PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS

NO. 26

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

The Chiefs are going younger at virtually every position, and yet they fiercely resist the notion that they are "rebuilding." 

But what is it then? 

The reality of "going younger" is that it doesn't necessarily mean that, in the short term, the team is "getting better."  Until "younger" translates to "better," the Chiefs need to take a back seat to most of the other franchises in the league.

Though Chiefs fans will bristle at the notion that their squad doesn't land among the top 25 teams in the league, let's try to be objective here.  As of right now, are the Chiefs better than the Titans?  The Dolphins?  The Packers?  The Lions?  The Redskins?  The Colts?  The Bears?  (We threw those two in so that we won't completely give away the rest of the teams that will be out of the top 20.)

Damon Huard performed well last season after Trent Green got his bell cracked in Week One, but it seems that coach Herm Edwards is doing everything but put a curse on Huard in order to justify giving the starting job to untested, and unproven, Brodie Croyle.  Hey, at least Tarvaris Jackson started a couple of games last year in Minnesota.  As everyone focuses on the fact that Jackson isn't ready, what about Croyle?

And even though there are new indications that Larry Johnson could end his holdout soon and sign a new contract, his recent history of heavy work coupled with his missed time in camp could spell doom for his 2007 season.

Remember when Jamal Anderson held out from Falcons camp after registering 437 touches in 1998?  He popped an ACL early in the year, and coach Dan Reeves linked the injury to Anderson's absence from training camp.

Really, for how long can Johnson continue to get pounded, especially as the team's offensive line gets worse instead of better?  And can the passing game really take any heat off of him, given the inexperience at quarterback and general lack of quality at receiver?

The defense is decent, which means that in most Chiefs games this year it will be wise to bet the under (for those of you inclined to engage in such activities).  Even if the number creeps down into the low 20s, there won't be very many Chiefs games in which the total points scored eclipses that figure.

So take heart, Chiefs fans.  Your younger team might not be better, but these younger players will be getting experience that can make them better . . . right about the time that L.J.'s Earl Campbell fears come to fruition. 

Key departures:  QB Trent Green, DT Ryan Sims, G Will Shields, OT Jordan Black, LB Kawika Mitchell.

Key arrivals:  LB Donnie Edwards, LT Damion McIntosh, DT Alfonso Boone, LB Napoleon Harris.

Draft pick most likely to make an impact:  RB Kolby Smith.

Coach's current job security:  Three years (unless Bill Cowher wants the job after this season).