With Herm Edwards Out, Could Chiefs Bring Mike Shanahan In?

By now it's old news. The Kansas City Chiefs fired Head Coach Herman Edwards. I myself can think of several reasons why this was done.The main reason, though, has to be the teams overall record under Herm (15-33) and seemingly lack of preparation on game days.

I will be the first to admit when the KC Chiefs acquired Herm Edwards in a trade with the New York Jets, I was excited. I knew he hadn't had too much success as a head coach in the NFL, but I was still optimistic.

Over the last three seasons I came to realize that he was one of the worst head coaches I had ever seen. From poor clock management to extremely conservative and unimaginative game planning. For example, the Chiefs lone playoff game, in 2006, was the worst offensive showing for any team in recent history.

Herm's game plan allowed the Chiefs 16 total first half yards and didn't merit a first down until late in the third quarter. This was the first time since 1960 a team hadn't recorded a first down in the first half of a playoff game. Kansas City finished the game with a whopping 126 total yards of offense.

More proof of poor preparation comes from taking a look at his overall record on opening day. For those who are wondering, it is 2-6 and his teams have been outscored 203-135. Ready for some irony? The last time the Chiefs won an opening day game was against Herm Edwards his last season in New York.

So now the question everyone wants the answer to, are the reports right? Will Mike Shanahan be the next head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs?

If you ask NFL Networks Adam Schefter he says, "Not a chance." Let's not forget though, this is the same guy who once said Scott Pioli was not going to leave New England for Kansas City, even after reports said that Pioli was close to signing.

I can't say whether or not Shanahan will be the coach, but I can speculate on what kind of impact he will have on Kansas City.

Shanahan is a proven coach with a great track record. He has a 146-98 overall record as a head coach and is 8-5 in the playoffs. He is one of six coaches to win back to back Super Bowls (32 and 33). In 2004 he became tied for fourth on a list of 12 coaches who have won at least 100 games in their first 10 seasons with one team. Six of those coaches are in the NFL Hall Of Fame.

Mike Shanahan would bring a proven winner to Kansas City, something they haven't had since Dick Vermeil was coach. Shanahan's ability to turn out 1,000 yard rushers (five Denver running backs rushed for 1,000 or more yards over the last 10 seasons—Terrell Davis did this four times), his offensive mindset, and his history of winning would be well received in KC. Not only by the fans, but by the players as well.

You think Jamal Charles would be upset being the featured back? No. Charles would be used more by Shanahan than any other back the Chiefs have on their roster. I say Charles because Johnson most likely will be gone no matter who the head coach is.

This is where Shanahan's draft impact would be made. Bottom line, Kansas City needs more draft picks to fill various holes on the roster. I sincerely believe that Larry Johnson would be used to bring in more draft picks and that Scott Pioli will trade our No. 3 overall for more picks as well.

Shanahan and Pioli would use the extra picks to fill the holes in the defensive line, offensive line, secondary, everything but the quarterback spot.

Tyler Thigpen deserves to be the starting quarterback. I don't care what anyone says, but that's another article. Plus there aren't really any great quarterbacks available and none that standout over the rest.

Overall I believe that Mike Shanahan would be the ideal choice for Kansas City. Fans want a proven head coach. Players are ready to win. Pioli would be foolish to look at any other choices, and yes that includes John Gruden, Todd Haley, Marty Schottenheimer, Bill Cowher, and any other coaches/coordinators that are rumored to be heading to KC.

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