The Chiefs have two young solid fullbacks in 25-year old Mike Cox and 26-year old Tim Castille.  Cox played in 16 games (10 starts) for the Chiefs last season and he carried the ball 3 times for 5 yards (1.7 ypc) with 1 TD run.  He also caught 10 passes for 79 yards (7.9 avg) last season for the Chiefs.  He has now played in 32 games (15 starts) in his two years with the Chiefs and he carried the ball 4 times for 3 yards (0.8 ypc) with 1 TD run.  He also has caught 18 passes for 98 yards (5.4 avg) in his career to date.  He has a slight lead on Castille for the starting job heading into training camp.

Tim Castille played in 7 games (0 starts) for the Chiefs last season and he carried the ball 14 times for 55 yards (3.9 ypc).  He also caught 4 passes for 37 yards (9.3 avg) with 1 TD grab last season.  Castille has now played in 21 games (0 starts) in his two years in the NFL.  He didn’t carry the ball in his first season in the NFL.  He has now caught 8 passes for 48 yards (6.0 avg) with 1 TD grab in his young career.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CHIEFS FBs in 2010:  B

Look for 23-year old Jamaal Charles and 31-year old Thomas Jones should form a dynamic tandem in the Chiefs’ backfield in 2010.  Charles had a breakout season for the Chiefs in 2009.  He played in 15 games (10 starts) for the Chiefs last season and he carried the ball 190 times for 1,120 yards (5.9 ypc) with 7 TD runs.  Charles also caught 40 passes for 297 yards (7.4 avg) with 1 TD grab and he also returned 36 kickoffs for 925 yards (25.7 avg) with 1 TD return.  Charles has now played in 31 games (12 starts) in his two years with the Chiefs and he has carried the ball 257 times for 1,477 yards (5.7 ypc) with 7 TD runs.  He has also caught 67 passes for 569 yards (8.5 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  It will be interesting to see if the Chiefs strip Charles of his duties as the kickoff returner (I think they will) so that he can focus on offense.  Charles has returned 51 kickoffs for 1,246 yards (24.4 avg) with 1 TD return in his career.  The Chiefs will likely split the carries almost 50/50 between Charles and Jones to keep both of them fresh and healthy.

31-year old Thomas Jones is a between the tackles mauler.  He played in 16 games (all starts) for the Jets last season in which he carried the ball 331 times for 1,402 yards (4.2 ypc) with 14 TD runs.  Jones also caught 10 passes for 58 yards (5.8 avg) last season.  Jones has now played in 148 games (107 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 2,280 times for 9,217 yards (4.0 ypc) with 60 TD runs.  Jones has also caught 289 passes for 1,858 yards (6.4 avg) with 3 TD grabs in his career to date.  Jones still has a lot left in the gas tank and he will team with Charles to give the Chiefs a ton of rushing yards in 2010.  Don’t be surprised if they both approach 1,000 yards rushing in 2010.

26-year old Jackie Battle will compete with 24-year old Javarris Williams for the #3 RB slot on the Chiefs.  Battle played in 5 games (0 starts) for the Chiefs last season in which he carried the ball 7 times for 21 yards (3.0 ypc) and he also caught 2 passes for -3 yards (-1.5 avg).  Battle has now played in 17 games (0 starts) in his three years with the Chiefs and he has carried the ball 21 times for 68 yards (3.2 ypc) with 1 TD run.  He also has caught 4 passes for -1 yards (-0.3 avg) for the Chiefs.  He probably has a small edge on Williams because of his experience.  Williams played in 4 games (0 starts) as a rookie last season for the Chiefs and he carried the ball 6 times for 6 yards (1.0 ypc).

