Are You Ready ...

for some football?  Here we are in the absolute hottest time of the year, watching freakishly large men bump into each other in a tradition called training camp.  The thermometer hit 100 yesterday, and is predicted to go higher today.  My beloved KC Chiefs moved their training camp from Minnesota to Missouri this year.  There has got to be a few second thoughts on that decision.

It's not too early to look ahead to what we might expect this season.  I won't make any predictions on the record until the preseason is over, but I am somewhat optimistic.  I am not optimistic that quality of play will be much better this year.  The draft choices look to be good, but we always think that this time of year.  Traditionally, the Chiefs have been terrible at drafting.  The majority of their top 3 picks over the past 5 years are no longer part of the team.

Yet, I do think the Chiefs will have a suspiciously better record this year.  The KC Chiefs franchise was once highly respected.  They have squandered that reputation over the past 10 years by putting a series of anemic teams on the field.  Some of those teams have given up during games, and most gave up by mid-season.  In 2008, they won only 2 games.  Last year, they won 4.  This year they may win 8 or more.  Why the improvement?  Simply because the KC franchise would be in serious trouble of losing the fanbase if they do not improve.

The team starts their season in a newly renovated Arrowhead Stadium.  The taxpayers committed several hundred million dollars to make the aging stadium state of the art.  The new coach, GM and starting quarterback are entering their second year.  The old regime can no longer be blamed for a losing season.  If the KC fans see more of the same, expect the local TV blackouts to continue and accelerate.  A poor season could signal the end of professional football in KC.

Child-owner Clark Hunt has asked the commissioner for his help and it was delivered in the form of an easy schedule.  Over the past couple years, the Chiefs drew tough schedules, playing most of their games against winning, playoff teams from the AFC, and matching up against the tough NFC East division.  The only easy games were against their division opponents. 

Miraculously, this season they will play the worst teams in professional football.  Last years Chief's team would win 8 if they played this year's schedule that includes the Browns, 49'ers, Jaguars, Bills, Raiders x 2, Rams, Titans and Seahawks.   If we see any on-field improvement, we might see a play off team (what!?!?!).  But this should not be construed as the beginning of a dynasty.  Instead, this is a bone thrown to Chief's ownership to ensure professional football remains viable in Kansas City.