2007 Kansas City Chiefs season
| 2007 Kansas City Chiefs season | |
|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs logo | |
| Head coach | Herman Edwards |
| Home field | Arrowhead Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | TBD |
| Division place | TBD |
| Playoff finish | TBD |
The 2007 Kansas City Chiefs season will begin with the team looking to improve on the 9-7 record from the 2006 and attempting to secure their first back-to-back playoff berth since 1995.
The 2007 season will mark the Chiefs' forty-fifth season in Kansas City, Missouri. The season will also be one of transition[1]—quarterback Trent Green was traded to Miami, leaving the door open for second-year quarterback Brodie Croyle or veteran Damon Huard to win the starting job.
As of June, Forty-nine of their 87 players are either rookies or are entering their first or second seasons.[1]
Head coach Herman Edwards will continue to build upon the Chiefs' roster with young players, mostly on defense, and help stabilize a once record-setting offensive line. The Chiefs continue to rebuild a defense that may quietly creep its way back to respectability.[1]
Schedule
The Chiefs' 2007 schedule was announced on April 11, 2007.[2] [3] [4]
*: Pending the NFL's flexible schedule policy
| Pre-season | ||||||||
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Kickoff | Game site | TV | Record | NFL Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 11, 2007 | Cleveland Browns | TBD | 7:30 PM ET | Cleveland Browns Stadium | CBS | |||
| August 16, 2007 | Miami Dolphins | TBD | 8:00 PM ET | Arrowhead Stadium | ESPN | |||
| August 23, 2007 | New Orleans Saints | TBD | 8:30 PM ET | Arrowhead Stadium | CBS | |||
| August 30, 2007 | St. Louis Rams | TBD | 8:00 PM ET | Edward Jones Dome | CBS | |||
| Regular season | ||||||||
| 1 | September 9, 2007 | Houston Texans | TBD | 1:00 PM ET | Reliant Stadium | CBS | ||
| 2 | September 16, 2007 | Chicago Bears | TBD | 4:15 PM ET | Soldier Field | CBS | ||
| 3 | September 23, 2007 | Minnesota Vikings | TBD | 1:00 PM ET | Arrowhead Stadium | FOX | ||
| 4 | September 30, 2007 | San Diego Chargers | TBD | 4:15 PM ET | Qualcomm Stadium | CBS | ||
| 5 | October 7, 2007 | Jacksonville Jaguars | TBD | 1:00 PM ET | Arrowhead Stadium | CBS | ||
| 6 | October 14, 2007 | Cincinnati Bengals | TBD | 1:00 PM ET | Arrowhead Stadium | CBS | ||
| 7 | October 21, 2007 | Oakland Raiders | TBD | 4:05 PM ET | McAfee Coliseum | CBS | ||
| Week 8 — Bye | ||||||||
| 9 | November 4, 2007 | Green Bay Packers | TBD | 1:00 PM ET | Arrowhead Stadium | FOX | ||
| 10 | November 11, 2007 | Denver Broncos | TBD | 1:00 PM ET | Arrowhead Stadium | CBS | ||
| 11 | November 18, 2007 | Indianapolis Colts | TBD | 1:00 PM ET | RCA Dome | CBS * | ||
| 12 | November 25, 2007 | Oakland Raiders | TBD | 1:00 PM ET | Arrowhead Stadium | CBS * | ||
| 13 | December 2, 2007 | San Diego Chargers | TBD | 1:00 PM ET | Arrowhead Stadium | CBS * | ||
| 14 | December 9, 2007 | Denver Broncos | TBD | 4:15 PM ET | INVESCO Field at Mile High | CBS * | ||
| 15 | December 16, 2007 | Tennessee Titans | TBD | 1:00 PM ET | Arrowhead Stadium | CBS * | ||
| 16 | December 23, 2007 | Detroit Lions | TBD | 1:00 PM ET | Ford Field | CBS * | ||
| 17 | December 30, 2007 | New York Jets | TBD | 8:15 PM ET | The Meadowlands | NBC * | ||
Offseason
Almost immediately after the Chiefs' loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts in January 2007, the state of the team was brought into question. The Chiefs' off-season began with turmoil over the contract of Tony Gonzalez, and the long-term status of Trent Green in Kansas City.
New quarterback
For the first time in almost 20 years the Chiefs will go to camp with some doubt about their starting quarterback.[1]
In a March interview, head coach Herm Edwards stated that the quarterback position will be up for grabs.
