Post by theultimatekcchiefsfan on Jun 26, 2005 23:58:20 GMT -5
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Rookie P Dustin Colquitt needs to works on his consistency, but he gave the Chiefs during offseason practices reason to believe their punting problems of recent years are finished. The left-footed Colquitt's punts proved consistently difficult for even normally sure-handed returners like Dante Hall and Eddie Kennison to field because of their hang time and unique rotation. Both dropped balls, made tentative grabs or simply gave up and let the punts be downed. The Chiefs believe his hard-to-catch punts will lead to a big number of turnovers. . . .
OLB Kris Griffin made perhaps the best impression of this year's rookie free agents. Griffin weighs only 232, but uses his considerable speed well. He made a number of plays in offseason practices and intrigued the Chiefs to the point they are eager to see him in training camp when the pads come on. It's not a stretch to think Griffin could win a backup spot and wind up contributing on special teams as a rookie.
SCOUTING REPORT:The Chiefs value DE Eric Hicks for his consistent performances and effort. Hicks occasionally is overwhelmed at the point of attack in the running game and hasn't since come close to being the premier pass rusher suggested by his 14-sack season of 2000. But Hicks has been the glue of an otherwise underperforming defensive line. He is not prone to wildly fluctuating performances that plague some of the other linemen. He chases down his share of plays in the running game and needs to be accounted for as a pass rusher.
SOMETHING TO PROVE: DE Jared Allen must improve his skills in defending the run if he is to hold off free-agent acquisition Carlos Hall for the starting spot on the right side. Allen led the Chiefs in sacks as a rookie last year but was at times a liability against the run. An offseason of weight training will help and Allen will benefit from added upper-body strength. Allen could hit double-digits in sacks this season as he refines his techniques. He gives maximum effort on every play.
INSIDE DISH: The Chiefs re-signed several of their defensive players last year and it's evident the one they'd like to have back is S Jerome Woods. The Chiefs gave him $5 million in signing bonuses and this year's addition of veteran Sammy Knight pushed Woods to a backup role. The emergence of William Bartee, who moved from cornerback, makes Woods expendable. The Chiefs may keep Woods, but he would have no trouble finding a job if they release him.
RUNNING BACKS ANALYSIS: GRADE A Priest Holmes is still the engine that makes the Chiefs go. Tony Richardson is a versatile fullback.
