Handing out Mid-Season Report Cards: Offense

Eight games into the season the Chiefs sit at 1-7 and one would think that would equal a bunch of F's for the Chiefs, but with the youngest roster in the NFL the goal is progress and show growth which does not always coincide with victories. Not every player gets a grade, due to a couple of factors . 1) A onslaught of injuries has prevented some players from seeing the field enough to get a grade. 2) A season long revolving door at the bottom roster. Quarterbacks Brodie Croyle: He had two jobs this season, show growth and stay healthy. He played less than a quarter this season, failing at his main objective. Grade: F- Damon Huard: Always the reliable stopgap QB, Huard finally might have hit the end of his road at 35 with a season ending thumb injury. Did lead Chiefs to their lone victory of the season. Grade: D- Tyler Thigpen: After two horrible games Thigpen has bounced back to bring the Chiefs offense back from the dead in his last two starts. Bringing a bit of electricity to the offense Thigpen has given fans a reason to hope. Grade: B- Running Backs Larry Johnson: After five weeks in the season he was the AFC leading rusher. Since that point he has been suspended for being late to team meetings and pending assault charges. With all of his potential this is almost as disappointing as Croyle. Grade: D- Kolby Smith: Same story as last year L.J. goes down, Smith comes in plays well then gets hurt. Grade: C- Jamal Charles: The only running back besides L.J. to have a 100 yard game for the Chiefs this season.. Has shown flashes of big play ability and meshes well in the passing game.. Grade: B+ Tight Ends Tony Gonzalez: After a trade request that went south Gonzalez has been a true professional and the only consistent stabilizing force on offense besides Bowe. Even with time working against him Gonzalez is on pace for another Pro Bowl. Grade: A+ Brad Cottam: Limited playing time this season but has played well when given the opportunity. Grade: B- Wide Receivers: Devard Darling: Since his big play at New England Darling has been nonexistent in the Chiefs offense, has since been replaced by Mark Bradley as starter. Grade: F- Dwayne Bowe: D-Bowe has not let the inconsistent QB play slow him down, he is on pace to shatter last years receiving numbers and has started to step up as a leader. Grade: A+ Mark Bradley: Signed off the streets earlier in the year as free agent from Chicago. Bradley in that time has caught a touchdown, caught a 56 yard pass and thrown a TD pass bringing a much needed spark to the offense. Grade: A + Jeff Webb: Has not played much and before Bradley's singing could not supplant Darling as the starter. Webb has shown little promise or improvement this season. Grade: D- Will Franklin: Drafted to bring a element of speed to the offense a??.. Much like Webb has played little and produced less. Grade: D- Offensive Lineman Branden Albert: Missed one game with a injury, besides that has played well all season and has earned his first round draft status. Grade: B+ Brian Waters: The old veteran is quietly putting together another solid season amid a very inconsistent line. Grade: B+ Rudy Niswanger: Sometimes overmatched and pushed around early in the season, Niswanger seems to have found his groove and has played better in recent weeks. Grade: C+ Adrian Jones: Jones has played a little better in recent weeks but is still not capable of starting on any other teama??.except for maybe the Lions. Grade: D- Damion McIntosh: Teetering on the line of being benched for Herb Taylor all season, McIntosh has played just well enough to keep his job. With Taylor waiting in the wings McIntosh won't go all season as the starter. Grade F- Herb Taylor: Not a startera??..yet but has filled in for Albert and McIntosh this season and played at a high level in his limited action. Grade B+