2008 Kansas City Chiefs Perspectives

There’s no need to tell you, a Kansas City fan, that the Kansas City Chiefs are one of the most successful franchises in professional football. This once modest team, first founded as the Dallas Texans in 1960, would dominate much of the 1960s in the American Football League. The team has also earned its place in history by being the second AFL team to defeat an NFL club and win an AFL-NFL Super Bowel World Championship in 1969. Any non-Kansas fans, however, City will be quick to point out that the team has not won a league championship in four decades. However, the team has a strong fan base and continues to garner massive support, setting records (a 149-game sold-out streak) and some impressive overall scores. (A 104-40 record since 1990)

However, it is the competition that makes the NFL. So what do the Kansas City Chiefs look like next season? 2008 and Beyond will mark the team’s 49th season and it will attempt to redeem the team name after a humiliating 4-12 record in 2007. First, there have been many management changes. Clark Hunt is the president of the Chiefs, he inherited the role after the death of team founder Lamar Hunt, and he has made some drastic moves. Although head coach Herman Edwards returns, as well as general manager Carl Peterson, the Chiefs have hired a new offensive coordinator in Chan Gailey, who replaces Mike Solari after two lackluster seasons. Also cut from the team were management players John Matsko, offensive line coach, receivers coach Charlie Joiner, and running backs coach James Saxon. In fact, the only coaches that were retained were tight ends coach Jon Embree and assistant head coach Dick Curl. The Chiefs also hired Eric Price to serve as the new wide receiver’s coach.

What about the new players? Since February, the team has acquired offensive tackle Anthony Alabi from the Miami Dolphins, as well as free agents like kicker Nick Novak, safety Erick Harris, defensive tackle TJ Jackson, cornerback Chad Johnson, offensive tackle Joe Lobdell and guard Rob Smith. As 2008 slowly progressed, the Chiefs made some more exciting signings, including linebacker Demorrio Williams, wide receiver Devard Darling, wide receiver BJ Sams, tight end John Paul Foschi, center Wade Smith, cornerbacks Will Poole and Jason Horton and Dallas Cowboys fullback Oliver Hoyte.

The Chiefs have been busy this season as they have already signed 23 undrafted free agents and lost just a handful of players in Eddie Kennison, John Welbourn, Gilbert Harris, Khreem Smith, Ty Law, Kendrell Bell, Jason Dunn, James Reed, Chris Bober and Greg Wesley. The Chiefs failed to sign Jeff Faine and Josh Brown despite an aggressive campaign, leading Herman Edwards to accuse other teams of cheating to secure a signing. (Very possible, considering both players signed on their first day of free agency.)

However, the Chiefs look very promising this year, as their draft picks this year (including Glenn Dorsey, Branden Albert, and Brandon Flowers) are touted as the best of any NFL team this season. Owner Clark Hunt predicts a playoff berth for his team this year. If this prediction comes true, it will be a huge turnaround and a long overdue winning season for this popular team.