“It’s going to be open for competition and that’s what’s good about it. If QB Trent Green decides to come back, it’s going to be the same three guys and they are going to compete. You have to leave it at that; let them compete for the position and see who wins out.” - Chiefs coach Herm Edwards in a March 16, 2007 interview. [5]
Backup quarterback Damon Huard was signed to a three-year contract in February and Green was not only asked to restructure his contract but offered in trades to other teams. Backup quarterback Brodie Croyle, whom was drafted in the 2006 NFL Draft, is also in contention with Huard. The Chiefs have said Green would be welcome to return and compete for the job as well if he isn’t traded.[6] After the draft had passed, Trent Green was still on the Chiefs' roster, but Green's agent stated that Green will not return to the Chiefs for the 2007 season. [7]
On June 5, the Chiefs traded Green to the Miami Dolphins.[8]
Status of Larry Johnson
As rumors spread concerning the Chiefs' quarterback situation, more emerged concerning their starting running back, Larry Johnson. The Kansas City Star, without citing a source, reported that the team had offered Johnson up for trade[9][1] in the weeks before the 2007 NFL Draft. The 27-year-old Johnson participated in all of the Chiefs' offseason program, but is entering the final year of his contract. Johnson has made it clear he wants a deal worth more than the eight-year, $60 million contract San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson signed two years ago.[9] The Chiefs invited four running backs -- California's Marshawn Lynch, Ohio State's Antonio Pittman, Florida State's Lorenzo Booker and Louisville's Kolby Smith -- for interviews, and had said they were willing to draft a running back in the early rounds.[9] The Chiefs later selected Kolby Smith in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft.[1]
On June 21, Johnson stated that he was willing to sit out the Chiefs' training camp unless he and the Chiefs reach an agreement on a new contract.[10]
Suspensions
On April 27, defensive end Jared Allen was suspended for the first four games of the 2007 season. [11] Also, despite earlier stating that he would seek a trade, Allen announced that he will return to the Chiefs, [11] and signed a one-year contract. [12]
Free agency
The Chiefs had nineteen free-agent players heading into the 2007 off-season. [13] [14]
| Position | Player | Free agency tag |
Date signed | 2007 team | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE | Jared Allen | RFA [15] | May 22 | Kansas City Chiefs | One-year [12] |
| OT | Jordan Black | UFA | March 8 [16] | Houston Texans [16] | |
| RB | Dee Brown | UFA | Released | N/A | |
| FB | Ronnie Cruz | ERFA | Released | N/A | |
| DT | Ron Edwards | UFA | March 15 [17] | Kansas City Chiefs | Four years[17] |
| LB | Keyaron Fox | RFA | |||
| LS | Kendall Gammon | UFA | Released | N/A | |
| TE | Tony Gonzalez | RFA | January 12 [18] | Kansas City Chiefs | Five years [18] |
| LB | Kris Griffin | ERFA | May 23 | Cleveland Browns | |
| QB | Damon Huard | UFA | February 27 [19] [20] | Kansas City Chiefs | Three years [19] |
| LB | Kawika Mitchell | UFA | March 27 [21] | New York Giants [21] | |
| WR | Samie Parker | RFA | |||
| DT | James Reed | RFA | April 17 [22] | Kansas City Chiefs | Three-years [22] |
| OT | Kevin Sampson | RFA | |||
| CB | Benny Sapp | RFA | April 17 [22] | Kansas City Chiefs | One year [22] |
| LB | Rich Scanlon | RFA | |||
| K | Lawrence Tynes | RFA | May 22 [23] [22] | New York Giants | |
| CB | Lenny Walls | UFA | March 25 [24] | St. Louis Rams [24] | |
| DE | Jimmy Wilkerson | UFA | March 17 [25] | Kansas City Chiefs | One year [25] |
| RFA: Restricted free agent, UFA: Unrestricted free agent, ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent | |||||
Team additions
On January 26, the Chiefs agreed to terms on a two-year deal with offensive tackle Ramiro Pruneda from Monterrey Tech in Monterrey, Mexico. [26]
On March 3, the Chiefs signed veteran offensive tackle Damion McIntosh agreed to terms on a six-year contract.[27]
On March 6, middle linebacker Napoleon Harris agreed to a six-year deal with the Chiefs. [28] [29]
On March 7, the Chiefs agreed to a contract with former Seattle Seahawks long snapper Jean-Philippe Darche. [30]
On March 10, the Chiefs welcomed back outside linebacker Donnie Edwards to the team by giving him a three year, $14 million contract. [31] [32] Edwards began his career in Kansas City after being drafted in 1996, and spent five years in San Diego before returning to the Chiefs.
On March 17, the Chiefs signed defensive tackle Alfonso Boone. Similar to the deal with Ron Edwards, Boone agreed to a four-year deal worth around $7-8 million. [33]
On March 29, veteran strong safety Jon McGraw signed with the Chiefs with a two-year deal.[34]
On May 7, the Chiefs signed 16 undrafted rookie free agents. [35]
Departures
On March 21, strong safety Sammy Knight and offensive tackle Kyle Turley were released.
