in-depthInjuries and a difficult schedule conspired to cause difficulty for the Kansas City Chiefs in their efforts to follow an 11-5 wild card season. But the Chiefs, despite several key losses, including veteran LB Derrick Johnson and S Eric Berry, remained competitive.

Still, the team suffered some troubling losses and, at times, the offense bogged down, as Jamaal Charles would become invisible and other weapons were not able to step up.

But Travis Kelce and De’Anthony Thomas are a year older. Dwayne Bowe is gone, having been replaced as the top WR by Philadelphia’s Jeremy Maclin. And optimism may be on the rise. How good can this team be? Matt Verderame, editor in chief of Arrowhead Addict, shares his thoughts.

Zoneblitz: The Chiefs endured a lot of injuries in finishing 9-7, down from 11-5 the year before. How would you assess the season?

Verderame: The season was a mixed bag. On one hand, Eric Berry missed most of the year and Derrick Johnson and Mike DeVito missed the whole campaign. Going 9-7 on its face isn’t terrible, although losses to the Raiders and Titans are inexcusable. Kansas City blew a golden opportunity to make the playoffs.

Zoneblitz: Andy Reid has won 20 games in two seasons, one of which ended with a playoff game. But he’s at times admitted to underutilizing stars, including Jamaal Charles. What are your thoughts on the job he’s done so far?

Verderame: Reid can drive the fans crazy with his usage of Charles, but he gets results and can scheme with anybody in the passing game. The Chiefs have been very limited at receiver, so keeping the offense in rhythm has been a challenge. Overall, Reid has been very good.

Zoneblitz: Dwayne Bowe is gone, Jeremy Maclin is now in Kansas City. Travis Kelce is a developing talent. Can Alex Smith lead this team deep in the playoffs? Does he now have better weapons around him?

Verderame: With Smith, it is all about the people around him. With Maclin, Kelce, Charles and De’Anthony Thomas, I believe Smith can lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl. The main concern right now is if the offensive line is good enough to keep him upright. The addition of Ben Grubbs should really help.

Zoneblitz: There were occasional reports last season that Kelce was a star in the making, but he never quite seemed to emerge at that level. What do you think his development will look like in 2015?

Verderame: The sky is the limit for Kelce. He came along slowly at the beginning of the season while his knee was strengthening, so his stats weren’t quite where they could have been. I would be surprised if he plays 16 games and doesn’t hit 1,000 yards this season. That said, he has to stop fumbling. It’s been a problem for him.

Zoneblitz: Eric Fisher has struggled at left tackle. What are his chances of emerging rather than avoiding the bust label?

Verderame: Fisher has not lived up to expectations. Last year, he was dealing with a shoulder injury in the offseason that kept him from working out. This year, there are no such problems. He has to emerge in regards to pass blocking in 2015 or the Chiefs might be looking for help.

Zoneblitz: Justin Houston was amazing in 2014. What is the status on the Chiefs’ efforts to sign him long term?

Verderame: Ultimately, the Chiefs and Houston will come to a deal. Houston likely wants north of $100 million, and Kansas City doesn’t want to go that high. In the end, the Chiefs won’t let the best pass-rusher in the game walk.

Zoneblitz: The defense in 2014 played quite well in spite of several injuries. How does that unit look heading into 2015 and what can you expect from returnees, such as a soon-to-be-33-year-old Derrick Johnson?

Verderame: The defense thrives on its pass rush. With Dontari Poe, Justin Houston, Allen Bailey and Tamba Hali, the front seven is stacked. Derrick Johnson’s return will shore up the run defense, something which struggled throughout last season. I don’t think he’ll be 100 percent of what he was, but even 80 percent is still a great player.

Zoneblitz: Sean Smith is a solid corner and Phillip Gaines has shown promise as his counterpart – that said, is the secondary deep enough right now to truly execute DC Bob Sutton’s press-man coverage?

Verderame: Smith was the breakout player of 2014 for the Chiefs. Incredibly, he did not take one penalty last year while shutting down top receivers. Gaines is promising with long arms and great speed. He also gets his head around on throws, something even veteran corners can fail to do. The safeties are fine with the re-signing of Ron Parker and addition of Tyvon Branch, but the slot needs attention. Chris Owens was the slot corner last year but is still a free agent. Currently, Kansas City is dangerously thin behind Gaines and Smith.

Zoneblitz: What Chiefs players have a chance to break out in 2015?

Verderame: I would point to Thomas and Dee Ford. Ford looked much more comfortable toward the end of last season, seeing ample snaps the last four games. He will likely split time with Hali, so I could see him really coming on. Thomas is a great athlete and Reid loves getting him into the game. Look for explosive plays out of him.

Zoneblitz: How far are the Chiefs from making a deep run in the postseason?

Verderame: For the first time since the Marty Schottenheimer years, I believe the Chiefs are poised to challenge in the AFC. The defense is really solid, the special teams are excellent and the offense has weapons all over the field. Alex Smith gets a bad rap, but he moves the chains and consistently wins. He has also been dynamic in his playoff starts. If the Chiefs stay healthy, I would be surprised if they don’t win the AFC West after watching the Broncos’ offseason.

Zoneblitz: What is your reaction to the offseason moves at this point and what would you like to see the team do through the rest of free agency and in the draft?

Verderame: I think free agency went well, and they are likely done with it. Losing Rodney Hudson hurts, but the Oakland Raiders spent a fortune to acquire him. In the draft, the Chiefs must add another receiver and most importantly, a cornerback. If Trae Waynes is available at No. 18, Kansas City should run the card up. After that, add depth at tight end and perhaps find a starting center if Eric Kush isn’t the answer.

Follow Matt Verderame on Twitter at: @MattVerderame
Follow Arrowhead Addict on Twitter at: @ArrowheadAddict
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