Kansas City Chiefs Preseason Week 2: Complete Report Card Following Loss

After an embarrassing performance in Week 1 against Tampa Bay, the Chiefs bounced back and showed us what they can do when they visited the Ravens in Baltimore.

Despite the loss, there are reasons as to why Chiefs fans should feel more optimistic as the players made a lot of progress last Friday night.

However, the Chiefs also have some room for improvement.

Quarterbacks: B

Matt Cassel did not have the opportunity to attempt a pass in the preseason opener against Tampa Bay. The following week in Baltimore, Cassel was able to connect with his receivers going 6-of-14. Cassel hasn’t been perfect so far, but he hasn’t made a lot errors either.

Tyler Palko had a better showing in Week 2 by helping the Chiefs get their first and only touchdown of the preseason as he led his offense during the two-minute drill.

As the team’s top projected backup, Palko is receiving a lot of playing time with the second-team offense in preseason and is trying to make the best of it.

If Palko receives more help from his offensive live, he could have a better game against St. Louis.

For rookie Ricky Stanzi, his preseason highlight might be when he received a standing ovation from Chiefs fans at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 1.

Stanzi has struggled to help the Chiefs make plays since making his debut. No quarterback has been sacked more times than Stanzi has this preseason. Stanzi has been sacked eight times and has also dodged a lot of pass-rushers in his first two games as a professional player.

If Todd Haley places him with the second team against St. Louis, we may see something more out of Stanzi. Like Palko, you could see better results if Stanzi performs with a stronger offensive line.

You have to look behind the numbers with these quarterbacks. None of them have been great, but there is a chance for these quarterbacks to succeed if they’re given a good offensive line.

Running Backs: B

Dexter McCluster is bouncing back after a high ankle sprain slowed him down last season. McCluster has transformed into a player who is carrying more responsibility as a running back this preseason.

McCluster has gained 30 yards off six carries this preseason and can play a big part in helping the Chiefs rank first in the league in rushing if he stays healthy.

Thomas Jones is showing that he has more fuel left in the tank after not being able to produce big rushing number in the second half of last season. Along with Jamaal Charles, the Chiefs have a lot of viable options in 2011.

One player who may not be an option this season is Jackie Battle. Battle may not be able to survive this year after being able to earn a spot on the roster the last two years.

Battle currently has 21 carries for 69 yards and is sitting at a 3.3 yards per carry average. After earning a spot on the roster in the past, Battle has been a non-factor for the Chiefs this preseason.

The Chiefs will be fine with Jones, Charles and McCluster. The thing fans want to know is which running back will be getting more carries. Charles was second in the league in rushing while finishing second on the team in carries behind Jones.

Fullbacks: A-

The Chiefs kept Le’Ron McClain and Mike Cox busy in Week 2 after both of them were kept off the field in Week 1.

With Tim Castille no longer on the roster, Cox thought his biggest competition was going to be rookie Shane Bannon. Instead, Cox has been going up against McClain this preseason.

So far, none of the fullbacks seem to be be giving in, and it's likely that the Chiefs carry two fullbacks into the regular season. Cox has started at the fullback position for the Chiefs multiple times since entering the league as a rookie free agent in 2008.

Cox had a hard time staying healthy, so it’s possible that the Chiefs keep Bannon on the practice squad in case Cox runs into another injury.

Wide Receivers: C

With Jonathan Baldwin reportedly out for six to eight weeks after a locker room fight, the No. 2 receiver spot behind Dwayne Bowe is wide open.

While many fans were excited for the addition of Steve Breaston, Verran Tucker has had the best preseason among all receivers on the team. Tucker snagged three passes for 68 yards in Friday’s loss to Baltimore. All of Tucker’s receptions have gone for first downs as he has helped the Chiefs offense stay on the field.

With McCluster racking up the second most receiving yards on the team, it is not sure what his primary duty will be in 2011.

The Chiefs have not seen a lot out of Breaston, who only has one catch this preseason.

It’s doubtful at the moment that Haley knows who his No. 2 receiver will be this year. He would like to have a better idea of who that player will be after this week when the Chiefs take on the Rams.

Tight Ends: D-

The tight ends have been the least active group of players for the Chiefs this preseason.

Jake O’Connell is the only tight end with a reception so far while Leonard Pope has been mostly involved as a blocker and has gone two games without catching a pass.

All eyes are on Tony Moeaki, who surprised most fans last year after being drafted out of Iowa. Moeaki’s three years as a Hawkeye were plagued with injuries, and he has suffered some sort of injury in his first two years with the Chiefs.

