With the signing of Larry Johnson to a gazillion dollar deal this week, many folks are wondering if the 2007 Chiefs will be competitive. Here’s my look at the Chiefs.

The Offense

Johnson carried the ball 416 times last season which was an NFL record. In 2007 he will probably find the going a little tougher with the retirement of guard Will Shields. The Chiefs never really filled the tackle spot for Willie Roaf last year and now they have another hole to fill. The Chiefs will have problems with their offensive tackles this year, but their two guards, Waters and Welbourne, and their center, Wiegmann, should be strong.

Look for Johnson to be backed up by Michael Bennett and rookie Kolby Smith. There’s the Priest Holmes issue to deal with. If Holmes does not play in preseason or gets to play and does not produce, look for him to be cut or placed on the unable to perform list for the first six weeks of the season.

A few years ago under Dick Vermeil the Chiefs’ offense was one of the best in football. During those years, the Chiefs scored hundreds of points and hoped the defense could hold the other team one time during the game so they could win games with scores like 42-35.

This season I predict the Chiefs defense will outplay the offense.

Eight time pro bowler Tony Gonzales will have another stellar season and may catch more passes this year because of the lack of protection from the O-line and the QB needing to get rid of ball quickly. Of course, this could all change if they keep him in to block.

Gonzales and Johnson will be the stars of the offense.

With Trent Green going to the Dolphins, the quarterback will either be Damon Huard or Brodie Croyle. Neither has been too good this preseason. The Chiefs might go with Huard with his experience to win now or go with Croyle if they want to win later and get him some experience and suffer through his rookie mistakes. Huard has been banged up some this preseason so Croyle may get the job by default.

The wide receivers will be average unless their new guy, Dwayne Bowe, comes of age. Eddie Kennison will still be the leader.

The Defense

I look for the Chiefs’ defense to be better this year. If they are not in the top ten in the league, I would be surprised.

Their linebackers will be some of the best in the league with Derrick Johnson stepping up and since the Chiefs brought home one of my favorite players, Donnie Edwards, from San Diego. Napoleon Harris will probably fill the middle linebacker spot. Look for Kendrell Bell to get a lot of playing time.

The Defensive ends are very good, too. Jared Allen screwed up and will be suspended for the first two games for two DUIs. Look for him and Tamba Hali to nail some quarterbacks this year and be even better than last year.

I think the weak area on the defensive side of the ball will be the Chiefs’ tackles.
The secondary is a little more “seasoned” with veterans Ty Law and Patrick Surtain anchoring the secondary. Look for Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard to fill the safety positions with Benny Sapp and Greg Wesley getting a lot of playing time.

Special Teams

The “Human Joystick” is gone from Kansas City as Dante Hall signed with the other professional football team in Missouri, the St. Louis Rams. It will be tough to replace Hall and the Chiefs are looking.

Justin Medlock is the new rookie kicker. He’s from UCLA and was very accurate in College. During his first preseason game at Arrowhead, he missed a couple of field goals. He needs to get off to the right start in the regular season. Punter Dustin Colquitt will be solid again this year.

The Schedule

The Chiefs 2007 schedule at the beginning and end of the season is very tough. Their first two games are on the road (as well as three of the first four games) and they close out with three of four on the road. Besides the normal home and away games against the AFC West teams, they play Chicago (away) in week two. They also play the other NFC Central teams this year: Green Bay (home), Detroit (away), and Minnesota (away). They also play Houston (away), Tennessee (home), Jacksonville (home), Cincinnati (home) and they close the regular season at the New York Jets.

There you have a quick look at the 2007 Kansas City Chiefs from a fan’s view. Come back often for more views in the upcoming weeks and throughout the season.