Machineball (or: An Exercise in Futility)

[Rawhide]

This dynasty is the antithesis to Defense Wins Championships. Let's establish that right off the bat.

Of course, we've all won championships behind the elite quarterback and stud receiving corp. And Revrew is proceeding in his indomitable way that a team with a truly elite defense can win (good luck chasing that championship!).

But what would happen if someone with only a rudimentary (albeit enthusiastic) interest in the NFL and FOF07 came along and tried to complete with the big guns armed only with the will to keep pounding on the ground, yard after yard, inch after inch, with only a skant interest in a passing game, and a skeleton of a defense to boot? If we attempted to wind the clock back to a time when the game was almost exclusively fought along the ground?

This is the chronicling of such an attempt. You call it madness. I call it Machineball; for it to ever work, the offense must work exactly like a well-drilled machine.

With respect and gratitude to Revrew, whose experimentation is the inspiration for this dynasty, I have lifted and modified his house rules accordingly:

I. Game Setup
A. Equalized finances to eliminate any financial advantage in beginning
B. We will do a random player preference draft, heavily favouring running backs, offensive linemen and kickers to the detriment of all other positions.
C. Injury setting is at 150
D. Immediately cut all defensive starters rated above 40/40

II. Game play/Roster building
A. No defensive player or quarterback may be:

1. Drafted in any of the first 3 rounds
2. Obtained by trade at any time
3. Signed as an FA at any time if current OR potential rating is greater than 40
4. Resigned or renegotiated if current rating exceeds 40
5. Re-signings and re-negotiations can only take place with one year remaining on contract

B. No defensive player may change position to offense, or vice versa
C. No restrictions for the acquisition of running backs, offensive linemen, kickers or punters

III. Game planning
A. I will have complete control over offensive depth charts and game plans
B. All defensive depth charts and game plans are established simply by hitting the "recommend" feature on all screens, thus allowing AI full control over defense
C. Offensive and Special teams depth charts, activations and gameplans, however, may be fully tweaked

Now, if you'll let me indulge myself a bit for a moment...

[Rawhide]

Offensive Philosophy

(Alternate Title 1: Offensive Philosophy, or lack thereof)
(Alternate Title 2: A Very Offensive Philosophy)

In essence, we run a smashmouth offense, to the power of infinity.

We exclusively call running plays on first and second down. On third downs, it's literally a toss of the coin - a 50% proposition - as to whether we pass or not. In a perfect world, we'd have very few third downs in a game.

We want to pass less than ten times in a game. Therefore, our quarterback is little more than a device to feed the ball to our running back. If he needs to pass, he will be the ultimate checkdown warrior, providing screen passes or, at best, 5 yard passes. I want my quarterback to be a poster on nobody's wall, a dour accountant with the personality of an academic.

Now, on the topic of running back. Up to 50 runs per game in 16 games multiplies out to 800 running plays in a regular season. If we attempted this with one running back, we'd need to be drafting a new one every season to replace the corpse we just killed. So, running back by committee is definitely the way to go.

My nirvana would be to have three quality running backs on the books; one as a specialist in power running, a second one as a speed threat, and a third down specialist.

We will split our running direction equally - 12.% in every single direction. Our fullback running involvement will be maxed out at 15% and our receivers running reverses maxed out at 6%.

None of this happens without a quality offensive line. It goes almost without saying that they need top marks in run blocking. Who cares if the quarterback gets killed? They need to create holes for my three-headed running monster to slice and dice through.

Tight ends will be an important part of Machineball as I want to use them as the sixth and seventh offensive linemen most of the time. So, top marks in blocking strength for them too. The fullback will also be critical in setting up the running game, although I'd like to feature them as part of the running as well. So a dual-threat fullback would be nice.

Receivers are totally irrelevant in the Machineball system, although I will give preference to those with high marks in special teams. Also, I want blistering speed so that those who do run reverses can actually make a contribution.

The defense will be exclusively left to their own devices, although of course I will impair them in terms of capping the quality of player they can keep. In a perfect world, they may only have to clock in for 20 minutes of work each week, if our running game suitably drains the clock.

[Rawhide]

So, now it's time to choose a vehicle for this crazy experiment, mindful that I'm likely to consign the fans of this franchise to at least a decade of mind-numbing futility.

Even with random players, I don't want to simply jump on the back of modern-day great teams, or even slightly mediocre teams. So every team that has appeared in a Super Bowl since 1981 (the year of my birth) is gone.

That knocks out all but seven franchises:

New York Jets
Cleveland Browns
Houston Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs
Minnesota Vikings
Detroit Lions

Out of respect to Revrew and his Chicago Bears, I'll eliminate Minnesota and Detroit from the list straight away. It would be almost too much of a coincidence to set up in the very same division that his excellent dynasty is based in. And besides, variety is the spice of life.

The Browns....well, their fanbase is already downtrodden (just look at the Factory of Sadness video; no further proof, your honour). It would be almost cruel and callous to inflict further pain. On the other hand, Jim Brown would undoubtedly approve of the efforts to emulate the style and nous of the team of his era. Still....

New York is almost right out of the question. Can you imagine what the press would do to a quarterback who puts up worse numbers than Sanchez?

I'd prefer my team to be in an outdoor stadium, in order to get the maximum intangible benefit from the running game. So, no to the Texans.

In the end, there's only one team that shares its name with my dog. And I don't have a dog called Jaguar, so......the Chiefs it is.

We set our draft preferences as follows:
Heavily favouring running backs, offensive linemen and kickers, bollocks to the rest of the positions.
Lean towards potential over experience; overwhelming preference for run blockers, indifferent towards the rest of the options available
Hit okay and then walk away....

[Rawhide]

Well, damn.

This might be a rather long-term project. We'll see.

Quarterbacks
Marty Bouchard 35/45
Darren Hoff 18/35
George Harrison (nickname for this dynasty: Beatle!) 11/34

The Beatle may well be our starter in a few years, given that Bouchard will not be re-signed once his rating exceeds 40. Bouchard is horrible at screen and short passes, whereas Harrison has upside in this area.

Receivers
TE Desmond Honaker 17/47
TE Leslie Meadows 8/33
TE Dexter Knapp 13/36
FL Rusty Nichols 37/50
FL Cris Bunnell 20/45
FL Brendon Brandon 27/31
SE Kennedy Reid 26/50
SE Joey Giedt 23/30

Meadows has horrible run blocking ratings and will certainly be cut. Nichols may well be our best option to trade away to another team, given he is on our books for two years. Bunnell has good upside in the route running department and could be viable as a reverse runner. The only thing that could be said about Brendon Brandon is that his parents either had a wicked sense of humour or severely detested their son. Reid will be a mainstay for the next three years, although he will be lucky to see much of the ball.

Offensive Linemen
C Patrick Lowrey 47/90
C Ken Longmate 12/50
LG Daryl Berry 47/77
RG Ty Culver 21/39
RG Graham Spetz 51/79
RG Rico Driggers 16/46
LT Corwin Knight 83/83
RT Kim Hassett 79/79
RT Ken Sawyer 31/49
RT Tracy Brewington 25/41

I love Lowrey already, given his 37/98 rating in the run blocking department. Corwin is already our prototypical tackle, maxing out at 89 for run blocking and 76 in blocking strength. As a foundation player, he will be vital. Even better on paper is Kim Hassett - 92 in runblocking and 89 in strength!

Special Teams
P Earnest Syms 59/81
K Roy Jennings 29/56

Hopefully Jennings' 20/60 kicking accuracy will not hurt us too much. The best thing about kickers I guess is if one fails, just get another.

The Defence

I won't go through these guys one-by-one, because they're not the major focus of this franchise. The vast majority of these players are rookies, which is good for us in one way as we'll get value out of them developing before we have to bid farewell. Our cornerbacks Jake Newton (25/60) and Darrell Downs (26/60) look impressive, as does RDT Aaron Cox (34/62). We also have a 19-year veteran playing linebacker, Antoine Scotti (37/37), who is old enough to be the father of all the rookies on the side.

You'll notice I've been doing the squad rundown out of order. We're saving the best until last....the principal focus of this dynasty:

Running Backs
RB Robbie Morlando (47/47) - 62 on third downs, mostly average otherwise
RB Christian Bolsins (28/40) - 75 for elusiveness, will probably see limited action
RB Johnny Aska (32/42) - 100 for special teams. May see heaps of action
RB Peter Castle (56/73) - The stud of this first Chiefs side. 99 for hole recognition, 60/76 for third down running. Also shows good speed to the outside. However, he comes off contract at the end of next season.
FB Winfred Bishop (34/39) - Rated 61 for run blocking and 55 on third downs
FB Renaldo Donaldson (61/85) - Our backline leader. Enormous potential. 50/94 in run blocking, 96/100 on third downs, 52/97 on blitz pickup! May be a candidate to move to running back in future. Maybe.

This may be a long season...

[Rawhide]

San Diego Chargers (0-0) at Kansas City Chiefs (0-0)

We pass the ball just five in the entire game, and chalk up just eight first downs. Peter Castle carries the ball 26 times for just 65 yards, Morlando and Donaldson combine for exactly 100 yards. We have some huge special teams play though, putting us in prime position, whereas the Chargers started every drive from deep in their own half. Our defense comes up huge with two picks in the fourth quarter. Somehow, inexplicably, we WIN 9-7.

Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) at Cleveland Browns (0-1)

Reality hits us as the Browns win 34-14. Castle is reduced to 64 yards, but Donaldson and Morlando score our first points on the ground for 2010. Horrible quarterback play, with Bouchard and Hoff combining for 4/14-51 and a pick to end the game.

I make adjustments to our running formation choices after this game, favouring the I and Pro formations more than the others. Hopefully this helps Castle a bit.

San Francisco 49ers (1-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-1)

Now this was a game! Tied late in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs couldn't shake off Castle's continuing offensive woes (64 yards again! He's consistent if nothing else), and three critical misses from kicker Ray Jennings meant the 49ers left town with a 10-3 victory.

We lick our wounds with a bye during Week 4.

Kansas City Chiefs (1-2) at Indianapolis Colts (1-3)

Now this is more like it! Castle chalked up the first 100 yard rushing game of his short career. Morlando chimed in with 58 yards of his own. We scored on our first three drives, and picked off the Colts QB twice in the first half....and it still wasn't enough. Colts win 13-9.

Quarterly Review

We are averaging 46.8 rushes per game, as opposed to just 12.5 passes. Unsurprisingly, we are second in the league in rushing, and last in passing.

Only two touchdowns in the first month is a big concern.

Third down conversion is a huge concern - 30.8% is just not good enough. That's only good enough for 28th in the league.

On the positive side, we have turned the ball over just three times in the opening month. Our turnover margin is +4.

Defensively, we are getting carved up in the front seven, with our opponents averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Our average of 16.0 points conceded per game is actually quite good however.

QB Bouchard is playing his role to perfection, with no turnovers in the first month.

Peter Castle is barely on track for 1000 yards this season, with an average of 3.02 per carry - quite unacceptable. He also hasn't crossed the goalline, much to the chagrin to his fantasy owners.

Old man Tony Scotti has already recorded 25 tackles, nearly twice as many as the next contributor on defense.

Games against Houston (1-4), Jacksonville (2-3), Buffalo (0-5) and Oakland (3-2) lie ahead of us. Baltimore, Chicago, Atlanta and Washington are the only 5-0 teams left, while the aforementioned Bills, as well as the Seahawks and Vikings, are still waiting for their first win.

[Rawhide]

We try to make a trade for a useful running back from the Raiders, only to find out that the trade window has passed. Oops.

Kansas City Chiefs (1-3) at Houston Texans (1-4)

Despite two drives of over eight minutes, we are about as effective in defense as sugar on toothpaste. The interestingly-named Stalin Fredrickson has an efficient game behind centre for the Texans as they chalk up their second win of the year, 23-6.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-4)

Another loss, although we make progress on the offensive front. Marty Bouchard actually throws two touchdowns, and Robbie Morlando has another nice rushing game. Castle averaged only 2 yards a carry though.

Buffalo Bills (0-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-5)

Machineball is on full, glorious display as the Chiefs squeak out a 10-7 win. Kansas City limits Buffalo to just 22 minutes of offense, and Marty Bouchard passes the game-winning touchdown with two minutes on the clock. The Chiefs run 53 rushes to 16 passes.

Kansas City Chiefs (2-5) at Oakland Raiders (4-4)

A massive game from Malcolm Green, who forces two Raiders fumbles in a tough encounter. For once, two missed field goals would not hurt us, as Machineball chalks up a second win in a row, 6-3. Robbie Morlando outgains our first-string back Castle for the second week in a row but the Running Back Committee collectively gets 153 rushing yards to Oakland's 53.

Half Year Review

3-5 is a very good record for a team that has had Machineball forced upon them.

Paradoxically, we are first in rushing yards (160.4 pg), but last in yards per carry (3.39). Our third down conversion is improving, ever-so-slightly, up to 36.7%

8.9 points per game will not win you many contests - although we have done well to get to 3-5 I guess?

The offense has had only five turnovers for the whole season, a league best. Bouchard is the only quarterback in the league to have started all eight or nine games and not recorded a turnover or a fumble.

Peter Castle has gained 542 yards on 181 attempts (2.99 per carry). Robert Morlando is averaging 3.89 per carry for his 486 yards. Contrast that with Julio Raines of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who has two more carries than Castle but nearly double the yardage (950 yards in eight games!)

We have two games against Denver (5-3), as well as contests against Arizona (6-2) and Seattle (1-7) in the pipeline. I dare not utter the 'P' word, but we are just one game behind New York and Indianapolis for the wildcard spot.

If only we can get the Machine to splutter into life a bit more...

[Rawhide]

Kansas City Chiefs (3-5) at Denver Broncos (5-3)

Denver well and truly outplay us 27-6 without ever leaving second gear. Morlando is named the starter but only rushes the ball four times before he leaves the game with concussion. Castle has the majority of carries and yards, but the Chiefs can only come up with 11 first downs.

Arizona Cardinals (7-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-6)

Johnny Aska gets the start for the Chiefs, and chalks up 3.6 yards per carry. Bouchard has a good game, going 11 for 14 and a touchdown that puts the Chiefs briefly back into the contest. The Cardinals kick the winning score in the final minute and head home 17-14 winners. LT Corwin Knight's season is over as he suffers a dislocated shoulder.

Kansas City Chiefs (3-7) at Seattle Seahawks (2-8)

Potentially an important game with draft order implications. The Chiefs are blown off the park, 27-3. Not much to report here. Move right along...

[b]Denver Broncos (8-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-8)

A milestone game for the Machine, as the Running Committee breaks 200 yards for the first time: Morlando 60 yards, Castle 68 yards and Aska 76 yards, the majority of which game on the game-winning play, a 61 yard rush. The Broncos are stunned and leave Arrowhead with a 17-7 loss.

Three Quarter Review

Somehow, a team with just eight offensive touchdowns for the season has four wins. Switching Morlando to the starter has eased some of the pressure off Castle and he is producing more consistent yardage. Morlando has also been effective as a receiver, catching 22 on 26 targets.

Putting our offensive woes in context, our 111 points for the season ranks just behind the Packers (121) and Eagles (127).

Castle has 829 yards for the season, Morlando 567 yards and Donaldson 172 yards from fullback.

We finish our first season of Machineball with games against the Chargers (5-7), Rams (5-7), Titans (10-2) and Raiders (6-6).

Thinking ahead to 2011, we definitely need some more hands on deck on our offensive line, which is now being severely tested for depth.

[Rawhide]

Kansas City Chiefs (4-8) at San Diego Chargers (5-7)

A very nice game from Morlando, with three runs greater than ten yards. Castle is back to his usual tricks again with just 36 yards. The Chargers limit us to just eight first downs but would feel sheepish with a 9-6 win.

Kansas City Chiefs (4-9) at St Louis Rams (5-8)

47 rushing attempts as opposed to just 5 passes....yet it's the touchdown pass from Bouchard that gets us the win today. We only register eight first downs in total, all of them in the second half, as the Chiefs win 13-3.

Our offensive line is a shell of its former self, with four starters now on the injured reserve. These last two games could be brutal.

Tennessee Titans (11-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (5-9)

Marty Bouchard's streak of thirteen games without a turnover is finished, as he tosses an pick six in the Titans 14-3 win over KC. Morlando finishes with 71 yards but is no match for the Titans' Ben Gordon, who has 118 yards and a score as well.

Oakland Raiders (6-9) at Kansas City Chiefs (5-10)

The Chiefs decide to wait until the season finale to register their highest score in the Machineball Era. Someone else who decides not to wait any longer is Peter Castle, who finally gets into the end zone. However, the Raiders finish the game with the ball in their hands, registering the winning score with just 20 seconds left on the clock, long enough for Bouchard to toss an interception and end the season with a 24-19 loss.

Regular Season Review

Kansas City Chiefs are a team in transition, as the new management throws away conventional NFL logic and installs a brutalistic offense predicated on ground domination. The results have been mixed to say the least, with a 5-11 record and a high draft pick to show for it.

On nine occasions, the Chiefs could not score an offensive touchdown. They did not score more than 19 points in a single game. On the other hand, the defense limited their opponents to single-digits on six different occasions.

The Chiefs abjectly failed to capitalise on their 43.5 rushes per game, with the league-worst record of 3.51 yards per carry. In their favour, KC respected the ball, with a league-best 9 turnovers, thanks largely to the conservative play of quarterback Marty Bouchard, who may feature a little more prominently in the offense next season.

Rookie RB Peter Castle will be disappointed with his first season, registering 1063 yards at just 3.2 per carry, and a single rushing score. He split carries with the older Rob Morlando, whose 3.95 yards assisted the Chiefs with his consistency in the later half of the season.

On the defense, special mention must go to linebacker Tony Scotti, who recorded 100 tackles for the season. Safety Vinny Mason wasn't too far behind him, with 79 tackles and a team-best 6 interceptions.

NFL Playoffs
Cincinnati 13 at Miami 16
Jacksonville 7 at Denver 20
Minnesota 26 at Tampa Bay 21
New York 20 at Dallas 13

Denver 16 at Tennessee 24
Miami 28 at Baltimore 3
Minnesota 3 at Arizona 20
New York 33 at Chicago 48

Arizona 6 at Chicago 16
Miami 3 at Tennessee 38

Super Bowl 2010
Tennessee 31 Chicago 17

Chiefs Award Winners
All-League First Team Tackle - RT Kim Hassett

[MacroGuru]

Alright, interested in this one...

[Cap Ologist]

Same here, curious about your time of possession stats per game?

[sterlingice]

Not going for the slow burn, I see. Going to take me a little bit this morning to catch up

SI

[Rawhide]

Originally Posted by MacroGuru

Alright, interested in this one...

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Not going for the slow burn, I see. Going to take me a little bit this morning to catch up

Thanks for reading! Yes, differences in timezones will invariably see a lot of posts produced in what seems like a short amount of time....I suspect I will be taking a lot of time over the off-season retooling this squad. If you have any other thoughts or opinions feel free to chime in...

Originally Posted by Cap Ologist

Same here, curious about your time of possession stats per game?

Okay, I hope this makes some kind of sense.

Overall in 2010 we averaged 30 minutes and 26 seconds of time in possession. We held the ball for longer than our opponents in 11 of our games (although, our TOP in two of those games was 30:02 and 30:15, meaningless really).

In games which we won, that rises to 32 minutes and 45 seconds.

Our best time of possession ironically was in a loss, when we held it for 36:11 against the Colts.

Now for stats in a slightly different vein: in 2010 we ran 707 rushing plays and 204 passing plays, or 77.61% in favour of the run overall. In our five wins, that percentage rises to 86.25% in favour of the run.

The Chiefs are 3-0 in games where we run 90% of the time.

The Chiefs ran at least 80% of the time in each of the last five games of the season, going 2-3 in that period of time; two of the losses were by five points or less.

All of this tells me that when we get better (and more diverse) at running the ball, we will win more games.

Now, I really must get to sleep....2am where I am here, staying up to watch a semi final in the rugby league world cup....expect to see a write-up about the off-season tomorrow!

[BYU 14]

As a Wing T coach you know I love this!!

[Rawhide]

Originally Posted by BYU 14

As a Wing T coach you know I love this!!

Thanks for following.... I hope I can do the running game justice!

The off-season arrives, and we are determined to leave no stone unturned in our desire to implement Machineball to its fullest.

I want a scout that is rated Excellent in both Running Backs and Offensive Linemen. Charlie Inhofe is currently only 'Good' and 'Very Good' respectively. He's out. Ronnie Foster from the Cowboys ticks both boxes, but is only rated 'Fair' in young talent. He's also under contract. So Inhofe gets to see out his contract next year, given that he is better than any of the replacements available.

Now for the coaches. As part of a season review, I have created a spreadsheet where the attributes of my staff are weighed and averaged, giving me an easy overall view of how strong my staff is.

Points are allocated on a scale of 1 to 6, with 6 being excellent and 1 poor.

