chiefs season in review

Here are my final year end thoughts for the 2010 Kansas City Chiefs, along with a few wishful thoughts for 2011.

As always, these are my opinions, and my opinions only. I highly doubt you will agree with all of them. That's what the comments section is for. A couple grades, in particular, I think are going to anger the Chiefs fans that read this. If so, too bad. Open your eyes, and see things like I do. Or blast away at me in the comments, it's all good.

* Best game: Chiefs 34, Titans 14 week 16. The most dominant performance the Chiefs put on all season, scoring on five of their first six possessions en route to a 24 point halftime lead. Honorable mention: Chiefs 10, donkeys 6 week 13. Anytime you beat those asshats, it's a good thing. Anytime you beat them, and they promptly fire their head coach less than 24 hours later? It's a great thing.

* Worst game: Ravens 30, Chiefs 7 wildcard round. No, it wasn't the worst game we played all year, but certainly it was the worst outcome. And the second half was a total disaster. Dishonorable mention: Chargers 31, Chiefs 0 week 14. The worst Chiefs offensive performance of my lifetime. And the defense wasn't much better.

* Favorite play: Chiefs hold on 4th and goal, vs Chargers week 1. Nobody who was there that night will ever forget the ending. And anyone who was there and left early, will be kicking themselves in the ass until the day they die about walking out on an instant classic. As well you should be – you never leave a competitive game early, no matter what the weather is like. Hell, I should be kicking your ass for you if you left early. Honorable mention: the McCluster to Cassel to D Bowe reverse flea flicker for a touchdown, vs 49ers week 3. The coolest play call all season long.

* Least Favorite play: the 4th and 1 pitch, vs Ravens wildcard round. One of the four or five worst play calls in franchise history. Dishonorable mention: D Bowe dropping a gimme touchdown, at Colts week 5. In hindsight, it didn't cost us a thing, but at the time, it certainly cost us a chance to bury the Colts, and all but wrap up the division by mid-October.

* Favorite Ongoing Storyline: Tony Gonzalez losing again in the postseason. Tony G was dead to me after the denver game in 2008, when he put personal stats over winning for the first time in 345 days. I don't get it Chiefs fans. This guy QUIT on us. He demanded out. We weren't good enough for him. I'm thrilled that in the two seasons since the trade, the Chiefs and Falcons have achieved the same end result -- one playoff-less season, one division championship, zero playoff wins. Honorable mention: the real Tony we should be cheering for, Tony Richardson, still alive for a Super Bowl berth.

* Least Favorite Ongoing Storyline: the labor situation. I mean, this isn't the NBA, where at least 10-12 franchise are legitimately hemorrhaging money and would actually make money by not playing a single game. Every NFL team turns a profit, most of them an obscene one. If you can't figure out a way to divide up $9 billion in revenue, you're dumber than Lloyd Christmas. Dishonorable mention: the "sellouts" at Arrowhead. I still wish Clark Hunt and/or Channel 5 hadn't bought up the Titans tickets. Let the die-hards who sat through three years of crap for this season, have their moment, and let everyone else who for whatever reason didn't get tickets re-examine just how die-hard of a fan they are.

* Most Valuable Chief, Offense: Ryan Lilja, RG. Might be the best free agent signing by this franchise since Carl Peterson took a chance on an injured Ravens RB named Priest Holmes ten years ago. Honorable mention: Jamaal Charles, RB. The best season by a Chiefs running back since LJ in 2006.

* Most Valuable Chief, Defense: Tamba Hali, OLB. Became a force as a pass rusher, and remained effective in pass coverage as well. It's a crime he's not Pro Bowl bound. Honorable mention: Brandon Flowers, CB. Along with Brandon Carr, the Chiefs are set at corner for the next six to seven years, barring injury. Flowers became the shut-down corner the Chiefs really haven't had since James Hasty in the late 1990s.

* Least Valuable Chief, Offense: Brodie Croyle, QB. In the words of Rage Against the Machine, "f*ck it, cut the cord!" His performance in San Diego was criminitely bad. Yes, it was so awful that I had to haul out a word from Dustyland to describe it. Dishonorable mention: Chris Chambers, WR. So awful at his job that we signed a white dude off the street for the playoff game (Kevin Curtis), and gave him more playing time in that game than Chris got.

* Least Valuable Chief, Defense: Tyson Jackson, DE. A complete bust along the lines of Ryan Sims and Junior Siavii at this point. Probably has one more training camp to prove himself before the Chiefs cut him and move on. Dishonorable mention: Donald Washington, CB. It's not that he played poorly, it's that he could never stay healthy. Washington is a solid corner when the Chiefs go cover three if he's healthy. In 2010, that wasn't often.