On April 15, offensive guard Will Shields announced his retirement. In 14 seasons, Shields never missed a game, and he failed to start only one contest, his first regular-season outing, as a rookie in 1993. [36]
On April 25, the Chiefs traded wide receiver/kick returner Dante Hall to the St. Louis Rams for a fifth round pick, and both teams also swapped picks in the third round (Kansas City will move up two spots). [37]
On May 1, the Chiefs released defensive end Eric Hicks and traded defensive tackle Ryan Sims to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for an undisclosed future draft pick. [38]
On May 22, the Chiefs traded placekicker Lawrence Tynes to the New York Giants for an undisclosed future Draft pick in 2008 [12]
On May 23, NFL Network announced that the Chiefs had released linebacker Kris Griffin, and Griffin's exclusive rights were picked up by the Cleveland Browns.
In June, reports surfaced concerning Greg Wesley and a trade to the Denver Broncos.[1] The teams have agreed on terms of draft-choice compensation, but the Chiefs have yet to sign off on the deal in fear of sending him to a division rival.[1]
Trent Green traded to Miami
On March 6, Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson officially announced that quarterback Trent Green was asked to restructure his contract to remain with the team. [39] Green was also granted permission to explore options of a trade to another team. [39] [40] The February contract agreement with Damon Huard, who would have been an unrestricted free agent, was the first public indication that Green’s job was in danger. [39] [41] The first team to have contacted the Chiefs' front office was the Miami Dolphins[42], but Miami constantly disgreed in negotiations. The Dolphins offered a seventh round draft pick to the Chiefs, but the Chiefs declined, instead seeking a second round pick in exchange for Green[6]. The Detroit Lions[6], and Cleveland Browns[6] were also interested in Green, whom are both looking for a veteran quarterback. Green had told the Chiefs that Miami was his preference [6] being that he previously worked under both head coach Cam Cameron and quarterbacks coach Terry Shea. On draft day, the Chiefs and Dolphins could not reach a deal to trade Green. The Chiefs changed their request to a fourth-round pick while the Dolphins offered a sixth round pick. [7] Green's agent has now stated that Green will not return to play for Kansas City. [7]
On June 5, the Chiefs agreed to trade Green to the Miami Dolphins for a conditional fifth round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, pending a physical from Green.[8] The pick can be upgraded to a fourth-rounder if Green reaches certain predetermined playing time and performance levels.[8]
2007 NFL Draft
Note: In 2006, the Chiefs traded their fourth round draft pick to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for running back Michael Bennett. The Chiefs also swapped third-round picks with the St. Louis Rams and also received a second fifth-round pick in a trade for Dante Hall.
| Round | Pick | Name | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23 | Dwayne Bowe | Wide receiver | LSU |
| 2 | 54 | Claude "Turk" McBride | Defensive end | Tennessee |
| 3 | 82 | DeMarcus "Tank" Tyler | Defensive tackle | North Carolina State |
| 5 | 148 | Kolby Smith | Running back | Louisville |
| 5 | 160 | Justin Medlock | Kicker | UCLA |
| 6 | 196 | Herbert Taylor | Offensive tackle | TCU |
| 7 | 231 | Michael Allan | Tight end | Whitworth College (D-III) |
Preseason
Training camp
The Chiefs will conduct summer training camp in River Falls, Wisconsin at the University of Wisconsin for the 17th consecutive year in 2007. The team will depart for River Falls on July 26 with the first day of practice scheduled for July 27. Kansas City will hold joint practice sessions with the Minnesota Vikings on August 3 in Mankato, Minnesota and on August 4 in River Falls. [43]
The Chiefs will be featured on the NFL Films/HBO joint feature Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs [44]
The series, returning for its third season, and first in over four years, premieres Wednesday, August 8 at 9 PM CT, exclusively on HBO. Subsequent hour-long episodes will air each Wednesday at the same time, culminating with the season finale on September 5, with encore replays on Thursdays. [44]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Teicher, Adam. It's summer, but no KC vacation Kansas City Star, 22 June 2007.
- ^ Teicher, Adam. Chiefs open, close season with road games Kansas City Star, 11 April 2007.
- ^ Teicher, Adam. Chiefs on national TV in preseason home game Kansas City Star, 2 April 2007.
- ^ Chiefs preseason dates set for 2007 KCChiefs.com, 2 April 2007.
- ^ Q&A with Herm Edwards KCChiefs.com, 16 March 2007.
