Matt Cassel Mania, The Emergence Of Kansas City As a Viable Playoff Team

Well, well, well ladies and gents, it seems that after a long absence from the spotlight my Kansas City Chiefs are finally going to make their bid at returning to their previous playoff caliber.  Not only that but they are doing it in extremely un-Kansas City like fashion Making the big trade for a young flashy quarterback has never been KC's bag. 

Neither has making big name off season acquisitions like Zack Thomas and Mike Vrabel, for those of you who insist that these two guys have seen their best days I will remind you that the most dominant force of the new millenium has been Pioli's previous team the Patriots who have built a defensive dynasty out of aging veteran linebackers. 

It's not for me to judge the wisdom of a man who in conjunction with Bill Beliceck staged an almost decade long stranglehold over the AFC east and put together one of the most talented group of veteran linebackers in NFL history.  No, I see something taking shape in KC, perhaps its just the dreamer in me but I have a feeling we will soon be contending for a playoff spot. 

You see I can already start drawing comparisons to great teams i have jealously watched making deep play-off runs recently. Take for example the recent Superbowl runner-up Arizona Cardinals, it is no coincidence that a struggling Arizona franchise benefited from a adopting the 3-4, 4-3 hybrid defense of Penderghast. 

They may have struggled in mastering the different formations and blitz packages of a fairly complex system, but by the time the playoffs rolled around they looked as good as anybody. 

Working within this system I see Derrick Johnson flourishing and improving on an already stellar 2008 season.  I also see Glenn Dorsey moving to Defensive End and fulfilling his potential as a passrusher from that position with Tank Tyler filling the need at Nose Tackle. 

Zack Thomas, Derrick Johnson and Mike Vrabel I believe represent one of the stronger linebacking corps in the NFL and adding Curry to the mix could be lethal. Zack Thomas commented recently on what he felt was going to be his role in KC. Making his position very clear he stated,"I'm not here just to coach or to help this team out to try to rebuild, I'm not here for that."  This statement i think sending a clear signal that he believes there is still some gas in the tank.  He will also be returning to his former position of middle linebacker which he no doubt excelled during his 7 pro bowl seasons with Miami.

The Secondary of Kansas City is possibly the most athletic group since the 90's for Kansas City and represents the only positive aspect of Herm Edwards disastrous Move towards Youth. 

Carr and Flowers will Cornerstone this backfield for years and the combination of Pollard and Page could be crucial to the development of a pass rush. These two safeties are very talented and their true potential has never been reached due to inconsistent play from the linebackers and a sore lack of surrounding talent, especially at corner with former chiefs Ty Law and Patrick Surtain being very poor off-season acquisitions for KC. There lack of speed and athleticism caused Kansas City to fall to the bottom half of the pile in pass defense.  This was no doubt exacerbated by a historically poor effort in the pass rush department.

The additions made this off-season will no doubt raise our level of play.  How much will it be raised is the million dollar question.  I am banking that the right pieces are falling into place and that by late season the Chiefs are in a position to play their way into the play-offs.  It can't hurt that we end our season with Denver, Buffalo, Cleveland, Cincinatti, and then Denver again.  None of those teams made the play-offs in 2008 and I don't expect any fireworks from them in 2009 either.

When I look at the offense coming into this season I can't help but pinch myself for assurance that I haven't fallen asleep and am dreaming. The trade for Cassel was so unexpected that I nearly choked on a piece of steak I was eating at Applebee's. 

I was stunned.  My Chiefs don't make these trades, if anything I expect to pick up an aging veteran who can manage a game with little or no fireworks. As it happens we dipped in free agency and picked up the best option out there. 

Cassel's potential as a star is unparalleled in both free agency and in the draft. I would take a tested Matt Cassel over a Sanchez, Freeman, or Stafford any day of the week.  The only other acquisition at quarterback this offseason that even comes close is Denver's boneheaded trade of Cutler, and that only came about because of McDaniels obvious preference for Cassel over Cutler. 

The weapons in Kansas City seem to have grown exponentially with the addition of Cassel to the mix. I can't wait to see Dwayne Bowe catch balls that are thrown at him instead of near him.

Tony Gonzalez has apparently been watching Miami Dolphins gametape from last year because he is no longer requesting a trade from  the third worst team in 2008. Is it possible that Tony believes that like the Dolphins the Chiefs can rise from the ash pit and vie for a 2009 playoff spot. I think the possibilities are endless. 

I have also noticed that Larry Johnson has been quiet as of late. The new regime is offering him a clean slate and I think at this point in his career he may finally focus on being an elite back instead of a distraction. 

The revitalization of the passing game is going to work wonders on freeing up those holes in the running game.  If cassel and Bowe/Gonzalez can become a serious threat than I expect Larry Johnson to start breaking daylight very soon to follow. 

I also believe that Larry Johnson can only benefit from a young speedster like Jamaal Charles taking some of the load off his back. 

I expect 18-23 carries for Johnson and 7-12 by Charles could be worth 150 yards if this offensive line matures at a steady rate. Branden Albert is healthy and most importantly not making rookie mistakes any longer. 

A solid left tackle is a key to any great NFL team and Kansas City is no different.  The emergence of Albert will free Kansas City to do something that has been sorely lacking the last couple years, Playaction. 

The great thing about this year is that we are finally making moves that seem to blend the team into a multi-talented, well organized unit.  The proper blend of young talent and veteran leadership is something that has been sorely lacking in recent years. 

The early part of this decade had KC stacking veterans and aging role players at an astonishing rate.  The Edwards fiasco brought us to the brink of collapse and yet we have now emerged from our long nightmare better for the experience. 

We will rise again. I am happy to be along for the ride and glad that I may yet experience what my forefathers already have.  

A Suberbowl.