The Chiefs have not yet won a game in 2013, but they scored plenty of offseason points as they worked on turning around a franchise that hit rock bottom last year.
Gone is the architect of that futility, general manager Scott Pioli – the Chiefs were 23-42 in his four seasons in charge. Andy Reid and John Dorsey took control in the first week of January and they’ve already remade the franchise in their vision. The coaching and personnel staffs have been revamped, and the team ended the offseason program with 52 new faces on the 90-man roster.
The most important change and potentially the most positive was the trade that brought quarterback Alex Smith from San Francisco. Smith has already made the huddle and offensive meeting room his domain and has stabilized a position that’s been in flux for a half-dozen seasons.
“He’s a leader on and off the field,” wide receiver Dwayne Bowe said of Smith. “He’s putting pressure on the defense. He’s running the huddle. When we don’t have a huddle, he’s speeding guys up and the tempo gets us in better shape.”
Strengths: Linebackers and secondary. The Chiefs sent three linebackers to the Pro Bowl in January and all three are back – Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson and Justin Houston. Only the MIKE linebacker remains unknown as veteran Akeem Jordan and rookie Nico Johnson are competing for that starting job. Depth may be in question, but they have two pass rushers on the outside in Hali and Houston, and a tackling machine on the inside with Johnson.
Free-agent signees Dunta Robinson and Sean Smith have been added to the defensive back picture with Pro-Bowl safety Eric Berry and underrated cornerback Brandon Flowers. Free safety Kendrick Lewis will get pushed to keep his playing time by draft choice Sanders Commings and veteran Quintin Demps.
Weaknesses: Wide receivers and defensive line. Despite recent investments through the draft in pass catchers, the Chiefs group at receiver is shallow in experience and talent. Dwayne Bowe is solid as the team’s leading wide receiver, but after him there is no clear No. 2 or 3. Former first-round pick (2011) Jon Baldwin, second-round choice (2010) Dexter McCluster and fourth-rounder (2012) Devon Wylie, along with free-agent signee Donnie Avery are all in the mix with limited production and experience.
On the defensive front, former first-round pick Glenn Dorsey left in free agency (San Francisco), leaving former first-rounders Tyson Jackson (2009) at defensive end and Dontari Poe (2012) at nose tackle. Free agent Mike DeVito comes in from the Jets and knows the scheme being implemented by coordinator Bob Sutton. Depth comes in the form of journeyman Marcus Dixon.