- ^ a b c d e Teicher, Adam. Browns may go for Green Kansas City Star, 29 March 2007.
- ^ a b c Teicher, Adam. Trent Green still a Chief Kansas City Star, 30 April 2007.
- ^ a b c Pasquarelli, Len. Green goes to Dolphins from Chiefs in trade ESPN.com, 5 June 2007.
- ^ a b c Chiefs deny they're trying to trade RB Johnson NFL.com news wire, 26 April 2007.
- ^ Whitlock, Jason. Larry Johnson says training camp holdout is possible Kansas City Star, D1, 21 June 2007.
- ^ a b Teicher, Adam. Chiefs' Allen will miss first four games of the season Kansas City Star, 27 April 2007.
- ^ a b c Teicher, Adam. Green expresses frustration; Chiefs re-sign Allen Kansas City Star, 22 May 2007.
- ^ Chiefs free agents Kansas City Star, 3 March 2007.
- ^ 2007 Kansas City Chiefs free agents ESPN.com, retrieved 26 March 2007.
- ^ The Chiefs placed a high-tender on Jared Allen, requiring teams to trade a first and third round draft pick to the Chiefs in exchange for Allen if they decline to match the offer.
- ^ a b Schenck, Nick. Texans, Black agree to deal HoustonTexans.com, 8 March 2007.
- ^ a b Teicher, Adam. Chiefs sign defensive tackle Edwards Kansas City Star, 15 March 2007.
- ^ a b Chiefs and Gonzalez agree in principle to a five-year contract extension KCChiefs.com, 12 January 2007.
- ^ a b Chiefs agree to terms of a three-year contract with QB Damon Huard KCChiefs.com, 27 February 2007.
- ^ Teicher, Adam. Chiefs sign Huard; Green's status in doubt Kansas City Star, 27 February 2007.
- ^ a b Schefter, Adam. Tracking the comings and goings of free agency NFL.com, retrieved 27 March 2007.
- ^ a b c d e Teicher, Adam. Chiefs announce signings Kansas City Star, 18 April 2007.
- ^ The Chiefs signed Tynes for a one-year contract on April 17, but traded him to the New York Giants on May 22 for "future considerations."
- ^ a b Pasquarelli, Len. Rams pick up veteran cornerback Walls ESPN.com, 25 March 2007.
- ^ a b Pasquarelli, Len. Chiefs agree to re-sign Wilkerson for one year ESPN.com, 18 March 2007.
- ^ Chiefs agree to terms with Mexican T Ramiro Pruneda KCChiefs.com, 26 January 2007
- ^ Teicher, Adam. Chiefs sign veteran offensive tackle Kansas City Star, 3 March 2007.
- ^ Teicher, Adam. Chiefs agree to terms with free-agent LB Harris Kansas City Star, 6 March 2007.
- ^ Chiefs agree to terms with UFA LB Napoleon Harris KCChiefs.com, 6 March 2007.
- ^ Teicher, Adam. Chiefs pick up deep snapper, Gammon appears out Kansas City Star, 7 March 2007.
- ^ Brisendine, Steve. LB Donnie Edwards returning to Chiefs Associated Press, 10 March 2007.
- ^ Pasquarelli, Len. Chiefs land veteran LB Edwards ESPN.com, 10 March 2007.
- ^ Pasquarelli, Len. Chiefs ink veteran Boone to bolster their run defense ESPN.com, 17 March 2007.
- ^ Associated Press. Kansas City signs SS Jon McGraw Sports Illustrated, 29 March 2007.
- ^ Chiefs agree to terms with 16 rookie free agents KCChiefs.com, 7 May 2007.
- ^ Pasquarelli, Len. Chiefs guard Shields, a 12-time Pro Bowler, retires ESPN.com, 15 April 2007.
- ^ Teicher, Adam. Chiefs trade Dante Hall to Rams Kansas City Star, 25 April 2007.
- ^ Pasquarelli, Len. Chiefs trade former 1st-round pick Sims to Bucs Kansas City Chiefs, 1 May 2007.
- ^ a b c Teicher, Adam. Chiefs grant request for Green to seek opportunity with another team Kansas City Star, 7 March 2007.
- ^ Joint statement from Chiefs president Carl Peterson and Jim Steiner KCChiefs.com, 6 March 2007.
- ^ Associated Press. Chief to be chopped? Green asked to restructure deal ESPN.com, 6 March 2007.
- ^ Salguero, Armando. Dolphins discuss deal for Green Miami Herald, 7 March 2007.
- ^ 2007 Chiefs Training Camp Headquarters KCChiefs.com
- ^ a b Chiefs to be featured in HBO's "Hard Knocks" this summer KCChiefs.com, 2 June 2007.