Two seasons ago, the Chiefs had their worst season in franchise history, finishing 2-14. Coach Herm Edwards, who started a youth movement that season, had started many rookies in hopes of them gaining experience for the future. This strategy lead to that season's failure, and the end of a regime.
General Manager Carl Peterson resigned shortly after the season ended and was replaced by Scott Pioli from New England. Pioli then let go Edwards to bring in Todd Haley from Arizona.
If a 2-14 season isn't indicative of a time for rebuilding, cleaning house certainly is.
2009 wasn't much better (4-12) and just went to prove that the Chiefs had a very long way to go to be a legitimate contender once again.
Or so it seemed.
After finishing 10-38 over the past three seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs surprised everybody with a 10-6 season and an AFC West Championship.
All season, Chiefs fans were reluctant to believe because of the past three seasons, but the more the Chiefs won, the more Chiefs fans came out of the woodworks. And now, Chiefs fans expect the same kind of success next year. I imagine the players and coaches expect it as well.
So, are the Chiefs still rebuilding?
Leading up to the draft, analysts were talking about the Chiefs needing to improve and bolster at certain positions so that they can again contend for a playoff spot. That doesn't sound like a team that is rebuilding.
Todd Haley was the last person to admit that the Chiefs were a good team last season. But in the draft, he helped select a player that will help them win immediately (Baldwin). That kind of strategy is usually not reserved for teams that are trying to rebuild; that kind of strategy is used by teams that want to contend in the upcoming season (look at what the Jets did last offseason).
In a press conference back in 2008, before he was fired, coach Edwards said that the rebuilding process in KC was "85%" done. "But the hard part's done," he added. "All the foundation, all the work has been laid for what's going to transpire for years to come now if we keep heading down this path."
Maybe fans doubted that statement at the time. Looking back, however, I'd say coach Edwards was about right.
Some can argue that 2010 was a fluke for the Chiefs, but the fact of the matter is, an AFC West Championship erased all talks of the Chiefs being in the middle of a rebuilding period. And although the Chiefs aren't long removed from rebuilding, it finally seems that we are (as long as we don't screw it up in 2011).
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