The coach's rating in Running Backs and Offensive Linemen accounts for 40% of his overall rating. Collectively, young talent, motivation, discipline, offensive calling and injury avoidance combines for 60% of his overall weighing.

The percentages applied will be different when evaluating my offensive coordinator and potential replacements, with Running Backs and Offensive Linemen accounting for 70% of his rating, and young talent and kickers accounting for the other 30%.

I care little for my defensive staffing, but will try to ensure that the best person is chosen for the job.

So lets see our staff and how they weigh up.

Head Coach Terry Rogers scores 65.83% overall, with his positives being young talent (excellent) and discipline (very good). He is let down by his offensive line and offensive calling ratings.

Offensive Coordinator Robbie Barber is 71.67% overall. He is rated either good or very good in all of his attributes, but we can always do better.

After a search through all suitable candidates, this is the shortlist we have assembled:

Coaching Candidates
Donovan Anderson (55, no team) - 69.17%
Ben Fausel (51, Atlanta OC) - 65.83%
Terry Rogers (66, Kansas City HC) - 65.33%
Gilbert Jacobs (55, Arizona HC) - 59.00%

Offensive Coordinator Candidates
Ben Fausel (51, Atlanta OC) - 92.00%
Troy Skima (53, San Diego OC) - 76.50%
Jamal Sellers (36, no team) - 74.33%
Tyrell Codeke (48, no team) - 74.33%
Lenny Howe (38, Philadelphia OC) - 71.50%

Rogers probably keeps his job for now, given that Anderson nor Fausel represent significant upgrades in the critical area (for me) of offensive playcalling. Fausel is the standout candidate in the offensive coordinator's job, and we throw everything to get him on board. Unfortunately for us, he is in demand from four other teams and rejects our offer. Sellers is eventually tapped as our new offensive coordinator for three years. He has ratings of 'very good' in each of running backs, offensive linemen and kickers.

63 year old B.J. Lewis is our new defensive coordinator. He has excellent ratings in defensive linemen and kickers, and very good in linebackers.

Late in the piece, I reconsider the decision to keep Rogers as the head coach. He is the oldest coach in the league, and still has another three years on his contract. Some highly sought after coaches will become available next year. Do I keep Rogers for another season, and sack him later, or do I plug in Donovan Anderson for a season and chase my long-term coach at the end of 2011?

I make the call. Would Anderson accept a one year contract? The answer is yes and we have a new head coach.

After an exhaustive process, we have three new coaches, with a big upgrade in defense and a renewed focus on the running game, with two coaches rated excellent in this area.

[Rawhide]

Off Season Moves

French League
SE Kennedy Reid (28/50) is sent off to the Summer League, if nothing else to get some game time and remember what it is like to catch a ball.

Scouting
We have the fifth overall pick in the first round and send our scouts out to look at a few promising prospects. QB Dennis Eggleston is the standout player of this draft, with a 8.7 rating. He is followed by three defensive beasts in Todd Toth, Johnny Florence and Leon Beason, and QB Walt Gaines rounds out the top five. Under our house rules, we can't draft any of them.

We eventually take a look at these players:

RB Bobby Reiser - great breakaway speed and third down running, very volatile though
RG Bryan Dykstra - excellent run blocking
LT Nate Buckley - moderate run blocking
RT Damon Durham - very good run blocking, great blocking strength
LT Louis Helfrich - very good run blocking, outstanding endurance, very overrated according to my scouts.
RB Harvey Fender - great third down running and hole recognition, not much power but he does have an affinity with a team leader, which is something I guess
RG Nick Weaver - great ratings everywhere
LT Jonathan Wilcox - great run blocking, vastly underrated
RB Curtis Christman - outstanding speed to the outside
LT Otis Temple - great run blocking
TE Marc Turnbull - outstanding blocking ratings, but apparently he's overrated?

As you can see, we are targeting only offensive linemen and running backs in our scouting, with the odd fullback and tight end thrown in for good measure.

Players Released

Under the house rules, none of our defensive players needed to be let go.

Players Resigned

RDT Aaron Cox (37/59) is resigned to a one year contract as a restricted free agent. He may be a candidate for a long-term contract upgrade early in the new season.

LG Daryl Berry (52/77) is given a four year contract extension worth $18 million. He is continuing to develop in his run blocking, now rated 38/81.

LCB Jake Newton (38/64) and RCB Darrell Downs (32/60) will not extend their contracts further than this season, and we seem destined to lose them at the end of 2011.

We hold off giving RB Johnny Aska (31/40) a new contract. It would be a depth signing if nothing else, given we will definitely upgrade this position in the draft and/or free agency.

FB Renaldo Donaldson (67/85) hits free agency and we give him an offer for four years.

RB Robbie Morlando (47/47) gets the league minimum offer, as does our offensive line leader Randall Maxwell (28/28 - I'm keeping him for continuity, for now at least)

Running Back is a bit thin in free agency, so we turn our sights towards the following targets on the offensive line:

C Bruce Long (Carolina - 76/88) - Rated 71/91 in run blocking, outstanding endurance.

RG Zack Perry (Pittsburgh - 65/65) - 75 overall in run blocking.

LT Jamie Conti (Pittsburgh - 67/67) - 92 in run blocking

TE Jerald Bennett (San Francisco - 55/55) - Whilst not strictly an offensive lineman, his rating of 98 in run blocking makes him impossible to ignore.

If the three of them were to all sign, that would be a huge upgrade.

We need a kicker who can kick the piss out of the ball, given that Roy Jennings was rather paltry beyond the 40 yard range. Brett Kamykowski from the Giants fits that description - 98 in kicking power.

Time for upgrades in mentors and depth in other positions, mindful of our house rules (no current or potential rating above 40).

QB Tyrus Berlin (Atlanta - 35/35) is a dual threat, picking up 391 yards with his legs last year. He also tossed 16 touchdowns to only 4 picks, making him a viable starter from day one.

MLB Jonathan Helling (Pittsburgh - 30/30) is off the charts as a punishing hitter, and would be an asset to our dwindling defense.

RCB Zack Campbell (Indianapolis - 36/45) is rated 92 in special teams.

Contracts are also given out to LDT Calvin Elliott (Houston - 38/38), RDE Melvin Williams (Minnesota - 32/39), SS Ralph Hutchinson (Miami - 34/34).

We sit back and wait for things to play out....

[Rawhide]

Week 3

Signed
FB Renaldo Donaldson (67/85) re-signs with Kansas City until 2014!
C Bruce Long (Carolina - 77/88) joins the Chiefs until 2014!
LT Randall Maxwell predictably re-signed.
LDT Calvin Elliott (Houston - 38/38) for one season.

Signed Elsewhere
TE Jerald Bennett (San Francisco) signs with Seattle. Bummer.
RG Zack Perry (Pittsburgh - 65/65) is now a Viking.

Still Available
LT Jamie Conti (Pittsburgh 67/67) is being wooed by the Chargers, Bears and Titans. The Chargers in particular are throwing everything they can. Can I afford a player this good to go to a division rival? On the other hand, his blocking strength is just 26. Conti is free to join SD if he wishes.

K Brett Kamykowski (NY Giants 77/77) is talking with Dallas.

Melvin Williams, Zack Campbell, Ralph Hutchinson and Jonathan Helling are interested.

We are the only team to make an offer to Robbie Morlando and Tyrus Berlin.

Week 4

Signed
RDE Melvin Williams (Minnesota 34/41) for one season

Signed Elsewhere
LT Jamie Conti (Pittsburgh 67/67) ended up re-signing with the Steelers.

Still Available
K Brett Kamykowski (NY Giants 77/77) is now interested in our offer. There are lot of teams lining up for him.

Zack Campbell, Ralph Hutchinson, Robbie Morlando, Tyrus Berlin and Jonathan Helling are still out there.

Week 5

No changes, except MLB Jonathan Helling (Pittsburgh - 31/31) accepts our offer.

Week 6

RB Robbie Morlando has resigned for the Chiefs, a great move for us, even if he seems consigned to a lesser role in 2011. It's all about depth as far as I'm concerned.

K Brett Kamykowski is also a Chief, as is SS Ralph Hutchinson!

Week 7

Our last two free agent targets (for now) sign on the dotted line.

QB Tyrus Berlin could really do great things in the Machineball system, given his tendency towards scrambling. RCB Zack Campbell will provide great depth in the backfield.

Weeks 8-12

FS Rico Cooley (34/34) joins us from Baltimore as a depth signing, as does TE Kelvin Simon (35/35) from Chicago.

Now for the draft....

[Rawhide]

The 2011 Draft

Buffalo surprise everyone by doing defensive with their first pick, taking Todd Toth. The Packers take the stud QB. The Eagles reach at #3 to take an inside linebacker. The Panthers take the highly touted, but slightly green, second QB prospect.

I'm highly impressed by running back Bobby Reiser, and this is certainly an area of need given we did not pursue any free agents. So we take the prospect from Muskingum College.

With our second pick (2.7), the tackle Jonathan Wilcox is available. Although he has high volatility, he is also very underrated according to our scout. So we take him next, even though LT Otis Derby is also available and every bit as good. Disaster strikes when I accidentally press 'draft' without clicking on Wilcox first, and we pick up Derby. Bugger!

The third pick is the last one that we can only use on our offensive line or running back. RT Declan Atkins, RT Rickey Garcia, RT Marty Haas, RB Korey Frederick and RB Steven Strong are all in our sights. Our current RT Kim Hassett is getting on in years (12 year veteran), so we should look towards replacing him at some point. Garcia and Haas both have the "very overrated" label attached to them, whilst Atkins is "very underrated". That does it for me - I love my underdogs.

We address the ILB position in the fourth round, with Mark McGregor, while Brady Nichols plugs in at defensive end in the fifth round. RB Tim Padavona from Arizona is our sixth round pick. I quite like the look of LG T.J. Shepherd and try to trade up to take him, to no avail. We round out the draft with RT Ricky McCorkle, who looks promising in the run blocking department.

The draft review grade is a paltry C. I prefer to wait until three years after the draft to see how those players truly performed, so I'm not bothered. First impressions are that Atkins and McCorkle could be finds, while McGregor could be a big bust.

Kansas City Chiefs 2011 Draft Selections
1.5 - RB Bobby Reiser (50/70)
2.7 - LT Otis Derby (28/43)
3.6 - RT Declan Atkins (23/56)
4.5 - MLB Mark McGregor (19/30)
5.7 - RDE Brady Nichols (23/34)
6.6 - RB Tim Padavona (27/32)
7.5 - RT Ricky McCorkle (16/48)

Of the other players mentioned in this draft post:

2.10 - LT Jonathan Wilcox (33/49) - Cleveland Browns
3.15 - RT Rickey Garcia (20/63) - New York Jets
3.16 - RT Marty Haas (17/55) - Washington Redskins
3.19 - RB Steven Strong (35/55) - Jacksonville Jaguars
3.21 - RB Korey Frederick (32/48) - Detroit Lions
6.12 - LG T.J. Shepherd (13/56) - New York Jets

Draft Top Ten
1.01 - LDE Todd Toth (53/90) - Buffalo Bills
1.02 - QB Dennis Eggleston (47/82) - Green Bay Packers
1.03 - MLB James Bingaman (41/80) - Philadelphia Eagles
1.04 - QB Walt Gaines (20/50) - Carolina Panthers
1.05 - RB Bobby Reiser (50/70) - Kansas City Chiefs
1.06 - RDE Johnny Florence (48/81) - Pittsburgh Steelers
1.07 - RDE Leon Beason (42/72) - Denver Broncos
1.08 - FL Marlon Huntley (46/81) - Cleveland Browns
1.09 - SLB Will Willis (48/72) - Seattle Seahawks
1.10 - NT Darnell Williams (38/64) - Houston Texans

Initial Scouting Targets

1.05 - RB Bobby Reiser (50/70) - Kansas City Chiefs
1.11 - RG Bryan Dykstra (47/79) - New England Patriots
1.13 - LT Nate Buckley (25/69) - Oakland Raiders
1.17 - RG Nick Weaver (43/90) - Indianapolis Colts
1.31 - TE Marc Turnbull (46/66) - Chicago Bears
1.28 - RT Damon Durham (32/67) - Dallas Cowboys
1.29 - LT Louis Helfrich (28/65) - Baltimore Ravens
2.07 - LT Otis Derby (28/43) - Kansas City Chiefs
2.10 - LT Jonathan Wilcox (33/49) - Cleveland Browns
2.14 - RB Harvey Fender - New Orleans Saints
2.17 - RB Curtis Christman - Washington Redskins

[Rawhide]

Late Free Agency

We have the least amount of available cap room of any franchise - $9.75m - but also have 50 players under contract. One area of need is wide receiver - we only have two under contract, so off shopping we go.

Undrafted FL Justin Davis (26/39) gets an offer, so does former Falcons SE Matt Deluca (29/39). We also reach out to Baltimore's TE Ross White (58/62) with a five year contract, but he signs with the Cardinals, so we take a Super Bowl-winning TE Sean Burnett (33/33) instead.

Right guard is an area of concern, as our starter Graham Spetz is still six weeks away from recovering from reconstructive knee surgery. RG Brock Bruce (16/65), an undrafted free agent, is snapped up. We also take RG Claude Dearth (29/37) from Tampa Bay, who was named as a League First Team Guard last season.

We foreshadow a couple of cuts by getting rid of QB Darren Hoff (18/35) and K Roy Jennings (36/56).

Five of our defensive players leave for greener pastures, and our third-string running back from last year - Christian Bolsins (27/38) - leaves for Pittsburgh.

SS Todd Dvorak (10/52), another unwanted draftee, is our final signing prior to camp.

Camp

With our desire to really work on our running game and develop Machineball to its fullest, we implement the following timetable for our daily schedule:

5:30 - Training Room (2hr 30m)
8:00 - Passing Plays (2hr)
10:00 - Special Teams (1hr)
11:00 - Lunch (40m)
11:40 - Defense (2hr)
1:40 - Running Plays (3hr 50m)
5:30 - Dinner (50m)
6:20 - Film and Playbook Study (2hr 30m)
8:50 - Team Functions (2hr 40m)
11:30 - Lights Out

Rookie Rating Changes
1.5 - RB Bobby Reiser (50/70) --> (54/70)
2.7 - LT Otis Derby (28/43) --> (32/40)
3.6 - RT Declan Atkins (23/56) --> (26/52)
4.5 - MLB Mark McGregor (19/30) --> (28/38)
5.7 - RDE Brady Nichols (23/34) --> (27/38)
6.6 - RB Tim Padavona (27/32) --> (29/33)
7.5 - RT Ricky McCorkle (16/48) --> (19/50)
0.0 - RG Brock Bruce (16/65) --> (19/59)
0.0 - SS Todd Dvorak (10/52) --> (11/42)
0.0 - FL Justin Davis (26/39) --> (29/39)

McGregor may turn out to be quite adequate for our defense, while Nichols has made a nice jump as well.

Onwards and upwards towards a new season!

[Rawhide]

Before we start our pre-season, we get rid of TE Leslie Meadows (9/31) and C Ken Longmate (14/45) as they won't be in our future plans moving forward.

Excellent news on the re-signing front, as RCB Darrell Downs (38/60) commits until 2014. Unfortunately LCB Jake Newton (45/64) cannot be resigned due to his contract status as a restricted free agent, while NT Aaron Cox (40/59) has also progressed too fast too soon.

Philadelphia Eagles v Kansas City Chiefs

The Donovan Anderson era opened in grand style at Arrowhead as the Chiefs surpassed many of the low benchmarks achieved in 2010. The KC Machine exploded for 286 rushing yards, with Peter Castle finally fulfilling the promise he has always had. The second-year running back recorded 186 yards, including a 73 touchdown run. Chiefs win 23-13.

Kansas City Chiefs v Carolina Panthers

Castle and Reiser split carries as the coaching staff continue to evaluate who would be the better starter moving forward. The rookie crosses for his first touchdown as Carolina wins a touch match 16-10.

Kansas City Chiefs v New York Giants

The Giants skip out to a 10-0 lead but Kansas City reels them in and triumphs 20-13 thanks to a pick six from Zack Campbell in the last minute. Castle has the slightly better game but Reiser, Morlando and Berlin all pick up valuable yards.

Atlanta Falcons v Kansas City Chiefs

An excellent team performance. Castle picks up 65 yards (4.1 per carry), and Reiser gets 84 multi-purpose yards. The Chiefs hold the ball for 12 more minutes than the Falcons and we win 13-10.

2011 Schedule
[i]Home games in capitals[/b]
Week 1 - SAN DIEGO
Week 2 - @ Green Bay
Week 3 - @ Houston
Week 4 - NEW YORK JETS
Week 5 - @ Oakland
Week 6 - Bye
Week 7 - @ New England
Week 8 - @ Miami
Week 9 - DENVER
Week 10 - BUFFALO
Week 11 - @ San Diego
Week 12 - DETROIT
Week 13 - PITTSBURGH
Week 14 - CHICAGO
Week 15 - @ Denver
Week 16 - @ Minnesota
Week 17 - OAKLAND

Last thoughts
I think I'm going to go with Castle as the starter, and try to split carries with Reiser approximately 60/40. Morlando is the third cog in the running back machine and will be invaluable when fatigue sets in.

Although Bouchard is the higher rated quarterback at 40/40, I am going to start Tyrus Berlin (36/36). He has a far superior screen pass rating and is more accurate than Bouchard.

Our season goals
1000 yards each for Castle and Reiser - up from one single 1000 yard rusher
1300 yards for Castle
25 offensive touchdowns - up from 9 last year
Top 10 in yards per carry (team rating) - up from 32nd
8 wins - up from 5

[Rawhide]

Changing up the format of this dynasty slightly....I've played a year ahead, and rather than string it out piece by piece, I'd rather put it all up at once and then deal with the nitty-gritty of contracts, trades and the draft.

So, I'll just copy and paste the write-ups I already have, and get on with it.

Week One – San Diego Chargers (0-0) at Kansas City Chiefs (0-0)

The second season of Machineball launches at Arrowhead. Bobby Reiser, although not the starter, gets the majority of carries and chalks up 112 yards on debut. Peter Castle is obviously much the better for having a partner-in-crime to share the load, registering 56 yards at 4.7 per carry. The Chiefs continue to be offensively challenged, having not scored a touchdown against the Chargers last year in 9-7 and 6-9 results. This game is even more dour, with the Chargers winning 6-3. For the defense, Jake Newton grabs a pick and Darrell Downs tops 8 tackles for the game.

Week Two – Kansas City Chiefs (0-1) at Green Bay Packers (0-1)

Two teams which picked in the top five of last year’s draft faced off, desperate to avoid a 0-2 start to the new season. The Packers had the better of the game though, holding a 19-3 lead at the start of the fourth quarter. This led to a furious comeback by the Chiefs, with a pair of field goals reducing the margin to 19-9. Berlin then found Kennedy Reid on the end of a 5 yard pass, the culmination of a 16-play drive. The Chiefs would not get the ball back however, as the Packers were unstoppable on the ground, winning 19-16. Castle outgained Reiser 73 yards to 69, but Berlin’s accuracy deserted him, going 6/12 for 93 yards.

On a side note, the Packers were unable to sign their quarterback that they drafted with the second overall pick, Dennis Eggleston (45/82), meaning he will enter the draft again in 2012.

Week Three – Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) at Houston Texans (1-1)

For the second time in as many years, we travel to Houston and get completely outplayed. None of the running backs topped 50 yards, and Berlin was poor in completing just 6 of his 15 passes. We will probably make a switch to Bouchard for next week, given Berlin’s struggles so far. The Texans destroy us through the air, gaining 350 yards en route to a 21-9 win.

Big Trade Moves

During the week, we deal NT Aaron Cox (40/59) to the Buffalo Bills for a third and sixth round pick in the 2012 draft.

We then pull off a blockbuster trade with the Chargers. One which pundits may be talking about for years to come. We decide to add to our running corp by getting the speedy Matt Scott, who is rated 63/63. What attracts us to the trade is his 98 rating in breakaway speed, 94 on third downs and 66 power.

The price for the trade? Two ones, two twos and a three. We give the Chargers our first overall picks in 2013 and 2014, our seconds in 2012 and 2014 and our third in 2013.

Time will tell if it was a foolish trade or not.

Finally, we get rid of LCB Jake Newton, who is unable to re-sign for us next year. He goes to the Texans for a third round pick in 2012 and a fourth round pick in 2013.

Week Four – New York Jets (3-0) at Kansas City Chiefs (0-3)

The high-flying Jets came to town and Matt Scott was unveiled as the new saviour of the franchise. He made an immediate impact, with a run of 26 yards, then a 24 yard touchdown run. The elation was undone however when a penalty was called for holding. The Chiefs went up 6-0 with a pair of field goals, but surrendered the lead meekly when Peter Castle fumbled the ball, the Jets running it back for the score. The Jets led 20-6 at halftime and seemed certain to make it four wins in a row. However, the Chiefs began to establish domination in the middle of the field, and when Kamykowski reduced the lead to 20-12, it was game on. Peter Castle scored for the Chiefs with 3:25 remaining on the clock, but was unable to repeat the trick for the two point conversion. Kansas City would get the ball back, and Marty Bouchard started slinging the ball, to no avail. A pass needing 15 yards would find just 14, and the Jets would win 20-18.