* Most Improved Chief, Offense: Brandon Albert, LT. Went from a decent lineman, to someone to protect the blind side for the next decade. This dude has four or five Pro Bowls in him. Honorable mention: Barry Richardson. Went from radioactive disaster, to mild catastrophe. Chiefs definitely need to upgrade the right tackle position this offseason.

* Most Improved Chief, Defense: Wallace Gilberry, DE. A year ago, I was ripping Todd Haley for allowing this guy to even be active, let alone be on the field. Now? Like a lot of things in 2009, I was too short-sighted to see the payoff. Gilberry has developed into a solid pass rushing end, and his potential is sky high at this point. Honorable mention: Jovan Belcher, LB. Another player with huge potential that took a giant step forward in 2010.

* Least Improved Chief, Offense: Chris Chambers, WR. The worst Chiefs free agent signing at the position since Brett Perriman was attempting (and usually failing) to find the "definition of the sideline" in 1997. Dishonorable mention: Leonard Pope, RB / TE. More a numbers-thing, as he was squeezed for playing time by Castille, and the emergence of Moeaki. But I expected more from Pope than what we saw this year.

* Least Improved Chief, Defense: Tyson Jackson, DE. At this point, it might be in the Chiefs best interest to just give up on him. Especially with Shaun Smith and Gilberry perfectly capable of handling the position. Dishonorable mention: Corey Mays, LB. Didn't hear much from him this season, after a decent 2009 campaign. I'd be shocked if Mays is on the roster in 2011.

Individual Grades, Defense:

* Tyson Jackson, DE: F. Couldn't stay healthy early, and was a waste of space when he was on the field. Arguably the most disappointing Chiefs draft pick since Ryan Sims. His future with the team will be known early on -- if the Chiefs go DE on day one or two, expect Jackson to be cut in August.

* Shaun Smith, DE: B+. Could not have asked more of Smith, up to and including a Fridge Perry-like touchdown run in Seattle. Great free agent pickup by the Chiefs front office. Would be shocked if he is not starting next September at LDE.

* Ron Edwards, DT: A. Quite possibly the most underrated Chiefs player of my lifetime. Every year it seems like the Chiefs try to replace him, and every year Edwards responds with a solid effort, solid stats, and great attitude and work ethic. Hopefully he sticks around for another year or two and earns an ultimate payoff for all his efforts to date.

* Glenn Dorsey, DE: B-. Had his best season as a pro, but it still isn't good enough for a top five draft pick from three years ago. Chiefs have a big decision to make on Dorsey come the end of 2011 -- extend, or let him walk. His play next season should determine the answer to that question.

* Wallace Gilberry, DE: A. What a tremendous season for this guy. Even if 2010 is his ceiling, we've got at worst another Joe Phillips type end. And I'm perfectly fine with that.

* Mike Vrabel, LB: C-. He's definitely at the end of the line. If he does return in 2011, it should be strictly in the veteran backup role he's best suited to play at this point.

* Andy Studebaker, LB: C. Nowhere near as effective in 2010 as he was in 2009 ... but still a solid special teams player, a decent coverage backer when the Chiefs go cover three, and you can do a helluva lot worse at backup LB than this guy.

* Jovan Belcher, LB: B. Had a solid season at middle backer ... but incredibly, stepped up for his biggest game in the wildcard game, posting 11 tackles, and nearly doubling his sack output for the season. Is that a sign of things to come ... or a guy who plays bigger when the moment gets bigger? Either way, it's a good sign, since next year's schedule (more on that to come) offers a ton of big games.

* Corey Mays, LB: F. A complete disaster. Will be stunned to see him back in 2011.

* Derrick Johnson, LB: A-. If he had better hands, he'd have earned an A+, but dropping at least 2 gimme interceptions is a downer in my eyes. Glad to see him fully embrace the team concept the administration is pushing, and he earned his contract extension.

Having said that ... let's flash back to 2005 for a minute. The Chiefs are on the clock, picking 15th. Their most glaring need at the moment is a game-changing linebacker. Derrick Johnson is there for the taking. That is who the "Voice of Reason" strongly backed.

On the other end of the couch, I argued strongly that the time to draft Trent Green's replacement, was now ... because Aaron Rodgers was still on the clock. G and I disagree on a lot of things ... but rarely have we been so heated in disagreement as we were about this pick.

(Meanwhile, on the phone in Raleigh, Brent was desperately hoping I was right, to avoid paying off yet another ridiculous bet he and Gregg made, this one involving buying a player’s jersey depending on who the Chiefs drafted. I believe he had Antrel Rolle or Pacman Jones. I know Gregg had DJ. The lesson? As always, never bet against Gregg when he’s got something riding on the outcome. Unless it’s a pai gow table at the Isle on a Friday night. Then bet on crappy cards, zero fortune bonus payouts, and a long night of steady defeat for all at the table).

