NFL Preseason: 5 Things Kansas City Chiefs Should Have Learned vs. Bucs

Last Friday should have been a great day. A hickory-infused haze hovered around the I-70/I-435 interchange by 5pm, and “business casual” meant khakis and your faded Derrick Thomas jersey.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, football returned to Kansas City.

Unfortunately, though, Friday night’s game between the Chiefs and Buccaneers felt more like getting a report card with a summer school form attached. The Chiefs generally failed to impress as Tampa Bay handed them a 25-0 shutout in their first game of the preseason.

That bad taste in your mouth isn't from a bad bottle of Gates BBQ Sauce. It's the bittersweet reminder that Kansas City needs more time to develop before they can be considered an 'elite' team.

While this game has no bearing on whether or not the Chiefs make the playoffs this year, there were a number of items that will very much impact Kansas City’s hopes of playing anything other than Jenga come January. Coaches, players, and fans alike should pay attention; whether they like it or not, Friday presented the first real glimpse of the 2011 season.

Todd Haley Doesn't Care About the Preseason

...or depth charts, quarterback controversies (more on that later) or that Gillette would likely drop seven figures in his pocket just for shaving on a regular basis.

Chiefs fans had best hope this is the reason for Friday night’s debacle. If not, Kansas City faces an uphill climb to repeat as division champions. Tampa Bay dominated the Chiefs 3:2 in time of possession and nearly tripled their total yardage. The Bucs also went 2-4 in the red zone while Kansas City never even made it inside the 20.

As disheartening as the game was, barely paying lip service to preseason games is part of Haley’s M.O. Haley has only won one exhibition game in two seasons. Of course, using a playbook that would be appropriate for sixth graders might have something to do with that. Rather than tip his hand on offensive schemes or blitz packages, Haley prefers keeping things simple when the game doesn't matter.

Playing without Kansas City’s star power didn’t help, either. Tamba Hali, Jamaal Charles, Casey Wiegmann, and Brandon Flowers all spent their day on the sideline. There's no sense putting extra carries on veteran bodies essential to winning games during that final stretch.

Tell that to Chiefs fans, though, who came out despite threat of bad weather for their first glimpse of pro football since February, where the dark cloud of a labor dispute lingered over every game. After a long offseason of uncertainty and a longer spell of poor performance in Kansas City, Chiefs fans are hungry for stellar play, division titles, and especially playoff wins.

Ultimately, though, the question isn’t going to be the playbook or the talent on the field; Haley and the Chiefs proved they have those things last season. With the loss of veteran leaders Brian Waters and Mike Vrabel, shortened offseason and lower-impact training camps, intensity is the biggest concern for 2011. Kansas City didn’t have it Friday night, but will it be there in September?

Haley almost certainly cares about that.

Wiegmann Has No Reason to Worry About His Streak

Casey Wiegmann stepped onto the field one Sunday in 2001 and started snapping the ball to his quarterback.

Ten years later, he still hasn't stopped.

Wiegmann has not missed a single snap in an entire decade. To put that in perspective, that span covers over 10,000 offensive plays, two wars, two presidents, eight Harry Potter movies, and the rise and fall of at least four pop divas.

Despite turning 38 this summer, despite watching the Chiefs draft his successor Rodney Hudson in the second round, Wiegmann re-signed with Kansas City and has no intention of riding the pine anytime soon. He intends to take his streak as far as he can.

With Kansas City's line play, particularly at center, that streak won't end anytime soon.

Hudson might very likely be Kansas City's answer at center for the next decade; he has the talent, drive, and intellect to make that happen. Friday night, however, he was out of place and out of position. In the first series, Hudson appeared lost, looking for a defender to block on a right side run.

Third year player Darryl Harris didn't fare much better. On the first snap of the second series, Harris botched the snap to Cassel. Tampa Bay recovered and capitalized on the short field to the tune of seven points. Until another center steps up to perform even close to Wiegmann's level, the starting position is his to lose.

Experience comes into play as well, especially this year. When talking about Kansas City's offensive line, 'young' is usually not a word that comes up. However, outside of Wiegmann and guard Ryan Lilja, the other three starters have no more than three years experience. Starting right guard Jon Asamoah was a rookie last year. Free agent Jared Gaither joined the league in 2007.

The loss of veteran stalwart and team icon Brian Waters makes Wiegmann especially important this year. Wiegmann's experience and leadership is essential this season. Hudson needs someone to model his career after, and Gaither could use someone to help him shed his malcontent reputation.