Matt Scott would pick up 73 yards in his Chiefs debut, and Peter Castle 71 with a touchdown. Reiser’s involvement in the game was curtailed to just 5 yards.

A 0-4 record can’t really be sugarcoated, but the Chiefs had chances to win three games. The fact remains that the offense is struggling to execute once they get down into the red zone.

With three quality running backs now on our books – Reiser, Castle and Scott – the challenge remains to see what is the best way to use them. One of these players may find themselves at fullback, but where does that leave Donaldson?

Week Five – Kansas City Chiefs (0-4) at Oakland Raiders (3-1)

Not a good outing at all, as the Raiders win 31-6. Alex Finley, the best running back in our division currently, destroys us for 176 yards, and Craig Papadopulos chimes in with 267 passing yards. Reiser moves to fullback and revels with 65 yards, topping the running output of the team. Aside from that, there is little to be proud of in this game.

For the first time in this dynasty, I tinker with the gameplan. I lower the likelihood of a run on the second down from 100% to 85%, with the remaining 15% going directly to short passes. We’ll see if that makes any difference to us extending our drives and picking up more first downs.

Week Seven – Kansas City Chiefs (0-5) at New England Patriots (2-3)

Sigh. It’s only a small sample size thus far, but reducing the likelihood of a run on second downs hasn’t really seen a tangible improvement. Still, we play the Patriots tough and would have chalked up our first win of 2011 had we not been stuffed on a goalline stand by the Pats. Instead of going for it, we lined up for our fourth field goal of the afternoon and didn’t see the ball again in a 17-12 loss.

Week Eight – Kansas City Chiefs (0-6) at Miami Dolphins (1-5)

In a match between two desperate opponents, it was the Dolphins who were able to walk out winners with a gritty 13-6 win. Bobby Reiser outgains Matt Scott 56 yards to 52 but again we can’t get much done offensively. I lower the probability of a run on second downs to 70%. We have to make our opponents guess a little, don’t we?

Week Nine – Denver Broncos (4-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (0-7)

It has taken 24 games and a trade I probably shouldn’t have made, but finally we have the offensive explosion I was hoping for as Matt Scott chalks up 193 yards on 24 carries, including 7 separate runs of 10 yards or more. We also score two touchdowns in a game for the first time in a long time, using Bobby Reiser as our scoring tool. The most pleasing thing about this game however was the contribution by the defense, limiting the Broncos to four drives in the second half and – just as critically – no points. We score the winning touchdown on a 19-play 97-yard drive! Chiefs WIN by 17 points to 13!

That win was a relief to everyone on the Chiefs staff – once again in this quarter the Chiefs were competitive but couldn’t put the pieces together. It’s a good thing we didn’t send our first pick for 2012 to the Chargers, as we really need it! We have competition for the first overall pick though; the Panthers are 1-8.

The good news is that we have been competitive at least in six of our games, so maybe we’re just a few pieces short of making this all work.

Buffalo Bills (2-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-7)

All of a sudden we are on a winning streak! However, it isn’t the win but the fashion in which it was achieved which is most impressive: a team that had failed to score 20 points once in their last 24 games piled on 44 points. Not only that, we doubled our offensive touchdown output in one game, with four touchdowns – all on the ground – plus one more from a fumble recovery.

Quite simply, the Machine worked to perfection this time around. Matt Scott picked up two touchdowns with 66 yards, Bobby Reiser peeled off 155 yards and one scintillating rushing score, and Peter Castle chalked up 64 important yards from the fullback position. Marty Bouchard had a career-high 148 passing yards, and the entire team did not turn the ball over once.

The Chiefs win 44-21, with two late scores by the Bills restoring a modicum of respectability.

Kansas City Chiefs (2-7) at San Diego Chargers (6-3)

The Chiefs would fall 9-21 to the Chargers but one thing made the fans happy today; the Chiefs scored their first touchdown against San Diego in two seasons. Matt Scott had a relatively quiet game in his San Diego homecoming, being reduced to 78 yards on 22 carries, while Bobby Reiser was the scorer of the sole touchdown off a Bouchard pass. Bouchard also threw a touchdown for the Chargers, but we won’t dwell on that, shall we?

Kansas City Chiefs (2-8) at Detroit Lions (5-5)

What a thrilling game! The Chiefs scored two defensive touchdowns for the first time in the Machineball era, and would lead Detroit 20-14 with 4:40 remaining in the game. Twice during the drive, quarterback J.C. Baxter would convert on fourth down, but his luck deserted him when linebacker Mark McGregor would knock down a pass from the three yard line. Matt Scott took two knees and the Chiefs had their third win in four games. Scott was the leading yard gainer with 84, although Bobby Reiser gained 47 yards on 6 carries.

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-8)

Matt Scott had a Machineball-record 198 yards and two rushing touchdowns in the first half, but it was his two fumbles which indirectly led to Steelers touchdowns that would be remembered the most by fans today, as the Chiefs ruined a perfect chance to improve to 4-8. Overshadowing the loss was the fact that the Chiefs registered 20 first downs, a record in the last two years. Bouchard had 163 passing yards with one touchdown, a pass to Robbie Morlando (5 receptions) in the dying moments of the game. Pittsburgh would run out 31-26 winners.

Chicago Bears (9-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-9)

Truly a game of two halves, as the Chiefs led 13-0 at the break before going down 14-13. The winning score for the Bears came on a 56 yard touchdown pass with less than a minute on the clock. Earlier, the Chiefs had stifled a Chicago scoring drive when a touchdown was negated by an offensive holding penalty, which led to a field goal missing wide right. The Bears are the top team in the NFC thus far, so it is a mighty effort from the Chiefs.

Kansas City Chiefs (3-10) at Denver Broncos (7-6)

Another typically dour AFC West game, and our first to be resolved in extra time. Unfortunately, we haven’t had much luck this year and it continued with a 12-9 loss. The Chiefs dominate the rushing game (Scott 103, Reiser 59) and hold the ball for eight more minutes, but it’s Denver who march on with their heads held high.

Kansas City Chiefs (3-11) at Minnesota Vikings (10-4)

Minnesota are in the midst of a tight NFC North battle with the Bears and could ill-afford a loss here. Unfortunately for them, despite a fast-finishing offense, it is the Chiefs who win today, 23-17. Matt Scott records 83 yards on the ground, but just as critically he has 120 kick return yards, including the kickoff return at the beginning of the second half which ultimately was the difference between the two sides.

Oakland Raiders (8-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (4-11)

Oakland are in a battle for the AFC West and also for the wildcard spot, and would have watched our performance against Minnesota the previous week with a bit of interest. Missing Alex Finley, their rushing game doesn’t have the same vigour, and Matt Scott explodes with 170 yards on 20 carries. The game ultimately comes down to a 56 yard field goal attempt from Brett Kamykowski, and he misses wide right on a chance to tie the game and prolong our season ever-so-slightly. Oakland wins 17-14 but misses the opportunity to go to the playoffs.

Regular Season Review

It was a case of one step forward and one step back for the Chiefs in 2011, as Machineball falls to 9-23 over the course of this dynasty. Importantly though, the Chiefs are 4-6 since the implementation of slightly relaxed rules surrounding passing on second downs, which has opened up the running game considerably.

The big star of the season was mid-season recruit Matt Scott, who recorded 1270 yards in 12 starts. He is a face to look out for in the future. He was supported ably by rookie Bobby Reiser, with 893 yards and four touchdowns, while Peter Castle (who is off contract at the end of this season) picked up 603 yards, mainly from his new position of fullback.

With the relaxed passing rules, Marty Bouchard was able to go 4-9 as a starter and threw for over 1300 yards. However, he threw just three touchdown passes against four interceptions.

The Chiefs averaged 182.4 yards per game, which averaged out at 4.37 per carry. The rushing output per game dropped slightly to 41.7 but that was still a league best. For the second year in a row, the Chiefs led the league in fewest offensive turnovers.

We run the ball for 72.5% of the time, down from 77.6% in 2011. The Jets are second in this category, running the ball 53% of the time. You can see a marked difference already in our offensive philosophy compared with the rest of the league.

The defense lost much of their skill with the mid-season trading of Aaron Cox and Jake Newton, forcing just 20 turnovers.

Chicago would return to the Super Bowl, prevailing this time against the Jets.

[Rawhide]

I am pondering a change to the house rules, which I hope will not distort the intent of Machineball.

Quite clearly, outside of our offensive line and running backs, we suck.

Now, I'm not advocating a complete abandonment of the squad rules - we will always look to run the ball as our first, second and third option - but we could really do with some help outside of the marquee running back and offensive line positions.

So, this is what I'm implementing:

1. We draft running back or offensive line with our first three picks in the draft (changed from the first three rounds)

2. We allow ourselves to sign two free agents rated better than 40/40. One is an offensive position player (e.g. QB, WR) and one is a defensive player. Only two such free agents can stay on the roster at any time - we don't sign two per year, we only have two of these types of free agents in total. Also, we are not allowed to extend the contract, designate as a franchise player or resign the player; once their contract is up, they're gone. For the sake of simplicity, I'm going to refer to these types of players as Blue Ribbon Free Agents

3. Finally, we may resign one player per season who we have originally drafted per season (outside of RB/OL) who has exceeded the 40/40 ceiling. The same contract rules apply to these players as if they were Blue Ribbon Free Agents: once their new contract is up, they're gone. These players will be referred to as Drafted Free Agents.

So, what will change?

In the short term, not very much. I will be able to acquire two players better than our current 40/40 ceiling out of 15 starting players only. So, we may still very much suck.

I'm hoping that our draft will produce a calibre of player that we will be able to make use of as Drafted Free Agents, and gradually raise our overall standard of starter to perhaps 45/45 overall - so, we're not into suddenly stacking the side with superstars, but gradually growing our squad so that we can win more than 4-5 games per season.

We will continue to mercilessly run the ball at every opportunity, and only resort to the pass on situations such as third-and-medium. This is Machineball, after all.

[Rawhide]

2011 Chiefs Award Winners

Offensive Rookie of the Year – Bobby Reiser
All-League First Team Centre – Bruce Long
All-league First Team Guard – Daryl Berry
All-League First Team Tackle – Corwin Knight
All-League Second Team Tackle – Kim Hassett

The off-season pre-season diagnosis

We have the fourth overall pick in the draft, and two early picks in the third round (one from Buffalo). Of course, our second rounder has gone to San Diego. Barring future trades, this is the last time we will pick in the first round until 2015.

We decide to offer Giants scout Irving Kinzie a five-year contract as our lead scout. He is rated very good in running backs, offensive linemen, receivers, kickers and defensive linemen, and excellent in receivers.

Donovan Anderson’s tenure as coach is up and we decide to go all out on Seattle head coach Sean Leszynski. He has excellent offensive playcalling skills, and is rated good or very good in all relevant categories. He scores 79% on our rating system.

To my great annoyance, Leszynski resigns with the Seahawks. And Kinzie is a no-go too. We keep our current scout for one more season. There is a great scout from the Cowboys coming off contract next year and we'll go all out to get him.

We consult our Plan B list for the head coach job. The next best candidate on our list is Buffalo head coach Brandon La Rosa, who has a rating of 76%. Given he is 7-25 as a head coach (we are 9-23 in Machineball), he is only offered a two year contract. La Rosa turns his nose up at our offer and returns to Buffalo. To rub salt in our wounds, our third option resigns as an offensive coordinator at his current club.

Eventually, we have to sign someone, so we get 37-year old Lonnie Hanna his first job in the NFL. He is rated “Good” in all of the relevant attributes, and “Very Good” in defensive play calling. He signs on until the end of 2016. For better or worse, we’re invested in this guy. He's only a 4% upgrade on Anderson, but hey, he's an upgrade.

Player Resignings and Moves

Out of the blue, Pittsburgh offers us a trade for Matt Scott. They are offering a linebacker rated 41/41 and a second round pick. Considering that’s nowhere near what I got for him, it’s a laughable offer and I reject it out of hand.

Peter Castle (60/68) is now a restricted free agent and I resign him. He’s probably a trade target, given that we can only really effectively run two running backs in the Machineball system – Castle has been playing at fullback for most of the last season. We can get a bit of value for him I think.

RG Brock Bruce (19/55) gets a one year contract. I decide to let OLB Jonathan Lane (22/44) go rather than make him my first Draft Free Agent designation. P Earnest Syms (77/77) signs a three year contract. I think he’s earned it with his 48.9 punting average last season.

S Vinny Mason is traded to the Vikings in exchange for a fourth and sixth rounder this year.

In a huge deal, LT Corwin Knight (82/82) resigns with us until the end of 2017. We also take a leap of faith on SE Kennedy Reid (39/52), resigning him for five years. RT Kim Hassett extends his contract by one season.

Time to take a look at the rookies.

We can only draft O-line or running back with our first three picks. There are two stud running backs (rated better than 7.0), and two tackles which fit the bill as well. We aren’t really in the market for LT but Vernon Davison has better run blocking strength and ability than Corwin Knight, who could easily make a move to guard in such a situation. LT Nicky Brock also looks good on paper, and also gets the ‘underrated’ designation. Davison is 61% developed, Brock 48%

RB Darryl Foster looks beastly. Top bars everywhere. He is ‘as scouted’, but has a conflict with a team leader. Ours, or his? Developmental rating of 54%. RB Paul Garrett has the same top bars as Darryl Foster, maybe just edging him in the area of ‘speed to outside’, but falls down in one area: red flag in character. He is 48% developed.

Other potential targets, with positives listed and developmental percentage.
(For the sake of brevity, I’ll only list prospects rated better than 6.0)

RB Stan Zapata – Power inside, speed to outside – 68%
RB Tito Pantin – Elusiveness, third down running – 46%
RB Martin Burnett – Punt returns, endurance – 58%
RB Gus McKelvey – Hole recognition, elusiveness, endurance – 63%
RB Jesse Ehler – Elusiveness, hole recognition, endurance – 57%
C Hugh Wilcox – Endurance; overrated – 36%
C Max Glover – Pass Rating; doesn’t really fit our system – 40%
RG Dwight May – Run blocking, blocking strength; as scouted – 11%
LG Max Hicks – Run blocking; as scouted – 41%
LT Geoff Reeves – Run blocking – 23%

We also take a look at scouting some possible targets who would be available in the late third round, which is where we have our drafting restrictions lifted:

QB Benjamin Murray – Scramble frequency, timing, read defense – 16%
RDE Chris Bartee – Run defense, influence, play diagnosis – 14%
RDE Christian Stargell – Pash rush defence – 51%
RDT Dusty McGee – Punishing hitter, pass rush strength – 51%
RDT Ron Chapman – Pass rush strength, run defense – 53%
SLB Kerry Griffin – Strength in most areas – 44%
SLB Jessie Grier – Bump and run defense, run defense, pass rush strength – 61%
LCB Brant Preston – Interceptions, bump and run defense – 69%
LCB Malcolm Patterson – Play diagnosis, man-to-man defense – 58%
RCB Jamal Mitchell – Play diagnosis, zone defense – 43%
FS Chad Bauer – Punt returns, special teams – 25%
SS Thurman Kerska – Zone defense, bump and run defense, interceptions – 49%

Given that we face a probable dearth of first round picks in the future, and the reality that we have already one running back too many, and maybe another one on the way, I give serious thought to shopping Peter Castle. He is rated 60/68 but is not as impressive as Scott or Reiser in most areas.

It would be wonderful if I can get some extra picks for this year, but I’m not too fussy. I want quantity, not quality, of picks at this stage. The Minnesota Vikings step forward as trade partners and receive Castle and a fourth round pick we received from the Texans, in exchange for Minnesota’s second, fourth and sixth round picks in 2013.

Time to look at free agency. There are absolutely no quarterbacks on the market worth making a Blue Ribbon Selection, so I turn my focus to defense instead. We really need to stop the pass – but how? You may as well say we need to make the sky green. I don’t think it can be done.

So, I’m going to turn to my loyal readers (all three of you) for a bit of guidance.

There are four targets I’d like to see in a Chiefs uniform on the defensive side.

We have nose tackle Jerald Gore from the Patriots, a second round pick in 2010, but let go. Rated 64/82 overall, and 50/82 in run defense, 59/90 in pass technique. He is looking for a four year contract.

Next on the list is B.J. Mansfield, Baltimore’s strong safety. A seven year pro, rated 80/80, 96 in the running game, 99 for play diagnosis. Only two interceptions in two seasons. He also wants a four year contract.

SS Chuck Lofton (68/68) is a Vikings discard. 89 in run defense, 71 in interceptions. He wants a three year contract.

LCB Jose Karpovich (60/65) is also out from Minnesota. They must be having salary cap trouble. Rated 92/99 in interceptions! 7 interceptions in his short career. He wants a five year contract, which would suit us fine.

So, I’d be interested in hearing what you think. Be sure to give me a few choices, given that we may not snag the first choice!

I don’t think I’ll be chasing an offensive Blue Ribbon choice, as there may be far better choices at QB or FL there in 2013.

You have the better part of 24 hours to impart your wisdom, or lack thereof!

[Rawhide]

No thoughts, really? Leaning towards Karpovich, as you may have guessed.

[Rawhide]

Free Agency Timeline

LCB Jose Karpovich (60/64) has signed for five years as our first defensive Blue Ribbon Free Agent. Fantastic ratings in all areas aside from returns, and of course I hope to see some return on his 92/99 rating for interceptions.

We sign the following roster-fillers:

RCB Les Hogan (36/36) from San Francisco.

FL Ricardo Hughes (37/37) from Tampa Bay.

LDE Nolan Powell (39/39) from Pittsburgh.

RDE Darryl Milons (41/41) from Atlanta – defensive mentor.

QB Vernon Herzog (33/33) from Tampa Bay – quarterback mentor.

RDT Larry Guthrie (39/39) from Detroit

FS Preston Booker (38/38) from Minnesota.

SS Quentin Rebers (36/39) from Washington

QB Tracy Boyd (12/24) from undrafted free agency – signed exclusively as a ball holder.

We lose the following players:

RB Robbie Morlando (46/46) signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He rushed for 821 yards in 2010 but was limited to only 13 carries in 2011.

FL Rusty Nichols (47/47) signed with the Bengals.

RG Ty Culver (24/36) signed with the Packers.

RCB Zack Campbell (42/42) signed with the 49ers

SE Matt Deluca (32/38) signed with the Eagles

RT Tracy Brewington (26/38) signed with the Bills

We cut QB Tyrus Berlin (36/36) as he’s starting to become a clubhouse cancer.

We also cut LT Otis Derby (27/37), our second round pick from last year, who has been a total disappointment. We will probably now draft another LT in the upcoming draft.

QB George Harrison (16/33) will not be resigned.

Off to the Radio City Music Hall we go

[Rawhide]

The Draft

1.1 – QB Dennis Eggleston – Philadelphia Eagles
1.2 – RB Paul Garrett – Green Bay Packers

Buffalo look like taking the running back we are after – Darryl Foster – who was passed over by the Packers. We try to switch our fourth pick for their third, but to no avail…

1.3 – T Vernon Davison – Buffalo Bills

Big relief in our draft war room. We fill in the card with Foster’s name on it, giving us our third stud running back. With a draft grade of 7.8, I can’t wait to see how he turns out.

1.4 – RB Darryl Foster – Kansas City Chiefs (7.8)

As the draft moves past the first round and into the early third round, we are eyeing off one of three tackles- LT Nicky Brock, T Geoff Reeves and T Broderick Tomei. Minnesota take Brock at the end of the first round, and then turn around and take Reeves in the second round. However, our prayers are answered when the Eagles take a punter with the pick before ours, leaving Broderick Tomei to fall into our laps.

3.2 – LT Broderick Tomei – Kansas City Chiefs (5.8)

There is nobody that I consider worth taking with our pick at 3.4 (remember, we can only draft running backs, offensive linemen or special teams here). I decide to pack up the pick and send it to the Lions in exchange for pick 3.12 and their fifth and seventh rounders next year.

3.12 – K Rob Moore – Kansas City Chiefs (6.2) – Our current kicker has arthritis so we probably need a replacement here.

Drafting restrictions are now off, so we decide to take a punt on a quarterback with good scrambling ratings and the valued ‘very underrated’ tag.

3.22 – QB Benjamin Murray – Kansas City Chiefs (5.9)
4.4 – RDE Christian Stargell – Kansas City Chiefs (5.2)
4.25 - WLB Mitch Woods – Kansas City Chiefs (4.8)
5.03 - FL Lewis Blanchard – Kansas City Chiefs (4.8)
6.02 - LCB Dexter Chu – Kansas City Chiefs (4.7)
6.04 - SE Bert Barton – Kansas City Chiefs (4.7)

We trade our remaining draft picks to the Packers for a fifth round pick next year.

Our draft grade is a solid B.

