R.I.P. - 2007 Chiefs

I was asked to do the eulogy this year for the Chiefs since they now have no chance of making the playoffs. The first thing that comes to mind about this year's team is, well, they tried...I think. Let's break it down to each segment of the team:

OFFENSE
The offense this year was just o.k. LJ was spectacular at times and put up some monster numbers - again. I am a bigger believer in his ability this year considering how pitiful the line was. Speaking of which, they were abismal. Our tackles were absolutely terrible. How does Jordan Black even have a job in this league? The slimmed-down Turley was hurt more often than not and even our trusty guards are looking their age. I also still believe that Huard should have stayed at QB. Green looked really bad overall after he returned and made some really piss-poor throws that Huard was not making (ie. bouncing the ball to open receivers on 5-yard outs). Considering the lack of offensive linemen, receivers and a proven quarterback, the Chiefs have a lot of rebuilding that could take a few years. Grade: C+ (D- without LJ)

DEFENSE
I was surprisingly pleased with the D for most of the season, but I guess my standards are pretty low considering what they've been over the past 4 years. Tamba Hali turned out to be a nice draft pick and Jared Allen had another really solid year. Our linebackers were also pretty good and the combination of them and the line were pretty tough against the run (not counting LT's personal track meet in San Diego last weekend). Once again, the secondary was bad. Greg Wesley can't cover anyone (including tight ends even), Sammy Knight is old and our corners have to be the most overrated tandem in the league. Ty Law lead the league in picks last year and had 2 after we picked him up. Good work. Surtain had another average year. We need to play the 2 young safeties and pick up some corner help...quickly. I guess you can just add it to the rebuilding list. Grade: C

SPECIAL TEAMS
I think this year "special teams" for KC had similar meaning to "special education." They looked retarded for the majority of the season. Dante Hall has to go. He is paid to be a special teams guy and is playing receiver because we don't have anybody else. Bennett can return kickoffs and they can teach a monkey to return punts. Dump him as quickly as possible - the magic is definitely gone and Herm won't give him the hugs and tongue-kisses that Vermeil did. KC's special teams can be summed up by the botched blocked-punt in San Diego. How do you block a punt and still not come up with the ball??? Pathetic. Grade: D-

Overall Team Grade: C-

I wish that I could say that we have something to look forward to next year, but we don't. Probably just another near-.500 season where we're not good enough to make the playoffs, but not bad enough to get a ringer in the draft. If we don't draft linemen and receivers in the first 4 rounds of the draft next year, I will personally deliver a flaming bag of poo to King Carl's doorstep.

Enough of this - the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl is on!