Kansas City Chiefs
Key Additions: RB Thomas Jones, G Ryan Lilja, S Eric Berry, RB Dexter McCluster, CB/KR Javier Arenas
Key Subtractions: WR Bobby Wade
The Chiefs are looking to improve this year on what was a very inconsistent first year for head coach Todd Haley. He brought in Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel to surround himself with Super Bowl caliber coaches who know what it takes to win. Weis will be trying to make Matt Cassel into the quarterback he was in New England that led them to a playoff appearance two years ago. The running game gets even better with the addition of Thomas Jones to compliment Jamaal Charles, who broke out last year and rushed for 1,120 yards and averaged 5.9 yards per carry. The addition of McCluster will also give the offense options as he is a dynamic player that can catch passes and line up in a variety of places. Dwayne Bowe must stay healthy and play a lot more consistently in order to be more successful. Behind him, their really isn't anyone that can produce numbers like he can. If Bowe plays better and McCluster is the player the Cheifs think he can be, they could be in good shape offensively.
Defensively, Romeo Crennel takes over a defense that ranked in the bottom of the league last season. They allowed over 2,500 yards rushing and opponents averaged 4.7 yards per carry. Their best linebacker is 35 year old Mike Vrabel, and Glen Dorsey and Tyson Jackson have not played well. They get an upgrade with Javier Arenas and Eric Berry that will help the secondary. Berry is great at stepping up in the box and stopping the run and the Chiefs are going to need to see that from him if they want to improve their run defense. However, that could leave the big play vertically vulnerable to the rookie. He has to pick his spots, and pick them well.
Schedule:
1 Monday September 13 Chargers
2 Sunday September 19 at Browns
3 Sunday September 26 49ers
4 BYE
5 Sunday October 10 at Colts
6 Sunday October 17 at Texans
7 Sunday October 24 Jaguars
8 Sunday October 31 Bills
9 Sunday November 07 at Raiders
10 Sunday November 14 at Broncos
11 Sunday November 21 Cardinals
12 Sunday November 28 at Seahawks
13 Sunday December 05 Broncos
14 Sunday December 12 at Chargers
15 Sunday December 19 at Rams
16 Sunday December 26 Titans
17 Sunday January 02 Raiders
The Chiefs catch the AFC South and NFC West this season. They have the 23rd hardest schedule and opponents were 125-131 last season. The schedule is better late than early, and have tough road games at the Colts and Chargers. However if they play well they can take advantage of a favorable schedule and win a couple of more games than they did last year.
Seattle Seahawks
Key Additions: RB Leon Washinton, OT Russel Okung, WR Golden Tate, S Earl Thomas
Key Subtractions: WR Nate Burleson,
The Seahawks are looking to improve on their 5-11 season last year under a new regime. Pete Carrol takes over for Jim Mora Jr. who only lasted one season. It appears that Carrol is going to stick with QB Matt Hasselbeck, who had an O.K. season last year, but must play a lot better. Leon Washington is added the the backfield that includes Julius Jones and Justin Forsett. They ran for only 1,566 yards as a team all of last season. The Seahawks strength will be the passing game. Golden Tate joins T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Deon Branch. However the big play is lacking. Seattle had only 39 catches of over 20 yards last season. With a more consistent running game and Golden Tate in the lineup, that number should go up.
The Seahawks were terrible on defense last season due to underachieving players who must play better this year. They ranked 30th last year in pass defense, giving up 3,927 passing yards and opposing quarterbacks enjoyed a 65.8 completion percentage. They drafted S Earl Thomas from Texas to help with the secondary and back-up Marcus Trufant. They recorded only 13 interceptions last year. They have talented linebackers in Lofa Tatupu and Aaron Curry, who need to play consistent. I do not see this defense doing anything spectacular this year, and if they can't get off the field, its going to be a long year.
Schedule:
1 Sunday September 12 49ers
2 Sunday September 19 at Broncos
3 Sunday September 26 Chargers
4 Sunday October 03 at Rams
5 BYE
6 Sunday October 17 at Bears
7 Sunday October 24 Cardinals
8 Sunday October 31 at Raiders
9 Sunday November 07 Giants
10 Sunday November 14 at Cardinals
11 Sunday November 21 at Saints
12 Sunday November 28 Chiefs
13 Sunday December 05 Panthers
14 Sunday December 12 at 49ers
15 Sunday December 19 Falcons
16 Sunday December 26 at Buccaneers
17 Sunday January 02 Rams
The Seahawks have a very favorable schedule this season. They have the 30th hardest schedule and opponents were 116-140 last year. 3 east coast teams make the cross-country trip. They catch the AFC West and NFC South, and a trip to New Orleans to face the defending champs. This division has been dominated by the Cardinals of late, however Kurt Warner has now retired and the Cards lost a lot of players this offseason. If Seattle plays well, they can be knocking on the door late in the year.
Comments
I think that it will do the Seahawks some good to get rid of Burleson. To be honest, I felt like he had been bringing down the level of the team last season.
ReplyDeleteKrueger, Burleson did not put up the big numbers, but I feel its not all his fault. The Seahawks need someone who can stretch the field and open up the running game a little bit. They had only 6 plays of over 40 + yards last year through the air. Hopefully Golden Tate will be the guy to improve that number.
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