarterback this season.</p>
<p>QB <span>Matt Cassel</span> had a solid start in Week 3 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> but hasn't been consistent elsewhere.</p>
<p>Cassel has been a point of criticism for this team but there are a few positives to look at with him.</p>
<p><b>Turnovers</b>: Cassel is on pace for just 12 interceptions. That's a very solid number and, when you look at how this Chiefs team is built, it's even more important. This is a defense-first, run-first team. They don't need Cassel to win games but they do need him not to lose games.</p>
<p><b>Sacks</b>: The Chiefs have taken a NFL low three sacks this season. Through four games, Cassel has thrown the ball away 11 times (via Stats LLC). In the past, those might have been sacks. One of his biggest criticisms was taking sacks and the Chiefs have essentially eliminated that through the first quarter of the season.</p>
<p><b>Wins</b>: Say what you want about Cassel but this team is 3-1 with him at the helm this year. That's an important stat.</p>
<p>Cassel may not be playing like an All-Pro but I think that's because the Chiefs don't have this offense designed for him to be an All-Pro. Would they like to go down the field more? Sure, but that's just not their strength.</p>
<p>So far they've needed Cassel not to lose the game. He's done that for the most part. There's loads of room for improvement but Cassel isn't losing games for the Chiefs right now.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-chiefs/2010/10/13/1748965/kansas-city-chiefs-matt-cassel-quarterbackJoel Thorman