FEATURE STORIES

CASSEL TAKES OVER CHIEFS OFFENSE

By Steve Linzmeier
University Communications

After finishing the season in bottom third in total offense the last two years the Kansas City Chiefs have some optimism coming into camp.  With a new coach and a  $63 million quarterback the Chiefs offense has been given new life. 

Todd Haley, the architect of the explosive NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals offense, will be taking over as the team’s new head coach. This will be Haley’s first head coaching job after spending the last two seasons calling plays for the Cardinals. Chan Gailey will remain on as Haley’s offensive coordinator, giving some continuity to one of the league’s youngest teams. 

After years of uncertainty at the most important position in the game, the Chiefs brought in Matt Cassel to be the team’s starting quarterback.  Cassel hadn’t started a game since high school up until last year, when coincidentally new teammate Bernard Pollard ended the season of All-Pro quarterback Tom Brady.  After sitting behind two Heisman Trophy winners at USC and a perennially Pro Bowler in New England, Cassel was finally given a chance to show what he could do.  Cassel made the most of it, throwing for 21 touchdowns and over 3,600 yards.

The Chiefs traded the 34th selection in the draft to the Patriots for Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel.  The deal left many NFL experts scratching their head, and if Cassel lives up to last season it will be a steal for the Chiefs.  On July 14th Cassel signed a six-year $63 million contract to seal his spot as the Chiefs starting quarterback for many years to come.

The rest of the Chiefs offense holds plenty of question marks, especially at running back.  Last off-season Larry Johnson signed a contract extension to stay with the Chiefs, but it appears, the relationship has become a little strained.  There has been talk in the off-season of a possible trade, but it looks like Johnson will be a Chief when camp opens.  Johnson has only played in 20 games the past two seasons, rushing for just over 1,300 yards.  This comes after two consecutive seasons of over 1,700 yards rushing.  Barring another injury or training camp trade Johnson will get the balk of the carries in 2009 and will be spelled by sophomore Jamaal Charles and third-year vet Kolby Smith.

Dwayne Bowe should have no problem quickly becoming Matt Cassel’s favorite target.  The 6-2 Bowe caught 86 passes for over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns last season.  Bowe, who is in his third year from LSU, is quickly becoming one of the best young receivers in the game. The Chiefs brought in 14-year vet Bobby Engram to give Cassel another experienced target.  Engram has only one 1,000-yard season, that coming in 2007 with the Seattle Seahawks. 

The Chiefs have lost one of their most identifiable players.  Tony Gonzalez will go down as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history and most likely a first ballot Hall of Famer, but he will not be catching passes for the Chiefs in 2009.  The Chiefs traded Gonzalez to the Atlanta Falcons.  Brad Cottom, Sean Ryan and Tony Curtis will all be in competition for the vacant spot at tight end.

The offensive life for the Chiefs has many question marks as well.  The only thing that seems to be set in stone is that Branden Albert will start at left tackle.  2008 Pro Bowler guard Brian Waters has yet to decide if he will play in Kansas City. Waters did attend the team’s mandatory camp, so it will be interesting to see whether he reports to camp.  The Chiefs signed veteran Mike Goff in the off-season and drafted Colin Brown from Missouri to possibly fill some holes.