FanHouse ChrisHorn

This is a continuation of a 2-part series regarding what the Chiefs must do next season to fix their woes on offense. Click here to read Part I.

Whether you like Herm Edwards or not; whether you like Herm's offensive philosophy or not, we have to recognize that the offense needs to change. Even if Dick Vermeil were still head coach, the Chiefs would still need to undergo a massive facelift. Will Shields and Casey Wiegmann have gone from terrific to average due to age. Jordan Black is certainly no Willie Roaf, and Kevin Sampson and Chris Terry are no John Tait. Ronnie Cruz is no Tony Richardson. And Trent Green... just isn't Trent Green anymore.

The writing should have been on the wall the minute we saw Herm's drafting and roster decisions on offense. The Chiefs went with Jeff Webb in the draft, a tall, big receiver--by all indications, a terrible fit for Saunders' Coryell offense. As the 5th receiver, the Chiefs went with another big guy: Chris Hannon, a 6'3", 205 lb. receiver. Lightning fast receiver Craphonso Thorpe was cut for being a "crappy" fit to Herm's new offense. Vermeil favorite Chris Horn was also not brought back into Kansas City.

Not quite as catchy as Paul Simon's choice of "Joe DiMaggio," but it's a question the Chiefs might be asking.

The answer to the title's question, of course, is New Orleans (who apparently are trying to stockpile on former Chiefs named "Horn"), and the more apt question might be, "Why did the Chiefs let you go, Chris Horn?"

Some Chiefs' fans might be wondering the same thing now that they see the current WR crew. Eddie Kennison and Samie Parker are the starters, as expected. Dante Hall is the 3rd WR, as expected. Filling the 4th slot is ... Jeff Webb?

Certainly, Chris Horn's departure didn't make many waves when his pen left the Saints' paper. But you have to think that Trent Green was thinking otherwise. Horn had become Green's safety valve, so when Tony Gonzalez inevitably had double coverage, Green had no problem looking in Horn's direction.

That safety valve might become crucial to Green this year. For all of his wondrous skills, Larry Johnson still has to prove that he is as effective a receiver out of the backfield as Priest Holmes was. Kennison is a good target, but still prone to dropping passes. Parker became a favorite target of Green's at the end of last season, but that was the same story in 2004, and he is still being counted upon as a dep threat. He remains a somewhat unknown commodity. Hall will certainly never become a possession receiver. That leaves Jeff Webb or, in a worst case scenario, Chris Hannon. In fact, Hannon's making the roster is a good indication of the depth problem the Chiefs have at WR.

I have long chastised those who criticized the Chiefs' offense for lacking talent in the WR corp. After all, this is the offense that managed to be in the top three for each of the last several seasons, and Green has thrown for over 4,000 yards consistently. But each time, Green had a WR he could look to on third downs, first Johnnie Morton, then Chris Horn.

Horn was small and slow, but dependable, and that is what Dick Vermeil loved about him. Perhaps Herm Edwards wants to make sure he puts his own stamp on the team, but for his sake and the team's, Jeff Webb better not drop any passes on third down.