Kansas City Chiefs' First Depth Chart: Side-By-Side Comparison to Last Year

The first preseason game for the Chiefs starts tomorrow. We play against the Falcons, and although there is a mini-drama considering we're playing TG, I believe the bigger drama is the roster spots in camp. There's been a big battle in certain position groups, and when anybody's job is up for grabs there is always a struggle. Although certain positions are locked up at this point, there are still many that aren't.

Looking at this year's depth chart compared to last year's, things are a lot different. Now I know Depth Charts don't mean anything right now but there is a definite improvement in comparison. "Better" I think is a good word to describe it, and it's a big reason why I have a lot of optimism for the 2010 season.

Without further ado, here's a look at the current starters compared to what we had last year.

Coaching Staff

OC: Charlie Weis/Todd Haley

DC: Romeo Crennel/Clancy Pendergast

DB: Emmit Thomas/Clancy Pendergast

The Kansas City Big Three. Although it's not literally the new replacing the old (their ages average out to 61 years), as far as regimes go we couldn't find anyone better. They have a combined 93 years of NFL football experience (counting playing years) and 10 Super Bowl rings. The upgrade here is pretty ridiculous. The pedigree and experience they bring to the Chiefs can only help. 

The last time Weis and Crennel combined forces they got a Super Bowl, and although you'll hear arguments that it was all Belicheck, these guys were definitely instrumental in the development in the Patriots team and players. Say what you want about their HC failures, it really is a different ballgame there and taking back their old positions should see better results.

And let us not sleep on Thomas. The returning Chief is a HOF CB and is a very good DB coach. From what I've heard from Falcons fans, a big reason the secondary there wasn't that good wasn't Thomas' fault and came more from of their lack of talent. With talent he's a good coach, and if anything that's our biggest strength on defense, but will be picked on because of its youth.

Upgrades: YES

These coaches have a big task in front of them with this franchise. There will be a lot of pressure on them to succeed and I think they will. The team has already gone though the systems they will coach this past year. Although there will probably be a few differences in styles, they have everything they need for a recipe for success.

Offensive Line

LT: Albert/Albert

LG: Waters/Waters

C: Niswanger/Niswanger

RG: Lilja/Goff

RT: O'Callaghan/Macintosh

Not much of a change here but we still upgraded the pieces we needed to. Many thought Albert should have been upgraded but he really came on in the end of the year including holding the league's sack leader at bay so the team believes he is the future.

Waters is probably our best lineman. He's loyal to the franchise and is a leader in the locker room as well as in the union. He's an all-pro and will probably be with us until he retires in a couple of years. Lilja will probably move over and take his spot at that point.

I'm surprised Rudy's still our starter. I honestly thought Wiegmann would usurp him but Niswanger has reportedly been playing like a "man possesed" and has played most of the first team reps. How that translates to the field remains to be seen but if it's anything like TC he'll be better than last year.

Once Smith left I was wondering who could take over his spot. Enter Lilja. He easily took over the RG spot, and although he supposedly didn't pass his physical in Indy he seems perfectly fine now. Although he's not as good at run blocking, he should flourish in our ZBS and eventually take over the LG spot while Asamoah takes over RG.

Next to Center. RT is the most in doubt position on the line. Will ROC perform better with a full off season? Can he show more athleticism? True, the RT spot doesn't need to display to much athleticism but it seemed at times he completely lacked it. My bet's on he becomes a very serviceable starter, he's got good intelligence and it's his job to lose.

Upgrades: YES

Although we only upgraded two positions they are definitely better than "Goof" and "Sackintosh." The OL is definitely a group to watch this year, our success hinges on them and as long as we keep up a good running game we'll be successful.

Defensive Line

DE: Glenn Dorsey/Glenn Dorsey

NT: Ron Edwards/Ron Edwards

DE: Tyson Jackson/Alphonso Boone

Well if there wasn't a more disappointing group on our whole I don't know what it was. This group did not play up to their top billing last year and made the whole defense look bad.

However, here's a few points to look at though.

One GD and TJ have one year's experience at their respective positions. With Crennel on the sidelines they've been creating a lot more pressure. Now you'll hear they haven't had a good camp but trust me when you keep hearing about the LBs making plays it's because the guys up front are doing their jobs.

Although we didn't upgrade the NT position, I'm thinking the Chiefs are waiting for their guy in the draft in a year or so. Edwards is serviceable and if defense doesn't have to be on the field that much because the offense can actually hold drives he should do a lot better. Plus we found him a good backup in swingman Shaun Smith who can help give him a breather during games.

Upgrades: EVEN

Nothing's really changed up front, and although they have been criticized these are young guys and they can only go up from here. If Dorsey does a good job, Hali will have a career year, and I'm pretty sure he will.

Running Backs

RB1: Thomas Jones/Larry Johnson

RB2: Jamaal Charles/Jackie Battle

RB3: Kestahn Moore/Jamaal Charles

FLEX OPTION: Dexter McCluster/N/A

Thomas Jones listed above JC is a little troubling but not too bad. Pioli recently said don't look to deeply into Preseason Depth Charts because some players will get more reps than others so they can get accustomed to their position on the team. And after hearing about TJs mental errors on the TC field it starts to make sense. I wouldn't look to deeply into it though, Haley said he'll play whoever is hot and I expect JC to still get a lot of touches.