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CHIEFS RBs in 2010:  A

The Chiefs are going with the same cast at QB in 2010 but one difference is that they will be working under a new offensive co-ordinator in Charlie Weis.  28-year old Matt Cassel played with the Patriots for a while so Weis might be able to bring out the best in him.  Cassel played in 15 games for the Patriots last year and he completed 271 of 493 passes (55%) for 2,924 yards with 16 TD passes and 16 INTs (69.9 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 50 times for 189 yards (3.8 ypc) last year.  Cassel has now played in 45 games in his NFL career and he has completed 620 of 1,048 passes (59.2%) for 6,870 yards with 39 TD passes and 29 INTs (79.6 QB Rating).  He also has carried the ball 135 times for 487 yards (3.6 ypc) with 3 TD runs in his career.  Cassel has compiled a 14-16 record (.467) as a starting QB in the NFL.

27-year old Brodie Croyle will back up Cassel again this season for the Chiefs.  He played in 3 games for the Chiefs last year and he completed 23 of 40 passes (57.5%) for 230 yards with 2 TD passes and 0 INTs (90.6 QB Rating).  Croyle has now played in 16 games in his career with the Chiefs and he has completed 173 of 300 passes (57.7%) for 1,631 yards with 8 TD passes and 8 INTs (70.6 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 10 times for 15 yards (1.5 ypc) in his career.  The Chiefs hope that Weis can coach Croyle up as he has a 0-9 record as a started for them.

26-year old Matt Gutierrez will likely be the #3 QB in 2010.  He played in 1 game for the Chiefs last season and he completed his only pass attempt for 3 yards last season.  He has now played in 2 games in his NFL career in which he has completed both of his pass attempts for 18 yards.  He has also carried the ball 5 times for -13 (-2.6 ypc) in his career.  Gutierrez will have to hold off Tyler Palko and Ingle Martin for the #3 job but I think he has the edge.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR CHIEFS QBs in 2010:  C

The Kansas City Chiefs will be going with a new starting QB in 2009 and it will be Matt Cassel.  Cassel relieved Tom Brady last season when he went down to injury and he led the Patriots to a 11-5 record.  Cassel hadn’t started a game since high school until last season and after he shook off the rust he was outstanding.  Despite not having the same kind of talent around him in K.C. that he had in New England, I look for him to have a very solid year in 2009.  He’s mobile and has enough arm to make all of the throws needed to succeed in the NFL.  Tyler Thigpen was forced into duty last season after the Chiefs lost their 1st and 2nd team QBs and he surprised the team so much that he will head into camp as the #2 QB.  Brodie Croyle was supposed to be the QB of the future heading into last season for the Chiefs but he’s more than likely the QB of the past.  He will have a lot of time playing the opposing QB in practice during the 2009 season.  Ingle Martin will be nothing more than a practice squad type of QB for the Chiefs in 2009.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON:  B-

The Chiefs will have a battle between two kickers who didn’t play in the NFL last season.  26-year old veteran Nick Novak appears to have a small edge heading into training camp but he’s not a slam dunk to win the starting job.  Novak has played in 16 games in his NFL career and he has made 13 of 20 field goals (65%).  He has converted all 25 of his extra points which is a bright spot for him.  Undrafted rookie Connor Barth will battle Novak for the starting job but either way the Chiefs lose.  One day they will take the kicking job seriously……likely with the next head coach in 2009.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  F

32-year old Tony Gonzalez proved that he has a lot left in the tank last season for the Chiefs.  He played in all 16 games for the Chiefs last season and he caught 99 passes for 1,172 yards (11.8 avg) with 5 TD grabs.  With young Brodie Croyle the likely starting QB this season for the Chiefs Tony Gonzalez should have another good season as the kid’s safety net.  Gonzalez has now played in 174 games in his NFL career and he has caught 820 passes for 9.882 yards (12.1 avg) with 66 TD grabs.  He also has carried the football 2 times for 14 yards (7.0 ypc) in his career.

6’8″, 270 pound Brad Cottam was drafted last April to back up Gonzalez.  He has had huge problems staying healthy at Tennessee which caused a lot of teams to cool on him last April.  Cottam played in 38 games (7 starts) in his career at Tennessee and he caught 21 passes for 341 yards (16.2 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Don’t expect miracles out of Cottam in the next few years.

