Part 32 of a 32 part series, a running back position analysis of each franchise. The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off of a disappointing season that ended with a nine-game losing streak, a 4-12 record and several questions and very few answers. The losing streak was a disastrous finish to Coach Herm Edwards’ second year at the helm.
Since his arrival, Edwards has stressed the need to get younger, and he’ll continue to follow that trend in 2008. Chan Gailey was named the offensive coordinator; he will replace Mike Solari. Gailey is renowned for helping to establish hard-nosed running games at Pittsburgh & Dallas. This also gives the Chiefs two coordinators with head coaching experience as Defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham, was the Chiefs’ head man in 1999 and 2000.
“Toughness” is the theme Edwards is emphasizing as he attempts to rebuild a once-potent offense that through age and attrition dropped to dead last in rushing and next-to-worst in scoring and total yards in 2007. Offensively the Chiefs have signed free agent WR Devard Darling who was released by the Ravens to play opposite Dwayne Bowe. The Chiefs needs going into free agency and the draft are OT, CB, OG, C, QB and a Return man. The Chiefs as a team rushed for 78 yards per game.
· Larry Johnson: 6’ 1” 230 lbs, 158 Att, 559 Yards, 3.5 YPC Avg, 3 TD’s
· Kolby Smith: 5’ 11” 219 lbs, 112 Att, 407 Yards, 3.6 YPC Avg, 2 TD’s
· Priest Holmes: 5’ 9” 213 lbs, 46 Att, 137 Yards, 3.0 YPC Avg.
· Jackie Battle: 6’ 2” 235 lbs, 14 Att, 47 Yards, 3.4 YPC Avg, 1 TD
The Chiefs were once one of the league’s most respected running games, offensive line problems and injuries set the Chiefs spinning to a dead-last rating—the worst production in years. The Chiefs were 4-3 when Larry Johnson, a 1,700-yard rusher the previous two seasons, went down with a broken bone in his foot. The Chiefs kept him on the active roster in hopes that he would return, but he couldn’t.
He wasn’t tearing it up prior to the injury averaging 3.5 yards on 158 carries. Priest Holmes attempted a brief comeback before retiring with a recurrence of the neck problems that forced him out in 2005. Rookie Smith stepped up nicely in six starts. He showed flashes, including some elusiveness and tackle-breaking ability but still averaged only 3.6 yards per carry.
6 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
tim about 1 year ago
i agree,the Chiefs need to rebuild their o-line.a healthy Larry Johnson is a beast.is Brody Croyle the QB to lead them back to being a playoff contender?not sure.
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Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Thanks for the comments, We'll have the answer to that question right away on draft day. If the Chiefs draft Matt Ryan the answer will be an emphatic No.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
What are the chances Dallas gives up both 1st round picks for the Chiefs #5. I would like to see that happen.
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Jeff Little about 1 year ago
It is a strong possibility but at this point I'd have to say a 35% chance. That could change, it is being reported that the Dolphins are negotiating a contract with LT Jake Long.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Get the two picks from Dallas and draft DeSean Jackson out of Cal and someone like Clady or Jeff Otah.
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Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Either Ryan Clady or Jeff Otah would be excellent picks. The offensive line has to be re-built. I like DeSean Jackson but Herm Edwards was recently quoted as saying that you need big WR's in the AFC West which is why he chose Dwayne Bowe last year. A trade down is possible.
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