National Football League

Chiefs report to camp with high expectations

Updated Sep. 26, 2022 9:23 a.m. ET

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Eric Berry didn't even allow a question about last season to beasked before cutting off the inquiring mind. There was no way hewas going to relive that nightmare.

The Kansas City Chiefs scuffled along to a 2-14 finish, matchingthe worst in a proud franchise's history. Along the way, theyendured a nasty fan revolt that included plenty of folks wearingpaper bags to Arrowhead Stadium, and a grisly murder-suicideinvolving a teammate.

So, quite naturally, Berry would rather speak optimisticallyabout a fresh start.

''We've got standards for ourselves, so we have a lot of stuffto prove,'' the Pro Bowl safety said Thursday. ''We're not worriedabout outside opinions or factors or anything like that. We arejust focused on coming in, jelling as a unit and just taking itfrom there.''

That all starts with the first full-squad workout of trainingcamp on Friday.

Berry was among the veteran players who were trickling intotraining camp on the campus of Missouri Western State University.They joined rookies, quarterbacks and a few selected veterans whowere able to get a head start over the past few days.

''We're excited about this year, as far as where we're going andthe direction we're headed,'' Berry said, before adding of lastyear: ''I don't really want to compare the two.''

In truth, the Chiefs had similarly high expectations last yearafter a strong finish to a tumultuous 2011 season. But they wereblown out in their opener, struggled to score points behind arevolving door at quarterback, and then watched as the seasonspiraled out of control.

At one point, departed offensive lineman Eric Winston rippedinto a few supporters for cheering when former quarterback MattCassel got hurt, and that only inflamed a simmering fan discontent.A grass roots group started ponying up money to pay for a banner tobe towed behind an airplane prior to several home games askingChiefs chairman Clark Hunt to fire GM Scott Pioli.

The fans ultimately got their wish with an emphatic Januaryhousecleaning.

Romeo Crennel was out as head coach, Pioli was sent packing soonafter, and Hunt announced he'd be taking a more hands-on approachto running the team.

It was Hunt who moved swiftly to hire coach Andy Reid just daysafter he was let go following 14 season with Philadelphia. Then,Hunt managed to secure the hottest front office candidate in theNFL in longtime Packers personnel man John Dorsey as his generalmanager.

Reid and Dorsey quickly set about overhauling a roster that hadsix Pro Bowl players but massive holes at just about every otherposition, and a perilous lack of depth across the board.

''We're approaching this year with a fresh start,'' said widereceiver Dexter McCluster, suddenly one of the Chiefs' elderstatesmen. ''New coach, new players, new team, new year.''

The new player under the harshest spotlight is undoubtedly AlexSmith, who was starting to flourish as the quarterback in SanFrancisco before getting hurt last season. He ultimately lost hisjob to Colin Kaepernick during the 49ers' Super Bowl run and thenbecame trade bait.

The Chiefs wasted little time snatching him up, perhaps finallyachieving some stability at the most important position on thefield for the first time in nearly a decade.

Dorsey and Reid then went on a shopping spree, signing afree-agent class that included wide receiver Donnie Avery, tightend Anthony Fasano and defensive backs Dunta Robinson and SeanSmith, both of whom will be counted on to help a pass defense thatwas dismal last season.

''We're going to be way better,'' Robinson promised. ''We'regoing to be a playoff team.''

That's a mighty strong prediction for a team that won just twogames, but it would hardly be an unprecedented turnaround. Justlast season, the Indianapolis Colts went from two wins to 11-5 andthe playoffs behind vastly improved quarterback play - they haddrafted Andrew Luck.

''We have plenty of talent,'' Sean Smith said. ''We have plentyof Pro Bowlers on this team. The talent is here. We just have toput it all together.''

As the saying goes, there's no better time than the present.

While the Chiefs have plenty of young contributors, some oftheir best players are well into the prime of their careers. ProBowl linebackers Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson have been aroundfor nearly a decade, and even running back Jamaal Charles has somewear on his legs.

Hali wondered whether his window to win is starting toclose.

''We're getting older and it's starting to hit you more,'' hesaid. ''Eight years ago, it was fun coming out here and proving youcan play the game, but at this stage in your career, you want toprove something. You want to win a Super Bowl. You want toaccomplish something.

''Playing football and making money, that's not the goal,'' Haliadded after moving into his training camp dorm room. ''It's to wina championship here for the Chiefs.''

Notes: The Chiefs waived WR Mardy Gilyard. ... CB Buddy Jacksonwas carted off the field during a morning practice for rookies witha strained left hamstring.

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