24-year old Michael Allan will likely be the #3 TE for the Chiefs.  He did not even take one snap with the Chiefs as a rookie last season.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  A

The Chiefs look very young at WR heading into the 2008 season but that’s not necessary a bad thing as they have speed to burn.  2nd year receiver Dwayne Bowe was awesome last season for the Chiefs.  Bowe is a big guy at 6’2″, 221 pounds and he’s really fast.  Bowe played in all 16 games for the Chiefs last season and he caught 70 passes for 995 yards (14.2 avg) with 5 TD grabs.  Look for him to have even better numbers this time around for the Chiefs as long as they get better play from the QBs.

26-year old Devard Darling never lived up to his potential in Baltimore but the Chiefs hope a change of scenery will jump start his NFL career.  Darling played in all 16 games for the Ravens last season and he caught 18 passes for 326 yards (18.1 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  Look for Darling to have a decent season with the Chiefs but he will have to hold off Jeff Webb and rookie Will Franklin for the starting job opposite Dwayne Bowe.  Darling has now played in 19 games in his NFL career and he has caught 20 passes for 331 yards (16.6 avg) with 3 TD grabs.

6’2″, 211 pound Jeff Webb will try to expand his role on the Chiefs’ offense in 2008.  He has made most of his money on special teams in his career to date.  Webb played in all 16 games for the Chiefs last season and he caught 28 passes for 313 yards (11.2 avg) with 1 TD grab.  He also carried the ball 1 time for 5 yards last year.  Look for Webb to push Darling for the starting job this season.  Webb has now played in 26 games in his NFL career and he has caught 31 passes for 336 yards (10.8 avg) with 1 TD grab.

6’2″, 205 pound rookie Will Franklin can really fly (4.4 40) and he can move right up the depth chart with a solid training camp.  Franklin played in 14 games (all starts) at Missouri last season and he caught 49 passes for 709 yards (14.5 avg) with 4 TD grabs.  Look for Franklin to be no less than the #3 WR on the Chiefs by the middle of the 2008 season.  Franklin finished his career at Missouri playing in 48 games (36 starts) and he caught 143 passes for 2,125 yards (14.9 avg) with 14 TD grabs.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  C-

The Kansas City Chiefs will ask their fullbacks to do one thing and one thing only and that is to block in the running game.  That is the reason why they signed 6’3″, 252 pound fullback Oliver Hoyte away from the Cowboys.  Hoyte played in 10 games (8 starts) with the Cowboys and he caught 1 pass for 2 yards.  Hoyte did a good job blocking for the Cowboys in the running game last season and the thinking here is that he will do a good job for the Chiefs too as essentially an extra offensive lineman in the backfield.  Hoyte has now played in 25 games (13 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 3 passes for 12 yards (4.0 avg).

Chris Manderino is the #3 fullback on the depth chart heading into training camp but he doesn’t have any experience.  He is 6’0″, 239 pounds so he is big enough to handle the job.

John Paul Foschi is a huge fullback at 6’4″, 270 pounds but he’s #3 on the depth chart right now.  He played in 1 game (0 starts) for the Raiders last season and he didn’t touch the ball.  Because of his size Foschi is a good target out of the backfield in the passing game if the Chiefs want to get him the ball once in a while.  Foschi has now played in 11 games (5 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 6 passes for 37 yards (6.2 avg).

Steven Jackson is #4 on the depth chart but the guys above him can be beaten out so it will be up to him to win a job.  Jackson is 6’2″, 255 pounds so he does have the size to handle the job.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  D

The Kansas City Chiefs are really young behind Larry Johnson on the depth chart so they need him to return to glory in 2008.  Two things will likely hurt Johnson in 2008:  1.)  He needs to recover from off season surgery and 2.)  The Chiefs need to throw the ball more often on early downs or Johnson will get beat up again and the Chiefs QB situation is bleak for 2008.  Johnson played in 8 games (all starts) last season for the Chiefs and he carried the ball 158 times for 559 yards (3.5 ypc) with 3 TD runs.  He also caught 30 passes for 186 yards (6.2 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Look for Johnson to rebound somewhat with 1,000+ yards rushing in 2008 but don’t expect miracles.  Johnson has now played in 56 games (36 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 1,050 times for 4,764 yards (4.5 ypc) with 50 TD runs.  He has also caught 127 passes for 1,219 yards (9.6 avg) with 6 TD grabs.