In the end, the Chiefs took DJ, and the Packers (using the strategory I was acting under the influence of) grabbed up Aaron Rodgers nine picks later.

So I ask you Chiefs fans: five years later, who was right? Me, for wanting to draft a stud franchise QB, or "The Voice of Reason", for sticking to "draft your biggest need"? Both Rodgers and DJ are going to have solid pro careers. And up until this postseason at least, you could argue this fight was a draw to date. But only one of them can alter the fate of a franchise, as this January is proving. And that one ain't DJ. More on this to come when I get to my Chiefs draft desires ...

* Demarrio Williams, LB: D. Has been a total bust since arriving via free agency three years ago. Should be more than a backup / spot starter given the talent he has, and the amount of money we're paying him. Another player likely to be an ex-Chief in 2011.

* Tamba Hali, LB: A+. Went from solid contributor to defensive anchor in 2010. No Chiefs player developed more this year than Tamba did. I can't wait to see where this kid is at two to three years from now.

* Brandon Flowers, CB: B+. My only criticism is that Flowers takes too many chances trying for the interception, rather than simply defending the pass, or wrapping up the receiver after a short gain. He'll learn to settle eventually, rather than force the issue. He's too talented not to.

* Javier Arenas, CB: C+. Had a couple solid kick returns, but was not as effective in the cover three as he needs to be. Still, for a rookie season, he did a fine job, and figures to only get better.

* Brandon Carr, CB: B+. The underrated Brandon Brother. I like Carr, a lot. Solid fundamentally, always in position to make the play, rarely gets burned deep. The Chiefs are set at corner through at least 2016 at this point, and that's a very good thing.

* Travis Daniels, CB: D. Didn't play much, and didn't do much when he did play. His ceiling is likely a cover three corner.

* Donald Washington, CB: F. This season was a catastrophe for him. Let's hope for better things in 2011, because the talent is there.

* Jon McGraw, S: B+. Has a great knack for being around the ball. Go back and watch his INT of peyton manning that should have set up the Chiefs for the win (the very next play was the Bowe TD drop) -- McGraw totally lulled manning into making a horrendous throw, that he then stepped in and picked. Great fundamentals, rock solid tackler, only concern is the injury bug -- he missed four games due to injury, and one of them (at denver), the Chiefs got killed because of it.

* Eric Berry, S: B-. Didn't quite deliver as great of a rookie year as we could have hoped for, but was certainly in the top 5-6% of rookies in the league in terms of making a positive impact on the field. Will only keep getting better.

* Kendrick Lewis, S: A+. I am friggin in love with this kid. I haven't had a ridiculous man-crush on a Chiefs defender like this since "Brave" Bennie Sapp stormed the donkeys bench and taunted them after the Thanksgiving win four years ago. Like McGraw, Lewis always is in position to make the play. The Chiefs have an embarrassment of riches at safety. That's a very good thing.

* Dusty Colquitt, P: D. Not one of Dusty C's finest years. He gets great hangtime, and when he's allowed to just drill it, he usually does. But he's horrendous when punting between the 40s -- dude couldn't land a punt inside the 10 if he was given 100 chances to do so. The Chiefs can – and must – improve at this position. I wouldn't be shocked if they opted to try to do so with someone not named Dusty C. I kind of hope they don’t though – I still crack myself up with the tired, ridiculous “Dusty C’s punt as high as Dusty J? Nope” joke that never was funny, to anyone other than me.

Individual Grades, Offense:

* Brandon Albert, T: B+. What would you rather have Chiefs fans -- Albert and Jamaal Charles, or Jared Allen? If Carl's last gift to this franchise was the tremendous (so far) 2008 draft, then this trade has to be the bow on top of the package. Albert figures to be a 10-12 year mainstay protecting the blind side. If you've solved the left tackle slot, the rest of the offensive line becomes relatively easy to fix.

* Barry Richardson, T: C. A perfectly league-average backup. You need a couple of those on the line. Was decent when forced into action. I can see him being a Wade Smith / Marcus Spears type player, who lasts for 10-12 years but floats from team to team every couple seasons.

* Brian Waters, G: B. His age is beginning to show, but he's still one of the 4 or 5 best guards in the game, and possibly the best undrafted free agent of the 2000s. Still has 2-3 solid years left in him.

* Jon Asamoah, G: B. Solid rookie season. Didn't get embarrassed in his one forced start. Has a bright future in front of him.