Let’s see how our draft targets who we failed to draft stacked up in the end:

1.02 - RB Paul Garrett (81/88) – Green Bay Packers – Wow!
1.03 - LT Vernon Davis (50/74) – Buffalo Bills
1.06 - RB Tito Pantin (60/76) – Carolina Panthers
1.10 - RB Stan Zapata (34/41) – Denver Broncos – Bust!
1.22 - RG Dwight May (29/78) – San Diego Chargers
1.24 - LT Nicky Brock (40/72) – Minnesota Vikings
1.28 - RB Gus McKelvey (42/56) – Tennessee Titans
1.30 - LG Max Hicks (43/63) – Baltimore Ravens
1.31 - RB Martin Burnett (35/52) – New York Jets
2.05 - RB Jesse Ehler (43/59) – Cleveland Browns
2.25 - LT Geoff Reeves (22/57) – Minnesota Vikings
3.16 - C Hugh Wilcox (29/64) – Seattle Seahawks
5.10 - C Max Glover (23/48) – Detroit Lions

3.32 - RDT Ron Chapman – (26/58) – Chicago Bears
4.01 - RDT Dusty McGee (29/49) – Philadelphia Eagles
4.19 - RDE Chris Bartee (16/49) – San Diego Chargers
2.11 - SLB Kerry Griffin (31/68) – San Francisco 49ers
3.06 - SLB Jessie Grier (25/40) – Cleveland Browns
3.15 - LCB Brant Preston (26/39) – Washington Redskins
3.24 - LCB Malcolm Patterson (25/46) – Minnesota Vikings
2.32 - RCB Jamal Mitchell (26/48) – Chicago Bears
4.18 - FS Chad Bauer (16/55) – St Louis Rams
4.23 - SS Thurman Kerska (24/47) – New Orleans Saints

And how did our draft end up?

1.04 – RB Darryl Foster (62/82)
3.02 – LT Broderick Tomei (19/50)
3.12 – K Rob Moore (36/59)
3.22 – QB Benjamin Murray (8/49)
4.04 – RDE Christian Stargell (21/43)
4.25 – WLB Mitch Woods (21/36)
5.03 – FL Lewis Blanchard (14/22) – Wow, quite the reach!
6.02 – LCB Dexter Chu (18/35)
6.04 – SE Bert Barton (15/45)

[Rawhide]

Late Free Agency and Pre-Season

Additions
TE Andre Schrieber (18/39) – undrafted
TE Rico Conley (39/39) – Tampa Bay
FL Tyrone Bailey (64/64) – Miami – Signed as our offensive Blue Ribbon Free Agent for four years.
FS Larry Arnold (22/29) – undrafted
TE Frank Guerrieri (34/34) – Jacksonville
FL Earnest Auyeung (11/34) – undrafted
SLB Hugh Tatum (15/38) – undrafted
SS Levon Bonjour (14/41) – undrafted
LG Josh Blair (46/46) – San Francisco

Subtractions
TE Sean Burnett (34/34) signed with the Ravens
FS Rico Cooley (34/34) signed with the Cowboys
WLB Jonathan Lane (24/44) signed with the Raiders
RG Claude Dearth (32/36) signed with the Chargers
SS Ralph Hutchinson (28/28) signed with the Redskins
TE Dexter Knapp (27/39) signed with the Jaguars

We move away from our ridiculous training system from last year and restore the defaults, although we invert the time allocated for running plays and passing plays, practising for 3:10 on our ground game and 2:20 on our passing attack.

RB Darryl Foster has failed to sign his rookie contract thus far and doesn’t attend camp. He misses a great opportunity to battle with Matt Scott and Bobby Reiser for a role in our running game. He eventually signs just before our first pre-season game.

We make the following pre-season cuts:

QB Vernon Herzog (27/27)
FL Lewis Blanchard (16/22)
RG Rico Driggers (21/39)

Our kicker Brett Kamykowski (77/77) is now recovered from his arthritis but rookie kicker Rob Moore is kept on as insurance.

Pre-Season Results
Washington 37 @ Kansas City 17
Kansas City 43 @ New Orleans 13
Philadelphia 21 @ Kansas City 24
Kansas City 24 @ Carolina 31

2012 Schedule
Week 1 - @ Denver
Week 2 – TAMPA BAY
Week 3 - @ Indianapolis
Week 4 - @ Baltimore
Week 6 – CINCINNATI
Week 7 - @ Oakland
Week 8 – CLEVELAND
Week 9 - @ Pittsburgh
Week 10 – DENVER
Week 11 - @ San Diego
Week 12 - @ Carolina
Week 13 – BUFFALO
Week 14 - @ Atlanta
Week 15 – OAKLAND
Week 16 – NEW ORLEANS
Week 17 – SAN DIEGO

I'll play out the 2012 season in the next 24 hours or so...

[Travis]

Nice read so far, very nice looking draft. Looking forward to seeing how you do when/if you can find a QB that can be a very legit running threat in his own right.

[Rawhide]

Thanks for reading Travis!

The next season will be my last for a week or so....I will be offline during that time on a trip.

[Rawhide]

2012 Season Recap

Kansas City Chiefs (0-0) at Denver Broncos (0-0)

A tough way to start the season, heading to Mile High where the home team had won the last two AFC West titles. Darryl Foster got the start after a rapid increase in his attributes and chalked up an uber-impressive 145 yards on 18 carries. QB Marty Bouchard went down with injury midway through the second quarter and was taken over by rookie QB Benjamin Murray, who scrambled for 17 yards. The Broncos took a 21-3 lead at halftime and played the rest of the game in second gear, beating the Chiefs 27-10. KC would score on a Bobby Reiser run.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) at Kansas City Chiefs (0-1)

The Chiefs took a 14-13 lead into the fourth quarter of this match-up against Robbie Morlando’s new team. After trading field goals, the former Chiefs running back exploded on a 87-yard rush, giving Tampa Bay a 22-17 lead, with the subsequent two-point conversion failing. Benjamin Murray – getting the start in lieu of the injured Bouchard – gave the Chiefs the lead with 1:16 remaining in the game. The Chiefs made it a three point game when Foster ran for the conversion. The Bucs would then advance 67 yards in 5 plays to kick the tying field goal as time expired. In extra time, the Chiefs held the ball first but could only advance 23 yards before being forced to punt. Tampa Bay sucked 8:08 off the game clock in a methodical drive, and kicked the winning score, 28-25. The Bucs would hold the ball for ten more minutes than the Chiefs all game, running 76 plays.

Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) at Indianapolis Colts (2-0)

A huge defensive effort from the Chiefs, with Indianapolis only getting one first down between 1:30 in the first quarter and 10:23 in the fourth quarter. However, with KC holding a 17-10 lead, the defense faltered when it mattered most, allowing QB Jermaine Heath to drive the Colts 85 yards in the last 58 seconds for the tying touchdown. In a repeat of last week, Kansas City had possession first in extra time, but coughed it up in an interception, allowing the Colts to win 20-17. It is the second consecutive loss in extra time for Kansas City. 0-3 could easily be 2-1.

Kansas City Chiefs (0-3) at Baltimore Colts (2-1)

Bouchard continues to be out injured, so Benjamin Murray gets his third career start. However, the rookie is yanked after an interception and a crippling 1/6-5 statline. The Beatle George Harrison sees his first career action, with the quarterback formerly cut by the Chiefs resigned to sit as the second quarterback in Bouchard’s absence. Foster rushes for 116 yards but is monstered by his Baltimore counterpart who has 204 yards on the ground. Baltimore wins 31-13.

I give serious consideration to trading Matt Scott in return for a veteran quarterback or receiver who can add to our offense, but decide he’s probably better in our stable than not. However, he’s not getting any action at all this year, having just two rushes in the first four games – this from someone who had 1500 yards last year! He is placed at split end in the depth chart, although remaining listed as a running back.

We lick our wounds during the bye week.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (0-4)

Marty Bouchard returns as our starter and makes an immediate impact, passing for two touchdowns in the first half as we lead 17-3. The Bengals make a comeback and close to within 20-13. Our kicker misses an easy attempt (arthritis coming back?) and it seems like we will have a repeat of our two late collapses from earlier in the season. We are forced to a three-and-out, and hoik the ball downfield – where the Bengals fumble! We take two knees and escape with our first win of the season.

Kansas City Chiefs (1-4) at Oakland Raiders (4-2)

What a wild, wild game. It appears to be business as usual at the beginning, with Oakland leading 10-0 after one quarter. Bouchard, Reiser and Foster drive the Chiefs back into the contest at 10-7, with TE Frank Guerrieri continuing his scoring streak. The teams traded possessions, before Matt Scott – on his third offensive touch of the season – fumbles and gives Oakland a great shot inside the two minute warning. They capitalise and lead 17-7. On the cusp of halftime, Bouchard heaves an interception and that’s how the score remains at the long break. On the very first play of the second half, defensive ends Nolan Powell and Christian Stargell crunch the Raiders QB into a fumble, and linebacker Aaron Fulcher scoops the ball up and trots eight yards into the end zone. 17-14 Oakland. The Raiders and Chiefs score on their next possession, and Oakland leads 24-21 midway through the third quarter. Then, history repeats. The Raiders QB is crunched in another sack, this time Quentin Rebers runs 15 yards into the end zone. Two scores off turnovers, and we lead 28-24! Into the fourth quarter, we embark on a long drive, draining the clock from 13:42 to 4:57 but, frustratingly, we fail to convert a fourth down chance from our 33 and the ball ends up in Oakland’s hands. That’s where good things happen in threes, as the Raiders QB forces his third turnover of an unhappy afternoon. Kansas City eventually runs out 31-24 winners in a critical division game!

Foster rushes for 166 yards on 29 carries, and our defense forces five Oakland turnovers in the end. Most pleasing of all, we limit Oakland to just 23 minutes of offense. Good work!

Cleveland Browns (2-4) at Kansas City Chiefs (2-4)

Quite a different game, as the Browns dominate the Chiefs with 80 offensive plays to 46, yet Kansas City were the victors by 30 points to 16. The real difference between our two sides is the performance of the quarterbacks, with Browns QB Rickey Strong spraying the ball like a cat, going 19/47-186 and one interception; Marty Bouchard goes 7/8-68 with two touchdowns. We also have a big day with special teams; Bobby Reiser scores on a 65 yard punt return, and Jose Karpovich returns a kickoff 93 yards for the score. Suddenly, we have won three games in a row, and are one game below .500 for the first time in Machineball history.

Kansas City Chiefs (3-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3)

A poor game from us; despite Foster’s 133 yards on the ground, Bouchard tosses three interceptions in consecutive drives and we go down 28-14 against a side that I’d hope we’d move past in the standings.

At the halfway stage of the season, we rank first in total rushes and rushing yards, but only 21st in yards per carry. Our passing is actually decent (in the context of Machineball, that is), ranking 12th in yards per attempt. We are ranked last in run defense but 15th in pass defense.

Darryl Foster has 902 yards already, at an average of 4.82 yards. Bobby Reiser, his deputy, has 290 yards at 3.22. The surprise performer on the stat sheet is tight end Frank Guerrieri, who has four touchdown receptions on 14 catches!

Our quarterbacks collectively have 9 touchdown passes and 6 interceptions, and are now passing 30% of the time in our offense (up from approximately 23% in 2010).

Denver Broncos (5-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-5)

It’s the battle of rookie running backs, as Darryl Foster (902 yards) faces off against Stan Zapata (493 yards). Both players would feature prominently in the game, with Foster going 140 yards and one touchdown, as opposed to Zapata’s 119 yards and a touchdown. The Chiefs would force three turnovers, including a pick six, but somehow never found their groove in this game and went down 24-20.

Kansas City Chiefs (3-6) at San Diego Chargers (4-5)

A game we really must win if we harbour any hopes of playing in the post-season. The Chiefs led 9-0 at the break but San Diego came back to lead 10-9. Foster crossed the line for the Chiefs with 2:29 left in the game but Kansas City failed to get the two-point conversion. QB Conrad Bauer nonchalantly drives the Chargers down the park for the go-ahead score, with passes of 48, 19 and 15 yards. Down by three, Bouchard was able to get the Chiefs down to the 33 yard line, well within our kicker’s range, but gives up the interception and the Chargers hold on to win 18-15.

Kansas City Chiefs (3-7) at Carolina Panthers (7-3)

Carolina have really turned their fortunes around and look like making a post-season run. However, we have a run of our own to think about, and fancy our chances of knocking off the Panthers. Carolina leads 10-3 at the long break, but we get back into the game on a drive where Reiser, Foster and Scott almost perfectly split the yardage and carries; Scott crosses for the touchdown and the score is 10-10. We then go ahead 13-10 on our next drive, and embark on some defensive domination; the Chiefs force three turnovers on the resulting drives, but cannot convert it into points. Furthermore, our problems are compounded when we fumble the ball ourselves in prime real estate, and the Panthers go back into the lead by 17 points to 13 with 5:25 left in the game. We trade possessions, and get the ball back with 1:56 left in the game. On two occasions in the drive, we face 3rd-and-10 only to have the Panthers commit a penalty. Eventually, with 23 seconds on the clock, Bouchard is able to find Bobby Reiser unmarked and the running back crosses into the end zone. There is enough time for the Panthers to have one last play but the clock runs out and we win 20-17!

Buffalo Bills (6-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (4-7)

The Bills are currently in an AFC wildcard position and therefore we really must win this contest to stay alive in the season. Everyone is healthy and back on deck. We take a 10-6 lead into halftime after Bouchard finds our gun receiver Bailey with 40 seconds remaining. Buffalo leads 16-13 close to the end of the third quarter, having forced a turnover and completing two easy passes. It seems as though our season is slipping away. However, special teams comes up big again, blocking a field goal from 44 yards. Bouchard-to-Bailey accounts for 60 of our 67 yards on the next drive and the Chiefs hit the lead 20-16! The Bills have two drives in relatively good field position but are forced to punt on the first drive and turn it over on downs on the second drive. Facing 3rd-and-10 on our own 30 yard line, with only 1:41 left on the clock, Darryl Foster breaks a 37 yard run and we are home and hosed. Foster has 116 yards on 25 carries, but Tyrone Bailey has 91 yards on 4 receptions.

The AFC wildcard picture is crazily complicated this season. The Patriots (7-5) and Raiders (6-6) are being chased down by the Bengals (6-6), Texans (6-6), Bills (6-6), Browns (5-7), Ravens (5-7), Jaguars (5-7), Colts (5-7), Chargers (5-7) and Chiefs (5-7). The only team in the AFC out of playoff contention is Miami (1-10).

Kansas City Chiefs (5-7) at Atlanta Falcons (10-2)

One of those days where everything appears to go right. We get off to an early start when Bouchard finds Foster for a 32 yard reception. The Falcons regain the upper hand midway through the second quarter, but Foster breaks open for rushes of 43 and 38 yards, and the Chiefs lead 14-10. As the second half begins, Kansas City gets further ahead when Bobby Reiser marches into the end zone. KC leads the NFC leaders 21-10, and the Falcons never get as close again. Bouchard rounds out the game with his third touchdown pass, this time to Matt Scott, and the Chiefs win 31-17. Foster has 173 yards for the game, and Bouchard has an impressive 12/17-121 yards with 3 scores. Pity we can’t re-sign him!

Oakland Raiders (6-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-7)

A virtual playoff game, with the loser dropping out of contention. And that team would be us, as we wheeze through the first half, trailing 28-10 at the break. We get to within 28-16, and have a drive stall on the one yard line when Bouchard tries to find a receiver rather than trust Foster, Reiser or Scott. Oakland wins 31-16 to stay in playoffs contention, and we are all but eliminated – we need about twelve different results to go our way in the last two weeks. We do chalk up a little milestone in this game however, with two separate 100-yard rushers: Foster gets 160 yards and Reiser 106 yards.

Tragedy strikes at the end of the game with Marty Bouchard suffering a stress fracture in his foot. His season, and Chiefs career, is over.

With two games, Darryl Foster is a real chance of breaking the league rushing record – he has 1602 yards and the record is 1743 yards, held by Julio Raines who set it with Jacksonville in 2010.

New Orleans Saints (3-11) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)

Well, Foster doesn’t wait long, absolutely exploding with 234 yards and three scores! The record is broken on an amazing 93 yard touchdown run. It’s the best game by a Machineball running back and has me convinced that we have a blueprint for success in the future. Chiefs win 24-8 and Benjamin Murray gets his first win as a starter.

San Diego Chargers (6-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (7-8)

How I would love to finish the season with a win against a division foe and break level in the standings. It’s also an important game as the Chargers own our first round pick next year from the Matt Scott trade. For some reason, our games are always dour affairs, and this one is no exception. Foster is limited to just 25 yards on 14 carries (Reiser gets 64 yards at a much more respectable rate) but it’s the Chiefs who win 9-6!

Our games against the Chargers in the Machineball era:
2010 - Won 9-7, Lost 6-9
2011 - Lost 3-6, Lost 9-21
2012 - Lost 15-18, Won 9-6

We improve four games on our 2011 record and finish with our best record yet, 8-8. It’s good enough for second place in the AFC West behind the Broncos, but two games behind the wildcard Texans and Patriots.

We enjoy our best ever season on offense. Our quarterbacks combine for 15 touchdown passes and 1515 yards through the air. Tyron Bailey sets new Machineball returns for receiving yards (423) and touchdowns (5). Of course the big story is rookie Darryl Foster, who has broken the NFL season rushing record, but Bobby Reiser also had a fine season (841 yards at 4.23) to complement the running game. Mark McGregor has an incredible 89 tackles for the season.

We have 3075 rushing yards for the season, 600 more than our nearest opponent Baltimore, and the first time that an NFL team has rushed for 3000 yards in one season.

We are showing great improvement in our key run block opportunities:
2010 – 167/690 – 24.2% - Last in NFL
2011 – 191/658 – 29.0% - 30th in NFL
2012 – 212/638 – 33.2% - 16th in NFL

Our third down conversion rate is also headed in the right direction:
2010 – 79/240 – 32.9% - 22nd in NFL
2011 – 76/224 – 33.9% - 20th in NFL
2012 – 79/212 – 37.3% - 12th in NFL

The Super Bowl is an all-New York affair, as the Jets beat the Giants for supremacy 33-17.

Incredibly, Darryl Foster is NOT the Offensive Rookie of the Year! That goes to Paul Garrett from the Packers, who had 1691 rushing yards (second most in league history) and nine touchdowns, as well as a playoff trip to his name. I feel really bad for our stud running back, but hope he can take his game to the next level next year.

A nice surprise for us is WLB Mitch Woods (33/36) being named the Defensive Rookie of the Year. He recorded 53 tackles and a team-high 6 sacks on the season. Not bad for a late fourth-round pick.

We have three players named to the All-League First Team offensive line – guard Daryl Berry (76/76, second award), guard Graham Spetz (72/72, first award) and tackle Kim Hasett (67/67, second award). Tackle Corwin Knight (82/82) is named to the All-League Second Team offensive line. That leaves centres Bruce Long (93/93) and Patrick Lowrey (75/89) as the odd men out. Long missed five games due to injury this year, while Lowrey backed up just about everyone else on the offensive line.

Overall, the season is a great success!

[Rawhide]

Off-Season Moves

We retain our coaching staff.

Ronnie Foster is hired as our scout from the Dallas Cowboys. He is rated Excellent in scouting running backs, offensive linemen and linebackers. We make him the third highest paid scout in the NFL.

Going into this draft, we have 11 picks: 2.5, 2.16, 4.3, 4.14, 5.9, 5.13, 5.16, 6.4, 6.20, 7.7 and 7.19. San Diego owns our first round pick (1.17) and our third rounder (3.15).

QB Benjamin Murray (12/45) is sent to the Summer League. Interestingly, QB Marty Bouchard, who was rated 42/42, has since dropped to 39/39, meaning we may now sign if we want to. Murray may yet be the starter in 2013 anyway.

We cannot sign any Blue Ribbon free agents, as LCB Jose Karpovich (69/69) and FL Tyrone Bailey (63/63) still have years left to run on their contracts.

We farewell RDE Darryl Milons (40/40), who cannot be re-signed under house rules.

RT Kim Hassett (67/67) earns an extended contract, and will almost certainly retire at the end of the 2014 season.

We trade RG Graham Spetz (71/71) to the Chicago Bears in exchange for their third and fifth round picks in the upcoming draft. Spetz was the odd man out in our offensive line, given that he had terrible run blocking attributes. We switch C Bruce Long (91/91) to RG, giving C Patrick Lowery (75/88) a clear run as starter at last. Long drops to 71/81 but I don't mind. I now have options if I want to trade up into the first round.

[Rawhide]

2013 Draft Preview

There are two offensive studs headlining the draft pool this year, QB Nathan Grant (8.8) and RB Blake Summers (8.3), who look certain to go to the Dolphins and Saints at the head of the draft.

A trio of offensive linemen are the next three best prospects: RT Gene Schultz (7.8), LT Marcus Buchanan (7.6) and LT Paul McPaul (7.4).

