Elliot Harrison wrote the ‘Exit Interview’ for the Kansas City Chiefs on NFL.com just a few days after their Wild Card loss to the Baltimore Ravens (for the reference I make to him later).
The issue I believe is most important is the situation at running back. Jamaal Charles had a fantastic season, but it really helped having Thomas Jones sharing the backfield with him. I hate to take another person’s words, but Mr. Harrison made a terrific point relating Charles to Chris Johnson of the Titans. Johnson was essentially shut down this season, and a similar outcome can be expected for Jamaal Charles if they don’t have Jones or another quality back sharing the backfield for Kansas City.
Matt Cassel will be back next year, and Kansas City should be able to expect another good season out of him. There was a lot of talk going into the Wild Card game about “which Matt Cassel we would see.” But during the regular season Cassel threw 27 touchdown passes and only seven interceptions, a far cry from his 16-16 mark in 2009. He played very poorly in week 17 and against the Ravens in the playoffs, but those games should not be cause for concern going into next season.
The one other, pretty obvious, issue that needs to be addressed is their lack of an offensive coordinator. Charlie Weis is filling Urban Meyer’s shoes at the University of Florida. Todd Haley has his own work cut out for him finding a replacement, someone who will work as well with Cassel and the rest of the offense as Weis did.
There are a few other things that could use addressing, but if they make wise decisions with their draft picks they will be strong candidates for the AFC West crown once again in 2011.
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