Thomas Jones and 5 Kansas City Chiefs That Disappointed in 2011

Every year, we look at players who we think are going to make a big impact for the upcoming season. When the season is over, we look back and can't help but wonder why a certain player did not live up to expectations.

The Kansas City Chiefs are no exception to this. The Chiefs went through some surprises and disappointments this year.

QB Matt Cassel

The front office must now be realizing that signing Matt Cassel to a six-year deal worth $63 million was not a smart move on their part.

While many people want to defend Cassel because of the offensive line, he still struggled when he was given the opportunity to pass. Most notably, he struggled this year with a challenging schedule after winning 10 games in one of the easiest schedules a team was given.

Cassel threw nine interceptions in 2011. Despite suffering a season-ending finger injury and only playing halfway through in 2011, Cassel still surpassed his interception total of seven from last year.

Had Cassel played during the five game stretch that many Chiefs fans were nervous about, Cassel might have had a career high for most interceptions in a single season.

With Kyle Orton on the roster right now, Cassel's chances of starting next year are up in the air.

QB Tyler Palko

No one had high expectations for Tyler Palko from the beginning. However, no one thought he would have been awful.

Palko is on this list because of his utterly poor performance. In his first two games as a starter, he threw six interceptions combined and lost one fumble.

When Romeo Crennel was named the interim head coach, the first thing he did was yank Palko's starting duties and made him inactive, putting rookie quarterback Ricky Stanzi ahead of him on the depth chart.

Don't expect Palko to be in a Chiefs uniform next season.

RB Thomas Jones

Thomas Jones' career has flipped as he has had a hard time gaining yards for the Chiefs.

After Jamaal Charles went out with an injury, Jones had to step in and take a bigger role at the running back position. However, Jones was out-rushed by backups Jackie Battle and Dexter McCluster.

Jones has a 3.2 yard per carry average and even though he is referred to as a locker room leader, his leadership skills have led the Chiefs to six wins this season going into the season finale. Jones has also yet to score a touchdown this season.

With the Chiefs seeing a lot of positive flashes from Battle and McCluster, they might be the ones that backup Charles next year rather than Jones.

WR Jonathan Baldwin

Jonathan Baldwin may only have been a rookie who missed a lot of time, but he has no one but himself to blame.

Baldwin's immaturity was revealed when he was involved in a fight, injuring his thumb, forcing him to miss the first five games of the season.

When Baldwin made his debut, he only caught one pass. In his second game against the San Diego Chargers, Baldwin had a season-high five catches for 82 yards and a spectacular touchdown grab that was featured on ESPN's SportsCenter's top 10 plays.

However, if you take away the Chargers game, Baldwin's season highs would have been three catches against the New England Patriots and 28 receiving yards against the New York Jets. Outside of the match against the Chargers, Baldwin did not have another touchdown.

If Baldwin can avoid being hurt and stay away from trouble, he will have his first complete training camp and a better second year.

C Casey Wiegmann

Casey Wiegmann got off to a great start after beginning his second stint in Kansas City, only to turn around and have the complete opposite second season during his comeback.

Wiegmann was not a reliable blocker as several defenders were able to slip through the middle and go after any quarterback that started for the Chiefs throughout the season.

Wiegmann will be 39 years old in July, making it difficult to believe that he would be back in Kansas City for a third season.

LG Ryan Lilja

When Ryan Lilja joined the Chiefs in 2010, he played right guard due to Brian Waters playing left guard. After Waters was released, Lilja shifted back to the position he played with the Indianapolis Colts, but did not succeed.

Like Wiegmann, Lilja struggled with the rest of the interior line when he was expected to play better. Lilja was one of last year's underrated guards, only to fall back this season.

Lilja will most likely stay as a Chief, but he could be shown the door if he has another bad season.