Kansas City Chiefs: 7 Biggest Concerns Heading into the 2011 Season
Football is a sport of endless speculation. Whether it is your favorite team or favorite player, fans spend more time trying to predict the outcome of matchups than the time that the actual matchup takes.
With a lockout still firmly in place, we are given even more time to speculate than before.
For Chiefs fans, 2011 is a season of uncertainty. 2010 was a landmark turnaround for Kansas City, but after a disappointing playoff performance, the Kansas City faithful are not sure what to expect from this team.
There are several concerns on the minds of fans. These are seven that they should be concerned with.
The Wide Receivers
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One of the Chiefs’ greatest weaknesses in 2010 was, undoubtedly, their wide receiving corps. Though, Dwayne Bowe was able to reach his Pro Bowl potential, a great deal of that was due to the lack of any other significant receiving threat.
With the drafting of Jonathan Baldwin, Kansas City has boosted their talent level. With a good free-agent signing, the Chiefs’ offense could become a double threat in 2011 with a renewed passing game joining Jamaal Charles and the rushing game’s dominance.
Thomas Jones
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2010 saw the emergence of a rushing double threat, with Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles forming the most productive rushing tandem in football. This strategy was a key to the Chiefs turnaround, leading them to the playoffs.
At the age of 32, Jones is quickly approaching retirement. While he was a key piece in the Kansas City running game, his production was the lowest it had been since 2007. Worst yet, Jones tired down the stretch, averaging only 2.26 yards per carry in the last four games of the season.
If Jones’ production continues to suffer in 2011, then the Chiefs’ offense is going to lose an important piece of their rushing strategy.
The Offensive Line
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At times in 2010, Matt Cassel was pressured in the pocket, to say the least. A great deal of the Chiefs’ passing issues came when Cassel felt pressure, forcing him out of the pocket or forcing him to make a bad throw.
Many people expect the Chiefs to bolster this problem in the draft. The Chiefs, however, only drafted one offensive lineman picking up center Rodney Hudson. While this did take care of the issues attached to an aging and soon to retire Casey Wiegmann, they left the draft still weak on the line, only possessing two tackles.
If the Chiefs hope to give Cassel time, Kansas City will need to look to bolster these spots in free agency.
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The Rookies
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The 2011 NFL draft gave the Kansas City Chiefs a good draft class with a great deal of potential. Many of these players are expected to make an immediate impact, being thrown in as a starter as soon as the team strikes camp.
While their potential is undeniable, they are inexperienced. Players like Jonathan Baldwin will not receive an adjustment period like most NFL rookies, being thrown to wolves early.
With the high expectations as well as the lockout shortening the preseason activities, the rookies will be the recipients of a great deal of scrutiny once the season starts.
The Schedule
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Last season, the Chiefs schedule was not the most challenging schedule in NFL history. With games against the Buffalo Bills, the Cleveland Browns and the San Francisco 49ers among others, Kansas City was matched up with weaker opponents the entire season.
Kansas City’s 2011 schedule is much more challenging. With games against the likes of the New England Patriots and the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, the Chiefs will be forced to perform at their highest level every week.
With improvements over the offseason and more sure to come, the Chiefs are looking forward to the season as a chance to prove themselves.
Coaching Changes
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No, the coaching changes will not be a huge effect on the Chiefs. With Bill Muir stepping in as offensive coordinator, Kansas City has replaced Charlie Weis with a familiar face that will keep a similar style of offense alive.
The issues come from more of an uncertainty. While the Chiefs were successful on offense last season, a great deal of it had to do with Weis’ play-calling. In the second half of the playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens, head coach Todd Haley stripped play-calling duties from Weis. Under Haley, the Chiefs went scoreless the rest of the game.
If Weis’ play-calling was a major factor in the Chiefs improvement last year, 2011 could be rough or could be another season of solid offense. Only time will tell.
The Lockout
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With the NFL season still uncertain, many teams will be left scrambling to get their players prepared before the season begins.
The Kansas City Chiefs will be one of those teams.
With the rookies that will be serving as role players as well as any other players who might be brought on as free agents, the Chiefs will have players who will be trying to learn their role with the Chiefs on the fly. With inexperienced rookies, their development and preparation for league play will be very low, making them less likely to be an important factor.
If the lockout ends soon, the Chiefs will have a much better shot at succeeding in 2011. If not, fans might be in for a disappointing year.
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