Kansas City Chiefs: 8 Players Most Responsible for Team's Success in 2012

As the Kansas City Chiefs look to put the 2011 season in the rear view mirror, there will be some fresh faces in place—either coming back from injury or new to the franchise—to help the team along the way. There are also holdovers from last year’s squad either looking to build off of a good season, or prove they belong in the NFL.

Scott Pioli has done a fantastic job assembling the Chiefs’ roster via free agency (particularly this offseason) and the draft over the last few years.

There is now quality depth at positions that previously would have seen a major drop-off had an injury occurred. However, no team can survive too many of its front-line starters being unavailable for a significant period of time.

Expectations are high in and around the organization. The 2012 season will be very pivotal for not only the team but for certain players as they help the Chiefs return to prominence in this league.

Here are the eight players most responsible for the Chiefs’ success in 2012.

Jamaal Charles

The Kansas City Chiefs are now in a much better position to absorb an injury such as the one that cost Jamaal Charles (ACL tear) the majority of his 2011 season. But if he fails to regain his form or goes down again, it would be a devastating blow to the team.

Charles' explosiveness out of the backfield was complemented by the offseason acquisition of Peyton Hillis, who should get most of the short yardage and goal line carries.

Having that combination of speed and power the entire season will keep opposing defenses off balance, and could result in the Chiefs leading the league in rushing as they did during the 2010 season.

Without Charles, their rushing attack is middle-of-the-pack at best. 

Brandon Flowers

Since coming into the league in 2008, cornerback Brandon Flowers has shown steady improvement as a player, one that can be counted on heavily by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Although Flowers has had the luxury of playing opposite of the recently departed Brandon Carr (Dallas Cowboys), we will see just how good he can be for Chiefs without his trusted sidekick.

While the jury is still out on newly signed Stanford Routt as Carr's replacement, having Flowers on the other side will help ease that transition. Without Flowers, the opposition will easily be able to open up the entire field.

Matt Cassel

After a failed attempt to bring in Peyton Manning to lead the offense, Matt Cassel is still the starting quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs.

While it is typical that no NFL team is equipped with two starting caliber signal-callers, Brady Quinn and Ricky Stanzi have shown nothing in the way of being able to lead a team as a prolonged starter.

Although Cassel isn't exactly world class, to put the Chiefs' 2012 season in anyone else's hands but his could signal a repeat of their 2011 results.

Tamba Hali

Tamba Hali is the only proven pass-rushing threat for the Kansas City Chiefs. His 35 sacks and 12 forced fumbles since the team switched to the 3-4 defense in 2009 are tops on the roster.

Hali is also vital to the continued development of outside linebacker Justin Houston, who started 10 games as a rookie last season and recorded 5.5 sacks.

While Dontari Poe could come in and provide enough push to allow Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson to get to the opposing quarterback more often, Hali represents the Chiefs’ only reliable pass-rusher.

Dwayne Bowe

While the Kansas City Chiefs have spent the last couple of offseasons revamping their receiving corps by signing free agent Steve Breaston and drafting Jon Baldwin, Devon Wylie and Junior Hemingway, Dwayne Bowe is still the most important piece to their passing offense.

Although the Chiefs and Bowe have yet to work out a long-term deal—nor has Bowe signed his franchise tender—there has been zero indication of discontent or a potential holdout lingering into training camp.

However, if Bowe misses any time during the 2012 season, opposing defenses will be able to spend more time focusing on shutting down the strength of the Chiefs' offense—their running game.

Dontari Poe

The Kansas City Chiefs are all too familiar with squandering premium draft picks on defensive tackles over the years, so there was a collective "gulp" when Roger Goodell called Dontari Poe's name on Day One this year.

With Romeo Crennel's endorsement, Poe will receive plenty of proper tutelage and opportunity to finally be the guy to plug the trenches for the Chiefs' defense.

Poe's success or failure will cause a ripple effect throughout the entire defense as a push from the nose tackle position is quite possibly the most essential key to the defensive unit's overall results.

Eric Winston

Now that the Barry Richardson project is complete in Kansas City following the offseason acquisition of right tackle Eric Winston, the Chiefs now have a more balanced offensive line to not only protect Matt Cassel, but more importantly, propel the rushing attack back towards the top of the NFL.

The Chiefs also spent their second- and third-round draft picks adding depth to the offensive line by selecting Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson.

However, the drop-off in talent and experience behind Winston and the rest of the starters is large enough for the team to revert back to its 2011 offensive production if an injury to a starter occurs.

Derrick Johnson

Since the Kansas City Chiefs failed to address the inside linebacker position during free agency or at the NFL draft, Derrick Johnson's presence in the middle of the defense might be as significant as anyone at any position on the entire team.

Jovan Belcher returns as starter and 2011 free-agent acquisition Brandon Siler will be back from a torn Achilles tendon that cost him all of last season to provide depth.

While Johnson's presence makes anyone playing alongside him better, his absence would create a gigantic hole in the middle of the Chiefs' defense. 

Contact Jeremy at [e-mail], on Twitter @KCPopFlyBoy and at popflyboys.com.