For the first time in this dynasty I use all 60 interviews, the details of which I won't bore you with here.

Modification to House Rules

Two of the first three draft picks used in any draft must be used on running back, offensive line or special teams. The other pick may be used on any position, so long as I have scouted that player previously. The player drafted may only be re-signed once during his career with the Chiefs.

Free Agent Signings

We are only looking for backups on the offensive line, so we scout extensively for experience and mastery in run blocking.

C Nolan Compton (71/71 - Detroit) - signed for 2013
RT Sam Giles (63/63 - New Orleans) signed until 2016
TE Ricky Roberge (33/33 - Tennessee) - signed for 2013
FS Rondell James (33/33 - Dallas) - signed for 2013
RCB Brandon Dawkins (26/37 - Detroit) - signed for 2013
LDT Jermaine Worth (37/37 - NY Giants) - signed for 2013
RDT Vincent Campbell (38/38 - St Louis) - signed for 2013
NT Joey Jacquet (39/39 - San Diego) - signed for 2013
SS Leroy Lyon (32/32 - Minnesota) - signed for 2013

None of our 2012 roster sign for other clubs...yet...

Intriguingly, RB Alex Finley (80/80) from Oakland has not been resigned just yet. In something of a watershed year for rushers, Finley chalked up 1499 yards at an average of 5.22, second behind our own Darryl Foster. If he is still available at the end of the post-draft free agency, I may have no choice but to snap him up.

[Rawhide]

2013 Draft

The Dolphins take Blake Summers first overall, and the Saints take QB Grant, as expected.

From there, it gets interesting. The Vikings take CB Deon Crane, whom we did not scout. The Browns reach for QB Kyle Oliveira with the fourth pick. Although the second best quarterback in the draft, his rating of 5.5 doesn't bode well for future success.

Our favourite lineman Paul McPaul falls to the Rams at 1.13, and we start investigating opportunities to move up in the draft order. Defensive lineman Will Colman looks attractive to us at pick 19 overall. The Ravens deal the 19th pick to us in exchange for the two second rounders we hold, and Colman becomes a Chief.

The rest of the draft is an exercise in filling holes in the roster. We trade three picks to the Lions in exchange for a fourth-rounder in 2014.

2013 Kansas City Chiefs Draft
1.13 - RDE Will Colman - 31/65
3.20 - LT James Michaels - 23/53
4.03 - C Rico Clouse - 19/66
4.14 - RDE Doug Thierry - 23/44
5.09 - SILB Marty Walsh - 14/38
6.04 - FL J.B. Compton - 11/29
6.20 - FL A.J. Harrison - 19/41
7.07 - QB Jack Hunter - 16/41
7.19 - LDE Bruce Christman - 7/23

At first impression, we may have done extremely well with the selections of Clouse (who will be Patrick Lowrey's long term successor, potentially), and Colman (who gets to sit for a year and learn behind Brady Nichols, who cannot be re-signed in 2014).

Thierry is switched to linebacker and takes a big hit to 4/48, but enough to keep me intrigued for the future. Walsh and Harrison will be very serviceable players, whilst Hunter may be an undiscovered gem and will almost certainly compete with Benjamin Murray from the beginning for the 2013 starter's job. Not only does he appear to be as good in most of the important attributes, he knows more formations which can only assist our offense going forward.

Of the other players I was eyeing off or mentioned earlier:

1.01 - RB Blake Summers (79/79) - Miami Dolphins
1.02 - QB Nathan Grant (36/67) - New Orleans Saints
1.03 - RCB Deon Crane (42/81) - Minnesota Vikings
1.04 - QB Kyle Oliveria (15/57) - Cleveland Browns
1.09 - RT Gene Schultz (39/90) - Indianapolis Colts - Wow!
1.12 - LG Morris Kimbrell (53/79) - Oakland Raiders
1.13 - LT Paul McPaul (36/92) - St Louis Rams - Wow! Wow!
1.17 - LT Marcus Buchanan (31/73) - San Diego Chargers - our pick
1.32 - LT Hardy Hoffer (32/53) - New York Jets

Late Free Agency

TE Skip Kelley (84/84 - New England Patriots) - 4 years
QB Jermaine Heath (37/37 - Indianapolis Colts - mentor) - 3 years
RDT Glenn Dalan (36/36 - Oakland Raiders) - 1 year

RDE Darryl Milons (40/40) signs with the Detroit Lions.
MLB Chuck Sarmiento (40/40) signs with the San Diego Chargers
QB Marty Bouchard (39/39) is released.

RDE Will Colman fails to sign his rookie contract and will miss camp.

I note that Alex Finley has failed to be signed by any club during free agency and give him a five-year offer in the final week. He accepts and I now have four stud running backs where I only really need two.

This leads me to institute yet another house rule: a player may be traded to any other team in the league in exchange for any positional player, so long as that player's ratings are no more than 15 less than the player being traded - for example, I can trade a player with a rating of 65 to another team, but can only get a player rated at best 50 in return. The player I receive cannot be re-signed either, unless they are an offensive lineman, running back or special teams player.

With Alex Finley and Darryl Foster on the books, it looks likely that Bobby Reiser and Matt Scott will make way.

Training Camp Adjustments

1.13 - RDE Will Colman - 31/65 - Unsigned, missed camp
3.20 - LT James Michaels - 23/53 to 27/50
4.03 - C Rico Clouse - 19/66 to 26/67
4.14 - MLB Doug Thierry - 4/48 to 13/60 (from 4/48)
5.09 - SILB Marty Walsh - 14/38 to 15/37
6.04 - FL J.B. Compton - 11/29 to 14/29
6.20 - FL A.J. Harrison - 19/41 to 20/37
7.07 - QB Jack Hunter - 16/41 to 18/38
7.19 - LDE Bruce Christman - 7/23 - cut before training camp

[Rawhide]

Pre Season

We trade Bobby Reiser (74/76) to Tampa Bay in exchange for SS Stephen Neuman (36/49), a fifth round selection last year, and a first round draft pick in 2014. This gives us a pick in that round that we had previously traded away to San Diego.

We can't find a satisfactory offer for Matt Scott and he stays on our books for another season, albeit as a third stringer.

Benjamin Murray gets the job as starter ahead of Jermaine Heath. I feel he's earned it after finishing the season off with three straight wins. He also has strong affinity with the offensive line leader Patrick Lowrey, so there's that.

During the pre-season, Darryl Foster breaks his finger and the decision to keep Matt Scott around looks like a great one. Foster has three weeks off to recover completely in time for the season opener against the Raiders.

We go 3-1 in the pre-season, dropping our first game against the Rams 16-19, but winning against the Bears (19-14), Marty Bouchard's Seahawks (17-13) and the Vikings (14-6).

Going into the 2013 season, we are ranked 12th overall in the power rankings, but third in our division.

[Rawhide]

We start the season on the road against Alex Finley’s former team, the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are gunning for a division championship this year, and win 24-17. We dominate the time of possession and Finley has 164 yards, but to no avail. Murray sprains his knee and is questionable for the following week.

A big game the next week when the Chiefs host the Super Bowl-losing Giants. We win 19-6 with the only touchdown of the game coming from Alex Finley, with another 162 yards. KC only completes two passes on offense the entire day, but successfully harasses QB Ellis Davis enough to sink the Giants to 0-2.

The Patriots are our next opponents, and the game isn’t even lose. New England runs out 20-6 winners, and Murray stinks up the joint with three interceptions. Finley can’t get it going on the ground and contributes two turnovers of his own. We drop to 1-2 on the season.

We lick our wounds during the bye week and then take on the unbeaten Titans. This time our offense clicks, with four drives resulting in touchdowns. Finley scores two on the back of 148 yards, and Foster also gets his first score of the season. Murray recovers well from last week’s fiasco with 140 passing yards and a score. However, the Titans have enough quality about them to close out the game and win 31-28.

We decide to rest Murray for a week to let him fully recover from his sprained knee, and Jermaine Heath gets the start against the Houston Texans, who are struggling just like us. Heath turned out to be the difference, scoring the game’s only touchdown on a 7 yard scramble. Chiefs win 13-6.

Heath remains in the starter’s chair when we travel to face his former team Indianapolis. Although the score is close, the Colts score the majority of their points in garbage time. The highlights of the game for us are a 77 yard fumble return from defensive end Christian Stargell, and an 83 yard punt return from rookie A.J. Harrison. Chiefs win 30-24 and break level at 3-3.

The following week, Jacksonville come to town and give us a tough game. The Chiefs ultimately win 16-13 after leading 16-3 at halftime. For the first time this season, indeed in the four seasons of this dynasty, we have a winning record. Finley has another big game of 158 yards but at only 3 yards per carry. We decide to give Daryl Foster his starting job back next week to freshen Finley up, who has 976 yards in just seven games.

A vital game with KC taking on the 3-4 Raiders. Foster comes up huge for us, scoring a touchdown and being largely responsible for another when he crunches a punt returner in a tackle, forcing a fumble leading directly to a touchdown. The Raiders push a 34 yard field goal attempt wide right as time expires. We win 23-20 and move level with the 5-3 Bengals who hold the second AFC wildcard. (Buffalo and New England are both 8-1 this season). We trail the Chargers by two games but have yet to play them this season.

We take care of the 1-7 Broncos (how the mighty have fallen!) in a 31-21 result that is not as close as it sounds. Heath has his best game of the year, tossing two scores with 137 yards, while Finley scores two touchdowns in the first quarter. Elsewhere, Cincinnati lose and we have the wild card position to ourselves at 6-3. The Chargers lose and we are now a game behind.

So here we go. Charger week. We are in terrific form, riding the back of five straight wins, and no players are injured. In our most famous victory so far, we overcome a 14-0 deficit in the last quarter and win 21-14. First, Finley scored after a 71 reception by A.J. Harrison put the Chiefs into prime scoring position. Then, Finley cut loose for a 67 yard rush of his own. After the kickoff, CB Brandon Dawkins took an interception off Conrad Bauer and ran 20 yards into the end zone. Dawkins assisted at the death of the game, forcing Bauer into turning the ball over on downs. The Chiefs win 21-14 and go to 7-3, and in first place of the AFC West. We lose Sam Giles and Joey Jacquet for the short term though with niggling injuries.

We play in the game of the week against the 10-0 Philadelphia Eagles. I suspect their record is a mirage given they have played against the easiest schedule of the 2013 season (every other team in the NFC East is 3-7 or worse). The Chiefs hit the lead 17-10 late in the third quarter on the back of a 77 yard touchdown pass from Heath to Kelley. Dennis Eggleston would rally the Eagles to 17-17 on the next drive. Rondell James grabbed an interception and the Chiefs would have prime field position to go further ahead, but were limited to a field goal after the Eagles stopped Finley on a goalline stand. The Eagles levelled the score with 49 seconds remaining. That’s when Heath steps up and completes three straight passes to Kennedy Reid and drives the Chiefs into a game-winning position. Brett Kamykowski slots the winning score as time expires and the Chiefs win 23-20.

A tough game against the 7-4 Bengals, tied with the AFC North lead with Pittsburgh and Baltimore. The Chargers are level with us and would relish a backwards step from the Chiefs. Unfortunately our blue ribbon receiver Tyrone Bailey is out with concussion. Unfortunately, we just don’t get going, losing 3-19. Luckily, the Chargers are upset by the 3-8 Browns and we stay in first place.

The disappointing 3-8-1 Cowboys visit Arrowhead in Week 14 and upset the home side 28-23, with the difference ultimately being a 107 yard kick return touchdown early in the second quarter. The Chiefs rallied to draw within the 30 yard line but consecutive sacks of quarterback Heath gave Dallas the victory. Once again, San Diego lose and we stay on top with Charger week coming up.

In the definitive game of the 2013 season, for us, we turn in our worst performance in a third consecutive loss. The Chargers skip out to a 34-0 lead and end up winning 34-7. What’s worse, we don’t even have a wildcard slot at the moment, with the Steelers having a better division record.

Our second-last opponent of 2013 is the 3-11 Redskins, who have had a bad season overall. In an ugly, ugly game, we win 13-3 and keep our season alive. The ninth win of the year gives the Chiefs their first winning record in the Machineball era. With the Steelers going down to the Bears in extra time, we own the wild card spot again!

We play 3-12 Denver in the last game of the season. A win here would guarantee us a playoffs spot, and a Chargers loss would give us the division title. Baltimore (9-6), Pittsburgh (8-7) and Indianapolis (8-7) are still very much alive as well. We are shocked by the fast starting Broncos, who lead 13-3 at the long break. They extend that lead to 16-3 midway through the fourth quarter, and we are left hoping for a miracle. However, it never arrives and we end up losing 19-3 in an embarrassing end to the season. To make matters far worse, results go against us and we miss out on a playoffs spot altogether!

After beating the 10-0 Eagles, we have gone 1-4 to finish the season. Alex Finley finishes the season with a new record of 1962 yards.

9-7 represents a new high water mark for the franchise but it could have been so much better.

Bobby Reiser is a Super Bowl champion as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat Baltimore 31-9 in the championship game.

[Rawhide]

Key Performance Indicators

Rushing Yardage
2010: 2443 - 2nd
2011: 2918 - 1st
2012: 3075 - 1st
2013: 3002 - 1st

Yards Per Rush
2010: 3.51 - 32nd
2011: 4.37 - 10th
2012: 4.65 - 3rd
2013: 4.29 - 13th

Key Run Block Opportunities Percentage
2010: 167/690 – 24.2% - 32nd
2011: 191/658 – 29.0% - 30th
2012: 212/638 – 33.2% - 16th
2013: 206/669 - 30.9% - 26th

Third Down Conversions
2010: 79/240 – 32.9% - 22nd
2011: 76/224 – 33.9% - 20th
2012: 79/212 – 37.3% - 12th
2013: 103/228 - 45.2% - 2nd

Turnover Margin
2010: +19 - 2nd
2011: +2 - 10th
2012: +5 - 11th
2013: +8 - 6th

Running Play Selection (Run:Pass Ratio)
2010: 696-204 - 77.33%
2011: 667-253 - 72.50%
2012: 661-251 - 72.45%
2013: 700-234 - 74.95%

Dynasty Honourboard

Champion Rusher
2010: Peter Castle - 1063 yards (3.20) - 15th in NFL
2011: Matt Scott - 1528 yards (4.91) - 1st in NFL*
2012: Darryl Foster - 1866 yards (5.42) - 1st in NFL**
2013: Alex Finley - 1962 yards (4.36) - 1st in NFL

* Scott rushed 1270 yards for KC and 258 yards for SD
** Rookie season

Key Run Blocks
2010: Kim Hassett - 35 - 8th in NFL
2011: Bruce Long - 51 - 1st in NFL
2012: Kim Hassett - 41 - 2nd in NFL
2013: Bruce Long - 43 - 2nd in NFL

All-League First Team Players
2010: RT Kim Hassett
2011: LT Corwin Knight, LG Daryl Berry, C Bruce Long
2012: LG Daryl Berry, RG Graham Spetz, RT Kim Hassett
2013: TE Skip Kelley, C Patrick Lowery, RG Bruce Long

All-League Second Team Players
2011: RT Kim Hassett
2012: LT Corwin Knight

NFL Most Valuable Player
2013: RB Alex Finley

NFL Offensive Player of the Year
2013: RB Alex Finley

Offensive Rookie of the Year
2011: RB Bobby Reiser

Defensive Rookie of the Year
2012: WLB Mitch Woods

[Rawhide]

I'm going to try and present the content in a more streamlined way from now, less storyline and more statistical nerdlinger analysis.

2014 Starts Now

Our defensive coordinator retires, and we sign D.J. Bridges away from Jacksonville to fill the role with us. Jamaal Sellers re-signs for three more years as the offensive coordinator.

Draft Preview
Our picks: 1.32 (from TB), 3.21, 4.3 (from DET), 4.20, 5.19, 6.18, 7.22

The studs: QB Daniel Johnson (8.6), DE Scottie Wilkerson (8.1), LT Antonio Ellison (7.9), CB Lester Blair (7.4), DT Jesse Luong (7.3), QB Dennis Foley (7.2)

Our needs: DT, QB, OLB

Roster Moves (all until end of 2014, unless noted)

Resigned: FB Renaldo Donaldson (66 - 2016), RG Bruce Long (84 - 2016), FL Jason Parkinson (30), RCB Nicky Whiting (26/33), RT Declan Atkins (31/48), RT Ricky McCorkle (30/51), LG Josh Blair (56), LDT Jermaine Worth (39), RDT Vincent Campbell (38), TE Ricky Roberge (38)

Added: WLB Shaun George (38 - CIN), SLB Jack Benton (39 - SD), FS Sam Cote (39 - BUF), P Mercury Sutter (96 - PHI - 2017), SS Peter Bell (36 - CIN), C Xavier Douglas (35/50 - NYJ)

Released: RDE Brady Nichols (51 - SF), NT Joey Jacquet (40), K Brett Kamykowski (77), SLB Conrad Curtis (44 - SD), SLB Aaron Fulcher (41 - SD), LDE Rob Horner (36 - SF), LDT Glenn Dalan (38 - SF), WILB Mark Sutton (28 - SEA), QB Jack Hunter (23/37), P Earnest Syms (77)

Lost to Free Agency: C Patrick Lowery (89 - STL)

Retired: T Kim Hassett (2011-2013), C Nolan Compton (2013)

Traded: Nil

Hold Out: SS Stephen Neuman (44/48, reported to team), WLB Mitch Woods (36/36 - resigned until 2018)

KC Chiefs 2014 Draft
1.32 - RT Martin Lang (18/61)
3.21 - RDE Rodney Stargell (21/38) -brother of LDE Christian Stargell?
4.03 - K Mark Stone (45/63)
4.20 - QB Brian Andrews (19/52)
5.19 - WLB Alfred Roe (20/47)
6.18 - SLB Archie Forbes (16/34)
7.22 - RB Harris Braasch (21/49)

The Studs
1.01 - WAS - QB Daniel Johnson (26/63)
1.02 - NOR - DE Scottie Wilkerson (55/73)
1.03 - DEN - QB Dennis Foley (7/65)
1.05 - NYG - CB Lester Blair (61/82)
1.06 - SEA - DT Jessie Luong (39/70)
1.08 - MIA - LT Antonio Ellison (43/86)

Pre-Season Results
W 34-7 at Seattle
W 17-14 v Detroit
L 16-17 at Arizona
W 15-0 v Green Bay

The loss of Patrick Lowery is a big blow. The Rams are building one heck of an offensive line themselves, with Lowery (89), McPaul (81/91) and Cassell (77) certainly the equal of our Long (73), Berry (72) and Knight (68).

On to the new season! Can the Chiefs break through at last?

[Rawhide]

Kansas City (0-0) at San Diego (0-0)
1/4 - Chargers 3-0
2/4 - Chargers 10-7
3/4 - Chargers 13-7
Fulltime - Chiefs 14-13
Game MVP - RB Alex Finley (KC)

Passing - Andrews 11/17-178 TD INT
Rushing - Finley 22-88 TD, Foster 7-35
Notes - First win at San Diego in this dynasty; game winning score came with 4:28 remaining.

St Louis (1-0) at Kansas City (1-0)
1/4 - Rams 6-0
2/4 - Rams 13-7
3/4 - Rams 16-7
Fulltime - Rams 23-15
Game MVP - C Patrick Lowery (STL) (that hurts!)

Passing - Andrews 15/28-136 2TD
Rushing - Finley 15-68, Donaldson 5-34, Foster 9-0
Notes - That's not a typo. Foster did not make a single yard on nine carries.

Indianapolis (1-1) at Kansas City (1-1)
1/4 - Colts 3-0
2/4 - Colts 10-7
3/4 - Colts 10-7
Fulltime -Colts 13-7
Game MVP - QB Luther de Marco (IND)

Passing - Andrews 11/20-75 TD
Rushing - Finley 23-90, Foster 15-70
Notes - Neither team committed a turnover

NY Jets (3-0) at Kansas City (1-2)
1/4 - Jets 7-0
2/4 - Jets 10-0
3/4 - Jets 10-7
Fulltime - Jets 13-7
Game MVP - QB Everitt Ackermann (NYJ)

Passing - Andrews 8/16-52
Rushing - Finley 24-98, Foster 4-20 TD
Notes - Jets hold the ball for 34:44; Chiefs force 4 fumbles

Oakland (3-1) at Kansas City (1-3)
1/4 - Chiefs 7-0
2/4 - Chiefs 7-0
3/4 - Chiefs 7-0
Fulltime - Chiefs 10-0
Game MVP - DE Will Colman (KC)

Passing - Andrews 5/10-57
Rushing - Finley 31-101 TD, Foster 9-68
Notes - My kind of game! Chiefs hold ball for 37:21; both teams error-free.