Kolby Smith was a rookie last season and he played pretty well under the circumstances last season.  Smith played in 16 games (6 starts) last season for the Chiefs and he carried the ball 112 times for 407 yards (3.6 ypc) with 2 TD runs.  He also caught 22 passes for 148 yards (6.7 avg).  Smith will have a battle on his hands to remain the #2 RB on the depth chart as the Chiefs drafted Jamaal Charles of Texas to compete for the job.

Jamaal Charles is good enough to start if something happens to Larry Johnson.  He shouldn’t have much of a problem beating out Kolby Smith for the #2 slot at RB.  He played in 13 games (all starts) for the Texas Longhorns last season and he carried the ball 258 times for 1,619 yards (6.3 ypc) with 18 TD runs.  Don’t expect numbers like that in the NFL but make no mistake Charles will be a solid running back in this league.

Jackie Battle will be the #4 RB on the Chiefs if they want to keep that many.  He played in 3 games (0 starts) as a rookie last season for the Chiefs and he carried the ball 14 times for 47 yards (3.4 ypc) with 1 TD run.  He also caught 1 pass for 4 yards.  Don’t expect much out of Battle unless the Chiefs suffer a lot of injuries at running back.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  B-

The Kansas City Chiefs are banking that this will be the season that Brodie Croyle steps up and leads the offense.  Croyle has a good enough arm to make all of the throws needed to succeed in the NFL.  But, he is not the most mobile QB around and he was very injury prone in college.  Croyle will have to beat out Damon Huard for the starting job and if he can’t….the Chiefs will need to draft another QB of the future next April.  Croyle played in 9 games (6 starts) last season for the Chiefs and he completed 127 of 224 passes (56.7%) for 1,227 yards with 6 TD passes and 6 interceptions (69.9 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 7 times for 18 yards (2.6 ypc).  The Chiefs probably should have brought in another QB just in case Croyle has trouble.  You would have expected Herman Edwards to want more competition for Croyle this off season with his job probably on the line in 2008.  Croyle has now played in 11 games (6 starts) in his major league career and he has completed 130 of 231 passes (56.3%) for 1,250 yards with 6 TD passes and 8 interceptions (65.8 QB Rating).  He also has carried the ball 10 times for 15 yards (1.5 ypc).

Veteran Damon Huard just couldn’t recapture the magic touch he had in 2006 last year.  He lost the starting job to Brodie Croyle late last season and there have been whispers that the Chiefs like 2nd year QB Tyler Thigpen more than Huard now…..and that must be a joke.  Huard played in 11 games (10 starts) last season for the Chiefs and he completed 206 of 332 passes (62%) for 2,257 yards with 11 TD passes and 13 interceptions (76.8 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 9 times for -1 yard (-0.1 ypc).  Huard doesn’t have much left but he can still manage a game if called upon.  He has now played in 59 games (24 starts) in his NFL career and he completed 524 of 865 passes (60.6%) for 5,826 yards with 31 TD passes and 22 interceptions (82.0 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 48 times for 135 yards (2.8 ypc).

2nd year man Tyler Thigpen will battle Damon Huard for the #2 QB job but the Chiefs would be smart to let him spend another season as the #3 man where he can watch and learn.  Thigpen played in 1 game (0 starts) for the Chiefs last season and he completed 2 of 6 passes (33.3%) for 41 yards with 0 TD passes and 1 interception (18.7 QB Rating).  He did not run the ball last season.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  D