In his second year, Moeaki recently came off of the physically unable to perform (PUP) list after dealing with a knee injury from last season.

Moeaki made his preseason debut against Baltimore, but it was short-lived. The Chiefs feel it’s best for Moeaki to work at a slow pace this preseason as he makes his return.

Offensive Line: F

Cassel, Palko and Stanzi have been sacked a total of 11 times in two games. Luckily, Palko and Stanzi have used their scrambling abilities to prevent that number from going up.

The first-team offensive line recently took a small blow when Branden Albert suffered an undisclosed injury against the Ravens. Fortunately, there are no serious reports about his injury.

With Ryan Lilja shifting back to his original left guard position, Jon Asamoah has been under the radar the most as he has been filling in at right guard after the release of Brian Waters.

The Chiefs backups consist of center Rodney Hudson, offensive guards Darryl Harris, Bobby Greenwood and Butch Lewis and offensive tackles Ryan O’Callaghan and David Mims. None of these players have done any favors for Palko and Stanzi this preseason.

Had Stanzi been part of a better offensive line, could he have put together a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter against Baltimore when the Chiefs were down by four points with 7:16 remaining? We’ll never know.

A majority of the woes on offense are coming from the offensive line. The Chiefs may have weak depth at this position, so it’s very important that their starters stay healthy. Otherwise, Cassel could be in for a long season.

It’s doubtful that Jared Gaither saves this football team. Gaither failed a physical with Oakland prior to joining Kansas City. Gaither has yet to participate with the Chiefs this preseason.

With Gaither’s current status, there is no need for the media to discuss the topic of Albert moving to right tackle. Albert and Barry Richardson are the best-suited players on the roster for the tackle spots.

Although Richardson does need to improve, there is no one else the Chiefs have right now who can step up.

Defensive Line: B

Tyson Jackson had an impressive showing last Friday against Baltimore after applying pressure on Joe Flacco and Tyrod Taylor. Along with Jackson, rookie Jerrell Powe and Kelly Gregg have played well at the nose tackle position.

With Wallace Gilberry quietly leading the defensive line in sacks the past two seasons, will he start at defensive end for the Chiefs this season? Glenn Dorsey seems to have the upper hand right now and the Chiefs continue to support Jackson throughout this process.

While Dorsey and Jackson became part of the Chiefs 3-4 defense in 2009, Gilberry has made the most progress. Gilberry hasn’t done a lot this preseason, but he it won’t be long before he makes a splash in the regular season to do his best to earn the starting position at either defensive end position.

Linebackers: A

It was great to see Tamba Hali back in action last Friday. The AFC’s leader in sacks came back and forced Flacco to get rid of the ball sooner than he would have liked.

Justin Houston has been the most eloquent rookie on the team thus far. Houston was able to apply pressure against Tampa Bay and came away with two sacks against Baltimore.

Houston also forced Ravens punt returner Lardarius Webb to fumble a punt return early in the game to help Kansas City stay on the field for their first drive and come away with a field goal.

The tightest position battle this preseason includes Houston as he has the opportunity to earn a starting job. Andy Studebaker and Cameron Sheffield are also fighting for the same spot and have played well this preseason.

The interior linebackers on the team consist of Derrick Johnson, Jovan Belcher, Demorrio Williams and newcomer Brandon Siler. With Johnson projected to start at right inside linebacker, the left inside linebacker spot is up for grabs.

Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel knows he and Haley have some tough decisions to make and want to select the right players as they evaluate them.

Defensive Backs: C

The starting defensive backs haven’t been much of a disappointment. The backups were the ones who got torched by the Ravens as they allowed three touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Rookie Jalil Brown had a rough outing Friday night after allowing the Ravens offense to pick up big yardage on passing plays. He was also penalized for interference while defending Ravens receiver David Reed. The interference call eventually allowed Baltimore to score their first touchdown of the fourth quarter and take the lead.

The Ravens picked up most of their first downs threw the air, especially late in the game.

Fans should not be upset over this grade as most of the players who caused the Chiefs to earn this C may not be on the roster in two weeks.

Special Teams: B

Dustin Colquitt is continuing to play at a high level and nail his punts inside the 20-yard line.

Ryan Succop has been okay. He hit the upright on a 46-yard field goal miss when he had the chance to help the Chiefs take the lead. Since entering the league, Succop has struggled the most from kicking long-range field goals.

Quinten Lawrence has been the No. 1 return man on special teams this preseason but has fallen as a victim of the 35-yard line kickoff rule and hasn’t produced much in punt returns.

The Chiefs might want to consider Javier Arenas and McCluster as the returners.