Kansas City (2-3) at New England (0-5)
1/4 - Chiefs 3-0
2/4 - Patriots 14-3
3/4 - Patriots 17-10
Fulltime - Chiefs 30-17
Game MVP - OLB Jack Benton (KC)

Passing - Andrews 7/13-48 TD
Rushing - Finley 27-134 TD, Foster 12-73
Notes - Benton forces a fumble and has two sacks; Chiefs improve to 3-3 and lead the AFC West; second fourth quarter comeback from the team this year; Chiefs take lead in 4Q with 31 yard run from Finley with 7:33 on the clock; Jermaine Worth returns a fumble for a TD to seal the win

Miami (3-3) at Kansas City (3-3)
1/4 - Chiefs 7-0
2/4 - Dolphins 14-7
3/4 - Dolphins 14-7
Fulltime - Dolphins 24-21
Game MVP - RB Blake Summers (MIA)

Passing - Andrews 8/15-78 TD, Murray 6/9-125 2TD
Rushing - Finley 24-101
Notes - Chiefs score the final TD with 00:01 remaining; Summers with 178 yards for MIA; Murray sees action for the first time in 2014; Foster restricted to a single carry; Dolphins hold ball for 34:58; Kennedy Reid ties a club record with two receiving touchdowns; KC remains leaders of AFC West despite 3-4 record.

Kansas City (3-4) at Denver (1-6)
1/4 - Chiefs 7-0
2/4 - Broncos 10-7
3/4 - Broncos 17-7
Fulltime - Broncos 17-7
Game MVP - QB J.C. Baxter (DEN)

Passing - Andrews 10/21-140 TD
Rushing - Finley 22-112, Foster 6-15
Notes - Broncos win second game of 2014; KC limited to 25:18 possession; Mark Stone misses two field goals in second half; Chargers take lead of AFC West

Kansas City (3-5) at Buffalo (5-3)
1/4 - Bills 7-3
2/4 - Bills 7-6
3/4 - Chiefs 12-7
Fulltime - Bills 20-15
Game MVP - RB Derrick Burnett (BUF)

Passing - Andrews 12/25-142
Rushing - Finley 30-101; Foster 7-26
Notes - Buffalo scores winning TD with 2:39 remaining; Chiefs limited to five field goals on offense; Alex Finley demoted to second string for rest of season; LCB Jose Karpovich concussed and out for next game

San Diego (5-3) at Kansas City (3-6)
1/4 - Tied 7-7
2/4 - Chargers 14-7
3/4 - Chargers 14-7
Fulltime - Chargers 14-7
Game MVP - QB Patrick Peckham (SD)

Passing - Andrews 9/21-96 INT
Rushing - Foster 19-155 TD, Finley 12-51
Notes - Scoreless second half; Chiefs turn the ball over four times, twice on downs; loss all but removes KC from playoff contention

Kansas City (3-7) at Arizona (2-8)
1/4 - Chiefs 3-0
2/4 - Chiefs 6-3
3/4 - Tied 6-6
Fulltime - Chiefs 16-6

Passing - Andrews 9/14-69
Rushing - Finley 29-165; Foster 16-52 TD
Notes - KC rallies late to win fourth game of season; Chiefs dominate possession with 35:51; Finley breaks six runs of 10 yards or greater; Foster still prime RB despite reduced carries; Cardinals fumble the ball four times

Kansas City (4-7) at Cincinnati (3-8)
1/4 - Bengals 7-3
2/4 - Bengals 10-6
3/4 - Bengals 10-9
Fulltime - Bengals 17-12
Game MVP - RB Eugene Rice (CIN)

Passing - Andrews 9/19-102
Rushing - Foster 29-90, Finley 14-94
Notes - Chiefs reduced to four field goals; LT Corwin Knight requires ankle surgery and is placed on IR

Kansas City (4-8) at Seattle (6-6)
1/4 - Chiefs 3-0
2/4 - Chiefs 20-3
3/4 - Chiefs 30-11
Fulltime - Chiefs 33-11
Game MVP - RB Alex Finley (KC)

Passing - Andrews 9/15-47
Rushing - Finley 22-156 3TD; Foster 26-90, Donaldson 5-39
Notes - Chiefs hold ball for 39:55; Seahawks turn the ball over five times, including three interceptions; Finley ties Foster's record for most touchdowns in a game; San Diego wins the AFC West and Kansas City is officially eliminated

Denver (4-9) at Kansas City (5-8)
1/4 - Chiefs 10-0
2/4 - Chiefs 13-7
3/4 - Chiefs 13-7
Fulltime - Chiefs 26-7
Game MVP - RB Alex Finley (KC)

Passing - Andrews 10/17-72 INT
Rushing - Foster 29-118, Finley 15-157 3TD
Notes - Finley scores three rushing touchdowns again and has now scored six in two weeks; Chiefs win both games against Denver for the first time in dynasty history; Matt Scott, Skip Kelley and Darrell Downs all go on injured reserve

San Francisco (10-4) at Kansas City (6-8)
1/4 - Tied 0-0
2/4 - 49ers 6-3
3/4 - 49ers 13-3
Fulltime - 49ers 19-13
Game MVP - K Cornelius Torres (SF)

Passing - Andrews 14/27-114 TD INT
Rushing - Foster 16-102, Finley 15-81
Notes - San Francisco wins the NFC West with this result

Kansas City (6-9) at Oakland (4-11)
1/4 - Tied 0-0
2/4 - Chiefs 14-7
3/4 - Chiefs 14-10
Fulltime - Chiefs 17-10
Game MVP - RB Alex Finley (KC)

Passing - Andrews 11/24-155 2TD INT
Rushing - Finley 17-154, Foster 19-46
Notes - Chiefs close out an ultimately disappointing season and have not made the playoffs in five seasons of Machineball. Finley has one of his best rushing games of the season. Chiefs finish the season 5-2.

Overview

QB Brian Andrews (33/49) plays well in his rookie season but was limited by his nine formations. The fourth round pick respected the ball, throwing just five interceptions and set a dynasty record 1561 passing yards. He was also sacked 23 times which is another dynasty record.

RB Alex Finley (81) ran for 1751 yards, 9 touchdowns and averaged 5.12 per carry. He split starts and carries with RB Darryl Foster (82) who chalked up 961 yards, 3 touchdowns and an average of 4.29 per carry. FB Renaldo Donaldson (60) set a career record of 4.17 yards per carry.

SLB Jack Benton (41) and SILB Mark McGregor (50) marked their final season as Chiefs with a team-best 77 tackles each. RDE Christian Stargell (35) just edged out RDE Will Colman (54/65) as the sack king, 6.5 to 6.0.

2014 Super Bowl
Houston Texans 27 Chicago Bears 24

Key Performance Indicators

Rushing Yardage
2010: 2443 - 2nd
2011: 2918 - 1st
2012: 3075 - 1st
2013: 3002 - 1st
2014: 2896 - 1st

Yards Per Rush
2010: 3.51 - 32nd
2011: 4.37 - 10th
2012: 4.65 - 3rd
2013: 4.29 - 13th
2014: 4.60 - 1st

Key Run Block Opportunities Percentage
2010: 167/690 – 24.2% - 32nd
2011: 191/658 – 29.0% - 30th
2012: 212/638 – 33.2% - 16th
2013: 206/669 - 30.9% - 26th
2014: 205/614 - 33.4% - 17th

Third Down Conversions
2010: 79/240 – 32.9% - 22nd
2011: 76/224 – 33.9% - 20th
2012: 79/212 – 37.3% - 12th
2013: 103/228 - 45.2% - 2nd
2014: 73/223 - 32.7% - 23rd

Turnover Margin
2010: +19 - 2nd
2011: +2 - 10th
2012: +5 - 11th
2013: +8 - 6th
2014: +11 - 7th

Running Play Selection (Run:Pass Ratio)
2010: 696-204 - 77.33%
2011: 667-253 - 72.50%
2012: 661-251 - 72.45%
2013: 700-234 - 74.95%
2014: 630-311 - 66.95%

Dynasty Honourboard

Champion Rusher
2010: Peter Castle - 1063 yards (3.20) - 15th in NFL
2011: Matt Scott - 1528 yards (4.91) - 1st in NFL*
2012: Darryl Foster - 1866 yards (5.42) - 1st in NFL**
2013: Alex Finley - 1962 yards (4.36) - 1st in NFL
2014: Alex Finley - 1751 yards (5.12) - 1st in NFL

* Scott rushed 1270 yards for KC and 258 yards for SD
** Rookie season

Key Run Blocks
2010: Kim Hassett - 35 - 8th in NFL
2011: Bruce Long - 51 - 1st in NFL
2012: Kim Hassett - 41 - 2nd in NFL
2013: Bruce Long - 43 - 2nd in NFL
2014: Sam Giles - 38 - 5th in NFL

All-League First Team Players
2010: RT Kim Hassett
2011: LT Corwin Knight, LG Daryl Berry, C Bruce Long
2012: LG Daryl Berry, RG Graham Spetz, RT Kim Hassett
2013: RB Alex Finley, TE Skip Kelley, C Patrick Lowery, RG Bruce Long
2014: RT Sam Giles

All-League Second Team Players
2011: RT Kim Hassett
2012: LT Corwin Knight
2014: RB Alex Finley

NFL Most Valuable Player
2013: RB Alex Finley

NFL Offensive Player of the Year
2013: RB Alex Finley

Offensive Rookie of the Year
2011: RB Bobby Reiser

Defensive Rookie of the Year
2012: WLB Mitch Woods

[Rawhide]

2015 Starts Now

Our defensive coordinator retires, and we sign D.J. Bridges away from Jacksonville to fill the role with us. Jamaal Sellers re-signs for three more years as the offensive coordinator.

Draft Preview
Our picks: 1.14, 2.13, 3.15, 4.14, 5.13, 6.15, 7.14. The hangover from the Matt Scott trade has finally cleared.

The studs: QB Daniel Johnson (7.9), DE Billy Joe Huffman (7.8), DE Shane Drayton (7.7), DE Irving Bullock (7.6), CB Brent Fausel (7.4), WR Shane Bouchard (7.3), DT Larry LaFountain (7.0)

Johnson is back in the draft pool after failing to sign for the Redskins last season.

Our needs: DT, QB, DE

Roster Moves (all until end of 2015, unless noted)

Resigned: SE Bert Barton (19/31), C Xavier Douglas (33/51), LG Daryl Berry (72 - 2018), FS Sam Cote (37), DT Vincent Campbell (38), WLB Shaun George (39), FL Jason Parkinson (31), RT Declan Atkins (38/48), RT Ricky McCorkle (36/51), LCB Neil Garner (38), LG Josh Blair (57 - 2017), TE Ricky Roberge (33), SS Peter Bell (35)

Added: LCB Cedric Hirschman (39 - JAX), TE Dan Maxwell (38 - SEA), RCB Darren Shores (38 - JAX), LDE Robbie Bower (63 - TB - 2019 Blue Ribbon), QB Gary Alexander (24 - NYG - 2017, mentor), RB Orlando Alcott (59 - mentor), QB James Banks (39 - DAL), LT Rodney Lacy (49 - NE), RB Jesse Hawkins (24/46 - Undrafted), FL Dale Hoffman (23/35 - Undrafted), FB Deon Rogers (12/50 - Undrafted)

Released: LT Broderick Tomei (36/53), RCB Nicky Whiting (28/32) LCB Dexter Chu (44), SS Stephen Neuman (45), QB Benjamin Murray (32/41), SILB Mark McGregor (51 - DET), RB/FL Matt Scott (29/43 - NE), CB Darrell Downs (57 - MIA)

Retired: Nil

Traded: RCB Jose Karpovich (70 - Blue Ribbon) to the Packers in exchange for picks 4.16 and 6.17; RB Alex Finley (81), 2.13 and 3.15 to the Jaguars in exchange for LDT Karl Palumbo (55/61), MLB Tyrell Taylor (46) and WLB Grant Ford (33/48)

I traded away Finley after three years because I wanted to use Foster as the exclusive running back from here on, given that his bars have maxed out. I used Finley to get maximum effect on the defensive side of the ball, with the three additions all having big contracts with the Jaguars transferred over to KC. Hopefully all three can be useful contributors from here on in.

Finley and Karpovich would both be released by their new clubs and eventually sign with the Jets.

Hold Out: SS Stephen Neuman (44/48, reported to team), WLB Mitch Woods (36/36 - resigned until 2018)

Summer League: QB Brian Andrews (33/49)

KC Chiefs 2015 Draft
1.15 - C Doug Anthony (45/88)
4.14 - RB Lester Butler (22/22)
4.16 - LDE Neal Rodgers (19/32)
5.13 - FB J.C. Murray (20/47)
6.15 - RG Bucky Cortez (17/52)
6.17 - FL Lamont Winters (24/39)
7.14 - CB Jermaine Gatas (20/44)

The Studs
1.02 - QB Daniel Johnson (26/64) - Cleveland
1.04 - CB Brent Fausel (54/71) - New England
1.06 - WR Shane Bouchard (63/64) - Denver
1.07 - DE Billy Joe Huffman (54/85) - Oakland
1.08 - DE Shane Drayton (56/76) - Washington
1.09 - DE Irving Bullock (56/61) - Arizona
1.12 - DT Larry LaFountain (38/57) - Cincinnati

RB Kevin Blair (54/61) was taken first overall by Detroit.

Post-Camp Cuts

QB Jermaine Heath (22/22) - started 12 games in 2013
RB Lester Butler (25/26) - draft bust
FB Deon Rogers (15/46) - undrafted free agent
FL A.J. Harrison (24/32) - intermittent starter and sometime returner
RT Ricky McCorkle (40/52) - perennial backup on the offensive line
SE Bert Barton (20/25) - draft pick from 2012, never fully developed
TE Ricky Roberge (33) - played 23 games in two seasons

Pre-Season Results
T 16-16 at Philadelphia
W 28-24 v New Orleans
L 6-14 v NY Giants
W 16-10 at Atlanta

[Rawhide]

I lost the post I was working on about the 2015 season, so to expedite the progress of this dynasty, we're getting a brief overview instead.

2015 Season Overview

The Chiefs endured a season where injuries destroyed what was touted to be a much-improved defense. As a consequence, despite a solid season from offensive lynchpins Darryl Foster and Brian Andrews, the Chiefs slumped to a 3-13 season, earning them a pick in the top six of the draft in 2016.

QB Brian Andrews (49) learned two new formations and set a new dynasty record for passing touchdowns (16) and quarterback rating (97.4). He will be without his favourite target next year, as WR Tyrone Bailey (66, 6 touchdowns) will leave the club under the rules of blue ribbon free agency.

RB Darryl Foster (82) rushed for 1617 yards at an average of 4.04, reclaiming his mantle as the premier rusher in the Chiefs club after Alex Finley was traded to the Jaguars. He also recorded 435 passing yards, his best season in that category. New mentor Orlando Alcott had a good season, averaging 5.03 yards per carry in his role as number two.

The Chiefs could only score six touchdowns rushing this season, as opposed to 19 through the air.

MLB Tyrell Taylor (46) set a new dynasty club record of 97 tackles for the season, marginally ahead of SS Peter Bell (35) with 86 tackles.

With the major regression of the Chiefs this season, head coach Lonnie Hanna is expected to come under increased scrutiny this off-season. In four seasons Hanna has gone 27-37 without a playoff appearance. Under even more fire is defensive coordinator D.J. Bridges, who has gone 10-22 in two seasons at Arrowhead.

Chiefs Schedule 2015
W 34-9 v DEN
L 13-20 @ GB
L 18-37 v HOU
L 20-37 @ BAL
L 10-20 v CIN
W 33-24 v OAK
L 20-24 v CLE
L 13-27 @ PIT
L 13-23 @ DEN
L 10-34 @ SD
W 6-0 v DET
L 14-20 @ BUF
L 7-34 v CHI
L 13-23 @ OAK
L 10-23 @ MIN
L 9-16 v SD

2015 Super Bowl
St Louis Rams 34 New York Jets 21
Patrick Lowery earns a ring with the Rams, nudging out Alex Finley and Jose Karpovich in a close game.

Key Performance Indicators

Rushing Yardage
2010: 2443 - 2nd
2011: 2918 - 1st
2012: 3075 - 1st
2013: 3002 - 1st
2014: 2896 - 1st
2015: 2065 - 8th

Yards Per Rush
2010: 3.51 - 32nd
2011: 4.37 - 10th
2012: 4.65 - 3rd
2013: 4.29 - 13th
2014: 4.60 - 1st
2015: 4.11 - 18th

Key Run Block Opportunities Percentage
2010: 167/690 – 24.2% - 32nd
2011: 191/658 – 29.0% - 30th
2012: 212/638 – 33.2% - 16th
2013: 206/669 - 30.9% - 26th
2014: 205/614 - 33.4% - 17th
2015: 154/491 - 31.4% - 24th

Third Down Conversions
2010: 79/240 – 32.9% - 22nd
2011: 76/224 – 33.9% - 20th
2012: 79/212 – 37.3% - 12th
2013: 103/228 - 45.2% - 2nd
2014: 73/223 - 32.7% - 23rd
2015: 51/188 - 27.1% - 31st

Turnover Margin
2010: +19 - 2nd
2011: +2 - 10th
2012: +5 - 11th
2013: +8 - 6th
2014: +11 - 7th
2015: +1 - 13th

Running Play Selection (Run:Pass Ratio)
2010: 696-204 - 77.33%
2011: 667-253 - 72.50%
2012: 661-251 - 72.45%
2013: 700-234 - 74.95%
2014: 630-311 - 66.95%
2015: 502-312 - 61.67%

Dynasty Honourboard

Champion Rusher
2010: Peter Castle - 1063 yards (3.20) - 15th in NFL
2011: Matt Scott - 1528 yards (4.91) - 1st in NFL*
2012: Darryl Foster - 1866 yards (5.42) - 1st in NFL**
2013: Alex Finley - 1962 yards (4.36) - 1st in NFL
2014: Alex Finley - 1751 yards (5.12) - 1st in NFL
2015: Darryl Foster - 1617 yards (4.04) - 1st in NFL

* Scott rushed 1270 yards for KC and 258 yards for SD
** Rookie season

Key Run Blocks
2010: Kim Hassett - 35 - 8th in NFL
2011: Bruce Long - 51 - 1st in NFL
2012: Kim Hassett - 41 - 2nd in NFL
2013: Bruce Long - 43 - 2nd in NFL
2014: Sam Giles - 38 - 5th in NFL
2015: Sam Giles - 31 - 18th in NFL

All-League First Team Players
2010: RT Kim Hassett
2011: LT Corwin Knight, LG Daryl Berry, C Bruce Long
2012: LG Daryl Berry, RG Graham Spetz, RT Kim Hassett
2013: RB Alex Finley, TE Skip Kelley, C Patrick Lowery, RG Bruce Long
2014: RT Sam Giles

All-League Second Team Players
2011: RT Kim Hassett
2012: LT Corwin Knight
2014: RB Alex Finley

NFL Most Valuable Player
2013: RB Alex Finley

NFL Offensive Player of the Year
2013: RB Alex Finley

Offensive Rookie of the Year
2011: RB Bobby Reiser

Defensive Rookie of the Year
2012: WLB Mitch Woods

[Rawhide]

Where Are They Now?

We review the main contributors from the 2010 season - the first in the Machineball era - and the Chiefs' 2011 draft class.

QB Marty Bouchard
Went 15-25 as a starter with the Chiefs. Has been a back-up at the Seahawks, Texans and 49ers since then. Currently rated 37/37

C Patrick Lowery
Signed with the Rams in 2014 in free agency. The premier centre in the NFL, winning All-League First Team honours in the past two seasons as well as a Super Bowl ring. Currently rated 88/88

RG Graham Spetz
Traded to the Bears at the beginning of 2013. Has been a mainstay on the Chicago offensive line ever since, winning All-League Second Team honours in 2014 and 2015. Currently rated 77/77

CB Jake Newton
Traded to the Texans in 2011 and has established himself as one of the premier cornerbacks in the NFL, with 22 career interceptions. Won the 2014 Super Bowl. Currently rated 77/77

DT Aaron Cox
Traded to Buffalo in 2011 and has played for five other clubs since then. Currently at the Vikings. Has started 61 games in his career, 19 for the Chiefs. Now rated 54/54 and is a defensive front leader. Appeared in the 2012 Super Bowl with Tampa Bay.

RB Peter Castle
Traded to Minnesota at the start of 2012 and has been the starter ever since. Rushed for 1000 yards in each of the past two seasons. Averages 3.97 across the course of his career. Currently rated 49/49

RB Robbie Morlando
Was released by the Chiefs when Matt Scott came on board. Retired at the end of the 2013 season, where he rushed for 8 touchdowns with the Chargers.

The 2011 Draft Class

1.5 - RB Bobby Reiser (50/70)
Rushed for 800 yards in each of his two seasons with the Chiefs, traded to the Bucs where he won a Super Bowl ring. Severely limited in the past two seasons and is now second string on the roster. Currently rated 80/80.

2.7 - LT Otis Derby (28/43)
Released by the Chiefs after one season. Played subsequently for Philadelphia and Denver, retired after the 2013 season.

3.6 - RT Declan Atkins (23/56)
Still on the Chiefs roster; currently rated 43/48. Started in 8 games during 2014.

