Chief Report: These Guys Need to Step Up

If the Kansas City Chiefs are to win this year, they will need a total team effort with contributions from everyone. Over the years we have been told that certain players have "Great Potential". Few ever reach it.

Production is needed and the clock is ticking

Here's a list of a few players that fall into that category, starting with the offense.

Damion McIntosh

A few years back, KC's main problem was finding a left Offensive Tackle who could help protect the quarterback.

Carl Peterson knew that this would have to be addressed in free agency rather than the draft, because of the learning curve. He passed on some of the top free agents and went looking for bargains.

When the top guys were all signed, he had to look at the next tier, and McIntosh was all that was left. As it turns out, left tackles don't come cheaply, and the Chiefs still had to open their wallets anyway.

Such is life when it comes to free agency.

McIntosh held his own for a while before getting injured. After KC drafted Brandon Albert, they decided to move McIntosh to right tackle, and he has struggled.

The problem is that McIntosh has never played on the right side of an NFL line. He must improve greatly with his pass protection this year or it will be his last. 

Brodie Croyle

Despite being only a backup at this point, Croyle needs to prove not only that he can play in this league, but also that he can remain healthy. He has been plagued by injuries both in college and in the pros. 

Larry Johnson

Well, we all know the story here, so I won't burden you with the details. Lets just hope he returns to form this year as a great Running Back rather than just a mediocre one with baggage. Its true money may be his motivation to be a happy camper but why should Chief fans care. If there is production, the reasons don't really matter.

For a guy his size though, he needs to do a better job picking up the blitz. I have seen scatbacks that block better. If Johnson is a tough guy, this is the year he needs to prove it, among other things.

This team needs Johnson and Johnson needs the Chiefs. A true symbionic relationship (at least for this year)

Jeff Webb

A few years ago, when the Chiefs were desperate for a wide receiver, Herman Edwards stated that Webb would be a "very important part of our offense."

Last year, Webb caught five passes.

The knock on him was a lack of speed and some issues learning the playbook. He has now been in the league four years. He needs to find ways to get open and someone needs to light a fire under him as well. If he doesn't have motivation I'm sure Haley will provide him with some or else he may need to find a new home

Devard Darling

Boy, coming out of college at Washington State, this guy looked like a true game breaker. He showed glimpses of this last year in their opening game against New England, when he caught a quick hitch on a slant and ran 68 yards downfield and almost scored.

Outside of that one play, Darling averaged just one catch a game for 11 yards over the last 15 games.

Not good. 

Mark Bradley

As a No. 2 WR this year, without Tony Gonzalez, he needs to stay healthy. He also must play, like most guys, when hurt. If he feels he's not 100 percent healthy, he sits. 

Turk McBride

McBride's problem is that he had no true position in the 4-3 and his situation may be even more in peril when playing in a 3-4.

Linebacker? Can this guy run?

Time to get out the stopwatch on him and Hali. If they can't run at least a 4.85, they will ruin this defense.

Turk went from DT to DE and now LB. He is a warrior, which is why he was their second-round pick. He leaves everything on the field and takes no prisoners. 

Bernard Pollard and Jared Page

Decent players with different issues.

Pollard is a big hitter, but he bites on everything and is too slow to react. He gets caught out of position too much and takes poor angles. Most of his tackles are after a 15- or 20-yard gain.

Page has great ball skills and has improved every year, but he is still a very poor tackler (one of the reasons he lasted until the seventh round of the draft). He is entering a contract year and KC has to decide if he is worth retaining.

With all the money KC has, it shouldn't be a problem. 

Derrick Johnson

Like Page, Johnson is in the final year of his contract.

He gets his share of tackles because he has great range, but like most Chief players, he can't contain the run and too many of his tackles are made after the opponent has already gained big yardage. He needs to start making tackles on the line.

I watch the Steelers here in Pittsburgh and all their linebackers, even backups, can do what Johnson can't, and many are not former first-round picks.

These are the players Kansas City needs big years from if they are to truly contend.