All of that adds up to Wiegmann increasing that snap total considerably this year.

Don't Count Thomas Jones out

Kansas City assaulted opponents for over 2,600 yards on the ground last year, leading the NFL in rushing. Thomas Jones played no small part in that attack, contributing 896 of those yards.

But that was last year, and it's all about what you've done today.

Jones turns 33 later this week, well past the expected shelf life of a running back. Jones also sported a pedestrian 3.9 yards per carry in 2010. On another team, this would be permissible. With Jamaal Charles and his 6.38 yards per carry last year on the team, however, the disparity stands out like Lady Gaga at a GOP convention.

Jones likely looked at a severe cut in carries for 2011, if not getting cut altogether. Shifting Dexter McCluster solely to running back and signing fullback Le'Ron McClain didn't dissuade those thoughts, either.

In his brief performance against Tampa Bay, however, Jones showed he still wants to compete and has the ability to do just that. Jones gained 25 yards on two carries, including a 17-yard burst that ended with a late shove and Jones looking to reciprocate on the Buccaneers defender.

Two carries early in preseason aren't enough to claim Jones will lead the league, let alone the Chiefs, in rushing. Jones shows plenty of life left in his legs, though, and Kansas City will definitely take advantage of it.

2011's Draft Class Looks More Like 2010 Than 2009

Kansas City's 2009 draft failed to impress. It appeared lackluster right after the draft, and those players picked have done little to change anyone's mind. A subpar class that includes the oft-maligned Tyson Jackson, kicker Ryan Succop, and little else brought more than a little doubt and criticism Scott Pioli's way.

The emergence of so many players from predecessor Carl Peterson's final draft in 2008 served to amplify the idea that maybe Pioli wasn't as good as his reputation. Pioli earned the general manager job largely on the success of the New England Patriots during his time there as Vice President of Personnel.

2010 changed that tune. First round pick Eric Berry already boasts a Pro Bowl appearance. Third round pick Tony Moeaki has fans forgetting another tight end named Tony who used to play in Kansas City. Another third round pick, Jon Asamoah, currently holds down the starting right guard position.

The question is which draft was the rule, and which was the exception?

If Friday night is any indication, 2011's draft class tends more towards 2010 than 2009. One game is certainly not enough to judge a payer's potential on, but numerous rookies demonstrated playmaking skills right out of the gate.

Jonathan Baldwin made only one catch but nearly pulled down another with a circus catch. Sixth round nose tackle Jerrel Powe closed the night with four tackles. Gabe Miller (fifth round) only had one tackle, but he persistently appeared at or near the tackle most every time he was on the field.

Ricky Stanzi showed he needs quite a bit of polish, but he also put his athleticism and quick thinking on display in the second half. That football acumen is just what Kansas City was after when they drafted him in the fifth round.

Punching your ticket for January year after year comes down to solid drafting. Much remains to be seen, but the Chiefs displayed what could be another solid class of rookies Friday night.

Kansas City's Playoff Hopes Rest with Matt Cassel

The last note from Friday's game bears the most attention. Despite all the talk about the backfield rushing talent, the development of rookies, or anything else, Kansas City knows their chances dwindle to almost nothing should Matt Cassel drop to injury.

In their lackluster game Friday night, Kansas City only attempted 16 passes - eight apiece by reservists Tyler Palko and Ricki Stanzi. Each completed four throws for 34 yards. Cassel didn't throw once.

It appears there is little competition ongoing for the No. 2 quarterback role based on the limited looks Palko and Stanzi received against Tampa Bay. And with identical stat lines, there's little to go on even should a competition exist.

One thing is certain, however: without Cassel behind center, Kansas City lacks the passing threat to keep defenses honest against the run. Palko and Stanzi both need seasoning and development before taking the reins of an NFL team. They looked a bit uncomfortable in the pocket, though Stanzi flashed some of the moxie that is one of Cassel's best qualities.

Kansas City's rushing attack benefited greatly from the chemistry between Cassel and Dwayne Bowe last year; the additions of wideouts Jonathan Baldwin and Steve Breaston will only open more running lanes and allow Todd Haley to implement more of the passing scheme that drove the Cardinals into the Super Bowl in 2009. Kansas City hasn't seen this many weapons on offense in... well, ever.

None of that matters, though, if the quarterback can't take advantage of them. Palko remains a development project, and Stanzi needs time to grow into the role of an NFL quarterback. 2011 cannot be their year to "step up" and lead the Chiefs if Kansas City wants a shot at the playoffs.