Kansas City Chiefs: Jamaal Charles and the 10 Best Offensive Weapons in 2011
The Kansas City Chiefs had one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL last season.
Their running game was the best in the NFL and the passing attack showed glimpses of greatness with the new-found QB/WR connection of Matt Cassel and Dwayne Bowe.
With many of the same young players likely to be back in the fold for the Chiefs in 2011, there is no reason to think that this offense can't accomplish great things this season.
Here are my top 10 offense weapons for the Chiefs heading into the 2011 season.
Enjoy.
10. Shaun Smith
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Smith's name on this list might come as a shock to some, but if you watched him play offense last season, you will know why he is on here.
The big defensive end was seldom used on offense for KC last year, but when they did put him on that side of the ball, he delivered.
In Week 12 against Seattle, the Chiefs decided to put Smith in the backfield, and then proceeded to hand the ball off to him for a one-yard score, which was the only TD of his seven-year NFL career.
I would not be surprised if Kansas City puts Shaun Smith in certain goal-line situations once again this season.
9. Terrance Copper
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The former Saint has played seven years in the league and has racked up 825 receiving yards during that time.
Copper had his best season as a Chief last year when he hauled in 18 passes for 157 yards.
He has been used mainly as a deep threat during his career in the NFL and has several nice catches to show for it.
He will likely get reduced playing time with the addition of rookie Jonathan Baldwin to the team in 2011, but Copper should still impact the passing game in one way or another.
8. Leonard Pope
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Pope came over from the Cardinals, after coach Todd Haley saw something in him while working with the big tight end in Arizona.
He had his worst season statistically as a pro last year, but still managed to grab two huge TD receptions in the red-zone.
He is a big body at 6'8", 264 lbs, and paired with starting TE Tony Moeaki, he can give opposing defense fits.
I expect Pope to be used in some two-TE sets this season, while making a solid impact in the red-zone again for the Chiefs offense.
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7. Verran Tucker
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Tucker was used in a very limited role by the Chiefs last season.
He was able to catch six passes for 114 yards and make an incredible touchdown catch in the 11 games that he was used in the KC offense.
This season, he projects as being the Chiefs No. 3 receiver behind Dwayne Bowe and rookie Jonathan Baldwin, which should give him more time on the field.
Tucker gives KC's receiving corps another athletic play-maker, as shown by this touchdown catch against the Raiders last season in the photo for this slide.
6. Thomas Jones
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The wily veteran was second on the team in rushing last year, picking up 896 yards on the ground to go along with six rushing touchdowns.
Although he showed signs of laboring towards the end of the season, Jones was still a viable rushing threat in red-zone situations.
He will likely see his carries diminish in 2011, with star Jamaal Charles and second-year man Dexter McCluster likely to get more carries.
Even with a smaller role, Jones is still a good weapon for the Chiefs offense because of his ability to run between the tackles and the versatility that he brings to the team as a running back.
5. Dexter McCluster
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The speedy McCluster was drafted in 2010 for his versatility that he would bring to the Chiefs offense.
Unfortunately, he received a high ankle sprain in Week 7 that forced him to miss five games last season.
This year, he will be counted on more as a running back in Kansas City's offense, which was an area that he excelled at in college.
If Dex can stay healthy, he could be a huge boost to the offense by just his presence alone.
4. Jonathan Baldwin
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The former Pittsburgh Panther was taken in the first round of April's NFL draft by the Chiefs in order to add another play-making receiver to their offense.
Baldwin should provide that, as he was known for making big-time catches and touchdowns while in college.
He was considered by many as one of the best wide receivers in his draft class and should give the league a glimpse of this in 2011.
I see Baldwin becoming a solid red-zone threat for the Chiefs this season, and becoming a solid number-two wide receiver on a team that desperately needs it.
3. Tony Moeaki
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The former Iowa star busted onto the scene in '10 with an incredible rookie season.
He broke all of former Chief Tony Gonzalez's rookie tight end records by catching 47 passes for 556 yards and three touchdowns.
Moeaki solidified himself as the Chiefs starting TE for the entire season and was a handful for defenses to cover for much of the year.
Tony is a big part of the Chiefs offense going forward and expectations are high for him in 2011.
2. Dwayne Bowe
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Fifth-year wideout Dwayne Bowe will be entering the 2011 season as the Chiefs best receiving threat.
He had over 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns in '10, lighting up many opposing secondaries while helping himself and his QB Matt Cassel to their first ever Pro Bowl selections.
The former LSU star has the size and speed to be a dominant NFL wideout for years to come if he plays like he did a season ago.
Bowe is destined for great things in his future under the tutelage of former wide receivers coach and current Chiefs head coach Todd Haley.
1. Jamaal Charles
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Charles is by far the Chiefs best offensive weapon, and easily their best player at this point.
He has amassed nearly 3,000 rushing yards in his three-year NFL career and was named to his first Pro Bowl last season after rushing for 1,467 yards and leading the league with 6.4 YPC.
JC is a threat to score every time he touches the ball and is already starting to prove that he is one of the most dynamic backs in the game today.
I expect Charles to have another big season in 2011 and lead KC's offense to big things.
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