NFL Preview: Kansas City Chiefs

by , Pacman Jonesin'

If the Kansas City Chiefs were a chick, most guys would walk right past her. While teams like the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots would be Angelina Jolie hot, the Chiefs would be more plain Jane. You know, your girl-next-door type. While picking between a Hollywood hottie and the girl next door would be an easy choice, those of us who are stuck with the latter know things could be worse.

Most men aren't lucky enough to marry supermodels, just like most fans aren't lucky enough to root for legit Superbowl contenders.

That being said, while the Chiefs might not be NFL powerhouses, they definitely aren't patsies either. Every year the experts pick the Chiefs to not be very good, and almost every year the Chiefs end up actually being a pretty damn good football team (well, except for 1998 and 2001).

While it would be easy to jump on the Damon Huard-is-the-quarterback-and-L.J.'s-legs-are-going-to-break-off bandwagon and put a fork in the Chiefs before the season starts, I suggest that you give the Chiefs a chance. After all, the Chiefs are never all that attractive this time of year, but are almost always still in the mix in December. That's why we Chiefs fans have accepted dating our squad for so long sans a ring. Well, that, and the fact that Arrowhead is probably the single greatest place on Earth.

Five Reasons the Chiefs Will Be Better Than You Think:

5. Damon Huard -- stop laughing and let me write. Damon Huard -- seriously. Damon Huard. He went 5-3 as a starter last year and only Cut That Meat himself had a better passer rating among AFC quarterbacks. Huey also has a new left tackle -- Damion McIntosh. Dame Mac is a far cry from the abysmal 'o6 starter Jordan Black, who earned the nickname "I-65" because "you could drive 4 lanes of trucks through his pass blocks."

4. Larry Johnson. Even though Larry Johnson did go way over the dreaded 370-carry mark last season, his tires don't have as much wear and tear on them as you might think. He wasn't a three-or four-year workhorse at Penn State, and he's really only played two-and-a-half years as a Chief. Plus, L.J. is just a tank. I've never seen him even grimace. I'm all but convinced that he can't be injured. Hey, if Priest Holmes is Mr. Glass, somebody has to be Unbreakable.

3. Dwayne Bowe. The Chiefs have been lacking a possession receiver who can help the team convert third-and-long situations for... well, let's just say since Star Wars was still a figment of George Lucas' imagination. Enter D-Bo. He looks like a tight end, runs like a gazelle and blocks like a fullback downfield. He's going to remind you of guys like Anquan Boldin, Hines Ward and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Yeah, that's a good thing.

2. The Defense. Donnie Edwards is the most underrated defensive player in the NFL and a perfect fit for head coach Herm Edward's cover two scheme. He will end up being one of the best free agent acquisitions from this past offseason. Add veteran middle linebacker Napoleon Harris to Edwards and star-in-the-making Derrick Johnson, and you have what Herm Edwards calls "the fastest three in captivity." Factor in a sober Jared Allen, second year sackman Tamba Hali, monster rookie defensive tackle Tank Tyler, two former Pro Bowl corners and two promising young safeties, and you might be looking at the most improved defense in the entire league.

1. Arrowhead. The Chiefs lost their first December home game in a decade to the 12-4 Baltimore Ravens last year. The Chiefs also have the best home record in the NFL over the past two decades, and sellout every single game. If you haven't been there, then you have to go. Words simply cannot do The Sea of Red justice. I actually think the term "home-field advantage" was coined after a trip to the 'Head. Anyway, let's just say that Vikes QB Tavaris Jackson has no idea what he's in for come September 23, the day of the Chiefs' home opener (not to mention Jared Allen's '07 debut).

If Herm and offensive coordinator Mike Solari open up the offense a little -- and the team avoids injuries to all of its key players -- then the Chiefs will finish no worse than 8-8. After all, they finished 9-7 and made the playoffs last year, and the '07 version is undoubtedly a better football team.

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