The Kansas City Chiefs' Offseason Profile

For a long time the Chiefs had a powerhouse offense and barely a hint of defense. Then new coach Herman Edwards set about to change that, but a little bad luck has turned the Chiefs into somewhat of the opposite. The present Chiefs have an experienced and talented defense, but a young and inexperienced offense relying almost completely on their young, star running back Larry Johnson. Now Edwards has to deal with aging receivers and a relatively untested quarterback in Damon Huard.

At the beginning of 2006 the Chief's offense was actually highly touted. Sensation Larry Johnson would be starting his first full season, and seasoned veteran QB Trent Green was still the leader of the high powered offense. Then catastrophe struck, Trent Green went down and was on the bench half the season. Backup Huard stepped in and did well, but not as well. The statistics tell the tale as the new quarterback played it safe and gave the ball to Larry Johnson more times than any other back in the league. Not only did this put a huge strain on the H-back, it also proved that Huard was not too comfortable being the leader. The new problems on offense shown through when the Chiefs backed into the playoffs and lost in the first round. The prominent receiver, Kennison, has certainly lost a step and can not be relied upon as a number one receiver anymore. This means that opposing defenses will only have to concern themselves with Kansas City's running game and tight end Gonzales who has already gotten used to double coverage. In this light a receiver would be extremely important in getting Huard's confidence to the level of a true starter, and lessening the strain on Johnson.

Wide Reciever Wayne Jarrett's stock has fallen since USC won the championship in 2005, which is all the better for the Chiefs who might actually be able to get this playmaking receiver late in the first round. Despite questions concerning some aspects of his game he did amazing at USC and was an integral part of their winning equation. His addition opposite Kennison would put serious pressure on the experienced starter to perform. This way, by the end of the season either Kennison can reassume his place at the fore or Jarrett will become Huart's number one receiver, a win-win situation.

Kansas City will have the tools to make a run at the playoffs if they can get a good receiver like Jarrett, or if he has been taken, Tennessee's Robert Meachem. The other necessity is that Huard will develop into a leader and begin the path to making the offensive what it was before.