4.5 - MLB Mark McGregor (19/30)
Holds the dynasty club record of 253 tackles; left the club after the 2015 season to join the Detroit Lions. Currently rated 53/53.

5.7 - RDE Brady Nichols (23/34)
Left the Chiefs after the 2013 season to join the Jaguars. Currently at the Falcons, where he is rated 52/52.

6.6 - RB Tim Padavona (27/32)
Retired.

7.5 - RT Ricky McCorkle (16/48)
Released by the Chiefs at the beginning of the 2015 season; currently at the Bears where he started all 16 games and is rated 48/48.

[Rawhide]

As is my habit, I've done a lot of chopping and changing in my head as this dynasty has played out over the course of the past six seasons.

To cut right to the chase, I think my restrictions on roster-building are far too restrictive. The intent is noble, the outcome is mostly terrible. One winning season in six is a testament mostly to these unrealistic limitations.

So, moving forward, all previous restrictions on roster-building are removed, but with certain provisos still in place:

1. No defensive player can be signed or re-signed with ratings better than the best offensive lineman (currently Bruce Long 66/66)
2. No quarterback or wide receiver can be signed or re-signed with ratings better than the best running back (currently Darryl Foster 82/82)

I think those two simple rules will keep faith with what this dynasty is trying to achieve.

And with that, 2016 starts now....

[Rawhide]

2016 Starts Now

I decide to make a change at head coach, and bring in James Cook to be the fourth head coach in dynasty history. Cook was previously the coach at the Bengals between 2010 and 2014, going 41-42 with two trips to the playoffs. Critically, he is rated excellent in offensive playcalling and discipline.

We try to lure Adam Houston away from Tampa Bay to be our defensive coordinator, but he rejects our overtures.

Draft Preview
Our picks: 1.3, 2.2, 3.5, 4.4, 5.3, 6.2, 7.5. The Cardinals will pick first overall, and the Broncos have the second pick ahead of us.

The studs: DT Nathan Flannery (8.1), QB Daniel Johnson (7.9), RB Craig Dix (7.7), QB Edgar Heath (7.4), DT Juan Winslett (7.4), DE Walt Schumann (7.3), OLB Conrad Page (7.1), CB Dwight Sims (7.1). There are four quarterbacks rated between 6.9 and 6.7, and WR Bert Bush (6.7) is the best of the receivers.

Johnson is toxic, it seems; he was drafted first overall by the Redskins in 2014 and second overall by the Browns in 2015. Each time, he failed to sign his rookie contract. Will Arizona or Denver take a leap on him?

In other news, reigning Super Bowl champions St Louis are experiencing salary cap hell and have had to release most of their roster! Including one Mr Patrick Lowery, whom I hope to attract back to Arrowhead. That might upset fans of our new prospect Doug Anthony, who is rated 56/86, but Lowery is a favourite of mine and we have to get him however the cost. As it turns out, Lowery signs for the 49ers for significantly money than we were offering.

Our needs: CB, DT, S

Roster Moves (all until end of 2016, unless noted)

Resigned: TE Skip Kelley (85, 2019), RG Bruce Long (65), SE Kennedy Reid (53, 2019), RDE Will Colman (62, 2019), LDT Karl Palumbo (65, 2019), MLB Doug Thierry (34/56), FB Renaldo Donaldson (58, 2017), FL Tyrone Bailey (65, 2020)

Added: SS Tyrell Mathews (52, 2017 - MIA), LCB Cornell Alstatt (62, NYJ), FS Daryl Urbanski (64, 2018 - BUF), RDT Tyrell Hookano (58, 2017 - SEA), TE Shannon Flynn (39 - NYJ), SE Todd Lake (43 - CLE), QB Marty Bouchard (37, 2017 - SF), FL Austin Donovan (79, 2019 - STL), SLB Marty Zeigler (53, 2019 - NE)

Released: RB Orlando Alcott (54 - CIN), C Xavier Douglas (35/49 - STL), FS Sam Cote (36 - SF), RDT Vincent Campbell (35 - IND), RDE Harold Ursini (40 - WAS), WLB Shaun George (39 - SD), FS Willie Robbins (39 - SD), LT James Michaels (35/47 - DAL), LCB Cedric Hirschman (38 - DEN), SILB Marty Walsh (28/36 - IND), RCB Darren Shores (36 - NO)

Retired: LT Rodney Lacy (2015)

Traded: SE Kennedy Reid (55) to Miami for their 2017 4th Round pick. The Dolphins proposed this trade.

Hold Out:

Summer League: Nil

KC Chiefs 2015 Draft
1.03 - DT Nathan Flannery (47/64)
2.02 - RT Andre McDaniel (21/50)
3.05 - DE Isaac Turner (29/49)
4.04 - QB George Nelson (17/44)
5.03 - SLB Antonie Gardner (16/34)
6.02 - CB Kris Auerbach (21/47)
7.05 - RB Arnie Roberts (27/37)

The Studs
1.01 - RB Craig Dix (61/83) - Arizona
1.02 - QB Daniel Johnson (27/64) - Denver
1.03 - DT Nathan Flannery (47/64) - Kansas City
1.04 - QB Edgar Heath (18/80) - Tampa Bay
1.07 - CB Dwight Sims (48/64) - Miami
1.08 - OLB Conrad Page (44/71) - Green Bay
1.10 - DT Juan Winslett (48/80) - San Francisco
1.12 - DE Walt Schumann (47/71) - Minnesota
1.14 - WR Bert Bush (41/71) - San Diego

Ten quarterbacks are chosen in the first round!

Post-Camp Cuts

QB Jermaine Heath (22/22) - started 12 games in 2013
RB Lester Butler (25/26) - draft bust
FB Deon Rogers (15/46) - undrafted free agent
FL A.J. Harrison (24/32) - intermittent starter and sometime returner
RT Ricky McCorkle (40/52) - perennial backup on the offensive line
SE Bert Barton (20/25) - draft pick from 2012, never fully developed
TE Ricky Roberge (33) - played 23 games in two seasons

Pre-Season Results
W 17-7 v Dallas
L 14-27 @ Atlanta
W 10-7 v Washington
W 17-13 @ New Orleans

At the end of the pre-season, three players had not signed their rookie contracts: Washington NT Corwin Loshbaugh (53/85), first overall pick RB Craig Dix (Arizona), and the eternal rookie QB Daniel Johnson (27/68) who adds the Broncos to the list of teams he has dudded.

[Rawhide]

Kansas City (0-0) at Oakland (0-0)
1/4 - Chiefs 7-0
2/4 - Raiders 13-10
3/4 - Raiders 20-10
Fulltime - Raiders 20-13
Game MVP - RB Darryl Foster (KC)

Passing - Andrews 12/24-94
Rushing - Foster 36-153 TD
Notes - We are ineffectual in the red zone, only scoring 10 points from four trips; Foster has a decent day but we can't do better than 5/14 on third downs.

Tampa Bay (0-1) at Kansas City (1-0)
1/4 - Chiefs 3-0
2/4 - Chiefs 27-0
3/4 - Chiefs 27-3
Fulltime - Chiefs 30-3
Game MVP - RB Darryl Foster (KC)

Passing - Andrews 6/10-84 TD INT
Rushing - Foster 39-180 2TD
Notes - A fantastic performance. Foster explodes with three total touchdowns in the second quarter, and our defense forces six fumbles, recovering three.

Cincinnati (2-0) at Kansas City (1-1)
1/4 - Chiefs 16-0
2/4 - Bengals 24-23
3/4 - Bengals 38-23
Fulltime - Bengals 41-30
Game MVP - RB Eugene Rice (CIN)

Passing - Andrews 8/10-109 2TD
Rushing - Foster 24-165 TD
Notes - After an uncertain start (4 downs in possession in the first half), the Bengals explode scoring 38 points on six drives. We simply had no answers, although Foster had another very good game, being marginally outplayed by his opposite number from the Bengals.

In breaking news, Daniel Johnson signs with the Broncos! Finally, we have an end to the long-running saga....and we get to face him twice a season!

Kansas City (1-2) at Tennessee (0-3)
1/4 - Tied 0-0
2/4 - Chiefs 7-0
3/4 - Tied 7-7
Fulltime - Titans 13-10
Game MVP - QB Pat Shea (TEN)

Passing - Bouchard 7/13-46 TD, Andrews 1/1-6
Rushing - Foster 25-95, Braasch 7-23
Notes - A particuarly frustrating game, as Andrews gets knocked out in the first quarter and will miss four weeks. It's back to the future as our former starter Marty Bouchard steps in and takes the reins, but we can't get past the struggling Titans.

Houston (3-2) at Kansas City (1-3)
1/4 - Texans 7-0
2/4 - Texans 21-7
3/4 - Texans 21-10
Fulltime - Texans 31-21
Game MVP - QB Lance Shonek (HOU)

Passing - Bouchard 18/23-173 TD, Nelson 2/3-19 TD
Rushing - Foster 34-129
Notes - The Texans capitalise on our QB situation and send the Chiefs down to 1-4. Our season is fading fast. Andrews is questionable for the Colts game and may be rushed back.

Kansas City (1-4) at Indianapolis (2-4)
1/4 - Chiefs 3-0
2/4 - Chiefs 17-7
3/4 - Chiefs 27-7
Fulltime - Chiefs 27-14
Game MVP - RB Darryl Foster (KC)

Passing - Andrews 11/12-122 2TD
Rushing - Foster 44-164 TD
Notes - A badly needed win, Andrews comes up huge in his return game, our defense forces three turnovers and the Chiefs are back in the winners circle!

Already at this stage of the season we have scored as many rushing touchdowns as we did in all of 2015.

Jacksonville (3-2-1) at Kansas City (2-4)
1/4 - Chiefs 3-0
2/4 - Chiefs 20-0
3/4 - Chiefs 30-10
Fulltime - Chiefs 33-10
Game MVP - S Tyrell Mathews (KC)

Passing - Andrews 12/15-86 TD
Rushing - Foster 34-85 TD
Notes - Mathews has a big game, with two interceptions, a sack and a pick six. Which is just as well considering Foster's low output in this game.

Oakland (3-3-1) at Kansas City (3-4)
1/4 - Tied 7-7
2/4 - Chiefs 21-7
3/4 - Chiefs 28-10
Fulltime - Chiefs 31-13
Game MVP - RB Darryl Foster (KC)

Passing - Andrews 8/11-123 TD
Rushing - Foster 36-186 2TD
Notes - The perfect Machineball game. We hold the ball for 39 minutes, intercept the Raiders three times (Mathews, twice, and another pick six!), and don't force any turnovers of our own. All of a sudden we have a three match winning streak, and four of our last eight games are in the AFC West. We can win this thing!

On the injury front, RDE Will Colman is out with torn knee cartilage, and SLB Tyrell Taylor's season is over with ACL damage to the knee.

Denver (4-4) at Kansas City (4-4)
1/4 - Chiefs 3-0
2/4 - Chiefs 10-3
3/4 - Chiefs 10-6
Fulltime - Chiefs 10-6
Game MVP - RB Darryl Foster (KC)

Passing - Andrews 8/9-108
Rushing - Foster 34-158
Notes - Another beautiful Machineball game. Our only touchdown comes off a punt return. Daniel Johnson makes his first NFL appearance trying to lead a fourth quarter comeback for the Broncos, all to no avail. We are coasting, with a very important game in the works up next.

Kansas City (5-4) at San Diego (6-3)
1/4 - Chargers 7-0
2/4 - Chargers 7-6
3/4 - Chargers 10-6
Fulltime - Chargers 13-9
Game MVP - QB Leroy Walters (SD)

Passing - Andrews 11/17-66
Rushing - Foster 30-118
Notes - Our five game winning streak come to an end at the worst possible time as the Chargers take a two game lead in the AFC West. In addition, we are now half a game behind the wildcard-holding Raiders. We can't get anything going offensively, and now LT Corbin Knight will be out indefinitely.

With the Steelers (8-2) holding the other wildcard, we are virtually battling with the Raiders for a spot in the finals (along with six other teams a game behind us). The Raiders have four home games remaining; we have two. That may be all the difference in a tight race.

Kansas City (5-5) at Carolina (8-2)
1/4 - Tied 0-0
2/4 - Panthers 7-0
3/4 - Tied 7-7
Fulltime - Tied 14-14
Extra Time - Panthers 20-14
Game MVP - QB Walt Gaines (CAR)

Passing - Andrews 10/15-110 TD
Rushing - Foster 24-124 TD, Braasch 10-32
Notes - A tough loss, with the Panthers equalling the score late in the game, then throwing the winning score on the first drive of overtime. We fall a game and a half behind Oakland in the wildcard race, and will probably have to win our last five games to have any chance.

Kansas City (5-6) at New England (3-8)
1/4 - Patriots 7-0
2/4 - Patriots 10-7
3/4 - Patriots 17-7
Fulltime - Patriots 17-7
Game MVP - QB Lance Giantonio (NE)

Passing - Andrews 11/17-64 TD
Rushing - Foster 33-173
Notes - Yep, that's probably our season done now. Statistically, a tidy performance but we couldn't get the statistic that mattered most to us - the win. The injuries are now mounting up - Skip Kelley will miss the next game, while our punter has a viral infection! Doing what?!

Kansas City (5-7) at Atlanta (7-5)
1/4 - Chiefs 3-0
2/4 - Chiefs 17-0
3/4 - Chiefs 17-14
Fulltime - Chiefs 23-20
Game MVP -

Passing - Andrews 11/19-100 2TD INT
Rushing - Foster 30-234
Notes - The Chiefs nearly give up a big halftime lead, and save the game with a 53 yard field goal as time expires! Foster has a huge game of 234 yards, which equals the dynasty single game record. He will become the first running back in this dynasty to exceed 2000 yards, with his total currently at 1964 with three games remaining.

We are two games out of the wildcard spot, currently held by the 8-5 Ravens, and two games behind the division-leading Chargers, who we play next.

San Diego (8-5) at Kansas City (6-7)
1/4 - Chiefs 10-0
2/4 - Chiefs 20-0
3/4 - Chiefs 23-0
Fulltime - Chiefs 30-0
Game MVP - RB Darryl Foster (KC)

Passing - Andrews 10/10-79
Rushing - Foster 53-169 2TD, Braasch 4-39 TD
Notes - Wow! What a game! Foster passes 2000 yards with one of his best rushing performances of the season, Andrews has the first flawless game from a QB in this dynasty, and we hold the ball for a massive 43 minutes. The Chargers never had a chance. Suddenly, the AFC West is wide open, although we remain in third position. That Carolina game might come back to hurt us.

New Orleans (8-6) at Kansas City (7-7)
1/4 - Chiefs 6-0
2/4 - Chiefs 13-0
3/4 - Chiefs 16-0
Fulltime - Chiefs 16-6
Game MVP - QB Nathan Grant (NO)

Passing - Andrews 6/12-51
Rushing - Foster 39-151 TD
Notes - The Chiefs continue their resurrection in this season, having gone 8-3 since Week 5. We do a spectacular job on defense, limiting the Saints to just 53 rushing yards all game.

The playoff picture is a little murky now. We are tied with Baltimore (8-7) for the wildcard, along with the Colts and Chargers who share the same record. Oakland have already won the AFC West, so there's only one avenue for us to make the playoffs.

We play the Broncos (5-11), Baltimore face Cincinnati (14-1), Indianapolis play the Jaguars (5-9-1), and the Chargers play the Raiders (9-5-1).

Kansas City (8-7) at Denver (5-10)
1/4 - Chiefs 3-0
2/4 - Chiefs 16-10
3/4 - Broncos 17-16
Fulltime - Broncos 17-16
Game MVP - QB Daniel Johnson (DEN)

Passing - Andrews 5/8-85
Rushing - Foster 29-122 TD, Braasch 9-41
Notes - Well, what a time for Daniel Johnson to announce his arrival in the league, no less than three years after being first drafted. He throws the last two touchdowns of the game. The loss knocks us out of playoff contention, and the Colts grab the final wildcard spot available.

Despite a record breaking season, Darryl Foster is once again overlooked for MVP honours, with that distinction going to Miami RB Blake Summer. Foster does get the Offensive POY award, as well as the All-League First Team Running Back place. Tyrell Mathews is the first Chiefs defensive player to earn First Team honours in dynasty history, while second-year centre Doug Anthony gets a First Team award as well.

Our defence stood up big time in 2016, recording 35 turnovers (21 fumbles, 14 intercepts). When you combine that with the extra-frugal work of the offense in just producing five turnovers, then you have the league's best unit in turnover margin. The +30 margin is the best in league history in this dynasty.

Quarterback Brian Andrews produced a quarterback rating of 102.2, with 11 touchdowns and 2 intercepts to go with his 1296 yards.

Darryl Foster sets a new high-water mark with 2406 rushing yards, averaging 4.42 per game and 13 touchdowns. How he didn't get MVP is beyond me.

Safety Tyrell Mathews records seven interceptions on the season, a new Chiefs dynasty record.

8-8 is still a good achievement for a club that looked to be in tatters just twelve months ago. Can Cook finally take the club into the promised land in the eighth season of Machineball?

2016 Super Bowl
Cincinnati Bengals 20 Dallas Cowboys 14

Key Performance Indicators

Rushing Yardage
2010: 2443 - 2nd
2011: 2918 - 1st
2012: 3075 - 1st
2013: 3002 - 1st
2014: 2896 - 1st
2015: 2065 - 8th
2016: 2876 - 1st

Yards Per Rush
2010: 3.51 - 32nd
2011: 4.37 - 10th
2012: 4.65 - 3rd
2013: 4.29 - 13th
2014: 4.60 - 1st
2015: 4.11 - 18th
2016: 4.11 - 18th

Key Run Block Opportunities Percentage
2010: 167/690 – 24.2% - 32nd
2011: 191/658 – 29.0% - 30th
2012: 212/638 – 33.2% - 16th
2013: 206/669 - 30.9% - 26th
2014: 205/614 - 33.4% - 17th
2015: 154/491 - 31.4% - 24th
2016: 193/690 - 28.0% - 30th

Third Down Conversions
2010: 79/240 – 32.9% - 22nd
2011: 76/224 – 33.9% - 20th
2012: 79/212 – 37.3% - 12th
2013: 103/228 - 45.2% - 2nd
2014: 73/223 - 32.7% - 23rd
2015: 51/188 - 27.1% - 31st
2016: 80/225 - 35.6% - 16th

Turnover Margin
2010: +19 - 2nd
2011: +2 - 10th
2012: +5 - 11th
2013: +8 - 6th
2014: +11 - 7th
2015: +1 - 13th
2016: +30 - 1st

Running Play Selection (Run:Pass Ratio)
2010: 696-204 - 77.33%
2011: 667-253 - 72.50%
2012: 661-251 - 72.45%
2013: 700-234 - 74.95%
2014: 630-311 - 66.95%
2015: 502-312 - 61.67%
2016: 700-229 - 75.34%

Dynasty Honourboard

Champion Rusher
2010: Peter Castle - 1063 yards (3.20) - 15th in NFL
2011: Matt Scott - 1528 yards (4.91) - 1st in NFL*
2012: Darryl Foster - 1866 yards (5.42) - 1st in NFL**
2013: Alex Finley - 1962 yards (4.36) - 1st in NFL
2014: Alex Finley - 1751 yards (5.12) - 1st in NFL
2015: Darryl Foster - 1617 yards (4.04) - 1st in NFL
2016: Darryl Foster - 2406 yards (4.42) - 1st in NFL

* Scott rushed 1270 yards for KC and 258 yards for SD
** Rookie season

Key Run Blocks
2010: Kim Hassett - 35 - 8th in NFL
2011: Bruce Long - 51 - 1st in NFL
2012: Kim Hassett - 41 - 2nd in NFL
2013: Bruce Long - 43 - 2nd in NFL
2014: Sam Giles - 38 - 5th in NFL
2015: Sam Giles - 31 - 18th in NFL
2016: Doug Anthony - 37 - 7th in NFL

All-League First Team Players
2010: RT Kim Hassett
2011: LT Corwin Knight, LG Daryl Berry, C Bruce Long
2012: LG Daryl Berry, RG Graham Spetz, RT Kim Hassett
2013: RB Alex Finley, TE Skip Kelley, C Patrick Lowery, RG Bruce Long
2014: RT Sam Giles
2016: RB Darryl Foster, C Doug Anthony, S Tyrell Mathews

All-League Second Team Players
2011: RT Kim Hassett
2012: LT Corwin Knight
2014: RB Alex Finley
2016: RG Bruce Long

NFL Most Valuable Player
2013: RB Alex Finley

NFL Offensive Player of the Year
2013: RB Alex Finley
2016: RB Darryl Foster

Offensive Rookie of the Year
2011: RB Bobby Reiser

Defensive Rookie of the Year
2012: WLB Mitch Woods

[Rawhide]

2017 Starts Now

Our coordinators are both off contract. We re-sign Jamaal Sellers (excellent in running backs and offensive line) to a three year contract. Louis Wilson is our new defensive coordinator. He has ratings of good or very good across the board, and at age 40 this is his first job in the NFL.

