Jamaal Charles Injury: Will Star RB's Knee Cost Todd Haley His Job?

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles injured his left leg in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, adding injury to insult as the Lions went into the half with a 20-3 lead.

But Charles' injury, and the Chiefs' impending doom this season, shouldn't cost head coach Todd Haley his job, because it's the front office's fault that the team wasn't stronger heading into the season.

The Chiefs, coming off a bounce-back campaign that landed them the AFC West title, did virtually nothing to improve their squad in the offseason, with the exception of signing former Arizona Cardinals receiver Steve Breaston.

When you have just taken out the San Diego Chargers, the perennial AFC West champs, you don't become complacent in the offseason. That's just asking for the trouble.

The Chargers, on the other hand, predictably made some big moves in the offseason, including the re-signing of big-time players Eric Weddle, Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd. They also drafted defensive lineman Corey Liuget, who seems destined to be a star as a 3-4 defensive end.

There's also the Oakland Raiders, who despite losing to the underrated Buffalo Bills in Week 2, have looked good and have a running back in Darren McFadden bound to be a superstar this season.

Sometimes head coaches unfairly take the blame for a team's failures, but the organization's lack of dedication, combined with Charles' injury, should not see him fired even if they have a down year.

Haley proved in 2010 that he's the man for the job. You turn around a 4-12 team with your game plan, you deserve a lot of respect.

The question is, will the Chiefs organization can Haley if they disappoint this season?

If they do, they've completed their ineptitude in 2011.