New England West...Not as Far Off As You Think
Article by: James Kemplay
When new Chiefs GM Scott Pioli came to Kansas City he had one goal in mind, turn a once proud franchise into the model of the now champion New England Patriots. When you look at New England it all starts and ends in 2 spots. Get your quarterback and build up front.
Even though Kansas City has been relatively quiet in the offseason they did make the biggest splash so far. You must remember the Chiefs did land one of (if not the best) General Managers in the game in Scott Pioli. Pioli quickly put his plan into action and traded for his quarter back in 25 year old Matt Cassel. Getting Cassel if you know your football is like getting a puzzle with the all the middle pieces already put together, all you need to do is put the edges/pieces around it.
With the most importation piece in place, now Pioli can build his team, his way, the Patriot way, the KANSAS CITY way and it all starts up front. To have a great offense you need a good offensive line, and the most importation piece of that is your left tackle. Kansas City already has a good young left tackle in Brandon Albert who will protect Cassel's blind side for years to come. If Pro-Bowl guard Brian Waters stays the left side of the line is set and if Pioli can add a piece or two to the right side of that line Kansas City should have a productive, good, offensive line.
On defense Kansas City now has 3, 1st round draft picks at the point of attack. With end/line backer Tamba Hali, DT/DE Glenn Dorsey and this years 1st round (3rd overall pick) DE Tyson Jackson, the Chiefs SHOULD have a formidable front in a 3-4 sceme, especially on third downs with Dorsey in the middle and Jackson and Hali on the ends.
A graduate from the school of Bill's (Bill Belichick & Bill Parcells) Pioli is well on his way to building the Chiefs into the Patriots from 6 to 7 years ago. On the surface the moves this offseason aren't very sexy (besides the Cassel trade), but if you look into it, the most importation pieces are being put in place that will make KC one of the best in football consistently for years to come and it is happening much faster then most people give Pioli credit for.