Fantasy Football Info For Serious Players
|
|
Login / Signup |
|
2005 Team Report: Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterbacks
Starter: Trent Green
Starting QB: Trent Green posted career highs in almost every passing category including 359 completions, 4,591 passing yards, and 27 TDs. Green has led the Chiefs offense to 1st, 1st, and 2nd place rankings in total points scored the past three seasons, and last year he helped Kansas score 40+ points on four occasions. With the Chiefs averaging 30 points per game since 2002 and with most of the key players on offense returning, Green stands an excellent chance of putting up similar numbers provided his surgery in early September to place a stent in his leg is as insignificant as the team led press to believe.
Backup QB: Todd Collins has not seen much live action since 1997 in Buffalo, but he has been with the Chiefs for 4 seasons and should have a firm grasp of the offensive system. Huard has not played much in recent seasons, but at one point went 5-2 as a starter with Miami 5 seasons ago. If Green were to have another serious injury as he did with the Rams in 1999, it's unlikely either Collins or Huard would evolve into the next Kurt Warner, but they would likely do an adequate job in filling in.
Running Backs
Starter: Priest Holmes
Starting RB: Priest Holmes was on pace for a 2,000-yard, 30 TD season (rushing and receiving) before suffering a season-ending injury in Week 8. He still had 892 rushing yards, 187 receiving yards, and 15 TDs in 7.5 games played. Holmes' health, age, and contemplation of retirement are some red flags heading into the season, but there is no denying that Holmes has put up some monster numbers the last few years. Simply put, a healthy Priest Holmes is the most productive running back in the game. He's scored an amazing 66 TDs over the equivalent of 2.5 seasons. He's the perfect back in the most RB-friendly system in the league, and with the team now completely adjusted to the offense, there's no reason to think Holmes' performance will decline due to the skill level of the offense. Backup RBs: Larry Johnson proved to be more than a capable backup, scoring 2 TDs in 5 straight games to end the season. The tandem of Johnson and the recently departed Derrick Blaylock combined for 211 carries, 1,029 rushing yards, 437 receiving yards, and 20 total TDs in a little over 8 games. Should something happen to Holmes, Johnson would be next in line and could post phenomenal numbers. Head Coach Dick Vermeil started last season with very little confidence in Johnson, but at this point it's not inconceivable that Johnson will get more work in preparation for a changing of the guard in 2006.
Fullback: Tony Richardson proved his worth as a blocker last year, paving the way for the Chiefs' tailbacks to produce rushing totals off the charts last year. Richardson was selected to his second Pro Bowl and frequently enabled Holmes, et al. to make big gains up field.
Wide Receivers
Starters: Eddie Kennison, Samie Parker
Starting WRs: Eddie Kennison quietly had a strong 2004 campaign, amassing 62 receptions, 1,086 receiving yards, and 8 TDs. His stellar 17.5 yards per reception average was one of the best in the league. Second-year player Samie Parker worked with the starting unit in the team's May mini-camp practices this year, and looked good. He did not play much last year as a rookie until the end of the season, but finished out the year with nine catches and a touchdown in the final three games. Backup WRs: Dante Hall has been one of the premier return men in the game, causing opposing special teams coaches to dread every time he fields a kick. On offense, Hall will operate out of the slot, where the Chiefs will try to get him the ball on underneath routes and let him run after the catch. Marc Boerigter and Chris Horn beat out rookies Cro Thorpe and Darrell Hill, as well as former Eagle Freddie Mitchell for the final roster spots. Both are veterans better suited to spot duty, but impressed in camp with their consistency.
