| 5 Reasons the Chiefs Will Still Have a Losing Season in 2009
1 - Transition to the 3-4 Defense - It takes time to make a transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense. Time to implement. Time to learn. And time to acquire the right players. This is at least a two year process.
2 - Inexperience - Not only is much of the team young, so is the owner, the GM and the head coach. Hopefully they all grow up together. And quickly.
3 - Tony Gonzalez - Though it was the right move for the long-term, it certainly hurts the offense in the short-term. He's a role model. Nobody outworks Tony. He's the only player the opposing defense had to account for. He'll be missed.
4 - Pioli's Long-term View - Pioli isn't looking for the quick fix. This won't be an Atlanta Falcons type turnaround. He avoided overpaying in free agency to fill needs. If he follows the "Patriots Way", Pioli will build through the draft. He'll make some smart trades. And he'll fill some holes with lower-tiered free agents. Maybe make a splash in free agency once every few years.
5 - Youth - I know we covered this above, but here's the crux of why the Chiefs haven't been very good the last couple of years. The "good" teams have a group of talented starters in the prime of their careers. Young veterans. Players who are 25-30 years old. The Chiefs had none of that last year. From the five drafts during the Vermeil years, the players who should have been hitting the prime of their career, the Chiefs had Larry Johnson, Derrick Johnson and Dustin Colquitt. That's it. Five drafts. Three players still on the team. | 
05-16-2009, 06:48 PM
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