Go Chiefs?

The Chiefs ended their season 10-6 but will be watching the playoffs at home. It would be easier to take if fans didn't expect them to be better than this and most folks agree they could've easily been 12-4.

Now Dick Vermeil has retired and the Chiefs will have to hire a new coach. Herm Edwards (head coach, Jets) is a favorite prospect but he'd cost draft picks since he's under contract in New York. Local radio hosts favor Oklahoma's Bob Stoops with Norv Turner (recently fired from the Raiders) as the offensive coordinator. That may be dreaming, as Al Saunders is more likely since he's already an insider, has Vermeil's blessing, and might be significantly cheaper.

I'd sure like them to get somebody that would stay long term, but that may be asking for too much.

We now know the 2006 schedule for the Chiefs. They play their own division rivals twice (Broncos, Raiders, Chargers), the AFC East (Ravens & Bengals at home and Browns & Steelers away), the NFC West (Cardinals & Rams at home and 49ers & Seahawks away) and two more 2nd place AFC teams (Jags at home and Dolphins away).

My first reaction is that the Chiefs better improve their pass defense. They'll play quarterbacks like Carson Palmer, Matt Hasselbeck, and Marc Bulger and the great receivers of teams like the Raiders, Cardinals, Rams, and Bengals along with other standouts like Chris Chambers, Antonio Gates, Hines Ward, etc.

Of course every year we hope the Chiefs will improve their defense. Who'd of thunk it in the mid-90's that we'd be concerned about defense every year?