If one listens closely, they will hear the "bootup tone" instead of the
Tomahawk Chop song at One Arrowhead Drive.
That sound is the "rebooting" of the Kansas City Chiefs. The Herm Edwards Era has NOW officially begun, and there is an internal excitment among players, coaches and front office personnel. Edwards used his first year to evaluate everything in the football operation of the Chiefs. Now, as he begins his second season as head coach, he will do so with 5 probable new offensive starters, 6 probable new defensive starters and new special teams
contributors. All told, there are 37 new faces on the roster, a roster where 49 of the 87 players in training camp have less than three years experience in the NFL.
There is uncertainty with this Chiefs team, but the excitement of the fresh approach by Edwards has overshadowed any reservation about the former. This is not your big brother's Kansas City Chiefs. This is a Chiefs team that is following a recipe of the New England Patriots or the Indianapolis Colts.
It's also a team that will be creative with a more athletic, faster squad.
Watch Gunther Cunningham use an athletic front defensive seven to create havoc. In addition, watch how he and defensive back coach David Gibbs use their nickel and dime packages to take the defensive initiative and to cover weaknesses and lack of depth. New defenders; Turk McBride, Tank Tyler,
Napoleon Harris, Donnie Edwards (welcome back) Jon McGraw and young safeties
Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard all will have key roles.
Most expect a boring approach by the "new" offense. Conversly, there will be an attempt to spread the field and get opportunities for the playmakers in
"space". This will allow plays like Larry Johnson's catch and run for 78 yards last year @ Arizona. It was the longest offensive play in four years for the Chiefs and it was a simple screen pass. There may be less shifting and tricks involved than recent years past, but look for an approach to accentuate individuals playmaking ability. It reduces the margin of error for quarterbacks Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard and takes pressure off a less experienced offensive line.
Yes, I'm as excited as I've ever been as the Voice of the Chiefs Radio Network. Why? I've seen the computer "rebooted"...
