Depth Issues?

If you gained anything out of the Chiefs 24-3 loss to the Green Bay Packers, you might know more about football than yours truly. But right now Kansas City has some depth issues.

With cuts looming Friday evening, it appears the way in which the Chiefs back-ups have been chewed up the last three games, Kansas City has a few depth concerns heading into the regular season. And those could be significantly diluted, if Linebacker Derrick Johnson and Quarterback Brady Quinn are seriously injured as is being reported by the local newspaper.

If that’s the case, the Chiefs who already are razor thin at linebacker, quarterback, offensive line and safety, head into the regular season with some significant concerns.

And part of that concern is how ineffective the Chiefs offense has been the last three contests. Though Quarterback, Matt Cassel, has at times looked effective, he’s also looked uncomfortable in the pocket. Right now Cassel appears settling on routes to one side of the field versus surveying the entire field.

Quinn, in his back-up duties, has done a better job of doing that in the Chiefs offense but he’s not going to be handed the starting job over Cassel – even if he was healthy. And it might be a moot point altogether if he’s seriously injured.

But I’m nitpicking a bit and honestly until I can see the Chiefs offense in a real game - I’m not going to judge Cassel, Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll, or second guess anything that happens between now and opening day.

Still you can’t look past the lack of depth along the offensive line. And the Chiefs should consider signing veteran Guard/Tackle Vernon Carey. Because right now the line isn’t getting solid play in pass protections schemes from either one of their starting guards, Jon Asamoah or Ryan Lilja. They’ve been solid against the run and this offense is going to run the ball down opposing defenses. But at some point, they have to pass the ball.

On defense with cornerback Brandon Flowers still nursing a foot or Achilles injury and safety Kendrick Lewis still not ready for prime time duty with a strained shoulder, the Chiefs are very thin in the secondary.

It might force them to keep safety Tysyn Hartman and cornerback Jacques Reeves. However, neither has been stellar over the last four meaningless games but they still should make the final roster. When the walking wounded come back it’s clear both could be on an elevator ride down to the practice squad.

Overall it’s really hard to judge the Chiefs right now. Between a new coaching staff, significant injuries, lackluster play in the final trio of preseason games, there is some understood unrest within the Chiefs nation.

But should we really be concerned about all this stuff just 11 days before the start of the 2012 regular season? Well the answer is probably yes! The Chiefs, who made most of the right moves in the off season, have talent within their starting units that rivals a vast majority of NFL teams.

And let it be clear I’m still on the Chiefs bandwagon and drinking the Red Kool-Aid but it’s not as sweet as it used to be.
BR>But that optimism, could be shattered if the Chiefs lose big come opening day against Atlanta in the same manner they have the last three weeks.

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