I've been screaming for Gunther Cunningham's head for a while now. Gunther Cunningham's defense is like Sega--it used to be fun in the 90's. The problem is, Gunther Cunningham probably got a lot more credit than he deserved. He took a team that was largely built by Marty Schottenheimer's players and he had Schottenheimer looking over his shoulder to assist in playcalling. Why am I so sure about this? Because Marty has carried an outstanding defense to three different teams, whereas Gunther Cunningham has never recreated the same dominant defense without mentor Marty.
What's worse is that Gun was so popular that the fans and front office forgot to hold him accountable. When Gun blamed his poor 2004 defense on lack of talent, we believed him. When he insisted that he didn't belong up in the booth (for the first, second, and umpteenth time), we reveled at the thought of Gun screaming and cursing at his players on the sidelines. Hell, we were pretty sure he'd throw in a punch or two.
I was conversing with a friend of mine who happens to be a Broncos fan (I know, what kind of friend is that?) over the New Year, discussing the upcoming NFL Draft, Herm Edwards, Mike Shanahan, and how our organizations are in totally different places. One topic about the Draft that really got me thinking was "how could the Chiefs blow this draft?" As we both discussed, laughing (though I was crying inside), how many areas could be improved, it got me thinking: Seriously, what positions do the Chiefs have little or no need to improve via free agency?
Well, first of all... The punter and kicker... I think Dustin Colquitt is going to be here next year. Connor Barth seems to be an NFL - ready (though certainly not elite) kicker.
Beyond that, though? Let's start with offense. A lot of people want the Chiefs to draft a quarterback, and honestly, I'm not sure I disagree with that sentiment. The only problem is, if you are getting a QB, what are the odds you nab someone who's ready to start? The Chiefs are not the Falcons, they don't have the foundation of a young and talented team to fill every other position yet. Thigpen's going to start here, so I think QB is a lower priority. I'm a Big XII guy, I've seen Bradford play for two years... He's talented, don't get me wrong, but he's never had to play against a true NFL style defense, nor has he confronted the speed of the NFL. I think his adjustment period will be longer than, say, Matt Ryan, who really had a lot going for him otherwise and didn't have the pressure of a franchise devastated by two of the worst seasons ever experienced in that city.
What about the other skill players? Tight End? Is Cottam the future? Certainly, it's too early to drop a pick on a new TE. Wide Receiver? Dwayne Bowe is solid, and the Chiefs have some depth and youth here, but they don't have a really legitimate third threat on the field for receiving, hence the 1000 yard seasons from Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez. Tony G says he will come back... If Herm Edwards is retained (much to the angst of the Kansas City fanbase... I won't rehash my "keep Herm for one more year" post).
Running Back? Again, they have some depth in this department. I don't think Larry Johnson is back next year (another post for another day), but we have some talent at the RB position as well with Kolby Smith and Jamaal Charles. It would seem to be a waste to draft yet another RB (It might be helpful if the Chiefs could figure out how to use these runners. During the Cincy game, we got to see the speedy Charles on Dives and Plunges, but not off tackle, and we got to see the power back Johnson on side-to-side toss sweeps).
They're set at fullback with Mike Cox - he does exactly what he needs to do. So where do the Chiefs have a real need? Branden Albert has done a great job at Tackle this year once he got done with his injury. The other side of that line could use one more guy, at least in my opinion. I'm not sure if you go Tackle or Guard... We've been having some pretty serious issues running the football and we had to modify an offense to compensate for the lack of pass blocking. Ouch.
Defense is where it gets easier. The Chiefs can win games with the offense they have (I'd like to see better from the offense, nevertheless) but the D has some glaring issues. Our young corners are skilled, the safeties are adequate and excel at delivering hits, but the front of this squad has been abysmal, as evidenced by the lack of sacks. Here's where the draft needs to be used. This team needs a well-sized DE. Jared Allen is listed as 270 lbs. I could believe that. Tamba Hali is listed as 275 lbs. I don't believe that for a second. He seems too small to muscle away from a Tackle, but not quite fast enough to blaze past him. The revolving door of the other DE slot isn't really much more helpful. Glenn Dorsey, as I've covered, is contributing at an admirable pace, especially at run blocking, but without any other legitimate threat on this line, he's awfully lonely.
