2001 CHIEFS
	Dick Vermeil thinks he has a good read on K.C.'s situation.
	Head coach: Dick Vermeil (1st year). 2000 record: 7-9. AFC West finish: 3rd. 2001 preseason: 2-1. Season opener: Sept. 9 vs. Raiders. Schedule | Depth chart

His past performance chart suggests it will take Dick Vermeil three years to get the Kansas City Chiefs back to where they were as recently as 1997.

Remember, it took him two years to turn perennial loser Philadelphia into a winner (9-7) in '78 and a Super Bowl team by '80. He endured seasons of 5-11 and 4-12 before turning the Rams, one of the worst teams of the '90s, into a Super Bowl winner in the decade's final year.

But Vermeil, back in coaching following his one-year retirement after the '99 Super Bowl season, doesn't believe he'll need a two-year shakedown cruise before redirecting the Chiefs, a franchise for which a 7-9 record represents a down year.

Armed with players who still remember Kansas City's last 13-3 season in '97, Vermeil is jumping right into his Year Three approach in his first season with the Chiefs.

"My first 18 guys on defense have more talent than the first 18 guys on my Super Bowl team," Vermeil said. "That Rams' defense was built in my first two training camps in some tough, long practices. I'm not taking that approach here. We are using the same approach as we did my third season with the Rams."

Vermeil's first offense, however, woefully lacks the speed and quickness that elevated the Rams to championship status.

But having a tight end such as Tony Gonzalez and a quality fullback such as Tony Richardson gives new offensive coordinator Al Saunders some capable weapons to fire during the time it takes to acquire the type of skill players he knew in St. Louis. Acquiring a new quarterback in Trent Green and a multi-purpose running back in Priest Holmes is a nice start to the transition, and the Chiefs may improve on the 7-9 season that cost Gunther Cunningham his job. But can they improve enough to get back into the playoffs after making just one appearance in the past five years?

Offense
Quarterbacks: Getting Green from St. Louis became Vermeil's top priority once he saw that he couldn't afford Elvis Grbac. Green cost Vermeil a No. 1 draft pick, but the eighth-year pro appears fully healthy for the first time since blowing out his knee in the '99 preseason. An accurate thrower with a solid knowledge of Saunders' offense, Green must stay healthy for the Chiefs to be a winner. Backup Todd Collins hasn't played in a regular-season game since '97, meaning K.C. may have to turn to 39-year-old Bubby Brister.
Grade: C-plus.

Running backs: Holmes is a lighter, quicker back than the Chiefs have been used to, but his ability to run and catch should help them shelve their typical relay-team approach. But at fullback, Richardson catches and runs as well as he blocks, and he'll get the ball enough to give Kansas City a true double-edged threat. Unproven backups Mike Cloud, Frank Moreau and rookie Derrick Blaylock will have to wait until a starter goes down.
Grade: C-plus.

Receivers: Veteran flanker Derrick Alexander is a proven big-play maker who led all AFC receivers (with a minimum of 20 receptions) last year with a 17.8-yard average on 78 receptions. But proven production falls off dramatically behind him, especially with second-year wide receiver Sylvester Morris lost for the year with a knee injury suffered in minicamp. Late pickup Derrick Mayes caught 62 passes for Seattle in '99 before falling out of favor. He'll have a role with the Chiefs, but he's not the quick-twitch type of wide receiver Saunders prefers for his offense. Rookie Marvin Minnis could be that type, but camp injuries (ankle, hamstring) may reduce his impact early. Ex-Ram Chris Thomas has a good background in the offense but has just one reception in the past two seasons. Another ex-Ram, Tony Horne, acquired primarily as a kickoff returner, will get a look. At tight end, Gonzalez remains the best in the business after a 93-catch season. He quickly established himself as Green's favorite target this summer. The transition of Mikhael Ricks, an oversized wideout with San Diego, gives Green a second big target with good hands and makes the two-tight end package a big part of the Chiefs' offense. Oft-injured Jason Dunn is the best blocker of the three.
Grade: B.

Offensive linemen: This group faces a transition in the middle after the retirement of center Tim Grunhard and the departure of left guard Dave Szott. Center Casey Wiegmann had his appendix removed and will be replaced by Brian Waters. Left guard candidate Marcus Spears is a converted reserve tackle. Right guard Will Shields is a rock, a six-time Pro Bowler whose retention was a club priority last winter. The tackle spots are solid with John Tait, a steady protector and run blocker on the left, and Victor Riley, who does a workmanlike job on the right. The Chiefs backups are so inexperienced it's scary.
Grade: B-minus.

		The Chiefs have upgraded with Trent Green at quarterback. Elvis Grbac was a fine QB for the Chiefs, but Green brings something Kansas City hasn't had, a quarterback who can get out of the pocket, threaten the line of scrimmage and make plays out of the pocket. Other than tight end Tony Gonzalez, they need a few receivers who can get downfield and make catches to make defenses take notice. If they can do that, that will help their running game with Priest Holmes, an underrated back who could gain 1,200 if his receivers can pose a threat. I like how rookie Snoop Minnis looks so far. They need to keep Green healthy and develop their receivers.

Defense
Defensive linemen: The Chiefs are strong at end, where left end Eric Hicks is coming off a breakthrough year with 14 sacks in only 13 games. Right end Duane Clemons also battled injuries but had 71z2 sacks in 12 games and should give K.C. some two-sided pressure off the corners. Rich Owens is a solid backup who led Miami in sacks (81z2) in '99. But the interior is a concern. Dan Williams is solid when healthy, but when is he healthy? He missed all of camp while rehabbing from offseason foot surgery. John Browning is capable and saved this unit a year ago by playing all four positions. Backup Steve Martin can be overpowered, meaning rookie Eric Downing (third-round pick) can get a shot here.
Grade: B-minus.

Linebackers: Donnie Edwards is coming off two Pro Bowl-worthy seasons that have yet to be recognized. He's the covered-up point man in new coordinator Greg Robinson's attacking defense. Middle linebacker Marvcus Patton doesn't know he should be on the downside of his career at age 34. He seldoms leaves the field, and third-year linebacker Mike Maslowski has yet to displace him. Strong-side linebacker Lew Bush came back in the best physical and mental shape of his career after losing his starting job last season. Backup Glenn Cadrez is ready should Bush stumble again.
Grade: B-plus.

Defensive backs: This unit is solid deep with free safety Jerome Woods and strong safety Greg Wesley serving as a steady pair. But the cornerback position is a major concern. Kansas City replaced 35-year-old team leader James Hasty with 34-year-old Ray Crockett. Not exactly an upgrade. Candidates on the right side include Eric Warfield and William Bartee, both of whom are unproven at best. Ex-Ram Taje Allen adds some depth, but he wasn't a major factor for the Rams.
Grade: C.

Special teams
Punter Dan Stryzinski gave up the league's fewest punt return yards last year (minimum of 60 punts) with Atlanta. A directional kicker with good hang time, he'll help a team that gave up too many big returns last year. Placekicker Todd Peterson appears healthy again after a groin injury curtailed a successful career in Seattle and caused him to struggle last year in Kansas City. Horne had four kickoff returns go the distance in three seasons with St. Louis.
Grade: B-minus.

Rick Dean covers the Chiefs for the Topeka Capital-Journal.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
Visit PFW's web site at http://www.profootballweekly.com