Chiefs vs Seahawks in February?

Alot of the Kansas City fanbase already has the SuperBowl for 06' penciled in, it is early. The talk is all about the building rivalry between runningbacks Larry Johnson and Shaun Alexander. Additioally, All Pro quarterbacks Trent Green and Matt Hasselback both spark interesting comparisons on the barstools and down at the local farm supply.

Trent Green has more than 4,000 yards in three straight seasons. He threw only 17 TD passes, his lowest since his first year in Kansas City. Injuries on the offensive line last year limited Tony Gonzalez, making him a blocker. This year, if Samie Parker can become the long awaited deep threat and if Gonzalez can get to route running, things could improve. Now, if only Eddie Kennison would live up to his own billing, this may be a better year. Oh yeah, Johnsons'legs have to hold out too!

Matt Hasselbeck tossed multiple touchdowns in eight games last year, he threw a touchdown pass in all but one. He made up for it accounting for multiple touchdowns in eight games. In the playoff weeks, he came away with nine connections! They lost Steve Hutchinson on the offensive line, so Hasselbeck will get hit alot. With Darrell Jackson and now Nate Burleson the Seahawks will move the ball. That leaves the massive TE Joe Jurevicius to take the pressure off, in the red zone. He is hungry.

Even matchups make for interesting speculation. Now, lets look at the defenses.

Seattle is projected by one analysis as having a linebacking core ranked at number 4.
Behind the Steelers, Chargers and Bears. Their defensive line is ranked number 2. Some project them to have the best four DT rotation in the league with Chuck Darby and Rocky Bernard to start, then Craig Terrill and Marcus Tubbs off the bench. On the the end, they have Bryce Fisher, who had nine sacks and Grant Wistrom- who played better than expected against the run. Second-round draft pick Darryl Tapp should help the pass rush. The bottom line is, even without the additions, running backs averaged just 3.47 yards per against the Seahawks, third in the league. Now linebackers, Seattle free agent aquisition Julian Peterson is called the definition of team player. The former 49er was asked last year to move back and play strong safey, he did. Lofa Tatupu has already shown great instincts, he played like a veteran his rookie season. Another of last years rookie crop, LeRoy Hill may move over and replace D.D. Lewis. Hill is more versatile, he can blitz and drop back into coverage. The Seahawks now have depth. Linebackers D.D. Lewis, Kevin Bentley, Niko Koutouvides and Isaiah Kacyvenski have been starters.


Herm Edwards will bring his cover two scheme with him to the chiefs asking linebackers to drop back into coverage. One problem. Gunther Cunningham has built a defensive squad that attacks the line of scrimmage! For some, like Derrick Johnson, who had a great rookie season, this should be no problem. He has a quick step and a quicker mind... read and go! Kawika Mitchell however is an attack dog and may have a hard time with his reads it could slow his game. Kendrell Bell has yet to display his strengths in a Chiefs uniform. Coverage was not his strong suit in Pittsburgh. Keyaron Fox though will be an added help off the bench. The Chiefs were ranked 20 at the linebacker position.
One bright spot is that they received a ranking of 12 for their defensive line. Jared Allen had a phenominal season last year, showing not only an inate ability to rush the passer but held his own against the run, and dropped into pass coverage too! Not bad for a guy from Idaho State. Rookie Tamba Hali has shown promise in the preseason he will press Eric Hicks for the other starting end position. Lionel Dalton is one of the most effective tackles in the league, but Ryan Sims has yet live up to the hype but came to camp more lean and focused. It should all make for an interesting season.