Moore has recently looked very impressive in camp, breaking off some big runs and has stolen the No. 3 spot from Battle and Williams. The real unknown of the group is Dexter. Dex, DMX, M-22—whatever you want to call him—has looked very good during camp. He always seems to have a big play, and although he's listed as a WR he'll still get looks at RB just to see what he can do. I'll be watching him closely in Atlanta to see if I can believe the hype.

Upgrades: YES

I consider every one of these an upgrade over the other.  Except maybe Moore, but JC never deserved third string anyway. We've got our committee now and this looks to be the most exciting part of our offense next year. Oh, I came up with another nickname for Dex and JC: Grease Lightning

Linebacker Corps

OLB: Tamba Hali/Tamba Hali

ILB: Demorrio Williams/Derrick Johnson

ILB: Corey Mays/Zach Thomas

OLB: Mike Vrabel/Mike Vrabel

No real changes here either. The Chiefs are definitely on a lot of the help coming in house. The real question is will DJ ever crack the starting lineup? There's been a real battle at ILB in camp so far. DJ's been working very hard this off season and it's paying off in camp. He needs to show up on Friday and will get a lot of reps because he's second team.

Hali is on the verge of a monster season, and might just get a 10+ sack year. Vrabel will continue being that steady veteran and watch Studebaker and Sheffield spell throughout the season.

Upgrades: Even

The Chiefs are banking on improvement in-house and although it shows loyalty, it's putting all your eggs in one basket. I see the OLBs improving but ILB will definitely need to step it up. They were a big reason our Run D was so terrible last year and there has to be improvement.

Wide Receivers

WR1: Dwayne Bowe/Terrance Copper

WR2: Chris Chambers/Devard Darling

Slot: Dexter McCluster/Bobby Engram

When I looked at our dept chart concerning our WRs last I really LOL'd.  Copper starting over Bowe (he was third string)! And there weren't anymore "hidden gems" in the chart either. Goes to show what happens when you show up out of shape at Haley's Fat Camp.

This year though I think Bowe is really trying to prove himself. Seriously. He's stayed in shape and even went to Fitzgerald's camp. It played host to greats like Michael Irvin and Chris Carter. Although going to camp doesn't mean automatic success, Fitzgerald gave him glowing reviews. Now he comes to camp and has caught nearly every ball near him. That's unheard of for Bowe and if that can translate to the field our offense just got a little better.

Chambers has also continued to prove himself as well. Every practice it seems, I read he connects with Cassel on a 40+ yard TD. Now he may be getting up there in years but he's really useful as a teacher and leader on the field. The guy has been around for a while and can teach our younger guys what's up.

Now the Slot is my own bias. This year there isn't really a slot guy listed and McCluster is currently behind Bowe and Jerheme Urban is behind Chambers. The reasoning... well there's only one word to describe McCluster and that's exciting. Kendrick Lewis described him as a "jitterbug" and its true. You just can't catch this guy in the open field and he makes our DBs look silly in one-on-ones. He can get that separation, and has great hands, as he's hardly dropped any passes.

Upgrades: YES

Once again the group we field now is much better than the group we fielded last year.  The only question is: will they translate to the field?  We led the league in drops last year and that is completely unacceptable with a better WR corp will we be more successful. My answer is yes, yes we will.

Defensive Backs

CB: Brandon Flowers/Brandon Flowers

FS: Jon McGraw/Jarrad Page

SS: Eric Berry/Bernard Pollard

CB: Brandon Carr/Brandon Carr

The only differences this year are at safety, and boy are they different. Pollard was cut due to his inconsistency and inability to listen to management—not because of lack of talent. Berry is easily an upgrade over him, even if he's never played a single snap just based on potential alone.

The problem however is Page's well demands. He's demanding a lot of things that the staff just doesn't want to do. He refuses to come to training camp and wants to be traded. He's currently living in Cali and will not sign his tender. Sad because he and Berry teaming up would be a great tandem. Mcgraw is definitely no Page and although he's a great ST, does not belong as a starter. There is hope though, Lewis has really showed up at camp and could be a steal in the fifth round.

Upgrades: EVEN

Although the only real weakness seems to be at FS I think we can manage if Berry performs up to par with what I think he can be. Our CB tandem is one of the best in the league. Flowers could've been a pro-bowler if Asoughma and Revis weren't in the same conference and Carr is a top-30 CB. Each is young and going into their third year. I see a lot of potential and room for improvement with them. 

Tight End/Full Back/Quarter Back

QB: Matt Cassel/Matt Cassel

FB: Tim Castille/Mike Cox

TE: Leonard Pope/Brad Cottam

A few changes here but not much. Cassel is of course still the starting QB, he's been the most consistent throughout camp. There's a ton of pressure on him to succeed but I think he can do a lot better with a full off season in the Weis system.

Castille has currently jumped Cox in the starters spot. He's shown a lot more athleticism and was with Haley in Arizona so I don't think it's going to change here. Cottam is currently on IR so Pope has jumped him on the Depth chart. Pope is absolutely massive at 6'8" I believe, and it seems you just throw the ball high and he'll catch it. Expect Moeaki to challenge once he's back off the bikes because he's having a good camp as well.

Upgrades: EVEN

Nothing's really changed and all the guys starting were with us last year and saw significant time. Doesn't really mean that's a bad thing though.

There you have it

A comparison to last year, and boy have things changed.

Bobby Engram? Goof? 2.7???

All gone and now that we've found our foundation there is only one direction to go: UP.

With one year in the system everyone should improve, and with key draft picks we might have a successful season. Not getting my hopes too high, but I can't help it because this is my team.

GO CHIEFS!!!