* Casey Weigmann, C: A. I can't recall a single botched snap under center this season. I honestly can't recall a botched snap in the shotgun either. If you don't f*ck up the snap once, and you play center? You're getting an A from Professor Steve. Rock solid season for the veteran, and hopefully he's got another one or two of those in him.

* Ryan Lilja, G: A+. The local kid comes home, and makes a name for himself. The best offensive lineman pickup the Chiefs have made since they traded for Willie Roaf a decade ago.

* Ryan O'Callaghan, T: C. A position the Chiefs must improve, especially given the beefed-up schedule next fall. If you think O'Callaghan is a longer-term answer, you fill this in free agency for the short-term fix. If (like me) you think O'Callaghan is at best a career backup / spot starter, you fill this in day one or two of the draft.

* Terrence Copper, WR: B-. Didn't do anything great, didn't do anything horrendous. The Chiefs desperately need a possession receiver, the dude you look to on 3rd and 6, who always makes the catch. We haven't had that really since Kevin Lockett in the late 90s. (Well, other than Tony Gonzalez. I mean a wide receiver who can fill that role). Copper isn't the answer. But he's a decent third / slot receiver option with decent hands who's worth keeping around for 2011.

* Verran Tucker, WR: B. Has more of a future on special teams than as a wide receiver. Still, had a great touchdown catch in oakland, which gives him a slightly higher grade than Copper.

* Chris Chambers, WR: F. An abject embarrassment to the Red and Gold this season. I haven't been more disappointed in a Chiefs receiver since Brett Perriman. And at least Perriman had an excuse -- it's been fourteen years, and I still can't figure out where the hell the sideline was in that Monday nighter at oakland either.

* Leonard Pope, TE: C. I expected more, but I'm not blaming Pope for his downfall in production. Our third round draft choice was really that good. A solid backup TE / fourth receiving option. Also valuable because he can lead block, and provide the safety valve in a tight formation.

* Tony Moeaki, TE: A+. Should be the Chiefs Rookie of the Year, but I'm guessing he won't get it. Should fill the tight end position competently for quite a while going forward.

* Jake O'Connell, TE: D. Saw little to no playing time on offense, and was mediocre at best on special teams. Plus, I hate guys who tat up their arms with their initials. I mean, really? That's what you opt for when you go get inked up, is a huge Detroit-script J and O? Lame. Very, very lame.

* Dwayne Bowe, WR: B+. The Indianapolis drop cost him an A. Look it, I don't care if he's a prima donna, I don't care if he's an ass to the fans, and I especially don't care to find out what long-lost cousin of his we're bringing into training camp this upcoming season. All I care about is that you catch the ball when it's thrown to you. Bowe did that very well the last 2/3 of the season, including an awesome 3rd and 19 conversion against the Titans that he took 70 yards to the end zone, a play we never seem to make, yet always have dropped on us. Let's hope that's a trend that continues.

* Dexter McCluster, WR: D. Yes, this is harsh. Yes, Dex was highly effective when he was on the field. But, how often was he on the field? He missed over half the season with various injuries. He's a smallish dude who relies on jukes and fakes to make his yardage (along with his speed). I don't like his odds of staying healthy going forward (which is why I think using him on returns, other than at THE critical moment of a game, is a huge mistake -- you're risking injury for no good reason, especially when you have a very solid returner in Arenas that can do the same thing you're asking Dex to do). The jury's out for this kid with me. I pray I'm wrong, but I don't see him having an effective career.

* Thomas Jones, RB: C. For someone who was brought in to be the short-yardage guy, and the pound-the-line guy, he was shockingly ineffective at converting 3rd and 4th and short. How many times this year did we run it on 3rd and 2 or less, and then have to make a 4th down decision? Way too many times. I expect Jones to return, but the Chiefs should be looking to upgrade this roster spot. Still earns a passing grade because he achieved his primary purpose – he saved Charles from wear, tear, and injury by absorbing the bulk of the carries. If only we’d had a TJ back when LJ was hauling the rock, maybe he’d have a better legacy and career in the eyes of Chiefs Nation.

* Jackie Battle, RB: D. Another in a long line of wasted Chiefs draft picks at the position. Battle at best is a garbage time runner.

* Jamaal Charles, RB: A+. I had no complaints with how the Chiefs used Charles. They used him and Jones exactly as I would have. And exactly as they should going forward. Charles can't hold up over 300 plus carries every year. He can't. He can, however, be highly effective over 200-220 carries. He's not Barry Sanders. But he sure as all hell can be another Roger Craig type back who posts sick numbers on limited carries, and posts one huge burst a game. (With TJ or a suitable replacement serving as his Tom Rathman). And I'm perfectly good with that.

