PART 1

Kansas City Chiefs Team Preview
2006 Record:
9-7 (AFC West - Wild Card Berth)

The Chiefs enter the 2007 season with no major coaching changes to speak of.

Former Louisiana State standout wide receiver Dwayne Bowe enters the season as the team's first-round draft choice. The Chiefs didn't do

much to help themselves in terms of free agency, and beyond the first round, the draft didn't open many eyes, either. Middle linebacker

Donnie Edwards returns to the Chiefs after spending the past five seasons as a San Diego Charger. Star running back Priest Holmes
(neck) has been medically cleared to rejoin the team after not playing since October of 2005.
The offensive line watched offensive guard Will Shields ride away into retirement, while quarterback Trent Green ( Miami Dolphins ), wide
receiver/return specialist Dante' Hall ( St. Louis Rams ) and place kicker Lawrence Tynes ( New York Giants ) were dealt away.

Positional Duels
In the wake of the Trent Green trade, veteran backup quarterback Damon Huard and second-year pro Brodie Croyle enter training camp in a battle for the starting role.




Fading Fast

Tight end Tony Gonzalez has lost a step over the past two seasons and could be in for a disappointing season, especially if he has to stay in to block more frequently.


Cornerback Ty Law watched his interception total from 2005 of 10 drop to just four in 2006.

Wide receiver Eddie Kennison , entering his 12th season, caught 53 passes last year, his lowest total since 2002. At 34 years of

age, it is only a matter of time before Kennison isn't capable of holding down the No. 1 duties.

Coming on Strong

Defensive end Tamba Hali looks to improve upon an impressive sophomore season where he compiled 65 tackles (55 solo), eight sacks, six forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.




On the Upswing/Rebound

Running back Priest Holmes (neck) will look to make it through training camp and join the team in the backfield. Holmes has not played since October of 2005, against the San Diego Chargers .

Injury Prone


After missing the entire 2006 season and only playing 15 games in the two seasons prior due to injuries, running back Priest Holmes has been medically cleared to return to action.




Kansas City Chiefs

Coaching Changes

Key Arrivals

Key Departures
Worth Keeping an Eye On...

Quarterbacks
Second-year-pro Brodie Croyle may have only completed three of his seven passing attempts last season for 23 yards and two
interceptions, but the Chiefs like what they see. The former Alabama gunslinger enters training camp with a leg up to seize the starting position.
The Chiefs enter the season in a two-man battle for the starting position. Veteran quarterback Damon Huard seemed to have the swagger of a veteran starter last season, not a career backup, as he completed 148 of his 244 passing attempts (60.7 percent) for 1,878 yards with 11 touchdowns and only one interception in relief of the injured Trent Green .
Of the two, Huard, with a better understanding of the game and the Chiefs' offense, would be the better fantasy prospect, as a No. 3 option. That is, of course, if he wins the job in camp.

Running Backs
We all know running back Larry Johnson 's potential. The biggest fear here, for both the Chiefs and fantasy owners is when, or if, he will arrive in camp. Johnson wants a new deal and has stated that he will not step foot in camp until his pen hits the dotted line. Johnson should make for a top-three pick in most fantasy drafts.
Interestingly enough, running back Priest Holmes re-enters the equation with Johnson caught in a contract. Holmes, who turns 34 Oct. 7, would be a risk to fantasy owners at this point, but if Johnson's holdout runs into the regular season, Holmes is a viable No. 3 with potential of being a decent No. 2.

Wide Receivers
Wide receiver Eddie Kennison finished the 2006 season with 53 receptions for 860 yards and five touchdowns. Entering his 12th NFL season, especially with a highly touted rookie playing alongside of him, Kennison should only be considered a No. 4 option at this point.
The Chiefs will be depending on 6-foot-2, 221 pound Dwayne Bowe to emerge as the go-to wide receiver they've been lacking. Bowe is a very physical receiver with excellent leaping ability that excels at catching balls in traffic. Consider him not worthy of drafting due to the rookie learning curve, a run-first offense and a messy quarterback situation.
Wide receiver Samie Parker currently has minimal fantasy value and should not be anything more than a possible waiver wire play. If an injury was sustained by the 34-year-old Kennison, Parker would likely be the team's primary target at the position.

Tight Ends
This section just about writes itself. Entering his 11th NFL season, tight end Tony Gonzalez continues to prove he's one of the best ever to suit up at the tight end position. Last season, Gonzalez reeled in 73 passes for 900 yards and five touchdowns. Until he proves otherwise,
Gonzalez remains a No. 1 fantasy option.

Place Kickers
The Chiefs will likely open the 2007 campaign with fifth-round selection Justin Medlock as the starting place kicker. The first place kicker taken in this year's selection process, Medlock booted 28 of his 32 attempts last season at the University of California-Los Angeles. Don't consider him a fantasy option due to rookie woes experienced at the position.





Wide receiver Samie Parker started in 15 games in 2006, pulling in 41 receptions for 561 yards and a touchdown. With an aging Kennison and a rookie filling out the top two spots, anything's possible in 2007, especially considering neither quarterback candidate has developed much chemistry with the receiving corps.