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Saturday August 28, 2010

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I’m counting down the days to the 2010 NFL season with my first Golden’s Nuggets preseason rankings. Each day a new team will be highlighted as we go from worst to first. As always, I’m excited to hear what you think as well. I hope you’re ready for some football.

What’s good: GM Scott Pioli and head coach Todd Haley are making steady progress in the talent evaluation department with the hiring of former bill Belichick assistants Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel to run the offense and defense, respectively.

Veteran RB Thomas Jones, who just performs wherever he plays. Jones established career bests in rushing yards (1,402), rushing touchdowns (14), and attempts (331) last season with the new York Jets. He combines with Texas ex Jamaal Charles (below) to give Kansas City a nice 1-2 punch in the backfield. Charles rushed for 1,120 yards with seven touchdowns and 40 catches last season.

QB Matt Cassel (below) threw 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in his first season as a starter, numbers that could get better with another weapon in the backfield…on defense, rookie safety Eric Berry will bring a playmaking presence to the secondary while Tamba Hali could be poised for a breakout season at linebacker.

What’s not: Besides left guard Brian Waters and left tackle Brandon Albert, the offensive line is pretty nondescript. Free agent guard Ryan Lilja comes over from Indianapolis to lend line experience…Former Longhorn Derrick Johnson signed a one-year tender in the offseason but his days in KC could be numbered if he doesn’t start producing. Johnson has only 13 sacks in five seasons and appears miscast as an inside linebacker in Haley’s 3-4 scheme…the pass rush was non-existent last season as the team’s 22 sacks ranked no. 31 of 32 teams.

Player to watch: Jamaal Charles. He may be the only running back in the league who could challenge Chris Johnson in a foot race.

Projected record: 6-10. the AFC West isn’t a great division and the Chiefs have a good chance to go 3-3 in the division. Another three wins in the other 10 games should happen.

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