* Tony Castille, RB: B. I'd like to see the Chiefs use Leonard Pope more in this spot. I think he'd be a great fullback, especially given his receiving capabilities. But Castille did a tremendous job this season. You don't have the best running game in the league unless you've got some tremendous blocking going on, and it starts at the point of attack, which is Castille.

* Brodie Croyle, QB: F. Now 0-10 as a starter in the league. I'd be shocked if he gets a chance to stretch that much past 12 or 13 by the time his career is over.

* Tyler Palko, QB: F. Horrendous the one time he saw action (vs the raiders). Will be nothing more than a clipboard holder going forward.

* Matt Cassel, QB: D+. I know, I know, I can hear you all screaming now. "You gave him a D! How? What QB did you watch this year Stevo?" To which I respond, I watched a QB who crapped his pants at home against all our divisional rivals, who looked rattled in Indy, posted his two worst games of the season in his last two starts, and really delivered only two rock-solid starts this year (at St. Louis, vs Tennessee). Yes, it is highly probable the oakland and Baltimore abortions were due to lingering affects from the appendicitis.

Having said that, I don't think you can win a championship in this league with a middle of the road QB. Sure, you can win, as in "win 10-11 games, win the division or sneak in as a wildcard, and then get rolled in your first game". My other rooting interest did that for a decade, his name was Chad Pennington. (And I say that as someone who still has a Pennington Jets jersey hanging proudly in his closet. I like Pennington, a lot. But he’s not a championship quarterback. And neither is Cassel).

As a Chiefs fan, just reaching the playoffs? That's not good enough for me anymore. That's been what we've had, for better or for worse, for 20 years and counting. We've had a few solid seasons by QBs since the late 1980s, but never have we started a guy under center who you could confidently say "that guy can win on the road in January".

Say what you want about The Sanchize, and God knows I cringe a little every time he lets it fly … he's 4-1 on the road in the playoffs. He plays his best, when the stakes are the highest. Yes, the Jets D was a huge reason why they won last week ... but who put them in position to get there with a textbook pass to Braylon Edwards in Indy the week before? Who put the Jets ahead for good with a textbook sideline pass to Santonio Holmes last week?

I firmly believe the Chiefs must upgrade the quarterback position if we hope to ever achieve more than what we got this season. Matt Cassel is a great guy. He's a decent quarterback. But can you see Cassel leading this team to a victory in Foxboro in January? To a win at the Ketchup Bottle in the AFC Title Game? Can you see him surviving and overcoming the crowd in Indy in the divisional round? I can't. Which is why, when I get to the Chiefs drafting thoughts, I will once again scream to anyone who will listen "DO NOT REPEAT 2005! DO NOT REPEAT 2005!" if the opportunity comes up.

* Ryan Succup, K: B+. Didn't miss a single kick that cost the Chiefs a game. That's all you can ask out of your place kicker. Only reason this isn't an A is because he shanked the game winner against Buffalo, before finally making it as time expired. Still, he's by far and away the most reliable, consistent kicker we've had since Pete Stoyanovich.

Individual Grades, Coordinator, Head Coach, Front Office and Ownership:

* Romeo Crennel, Defensive Coordinator: B+. Realistically, he took the same defense that played like dogcrap for the last three years, and through schemes and coaching, turned it into a serviceable unit that kept the Chiefs afloat in a ton of games this year. Optimistically, this is the worst talent he's going to have going forward -- the unit will only keep getting better. I love where this team is headed on the defensive side of the ball.

* Chuck Weis, Offensive Coordinator: B-. The playoff game turned on one stupid play call. Other than that, and the debacle in San Diego (which I blame far more on Brodie than Chuck), he didn't have a bad game all season. He somehow made Matt Cassel look like an average NFL QB. He rode the Chiefs rushing attack to exploit the other team's passing weaknesses (seriously, his game at Seattle is a clinic in how to exploit your opponent, it's a masterpiece). I wish him nothing but the best at Florida going forward, and thank him for a tremendous, franchise-re-establishing season.

* Todd Haley, Head Coach: B. Love the riverboat gambler mentality ... because anyone who has ever played Madden knows how retarded it is to consistently punt on 4th and short, or settle for 3 inside the five yard line, especially when you have a running game like the Chiefs had this season. Does not get an A for two reasons: (1) this team was not ready to play in the wildcard game. I know there's a wide variety of reasons why, not the least of which is the flu bug going around the stadium the prior week, but that's on coaching. If your guys come out flat and uninspired in their first playoff game in years, that's on coaching. And (2) I have zero doubt he called the 4th and 1 pitch against the Ravens in that game. That call was so awful, he gets docked for it. What keeps him from falling to a C is the Colts game (a coaching masterpiece in how to spring the upset, if only D Bowe holds onto the pass), and the season opener -- as fired up and prepared for battle as we were to open the season, we were the exact opposite for the playoff game.