Linebacker isn't much better. I think Derrick Johnson is suited for the move to MLB, but when Rocky Boiman shows up on your team as his fifth stop (and this isn't a knock on Rocky. I thought he played with a lot of fire this year, if nothing else), well, you need some help. We need a LB with some speed to get upfield and help on the pass rush, and some size to help out with the run game.
So, in the end, the Chiefs can only really mess this up by drafting RBs, Kickers, Punters, or Tight Ends. Whoever the new GM is, they won't have a lot of trip points in the draft. We need about all the help we can get. I just hope we don't end up putting all our eggs in the "rookie QB" basket.
I have decided to throw my name in as a potential candidate for the Chiefs' general manager position that was "resigned" by Carl Peterson a few weeks ago. Am I qualifed? I think so - you be the judge.
Strengths:
I know the NFL pretty well - and I know what kind of team I would like to put out on the field. Most importantly, I want to put a winner in Arrowhead and give the fans something to cheer for, and make it worth their "$29 for parking" while.
Most of my knowledge comes from playing an extraordinary amount of Madden 2009 on my Xbox, watching about 85% of all available games to me each week on TV, and being an avid (not necessarily "good") fantasy football player. Doesn't that at least put me in the top 50%?
Weaknesses:
I have not been personally associated with football since 8th-grade when I broke my arm in practice. To date, I have never been involved with dealings with an agent or a salary cap, and have yet to make a pick in the NFL Draft.
Ace in the Hole:
With word coming down that Scott Pioli will command a $6 million salary, I would be a much more affordable candidate, and likely at least 50% as effective as Pioli would be. Likewise, I would redirect that saved money into our team and our stadium - so everyone wins.
Team Structure:
The first move would be to fire Herm Edwards, begrudgingly so. I have supported Herm - I have really tried to get behind him and his style. But he is, without a doubt (which is code for "here comes some more blowhard rhetoric"), one of the worst game-day coaches in the league right now. Herm simply doesn't get how to manage strategy while the clock is ticking - and that needs to change.
Beer prices would immediately be lowered to $5, and I would begin to search for hotter cheerleaders. Stupid, you say? Insignificant? I disagree - hear me out.
When we struggled through a 2-14 season this year (1-7 in Arrowhead), what would convince you to stay, and more importantly, to keep coming back? Cheap beer and hot girls? I thought so. Seriously - we live in Kansas City, not freaking Mongolia - we can certainly find some hotter cheerleaders than those road hags we keep running out there week after week. Crap, at least import the Dallas and San Diego rejects that don't make the squad - anything other than the sea monsters that roam the Arrowhead sidelines eight times a year.
My next move would be to remove Larry Johnson from the team...ideally, by catapult, much like Rex Banner was removed from Springfield in the "Beer Baron" episode of "The Simpsons". If someone is willing to give me some belly lint and an autographed Lin Elliot football from the 1993 playoff game, I would take that in exchange for LJ.
Finally, I would make sure Damion McIntosh, Donnie Edwards, Pat Surtain and Damon Huard had finished their "ahem" illustrious careers in KC. Draft some speed (we'll talk about draft scenarios later next week), sign at least one "Holy $@&%, we signed him?" free agent, and get a head coach in here that has all the fan base nodding in approval.
Seriously - is it really that diffcult? Clark Hunt, you know where to find me. I guarantee a playoff victory by 2010, or I will tounge bathe Rudy Niswanger on the 50-yard line after his second two-a-day in the 110 degree heat.
Chris Fry created this group on SportProjections.com. 
Contributor: Jon Yoon,