Tight Ends
Starters: Tony Gonzalez
Tony Gonzalez continued his dominance as one of the greatest tight ends to ever play the game, leading the league with 102 receptions and setting an NFL record for most receptions by a tight end. He registered 1,258 receiving yards and 7 TDs-numbers on par with some of the game's best wide receivers and earning Gonzalez his 6th straight visit to the Pro Bowl. Both Dunn and Wilson could likely be solid tight ends in their own right, but with Gonzalez entrenched as the starter, their roles will be primarily as blockers and as secondary targets in multiple TE sets. Head coach Dick Vermeil consistently praised Wilson, showering him with positive feedback until the 2004 rookie broke his leg and missed the season. Place Kicker Lawrence Tynes : Last preseason NFLE and CFL veteran Tynes beat out legendary Morten Andersen, using consistency, leg strength, and an assist from punter Jason Baker. The regular season results were mixed (73.9% FGs, 94 points). He hit two 50 yarders, but was only 3 of 6 from 40-49 yards. He hit 58 PATs but missed two. He started the year strong on kickoffs (7 touchbacks) but faded in the second half. Kick and Punt Returners Kick Returners: Dante Hall, Benny Sapp, Chris Horn Premier return specialist Dante Hall followed up his stellar 2002 and phenomenal 2003 with a very good 2004 (68 returns, 25.3 avg, 2 TDs on kickoffs). WR Chris Horn was the only other player to have more than one kick return last year (4 returns, 11.0 avg). Second year CB Benny Sapp wasn't used last year but did have some impressive returns in college at Northern Iowa. Punt Returners: Dante Hall, Chris Horn, Samie Parker Hall had far more KRs than PRs (23 returns, 10.1 avg) due to the porous KC defense. His combined stats ranked him as the third fantasy returner for 2004. He is also now third in all-time return TDs (9), trailing only Brian Mitchell (13) and Eric Metcalf (12). Other than Hall, the only player to return more than one punt for the Chiefs in the last two years was WR Eddie Kennison (3 returns, 23.3 avg in 2003). Chris Horn and Samie Parker figure into the mix this year. Offensive Line
Projected Starters: RT Kevin Sampson, RG Will Shields, C Casey Wiegmann, LG Brian Waters, LT William Roaf
There is no doubt that the Chiefs are blessed with a great offensive line. This unit has talent, depth, great technique, experience and tenacity and has dominated their opposition for years. When RB Priest Holmes went down with injury, the Chiefs didn't miss a beat using two different running backs, and it was clear that it is the offensive line that is the key to the Chiefs overall offensive success. Guards Brian Waters and Will Shields and tackle William Roaf made the Pro Bowl a year ago, and all are among the most talented at their positions in football. Center Casey Wiegmann has only missed one game in the previous four seasons and is also on the cusp of making the Pro Bowl. He has excellent technique and is a good leader in the middle for the Chiefs. The only concern is that three of the five players are getting a little long in the tooth, but they should have another year or two left in them. Shields considered retiring, but decided to play at least another year. Expect another outstanding season from this gifted group. Team Defense This is the tale of Kansas City:
Last offseason, the Chiefs decided that it wasn't the players...it was the coach. They fired defensive coordinator Greg Robinson and brought back Gunther Cunningham, hoping that a familiar face would light a spark under what was seen as an underachieving unit. Did it work? Sort of, Kansas City ended the year with a respectable #12 ranking against the run, but much of that can be attributed to their pass D which gave up a league worst 263.3 yard per game. This offseason the team committed to a major overhaul of the defensive personnel. The team signed LB Kendrell Bell to man the middle, traded for CB Patrick Surtain, signed S Sammy Knight, traded for DE Carlos Hall, and drafted uber-LB prospect Derrick Johnson. It may take time for this group to gel, but the talent level has clearly been upgraded. Defensive Line
Starters: DE Eric Hicks, DE Jared Allen, DT Ryan Sims, DT Lionel Dalton
Starting DL: Ten starts as a rookie, nine sacks. Not a bad start to the career of Jared Allen, last year's fourth round pick out of Idaho State who took Vonnie Holliday's job and never looked back. Holliday has since been released, freeing up over $6 million in cap room and paving the way for continued success from Allen. A "lunch box" type performer, Allen will certainly open eyes if he's able to build upon what he produced as a rookie. Eric Hicks returns for his eighth season in Kansas City, a starter at defensive end in all but a handful of games since 1999. Once considered a blossoming star (14 sacks in 2000), Hicks now has the duty of trying to revive his career (22.5 sacks over the last four years). The return of Gunther Cunningham was supposed to re-light the fire, but that obviously didn't happen, so we're looking at a definite crossroads in his career. Ryan Sims and Lionel Dalton form the starting defensive tackle tandem that combined for just 33 solo tackles with six sacks a year ago. The Chiefs are still waiting for Sims to add consistency to his game and at this point he has to be considered a bust after being selected sixth overall in the 2002 draft. Dalton joined the Chiefs in 2003 and did what he does best...stop the run. His presence was apparent in Kansas City's resurgent run D but his game offers little fantasy value. Backup DL: Carlos Hall will join the Chiefs rotation at defensive end after being acquired in trade with Tennessee. A former seventh round pick, Hall has started 31 games during his first three seasons, picking up three sacks in his first NFL game (2002) and just 10.5 since. Jimmy Wilkerson, a sixth round pick in 2003, provides depth on the end after flashing potential as a pass rusher during very limited playing time in his first two seasons. John Browning has been a starter for much of his nine seasons in Kansas City, but at 32 years old he'll provide depth on the inside and give the Chiefs a pass rush presence from the tackle position. The Chiefs used their 2nd round pick in 2004 to select Junior Siavii, a huge run plugger from Oregon who should make a bigger contribution this year.