Still, considering last year at this time, I was openly calling for his head, and now I'm ok with him returning for year three, he had one helluva season. There aren't too many athletes or coaches who get out of my doghouse. Here’s to hoping he doesn’t find his way back in there in 2011.

* Scott Pioli, GM: A-. Has really only had one spectacular screw-up since arriving in Kansas City last year, and that's the Tyson Jackson pick (which, to be fair, he was pretty much forced into making – nobody was trading up, and nobody else in that slot made sense, but still). Every free agent signing was golden this year, especially Ryan Lilja and Casey Weigmann. He's Pro Football Weekly's Executive of the Year, and I can't disagree with their vote. Has the Chiefs on a similar upward track that his predecessor did after two years on the job -- only he's doing it with a bunch of young players on both sides of the ball, as opposed to Carl's refusal to go young on offense. The sky's the limit!

* Clark Hunt, Owner: A. Give him credit -- he did everything Chiefs fans wanted him to do. He canned Carl. He allowed Herm to be shoved out the door. He allowed Pioli to hire his guys, despite the severance packages it no doubt forced him to pay out. He opened the check book for free agency. He opened the check book for the draft. He also incredibly paid for every cost overrun on the stadium renovation, and threw in an additional $125 million so that the Founders Plaza and the Hall of Fame would truly be special destination places for any Chiefs fan (and they are). I have no idea how we got so lucky to have a truly worthy successor to Lamar Hunt, but thank God we did.

And if you don't think that last sentence is important, look around the rest of the division. The raiders have no succession plan for when al davis finally croaks (and nobody locally outside of Larry Ellison of Oracle with the money to buy the raiders and keep them in Oakland, and Ellison just shelled out $500 million to save the Warriors, I doubt he's got another cool $1.2, $1.3 billion laying around to buy the raiders AND finance a new stadium). denver's owner is sadly suffering from the onset of dementia. (I hate patrick j. bowlen with a passion, but as someone whose grandmother died of Alzheimer's disease, I wouldn't wish dementia on anyone, including bowlen and anyone his franchise has ever employed. It's a horrible way to die). And San Diego, the Spanos family doesn't have the money to make the pass-down-to-the-kid plan work, so when Alex kicks the bucket in a couple years, they'll be in a state of flux.

Simply put, the Chiefs are the most stable franchise in the division, and they're on the surest footing personnel wise at this point as well. The only thing we're missing to keep from jumping to elite, conference championship threats? Glad you asked.

* Chiefs Draft Thoughts:

I know the popular thought is that we go offensive tackle, defensive end, or wide receiver. And most of the time, I’d agree with you. Depending on how day one goes, I might completely agree with you by the time we’re on the clock. But if one of two people is still on the board, the pick is obvious.

It has to be a quarterback.

I see four potential franchise guys in the first round. So let’s examine each one.

First, let's be realistic here. Unless the Chiefs mortgage the future and trade a couple future first rounders, they aren't getting Blaine Gabbert, who isn't falling below 10 to the Redskins at the worst (and probably doesn't slide past the Cardinals at 5). I know it'd be cool if the local kid, the local college stud, came in to lead the franchise to glory, but it ain't gonna happen. (That, and there’s no way I’d invest multiple draft picks to move up and pick a guy who never led his team to a BCS bowl game. Or a division title. Or one single, significant road win in his two years at the helm. Gabbert has “BUST!” flashing all over him).

I'm also not enamored with Jake Locker. If he's the only option at quarterback left at 21, then draft for need, or draft best available, and try again in 2012, because Cassel is decent enough to deliver another 10-6 division championship, exit in the divisional round type season.

That leaves two.

My first choice – Cam Newton. Newton would be a dream come true, because I really think that's where the league is headed -- a stud athlete with a solid arm, who is built like a tank, making him tough to stop on the run as well. (Yes, you can accurately conclude I am a huge believer in tim tebow. Which sickens me. But that kid is going to lead the broncos back to relevance far faster than they have any reason to do so. Well him, and John Fox, the best coaching hire of the offseason so far.

And for anyone who thinks that type of QB can’t succeed in the NFL, I have two words for you. Steve. Young. That dude worked out fairly well, as unfortunately tebow will as well …)

Unfortunately, I see no way Newton gets past Jacksonville at 16. And the only way he lasts that long is if Washington has a collective brain fart at 10, and screws up royally when turning in the draft card.

