Chief Concerns

We in Kansas City feel like we have a good team a team on the rise. I feel the pieces are in Kansas City to win right now. That's me though and nearly every fan that cheers for Kansas City.

Just because Chief fans see it doesn't mean everybody else does.

The early power rankings are out. Kansas City is ranked either 17 or 19 depending on what you read. This is three months before training camp even starts. San Diego is 20 and Oakland was placed at 26. This is based on free agency and draft results.

The media darling of the AFC West the Denver Broncos are ranked 12th. The sports world thinks top five if Peyton Manning performs. Besides whizzes outside Kansas City doubting the Chiefs' team there are Chief individuals with something to prove.

The most obvious is Matt Cassel. He's been fighting this battle since he arrived. Every year it seems it's the season that Cassel has to prove himself, but Cassel remains. Will 2012 honestly be the year Cassel has to prove it to the fan and Scott Pioli? Your guess is as good as mine. I know what I think and it's yes.

Romeo Crennel himself has something to prove. It's not a gimme that Crennel will succeed. Pioli is hoping experience will be the difference maker for these young players.

As a fan you want to automatically trust Crennel and the many years of coaching and past success he's had. But fact is he's close to being a rookie head coach. I hope Crennel learned plenty from his three-year stint in Cleveland.

In 2003 Crennel was passed up by six teams in 36 hours for that position. You can think it's not a risk but Crennel is. A lesser one but Crennel's a career assistant trying to make it.

New offensive coordinator Brian Daboll can relate to first-round draft pick Dontari Poe. When Daboll was named offensive coordinator few fans were thrilled. Like Poe fans have had to warm up to the idea. Daboll has his critics.

Having that link to the New England Patriots didn't help despite the Patriots being a winning team. Pioli sticking close to the New England nest drives fans nuts. For me if it works it works I don't care, but what Daboll’s done since New England isn't much.

It's a situation in Kansas City where Daboll has the playmakers so all he has to do is coach. I don't think you need a genius coach with the players the Chiefs have on offense. Just be smart with what you call and don't outthink your common sense. Daboll should be fine. When allowed to open it up in Miami last season the Dolphins got hot.

Wrapping this up I'll add rook Dontari Poe, Tony Moeaki, Stanford Routt, and Dwayne Bowe.

I think Bowe should sign the one-year deal play his heart out and get the big money later. Bowe had a great 2010 but it was the first season he had the touchdowns and the yards. Receivers get yards all the time.

Bowe has something to prove. Like catching the ball on a consistent basis, showing up when the game is on the line, and be that type of receiver that makes it happen no matter what. Sometimes Bowe disappears.

Might not be the popular thing to say but Bowe has something to prove.