Former Chiefs head coach Lonnie Hanna is the new coach of the Houston Texans, and our former defensive coordinator D.J. Bridges fills the same role with the Redskins.

Draft Preview

Our picks: 1.18, 2.17, 3.16, 4.21, 4.25 (from MIA), 5.20, 6.19, 7.18

The studs: T Cornell Briggs (7.4), DE Ethan Abrams (7.4), G Luke McGregor (7.2), DE Marc Poole (7.2), T Jackie Ford (7.1), DE Doug Crane (7.1).

The draft doesn't seem to be as loaded as in previous years. There is only one QB rated 5.5 or better, no doubt he will go first overall anyway.

Our needs: ILB, CB, OLB

Roster Moves (all until end of 2017, unless noted)

Our best RB is rated 83/83, which is now the limit for offensive players we can sign. Our best OL is rated 78/87, which is the limit for defensive players. There is no limit for offensive linemen.

We have absolutely no salary cap space available. I take a look at who is earning the most money and decide, reluctantly, to release LT Corwin Knight. He has started 99 games in seven seasons, but is earning far more than a player rated 52/52 should. FL Tyrone Bailey (65) is sent to the Giants, where hopefully he can make more than 19 receptions for his $6m pricetag. We get a fourth rounder in return. Finally, Darryl Foster gets a new contract lasting until 2020, when we will be paying him $10m per season. The changes in contracts give us $17m of breathing space.

I'm convinced I've found my quarterback for this franchise in Brian Andrews, now rated 52. He is efficient, excellent at short passing (we don't typically go for the long bomb down field), and has only thrown 12 interceptions in three seasons as a starter. Andrews gets a new contract lasting until 2021.

Resigned: P Mercury Sutter (96 - 2021), RB Darryl Foster (83 - 2020), K Mark Stone (50), RB Harris Braasch (32)

Added: LT Jamie Conti (61 - 2018, PIT), RCB Scott Sawyer (51, ATL), ILB Nathan Lynch (44, SD)

Released: LT Corwin Knight (52), RT Sam Giles (60, BAL), LCB Cornell Alstatt (63, NYG), ILB Doug Thierry (39/56, ARZ), SS Peter Bell (28, PHI), WR Todd Lake (42, BUF), OLB Grant Ford (38, DEN), TE Shannon Flynn (37, GB)

Retired: None

Traded: FL Tyrone Bailey (65) to the Giants for 4.8

Hold Out: None

Summer League: LDE Isaac Turner (31/46)

KC Chiefs 2015 Draft
1.18 - RT Jackie Ford (34/53)
2.17 - LCB Aaron Harrison (32/55)
3.16 - RB Jerry Butler (33/41)
4.08 - SLB Marcus Newman (27/51)
4.21 - SS Glenn Cox (19/49)
4.25 - LG Mo Fleming (20/46)
5.20 - MLB Lawrence Donovan (16/40)
6.19 - LDE Bernard Daileader (13/30)
7.18 - SS Lewis Putnam (20/38)

The Studs

1.02 - DE Ethan Abrams (41/67) - Tampa Bay
1.04 - DE Doug Crane (49/79) - Washington
1.06 - DE Marc Poole (42/46) - Green Bay
1.09 - G Luke McGregor (58/94) - Philadelphia - Wow!
1.10 - T Cornell Briggs (37/71) - Cleveland
1.18 - T Jackie Ford (34/53) - Kansas City

QB Alex Garcia (30/50) was taken first overall by New England, and RB Fernando Robertson (59/78) third by the Rams.

Post-Camp Cuts - None

Darryl Foster's ratings have taken a big dive, from 82 to 73 overall....it will be interesting to see how this plays out during the season.

Pre-Season Results
W 16-13 v Seattle
W 17-14 @ Minnesota
W 20-14 @ St Louis
L 9-13 v Green Bay

We enter the eighth season of Machineball with just two players on our books who have been there for the entire journey.

FB Renaldo Donaldson (43) is now an eleven year veteran with 900 rushing yards to his name. He will miss the start of the season with a strained Achilles tendon.

LG Daryl Berry (59) is still powering the offensive line, twice earning All-League honours. He has only allowed 16 sacks in his entire career.

On the injury front, RB Darryl Foster (74) will miss the start of the season with a hyperextended knee.

[Rawhide]

San Diego (0-0) at Kansas City (0-0)
1/4 - Chargers 3-0
2/4 - Chargers 13-0
3/4 - Chargers 23-3
Final - Chargers 26-11
Game MVP - QB Patrick Peckham (SD)

Passing - Andrews 13/24-217 TD 2INT
Rushing - Butler 20-62, Sachs 10-53
Game Notes - Darryl Foster misses the first game of his six-year career and we struggle to get anything going. A wonderful way to start the season.

New York Giants (1-0) at Kansas City (0-1)
1/4 - Giants 17-0
2/4 - Giants 17-7
3/4 - Giants 17-7
Final - Giants 17-7
Game MVP - QB Wade Hitchcock (NYG)

Passing - Andrews 17/29-217 TD INT
Rushing - Foster 17-48
Game Notes - The Giants easily beat the Chiefs on the back of 37 minutes of possession. Foster is largely ineffectual in his return to the lineup. Already at this stage of the season we are two games out of the wildcard spot!

Kansas City (0-2) at Houston (0-2)
1/4 - Texans 3-0
2/4 - Texans 10-3
3/4 - Chiefs 13-10
Final - Chiefs 19-17
Game MVP - QB Lance Shonek (HOU)

Passing - Andrews 10/21-156 TD
Rushing - Foster 34-141
Game Notes - Mark Stone kicks us to our first win of the season, with four field goals in the second half. Foster produces the game we know he is capable of as the Chiefs chalk up a much-needed win against Lonnie Hanna's Texans.

New York Jets (3-0) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-2)
1/4 - Jets 7-0
2/4 - Jets 14-3
3/4 - Jets 21-17
Final - Jets 28-23
Game MVP - RB Alex Finley (NYJ)

Passing - Andrews 15/19-167 TD
Rushing - Foster 30-138, Butler 7-38 2TD
Game Notes - Former Chiefs RB Finley terrorizes KC with two touchdowns and 121 yards; Jerry Butler scores the first two touchdowns of his career but critically fumbles on what would have been the go-ahead scoring drive. For the second time a New York team walks out of Arrowhead with a win.

Kansas City (1-3) at Oakland (1-3)
1/4 - Chiefs 7-3
2/4 - Chiefs 17-6
3/4 - Chiefs 17-16
Final - Raiders 23-20
Game MVP - QB Craig Papadopulos (OAK)

Passing - Andrews 12/19-205 TD
Rushing - Foster 22-80
Game Notes - The Raiders storm back in the second half, outscoring the Chiefs 17-3 to take the win in the last minute of the game. Chiefs fall to 1-4.

New England (1-4) at Kansas City (1-4)
1/4 - Chiefs 16-0
2/4 - Chiefs 16-7
3/4 - Chiefs 16-7
Final - Chiefs 19-7
Game MVP - RB Darryl Foster (KC)

Passing - Andrews 6/10-48
Rushing - Foster 30-104 TD, Butler 8-40
Game Notes - The Chiefs score their first kick return touchdown since 2011 and never relinquish the lead on the way to their second win for 2017. The win comes at a price with RDT Karl Palumbo likely to miss the rest of the season with a severe hamstring pull, while SS Glenn Cox will also be likely gone for the rest of this campaign. Former Chiefs RDT Joey Jacquet, who last played for us in 2013, is signed off the street to take his place.

Kansas City (2-4) at Miami (3-3)
1/4 - Dolphins 3-0
2/4 - Chiefs 7-6
3/4 - Chiefs 14-6
Final - Chiefs 17-14
Game MVP - LG Antonio Ellison (MIA)

Passing - Andrews 9/12-50
Rushing - Foster 22-112 2TD, Butler 14-47
Game Notes - The Chiefs only have three drives with more than 3 plays yet still find a way to win and put their season somewhat back on track, with a critical game against the Broncos coming up.

Denver (4-3) at Kansas City (3-4)
1/4 - Broncos 7-3
2/4 - Chiefs 13-7
3/4 - Broncos 14-13
Final - Broncos 20-19
Game MVP - RB Darryl Foster (KC)

Passing - Andrews 17/26-214 INT
Rushing - Foster 33-150 2TD, Butler 11-48
Game Notes - Heartbreak for the Chiefs, who hold the ball for 21 more minutes than the Broncos yet lose on a kickoff return touchdown. With the season half over, KC will likely have to win 7 of their last 8 games just to figure in playoff calculations. LDE Isaac Turner joins the growing list of players in the casualty ward

Kansas City (3-5) at Buffalo (4-4)
1/4 - Bills 7-3
2/4 - Bills 17-9
3/4 - Bills 17-9
Final - Chiefs 20-17
Game MVP - RB Darryl Foster

Passing - Andrews 13/19-146 TD
Rushing - Foster 31-144, Butler 12-43
Game Notes - The Chiefs get a lucky break with the Bills missing a field goal as time expired in regulation. Earlier, Mark Stone sunk a field goal from 53 yards to end a 14-point comeback for KC. The hits just keep coming with FB Renaldo Donaldson having his season ended in this game. We need a special effort to win next week!

Kansas City (4-5) at San Diego (8-1)
1/4 - Tied 0-0
2/4 - Chargers 7-0
3/4 - Chargers 14-0
Final - Chargers 24-14
Game MVP - QB Patrick Peckham (SD)

Passing - Andrews 10/16-134 TD INT
Rushing - Foster 20-155
Game Notes - The Chargers hold off a fast-finishing Chiefs, sealing the win on the last drive of the game. The Chiefs only manage one drive in the first three quarters longer than 5 plays.

Kansas City (4-6) at Philadelphia (7-3)
1/4 - Eagles 7-0
2/4 - Eagles 14-3
3/4 - Eagles 14-10
Final - Eagles 24-10
Game MVP - QB Dennis Eggleston (PHI)

Passing - Andrews 8/16-90
Rushing - Foster 29-177 TD, Butler 17-61
Game Notes - A nice game statistically in the rushing department but we are awful at finishing off our drives, with two missed field goals and a fumble making for a poor afternoon. That's our season done.

Pittsburgh (7-4) at Kansas City (4-7)
1/4 - Steelers 7-3
2/4 - Steelers 17-10
3/4 - Steelers 17-10
Final - Steelers 24-10
Game MVP - QB Keith Werner (PIT)

Passing - Nelson 8/16-59, Andrews 2/3-9
Rushing - Foster 23-105 TD, Butler 10-22, Nelson 2-52
Game Notes - Andrews breaks his fibula and is done for the season, and TE Skip Kelley breaks his hand. What a wretched game! Second-year QB George Nelson (30/37) will start the remaining four games of the season.

Dallas (8-4) at Kansas City (4-8)
1/4 - Chiefs 3-0
2/4 - Cowboys 10-6
3/4 - Cowboys 10-9
Final - Cowboys 17-12
Game MVP - QB Neal McKenzie (DAL)

Passing - Nelson 10/18-116 INT
Rushing - Foster 28-150, Butler 10-50
Game Notes - The Cowboys score the winning points on the last drive of the game. How often does this happen? We are officially eliminated from playoff contention with this loss.

Kansas City (4-9) at Denver (8-5)
1/4 - Tied 7-7
2/4 - Chiefs 14-13
3/4 - Chiefs 21-13
Final - Chiefs 28-21
Game MVP - ILB Nathan Lynch (KC)

Passing - Nelson 5/8-35 TD 2INT
Rushing - Foster 26-72, Butler 12-73
Game Notes - Elation for KC as Nathan Lynch and CB Scott Sawyer each take two picks to the house. Lynch's second interception came in the final minute of the game and stopped the Broncos from marching to an inevitable win. Tyrone Kendall also returns a kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown.

Kansas City (5-9) at Washington (5-9)
1/4 - Chiefs 14-7
2/4 - Tied 21-21
3/4 - Chiefs 24-21
Final - Chiefs 31-24
Game MVP - QB R.J. Jefferson (WAS)

Passing - Nelson 13/22-115 TD
Rushing - Foster 18-219 3TD
Game Notes - A huge game from Foster, who runs rampant over the Redskins and helps the Chiefs to their sixth win of what's been a disappointing campaign. RG Bruce Long and RDE Will Colman are done for the season.

Oakland (5-10) at Kansas City (6-9)
1/4 - Chiefs 7-3
2/4 - Raiders 10-7
3/4 - Chiefs 16-10
Final - Raiders 20-16
Game MVP - QB Craig Papadopulos (OAK)

Passing - Nelson 8/12-70 2INT
Rushing - Foster 28-134 TD, Butler 9-29
Game Notes - The Raiders score ten points in the final minute of the game to sweep the season series.

6-10 represents a backwards step for the Chiefs, who are now 50-78 in the Machineball era. We are one of four teams to have not made the playoffs in the past eight seasons.

Darryl Foster had another marvellous season, rushing for 1929 yards and 11 touchdowns. Once again, he is overlooked for season awards, and cannot even crack the All-League Second Team. Rookie running back Jerry Butler had a good first season, rushing for 631 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Before his injury, Brian Andrews had thrown 7 touchdowns and 5 interceptions for 1653 yards. Nelson went 2-2 as a starter, but threw 2 touchdowns for 5 interceptions.

2017 Super Bowl
Pittsburgh Steelers 20 New York Giants 9

Key Performance Indicators

Rushing Yardage
2010: 2443 - 2nd
2011: 2918 - 1st
2012: 3075 - 1st
2013: 3002 - 1st
2014: 2896 - 1st
2015: 2065 - 8th
2016: 2876 - 1st
2017: 2793 - 1st

Yards Per Rush
2010: 3.51 - 32nd
2011: 4.37 - 10th
2012: 4.65 - 3rd
2013: 4.29 - 13th
2014: 4.60 - 1st
2015: 4.11 - 18th
2016: 4.11 - 18th
2017: 4.46 - 7th

Key Run Block Opportunities Percentage
2010: 167/690 – 24.2% - 32nd
2011: 191/658 – 29.0% - 30th
2012: 212/638 – 33.2% - 16th
2013: 206/669 - 30.9% - 26th
2014: 205/614 - 33.4% - 17th
2015: 154/491 - 31.4% - 24th
2016: 193/690 - 28.0% - 30th
2017: 189/611 - 30.9% - 26th

Third Down Conversions
2010: 79/240 – 32.9% - 22nd
2011: 76/224 – 33.9% - 20th
2012: 79/212 – 37.3% - 12th
2013: 103/228 - 45.2% - 2nd
2014: 73/223 - 32.7% - 23rd
2015: 51/188 - 27.1% - 31st
2016: 80/225 - 35.6% - 16th
2017: 74/214 - 34.6% - 20th

Turnover Margin
2010: +19 - 2nd
2011: +2 - 10th
2012: +5 - 11th
2013: +8 - 6th
2014: +11 - 7th
2015: +1 - 13th
2016: +30 - 1st
2017: +6 - 7th

Running Play Selection (Run:Pass Ratio)
2010: 696-204 - 77.33%
2011: 667-253 - 72.50%
2012: 661-251 - 72.45%
2013: 700-234 - 74.95%
2014: 630-311 - 66.95%
2015: 502-312 - 61.67%
2016: 700-229 - 75.34%
2017: 626-290 - 68.34%

Dynasty Honourboard

Champion Rusher
2010: Peter Castle - 1063 yards (3.20) - 15th in NFL
2011: Matt Scott - 1528 yards (4.91) - 1st in NFL*
2012: Darryl Foster - 1866 yards (5.42) - 1st in NFL**
2013: Alex Finley - 1962 yards (4.36) - 1st in NFL
2014: Alex Finley - 1751 yards (5.12) - 1st in NFL
2015: Darryl Foster - 1617 yards (4.04) - 1st in NFL
2016: Darryl Foster - 2406 yards (4.42) - 1st in NFL
2017: Darryl Foster - 1929 yards (4.93) - 1st in NFL

* Scott rushed 1270 yards for KC and 258 yards for SD
** Rookie season

Key Run Blocks
2010: Kim Hassett - 35 - 8th in NFL
2011: Bruce Long - 51 - 1st in NFL
2012: Kim Hassett - 41 - 2nd in NFL
2013: Bruce Long - 43 - 2nd in NFL
2014: Sam Giles - 38 - 5th in NFL
2015: Sam Giles - 31 - 18th in NFL
2016: Doug Anthony - 37 - 7th in NFL
2017: Doug Anthony - 37 - 7th in NFL

All-League First Team Players
2010: RT Kim Hassett
2011: LT Corwin Knight, LG Daryl Berry, C Bruce Long
2012: LG Daryl Berry, RG Graham Spetz, RT Kim Hassett
2013: RB Alex Finley, TE Skip Kelley, C Patrick Lowery, RG Bruce Long
2014: RT Sam Giles
2016: RB Darryl Foster, C Doug Anthony, S Tyrell Mathews
2017: C Doug Anthony

All-League Second Team Players
2011: RT Kim Hassett
2012: LT Corwin Knight
2014: RB Alex Finley
2016: RG Bruce Long

NFL Most Valuable Player
2013: RB Alex Finley

NFL Offensive Player of the Year
2013: RB Alex Finley
2016: RB Darryl Foster

Offensive Rookie of the Year
2011: RB Bobby Reiser

Defensive Rookie of the Year
2012: WLB Mitch Woods

[Rawhide]

So, I'm going to draw a line under this one (especially with a new version of FOF on the way), but I played ahead a couple of seasons and I'll be damned if the funniest thing didn't happen.

The Chiefs started winning.

2018 - The Chiefs (10-6) surged into the wildcard spot winning their last seven games of the season, but lost 13-17 against the Jaguars.

2019 - This time, the Chiefs won the AFC West with a 10-6 record and held off the Patriots 27-19 for the first playoff victory in ten seasons of Machineball. But the Jaguars again stood in the way of progress, KC losing 14-30 in the division round.

2020 - The opportunity arose to bring back into the Chiefs fold one of my favourite players of this dynasty, and I couldn't refuse. Patrick Lowery signed a two year contract to finish his career as a Chief. Unfortunately, the team took a massive step backwards and finished 5-11.

So in eleven seasons, we only managed a winning record three times, and two trips to the playoffs.

Yet, for ten of those eleven seasons, the Chiefs topped the NFL in rushing and produced a rushing champion in most seasons - Darryl Foster scored five titles in as many seasons.

Let's look at the career of some of the most important players in this dynasty:

RG Daryl Berry (2010-19)
Drafted: 2010 5.14 (KC)
Games Started: 133
2 x All-League Awards

C/RG Bruce Long (2011-17)
Drafted: 2010 5.6 (CAR)
Games Started: 100
3 x All-League Awards

C Doug Anthony (2015-current)
Drafted: 2015 1.14 (KC)
Games Started: 96
4 x All-League Awards

LT Corwin Knight (2010-16)
Drafted: 2010 1.12
Games Started: 99
2 x All-League Awards

RT Kim Hassett (2010-13
Drafted: 2010 Allocation Draft
Games Started: 55
3 x All-League Awards

C Patrick Lowery (2010-13, 2020-current
Drafted: 2010 Allocation Draft
Games Started: 51
3 x All-League Awards

RB Darryl Foster (2012-current
Drafted: 1.4 2012 (KC)
Games Started: 116
Career Yards: 13824
NFL Rushing Champion: 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Offensive Player of the Year: 2016
2 x All-League Awards

QB Brian Andrews (2014-current)
Drafted: 4.20 2014 (KC)
Games Started: 106
Career TD-INT: 87-39
Career Record: 48-61

So, that's that.

[Travis]

Thanks for the ride. Though if you do end up wanting to do a few more seasons, I certainly wouldn't be against more updates

[sterlingice]

Sorry- I lost track of this one at Thanksgiving but glad to read it. I wonder if there is a way to tinker it. The thing about revrew's dynasty is that he gets half the side of the ball to do whatever he can to win as well as cheat a little with good kicker and special teams. So that's 13 of 24 critical players. You can really only do a lot with ~7 players (5 o-line and a couple of RBs that can't even play at the same time). Even if they were all perfect, there's probably not enough talent to win as the defense is also awful as is half the offense. Even if you allowed yourself to beef up special teams to have elite kicker and punter, that's not enough.

The problem is, I can't see a piece of the team that would make sense thematically where you could allow yourself a little more free reign and a chance to beat the system. I felt like when you started to have to make tweaks to the house rules, they didn't really feel in harmony with the idea of the dynasty. I liked the idea of blue ribbon players and the artificial trade limiations. However, I wonder if there should be something of a boom/bust defense where you have to always blitz and can't spend on defensive lineman or something with the spirit being that you get to maximize time of possession.

(Minor dynasty notes)
I liked the game formatting that started in post 37 but didn't so much like the shortened offseasons since those are the most interesting in FOF. I also liked the "Where are they now" post and the wrapup of the most important players.

SI