Kansas City Chiefs: Predicting the 2011 Starters
The players are still locked out and NFL head coaches want that to change. They’d like to see their players in practice so they can begin to get a better understanding of who their starters will be this season.
This prediction is based on who the Chiefs have on their roster as well as players who are restricted or unrestricted free agents. While there is a lot of speculation of what trades and free agent signings will be made, we’ll just keep it simple and go with the players who are on the roster.
Entering the season, whenever that will be, you can expect these players to start in Week 1.
Quarterback: Matt Cassel
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This shouldn’t come off as a surprise to anyone.
The Chiefs like what they have in Matt Cassel and want him to lead this franchise for years to come. Cassel will also have a reliable backup in Ricky Stanzi when the season gets underway.
The only concern with Cassel is how he played when the season ended. His performance against Oakland and Baltimore were not even close to how he had played all season long.
Running Back: Jamaal Charles
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Thomas Jones started 10 games this season and received 15 more handoffs than Jamaal Charles did in 2010.
Todd Haley needs to start Charles and feed him the ball more next season. Chiefs fans were puzzled in many games wondering why Jones received more action than Charles. Had Charles gotten the ball more, he may have led the league in rushing. But more important, Charles could have helped the Chiefs win one or two more games last season.
Fullback: Shane Bannon (Rookie)
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The Chiefs would like a healthy fullback to continue to pick up blocks and provide holes for the tailbacks. They could get that type of production out of Shane Bannon. It’s likely that we won’t see Mike Cox and Tim Castille in a Chiefs jersey next season.
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Wide Receiver: Dwayne Bowe and Jonathan Baldwin (Rookie)
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Dwayne Bowe had a breakout season in 2010 after leading the league in receiving touchdowns with 15. However, the learning curve for Bowe is not over. Not only does he have to learn how to remain consistent, but he also has to learn how to help other players on his team. This is the first time he has been in this position. Jonathan Baldwin will have Bowe as his mentor. Fans are excited to see what Bowe and Baldwin have to offer. Despite being a rookie, Baldwin is currently the tallest wide receiver on the roster.
Tight End: Tony Moeaki
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Chiefs fans say Tony Moeaki brings flashbacks of Tony Gonzalez. Moeaki’s ability to block and jump high to catch a pass brings back memories of Gonzalez and what he did for the Chiefs. If Bowe and Baldwin play well, defenders will be in a situation where they’ll have to pick their poison. Moeaki, Bowe and Baldwin can help open up the field for one another, which will also help Cassel and make his job easier.
Moeaki won Rookie of the Week honors in Week 3 for his sensational catch against San Francisco.
Left Offensive Tackle: Branden Albert
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Since being drafted out of Virginia, Branden Albert has been inconsistent. He started off his rookie campaign by giving up only 4.5 sacks, only to see that number double the following season. In 2010, Albert made a big impact in helping Charles earn a 6.4 yard per carry average. Many of Charles’ rushes were designed for him to run to the left side of the field. Albert made it possible for Charles to move the chains and gain a lot of yards on the ground.
Despite the loss last postseason, Albert’s year ended on a high note when he blocked Ray Lewis and forced him to fall on his back, allowing Charles to run 41 yards for a touchdown.
Left Offensive Guard: Brian Waters
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After turning 34-years-old in February, many are wondering if Brian Waters will return next season. Waters may give it one more shot. He would like to win at least one playoff game before his career comes to an ends.
Like Albert, Waters played a big role on the Chiefs offensive line to help the team find success. Waters was the most noticed lineman as he was voted into the Pro Bowl.
Center: Rodney Hudson (Rookie)
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This could come off as a surprise to some people.
Casey Wiegmann will turn 38-years-old in July. If teams will have their training camps in August, Wiegmann may attend to see if his body is ready for another season. If he feels the 2010 season was his last, Rodney Hudson will compete against Rudy Niswanger for the starting center position.
While playing at Florida State, Hudson was an offensive guard, but scouts value him more for his ability to play center. If Wiegmann decides to retire, the Chiefs feel Hudson is the best player to fill Wiegmann’s shoes.
Right Offensive Guard: Ryan Lilja
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Along with Wiegmann, Ryan Lilja joined the Kansas City Chiefs last year to help improve the offensive line. With Lilja starting in two Super Bowls, his experience was a big asset.
Lilja’s second stint with the Chiefs last longer than his first. The former Shawnee Mission Northwest Cougar and Kansas State Wildcat starred as a left guard while playing in Indianapolis. When playing for Kansas City in 2010, Lilja played right guard for the first time in his career. However, Lilja didn’t let that effect his performance last season.
Right Offensive Tackle: Barry Richardson
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Both Barry Richardson and Ryan O’Callaghan are unrestricted free agents, but Scott Pioli may keep both tackles next season.
Richardson received the fewest amount of attention on the Chiefs offensive line. Richardson wasn’t involved in many situations where he would have to provide a block to allow a big run. His biggest flaw came against Houston in which he allowed Cassel to get sacked on the final play of the game.