Which leaves one guy. And I think he’d be a natural in Todd Haley’s offense. Hell, I know he’d be a natural in a Todd Haley-esque offense, because it’s what he ran in college.

That guy … is Ryan Mallett.

I know, a lot of people's immediate impression of Mallett is his final collegiate play, a costly interception while trying to rally his team from down 20 plus (they'd cut it to 5) in the Sugar Bowl. And a lot of the time, I'd agree with you.

Except I really think this kid is going to be something special. He resurrected Arkansas football, going from the disaster of the Houston Nutt / Guz Malzahn / Mitch Mustain crap and a 3-9 disaster, to a 10-3 Sugar Bowl season. He did it without a NFL caliber running back or wide receiver on the roster. He did it with a porous defense he constantly had to find a way to outscore. And he did it playing for a guy NFL types despise (Bobby Petrino). The kid is the real deal.

If Mallett is there at 21, and the Chiefs don't draft him, I'm going to be livid. (Especially angry if Cam Newton is there at 21 and we pass, but I don't think he will be).

Please, Scott Pioli, Chiefs scouting department, upper management – do NOT repeat 2005! When a franchise QB falls into your lap, don't think – just draft! How much better off would this team be with Aaron Rodgers under center? You can always find a Derrick Johnson type player, even if you have to overpay in free agency every couple years to get one. What you don't find in free agency, or in the draft more than once or twice a year for that matter, is a stud franchise QB that can take you from where the Chiefs are (a decent 10-11 win squad), to where they need to be (an elite franchise that is on the short list of Lombardi Trophy threats).

If Mallett (or Newton) is there, pull the trigger. Make the pick. You won't regret it. Even if he has to sit a couple years before you can push the incumbent out the door -- how is that an issue? The Titans sat Steve McNair for a couple years, it didn't hurt him at all. The Pack sat Rodgers for three seasons. Didn't harm his development one bit. I'd much rather use the 21st pick on a quarterback who six years from now has us as a 3 1/2 point favorite in the AFC Title Game as a road team (like Rodgers is on Sunday in the other conference), than on a linebacker who is solid, but whose ceiling is borderline Pro Bowler.

Gamble on greatness. Don't settle for mediocrity. That's my hopes for the 2011 draft.

(And if Mallett / Newton are both gone, which is probable at this point, then draft for need, or try like holy hell to trade back. I think RT is our most glaring hole, with WR a close second. Ron Edwards can more than handle the DT position for another season, and there’s no DT in the 20-25 range that I’d use the pick on).

* The 2011 Schedule, Steve-style:

Now that we know our opponents, here's how I'd want to see them in order of appearance.

Note: the Royals are home Sunday, September 18th. That is the only September date that could affect a Chiefs home game.

Week One: Sunday, September 11th, vs Packers, 3:15pm, FOX (*).
Week Two: Sunday, September 18th, at broncos, 3:15pm, CBS.
Week Three: Sunday, September 25th, vs Dolphins, noon, CBS.
Week Four: Monday, October 3rd, vs Steelers, 7:30pm, ESPN (*).
Week Five: Sunday, October 9th, at Jets, noon, CBS.
Week Six: Sunday, October 16th, vs raiders, noon, CBS.
Week Seven: bye.
Week Eight: Sunday, October 30th, at Patriots, noon, CBS.
Week Nine: Sunday, November 6th, at Vikings, noon, CBS.
Week Ten: Sunday, November 13th, vs Chargers, 7:15pm, NBC (*).
Week Eleven: Sunday, November 20th, at Lions, noon, CBS.
Week Twelve: Thursday, November 24th, vs broncos, 7pm, NFLN (*).
Week Thirteen: Sunday, December 4th: vs Bills, noon, CBS.
Week Fourteen: Sunday, December 11th: at Chargers, 3:15pm, CBS.
Week Fifteen: Sunday, December 18th: at Colts, noon, CBS.
Week Sixteen: Monday, December 26th: vs Bears, 7:30pm, ESPN (*).
Week Seventeen: Sunday, January 1st: at raiders, 3:15pm, CBS.

Reasoning / Analysis: how awesome would it be to open the season against the Packers, with the eyes of the nation on us in the stand-alone FOX afternoon slot? (FOX always has the stand-alone afternoon slot week one due to CBS airing the US Open Men’s final). I think it'd be pretty sweet. You follow that up with a very winnable roadie at denver, before a very winnable home game against the Dolphins. You're set up, just like in 2010, to a potentially huge start and a jump on the division before the calendar hits October. You then close the first quarter with our first prime time game of the year, against the Steelers (that game will be in prime time wherever it appears on the schedule, you can bet the family farm on that).