Linebackers
Starters: WLB Kendrell Bell, MLB Kavika Mitchell, SLB Derrick Johnson [r]
Starting LBs: The signing of Kendrell Bell certainly adds to the playmaking ability of the Chiefs linebackers, but their unit as a whole remains in a state of flux. Bell, the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2001 when he posted 69 solo tackles with nine sacks, is a solid run defender who knows how to get the quarterback. He struggles in coverage, his knock in Pittsburgh, and he actually failed a physical with the New York Giants during his free-agency tour before signing with Kansas City. Groin/shoulder injuries limited him to just three games a year ago and there are concerns that he's not fully healed. The emergence of Kavika Mitchell at MLB will likely force Bell to play on the weakside. Mitchell was forced into the starting lineup before he was ready, but a strong preseason has helped him solidify his grasp on the starting job. Continuing their quest to upgrade the defense in Kansas City, the Chiefs drafted linebacker Derrick Johnson with the 15th overall selection. The recipient of both the Butkus Award (nation's top LB) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation's top defensive player), Johnson is an explosive linebacker with exceptional coverage skills. He is expected to emerge as the starter on the strongside to begin the season. Backup LBs: The Chiefs lost some depth at LB after releasing oft-injured Mike Maslowski and trading Scott Fujita to the Cowboys just before the season began. Keyaron Fox was a 3rd round pick of the Chiefs last year who should provide some insurance at the WLB spot if Bell winds up getting injured again. Shawn Barber is the wildcard. A potential fantasy stud when healthy, Barber possesses the best overall package of the bunch, adept at both rushing the passer and dropping into coverage, but a knee injury that limited him to just eight games a year ago has landed him on the PUP list to start the season. Boomer Grigsby is a rookie 5th round pick who will likely be asked to contribute on special teams while developing as an MLB.
Defensive Backs
Starters: CB Patrick Surtain, CB Dexter McCleon, S Sammy Knight, S Greg Wesley
Starting DBs: The Chiefs entered the offseason with cornerback being a major area of concern. After striking out through early free-agency, watching the big name free-agents sign elsewhere, their attention was turned to Patrick Surtain. In sending a second round pick to Miami, the Chiefs acquired one of the game's top cover corners, and Surtain's presence will go a long way in shoring up Kansas City's porous pass coverage. With 17 interceptions over the past three seasons, Surtain actually holds decent fantasy value, not common among the NFL's top cover guys, but his average of 38 solo tackles over that span is less than desired. McCleon was a nice story when he came over from St. Louis in 2003 and took over for William Bartee, picking up 55 solo tackles with six interceptions. Unfortunately that success didn't carry over into last year when he posted just 30 solos with two picks, looking all of his 30+ years of age. He's probably better suited for nickel duty but will begin the year as the starter. Along with upgrading the cornerback position, the Chiefs were intent on bringing in a safety who could help in coverage. Last year's starting tandem, Greg Wesley and Jerome Woods, did not provide sufficient help in the defensive backfield, often leaving the corners on an island. In comes Sammy Knight. The same Sammy Knight whose coverage skills were considered diminished when he left New Orleans for Miami in 2003. His leadership skills will be valuable, as will his playmaking ability, but it's not clear this does much to help a weak pass defense. Greg Wesley is expected to move to FS after having started on the strong side for the past few years. Wesley had a monster fantasy season in 2003 with nearly 90 solo tackles, but he struggled in 2004 and will need to improve his coverage skills if he's going to control the deep secondary. He does have good playmaking ability, however, with 16 interceptions over the past 3 seasons. Backup DBs: Eric Warfield has never lived up to his potential (or paycheck) and, while he has good size at 6'0" 200 lbs., he gives up way too many big plays to be a legit #1 corner. If nothing else, he's steady, having produced 50+ solo tackles with four interceptions in each of the last four seasons. Unfortunately, a DUI arrest, his third incident in three years, resulted in a four-game suspension so the team will be without him until week 5. Julian Battle worked with the starting team after the news of Warfield's suspension broke, but he suffered a torn Achilles' tendon and will be gone for the season. The team showed some interest in free agent CB Ty Law, but signed the much cheaper Dewayne Washington instead. Washington lacks great size and speed, but has been a starter and only missed 1 game during his 11 year career. He excels in zone coverage and could push McCleon for playing time. Benny Sapp joined the team as an undrafted free agent in 2004 and wound up finishing the year as the team's nickel back. After missing all of 2002 with a broken leg, Jerome Woods bounced back to Pro Bowl level in 2003, but has lost much of his range. At 32 years old, his days are numbered, but he'll likely backup both safety positions this year and could see time in dime packages. Like Warfield, William Bartee looks great on paper (6'1" 200 lbs.) but a lack of instincts (along with zero career interceptions in 71 games) has forced him into a reserve role.
Last modified: 2005-09-05 21:07:17
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Forums |
News |
Football stats |
Login / Signup |
Contact
Us |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||