Defensive End: Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey
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Chiefs fans are not eye to eye with the coaching staff when it comes to the defensive ends. Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey combine for five years of experience with five total sacks. Wallace Gilberry got seven sacks last season alone.
Dorsey has made very little progress as a defensive end while Jackson is struggling to play like a third overall draft pick. If Gilberry continues to lead the defensive line in sacks, he should get the nod from the coaching staff and begin games for Kansas City. But for now, it seems like Jackson and Dorsey are the starters.
Nose Tackle: Ron Edwards
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Chiefs fans are excited that Jerrell Powe fell to in the sixth round. However, it’s unlikely that Powe will be the starter on opening day. The Chiefs don’t have many alternatives in this position. Ron Edwards has the most experience in this position among any Chief on the roster. Although he hasn’t been successful, he may be the starting nose tackle on opening day for the Chiefs.
Outside Linebacker: Tamba Hali and Justin Houston (Rookie)
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Tamba Hali led the AFC in sacks and is one of the leagues elite pass rushers today. The Chiefs front office hope they can come to an agreement with Hali, who was designated as the Chiefs franchise player. With Mike Vrabel declining, Justin Houston may be the answer in helping the Chiefs solve their pass rushing woes.
Kansas City will be facing some of the best quarterbacks in the league this season. The best way to defeat those highly ranked quarterbacks is to put them under pressure. The Chiefs will need all the pass rushers they can get this season.
Inside Linebacker: Derrick Johnson and Jovan Belcher
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Derrick Johnson has graduated from Haley’s doghouse. Johnson proved himself to Haley in 2009, ending the season on a high note by taking back two interceptions for touchdowns in Denver. In 2010, Johnson was named the starter going into week one and took advantage of the opportunity as he led the team in tackles and forced four fumbles.
Jovan Belcher was fourth on the team in tackles. Belcher’s season ended on a high note as he came away with 1.5 sacks against Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.
The Chiefs have no new key players for this position. Johnson and Belcher will both be returning as the starters.
Cornerback: Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr
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Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr both came out of college and were part of the same draft class in 2008. Both players were drafted by the Chiefs and have been teammates in Kansas City since then.
Flowers had some highs and lows in 2010. He got off to a fast start by intercepting two passes in the first three weeks of the season. He never intercepted a pass after week three. However, Flowers did limit his receivers in gaining yards after a catch with his ability to tackle in the open field.
Carr bounced back last season after a bad ending to the 2009 season. Last season, Carr was second in the league in pass deflections as he improved as a cornerback in 2010. Carr did give up a couple of big plays last season including an 87-yard touchdown pass to Seahawks wide receiver Ben Obomanu. He also dropped several interceptions in Week 13 against Denver.
If the Chiefs can receive consistent play out of their pass rushers, Flowers, Carr and the other defensive backs on the team could see their interception totals go up. It will be exciting to see how the two cores help each other this season.
Safety: Eric Berry and Kendrick Lewis
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Eric Berry is already considered one of the best safeties in the league while Kendrick Lewis is growing quickly.
After getting off to a slow start, Berry immediately learned from his flaws and fought back. In 2010, Berry had four interceptions with one being taken back for a touchdown. He provided consistent play against the pass and run in the second half of the season. Berry also came away with two sacks, both coming against Oakland in Week 9.
Lewis got his opportunity to shine when Jon McGraw missed multiple games due to injury. Lewis made the best of his time and came away with three interceptions, all of them coming in the second half of the season.
Both Berry and Lewis are still learning, but they’re fast learners and can adjust. It’s helpful when they have Emmitt Thomas as their position coach. Both safeties hope to make a bigger impact next season with the Chiefs.
Long Snapper: Thomas Gafford
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Thomas Gafford was a journey man in the NFL until Kansas City invited him for tryouts in 2008. The Chiefs decided to part ways with Tanner Purdum and have kept Gafford as their long snapper since then. Gafford has kept the bad snaps to a minimum since joining the Chiefs.
Punter: Dustin Colquitt
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2011 will be Dustin Colquitt’s seventh season in the league, all with the Chiefs. Out of 88 punts last season, 33 of them remained inside the 20, placing him fourth in the league. But he also had 10 touchbacks last season, placing him second in that category. Colquitt would like to limit his touchbacks and keep more of his punts inside the five next season.
Kicker: Ryan Succop
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Although he is supposed to be known as Mr. Irrelevant for being selected last in the 2009 draft, Succop has been quite relevant since becoming a Chief. Before Succop, the Chiefs have gone through eight kickers since 2000. Succop has given Chiefs fans hope that he is the long-term solution as the kicker.
Succop is 82% in his career in field goals. In his two years in the league, he is three for eight in field goals from 50 yards or more. With a challenging schedule ahead, it’s possible that Succop could find himself in a position where he’ll have to kick a game winning -or tying- field goal from long range.
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