Then two tough ones to close before the bye, at the Jets and then hosting the raiders, who somehow have won four straight at Arrowhead, most in blowout fashion. The bye comes at just the right time, and gives you two weeks to prepare for the reunion in Foxboro. You close the first half of the schedule with an intriguing roadie at Minnesota, who if they get a decent QB, will be a tough out.

There’s no reason you can’t be 5-3 at worst hitting midseason, and 6-2 if you steal a roadie either in the Meadowlands or the Metrodome.

The third quarter is THE crucial quarter, because you almost have to go 4-0 in this stretch if you have any hopes of playing past my 35th birthday. You open with a huge divisional showdown with the Chargers, then a winnable roadie at Detroit ... followed by a really short week, because Thanksgiving Night should always be played at Arrowhead, and godd*mmit, I'm going to keep scheduling denver at Chiefs for as long as I do this, because that should be an established Thanksgiving night tradition -- even if we swap stadiums every year, just set that game for prime time on Thanksgiving night and be done with it. It's one of the AFC's best rivalries. It's almost always a great game. Make it happen. You then get a long rest before closing the third quarter with the Bills.

Then, quarter four, which is brutally tough, but one of the quarters was going to be, and since ideally you're playing your best football entering December, might as well make the last one the tough one. Back to back roadies at San Diego and Indy, followed by hosting the Bears (in a huge non-con prime time showdown for both teams given what their records are likely to be – think Vikings at Chiefs in mid-December 1999 in prime time for a reference point), and closing in the coliseum with potentially the division on the line.

2011 is going to be tough ... but every other AFC West team has toughies as well, and honestly? I'd rather have Pittsburgh / at Indy like we do, than Baltimore / at Jacksonville like the Chargers, because I think the Ravens and Jags will both be better teams than the Steelers and Colts next year. At worst, it's a coin flip.

The Chargers do have a slight advantage, in that they get New England and the Jets at home ... but they also have the flip of us and have to go to Chicago and Green Bay. Don't underestimate how lucky we are to be visiting the two dome teams, especially if we play them both later in the year. I'd much rather face the Vikings indoors in December, than the Packers or Bears outdoors that same time of year.

All in all, I can see another 10 win season out of this schedule, 11 if everything breaks right. (I really think Indy is going to collapse -- think 1997 Cowboys: fading veteran team, horrible coaching, first sign of adversity it all falls apart).

* Final Thought on 2010:

Again, thank you to the Chiefs for a magical season. It certainly was the best one around here since 2006, if not 2003. I had more fun this season than any since 1999, and I loved the hell out of 2006. I love teams that overachieve. They're easy to root for. And yeah, while the ending was disappointing, don't downplay the experience of simply surviving a pennant race, and playing in January. These guys know how to win now. What they didn't know how to do at Houston, or at oakland, they get it now, as evidenced in the denver and St. Louis games. They know how to close. That's a huge first step towards bringing Lamar's Trophy home.

The next step? Keep building on what you've got. We've got a solid roster in place. Assuming we actually hire an offensive coordinator, and not a glorified coffee fetcher for Coach Haley, we have a pretty good coaching staff in place, a veteran crew that knows how to adapt to what the opposition throws at you. Especially on defense, we won't be overwhelmed, like we were so often in 2009, and at times in 2010 (think denver).

With another solid draft class, and some more savvy free agent signings, there is no reason to think the Chiefs will take a step back in 2011. If anything, I envision them treading water at the 10 win mark, that seems the most likely outcome as it stands right now. And given how rough everyone's schedule in our division is next year, and especially given the huge coaching turnover every other team in the division is experiencing (new coaching staffs altogether in denver and oakland, whole new defensive and special teams staffs in San Diego), and the fact that a looming lockout will limit their abilities to implement the new schemes and formations, the Chiefs have to enter 2011 as a solid favorite to repeat as AFC West champs. For that, I am extremely happy. And cautiously optimistic that 2011 is the next step forward to a championship.

Hope to see each and every one of you who read this out there for the 2011 season. Let’s re-establish Arrowhead as truly THE loudest stadium in the NFL. Let’s re-establish ourselves as THE die-hard fanbase in the league. And let’s aim for a 2pm kickoff on Sunday, January 22nd, 2012, on the sacred turf of One Arrowhead Drive, and circle the date to bring Lamar’s Trophy home!

Until then, there’s only one team to root for. (fireman ed voice) J! E! T! S! Jets Jets Jets! If we can’t bring Lamar’s Trophy to KC this year, then by God, let’s deliver it to One Weeb Eubank Way, to the other team that I live and die with. Come on Jets. Come on …