Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL Lockout: What Effect Could It Have on 2011?

The draft is over; the picks have been made. Now, the next step for the teams of the NFL is to plug these missing pieces into their existing systems.

Unfortunately, a lockout is still in place.

With the issuing of an injunction that temporarily reinstated the NFL lockout, owner and players have resumed bickering and prevented any signing of draft picks or organized offseason activities. While some players have organized unofficial practices, many are left to train on their own, while coaches are left hoping their team is able to start the season in shape.

Not only that, but with teams unable to look at the free agent pool and make offers; many holes are left unfilled, even after the draft

Of course, from a fan’s perspective, we all would just like to see the Kansas City Chiefs on the field again sometime soon. Until the lockout is lifted, though, we Chiefs fans are left with one question:

How does the lockout affect the Chiefs?

Unfortunately, the answer will not make Chiefs fans happy.

With the NFL draft over, the Chiefs have acquired many young players that are expected to make an immediate impact in the 2011 season.  While they are able to continue working out and stay in shape, there will be a huge developmental curve that they will not be able to climb as quickly as other years' draft picks.

Several of the draft picks are raw and are in need of coaching to succeed at the next level. With picks like offensive lineman Rodney Hudson and defensive back Jalil Brown, the earlier a coach can get with them, the better. In fact, one theme with most of the nine draft picks seems to be their major need for the discipline that comes from position coaches to go with their natural athletic ability.

While these players are attempting to prepare for the NFL, several Chiefs offensive players are trying to figure out how to prepare.

After the departure of offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, a coach with a very distinctive coaching style, the Chiefs brought in Bill Muir to fill the position. Players are not only left feeling unsure of Muir’s plans, but may are left feeling unsure if they even have a spot in Muir’s plans.

A lack of preparation could be detrimental to a Chiefs passing game that, while effective, ranked a paltry 30th in the NFL last season.

In 2010, Matt Cassel and the Chiefs’ passing game stalled at the beginning of the season, only scoring one touchdown in the first two games. Week 3 saw Cassel begin his Pro Bowl-caliber play.

With that early season performance coming after the Chiefs were able to go through their full allotment of offseason training, the likelihood of another early season slump only increases with the time off of the field. The addition of rookie wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin will only add to the uncertainty surrounding the passing game.

While many teams are in the exact same boat as Kansas City, the Chiefs may experience the worst of it. With a young team that, despite their successes last season, is still very inexperienced, extra time off could be detrimental to the preparation that is necessary for continued success, particularly with a much more difficult schedule in 2011.

The lockout will prove to be one of the greatest tests for this Chiefs team. If they are able to overcome the work stoppage and prepared to start the season, 2011 could be the season Chiefs fans have dreamed of. If the lockout continues, though, they could just as easily be woefully unprepared.

Either way, the uncertainty guarantees an interesting season