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This one will raise eyebrows in Kansas City.

Charlie Weis is coming back to the area.

In a surprise move, the University of Kansas has hired Weis to be its head football coach. He spent this season as the offensive coordinator at the University of Florida. Weis spent the 2010 season as the offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs' offense flourished under Weis and they won the AFC West division with a 10-6 record.

There was a lot of confusion why Weis would leave after a successful season in the NFL for the same position in the college ranks. Weis said that the move was for family reasons. His son was going to be a freshman at Florida this year.

Now, he is moving to Kansas. Sure, it’s for a promotion, but it just makes one wonder why Weis left the Chiefs last year. He couldn’t have been blamed had he taken the Kansas job after two seasons in Kansas City.

There was speculation last year that Weis and Kansas City head coach Todd Haley didn’t get along. The longtime associates both denied it. The move was supposed to be all about Weis wanting to be at Florida.

And now he is leaving.

While this doesn’t affect the Chiefs in their current state, it does renew curiosity over Weis’ premature departure from what was a promising relationship with the franchise.

Weekend mail call:

Brodie from Kansas wants to know if I think the Chiefs could consider hiring Charlie Weis as head coach if Todd Haley is fired.

Bill Williamson: Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli likes Weis. I think Pioli would rather Weis return as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator. If Pioli does make a change at the top, I could see Weis being a candidate because the Chiefs had such good success last year offensively under Weis. But I don’t think he’d be a top candidate. In the end, I could see Pioli looking at other options first if that situation arises. But, if Haley keeps winning, this situation will not arise.

Jared L. from Eugene, Ore., wants to know why Oakland receiver Chaz Schilens has had a slow start this year.

BW: Schilens has played in all five games and he has seven catches for 65 yards and a touchdown. Schilens lost a lot of time due to injury. Other receivers have bypassed him. He is not currently a top option in Oakland. He is still talented and he can still help this team. But he’s going to have to earn his spot because of the other talent at the spot in Oakland.

Andy from Provo, Utah, wants to know if the Chiefs pick in the No. 2-5 range, what would it take to move up to No. 1 to take Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.

BW: Any team that wants to move up and get Luck -- the only way the team with the top pick trades it is if they don’t need a quarterback -- will have to pay handsomely. I’m talking about multiple first-round picks and perhaps more. Luck is coveted. It won’t be easy getting him unless you have the No. 1 pick. It doesn't look like the Chiefs will get the No. 1 pick, so I don’t think they’d give up the farm to take Luck, especially if Matt Cassel stays hot. I think they’d look at other positions instead of mortgaging the future to move up to No. 1.

Some thoughts on the Chiefs' 48-3 loss to the Lions:

What it means: The Chiefs are terrible. Sorry folks, I usually try to stress patience, but this season is already getting away from the Chiefs, who were beaten 41-7 last week at home by Buffalo. Considering the injuries -- star running back Jamaal Charles suffered a potentially serious leg injury Sunday -- and the way the Chiefs have played, I can’t imagine them being a factor in the AFC West. Dating back to the final game of last season and in the playoffs, Kansas City has been outscored, 150-27.

Tomorrow’s talker: Will Todd Haley survive Monday? It’s amazing to think that a coach who went a surprise 10-6 to win the AFC West and who received some coach of the year consideration is on the hot seat. But Haley may just be there. The Chiefs look terrible. General manager Scott Pioli doesn’t mess around. It’s not out of the question Haley gets the axe.

Hold your breath: Charles’ injury doesn’t look good. We likely won’t know more until Monday. The Chiefs can’t afford to hear any more terrible news when it comes to injuries. They already lost star safety Eric Berry and standout tight end Tony Moeaki to season-ending knee injuries in the past two weeks. This would be another brutal blow for a team that is reeling.

Missing Charlie? We must beg the question: Would this be happening if Charlie Weis was still the offensive coordinator in Kansas City? The Chiefs’ offense has fallen off a cliff since it was announced Weis would leave for the University of Florida before Week 17 last year. Quarterback Matt Cassel looks out of sorts and the play calling of offensive coordinator Bill Muir hasn’t worked so far. There are a lot of problem in Kansas City right now, but the loss of Weis may be near the top of the list.

What’s next: The Chiefs have another tough test. They go to San Diego in Week 3.

Weekend mail call:

Adam from Nashville, Tenn., wants to know if the Oakland secondary was better than I expected against Denver.

Bill Williamson: In the Oakland Raiders' first game without Nnamdi Asomugha, their secondary did pretty well. But there is room for improvement. Even though, he was never really in a zone, Kyle Orton did throw for 300-plus yards. So, the secondary does need to tighten up. But the key to Oakland’s defense is that great front four. The better the pass rush will be, the better the secondary will be. That will help Oakland’s defensive backs all season.

Mikey from Kansas City wants to know if I think the Kansas City Chiefs’ running back Jamaal Charles will be a flop this year.

BW: No way. The guy is legitimate. Yes, he only had 56 yards Sunday, but he only had 10 carries. The key for the Kansas City Chiefs is to get into a rhythm and make sure it can taken advantage of Charles. He needs more chances. The Chiefs’ offense is a work in progress because of injuries and a change of command from Charlie Weis to Bill Muir. But Charles is not the problem. Not even close.

Justin Keller from Seattle wants to know if the fact that Oakland middle linebacker Rolando McClain didn’t have a great game in Week 1 is a reason for concern.

BW: Yes, McClain was beat a few times in coverage, but this is a good player. People have to remember, though, McClain is still learning the NFL game. Just because he was a starter at a critical position from Day 1, it doesn’t mean he has it all figured out. He is still improving. He needs to be better in coverage and he needs to be consistent. But he is a smart, hard worker who should have a bright future.

Let’s look at how the AFC West’s four quarterbacks rated in ESPN Stats & Information’s Total QBR:

Philip Rivers, San Diego

Week 1 QBR: 52.8

NFL rank: 17

Comment: It must have been a pretty good week for quarterback play, because Rivers was nails when it counted.

Kyle Orton, Denver

Week 1 QBR: 33

NFL rank: 21

Comment: There’s a big dip from No. 17 to No. 21 this week. Orton was not good against Oakland.

Jason Campbell, Oakland

Week 1 QBR: 22.8

NFL rank: 26

Comment: Campbell didn’t do much, but the Raiders were fine with it. This game was all about winning on the ground.

Matt Cassel, Kansas City

Week 1 QBR: 11.2

NFL rank: 31

Comment: Cassel hasn’t been good since Charlie Weis announced he was leaving the team. Just saying.

Four days before the start of the season, Kansas City coach Todd Haley said at his news conference Wednesday that new offensive coordinator Bill Muir will be the primary playcaller this season.

Haley said Muir scripted and called the plays in the preseason. Muir takes over as offensive coordinator for Charlie Weis, who is now at the University of Florida. Muir was offensive line coach last year and still has those duties. Muir, 68, was Tampa Bay offensive coordinator when they won the Super Bowl, but head coach Jon Gruden called the plays. Muir has never been a primary playcaller.

Haley, who was the offensive coordinator in Arizona before being hired in Kansas City, took several weeks to promote Muir and then he wouldn’t say who would call the plays. He had said several members of the Chiefs’ coaching staff, himself included, would have a hand in the plan. I bet that continues in some form. Haley did say he will help with the game plan during the week but the offense is in Muir’s control on game day.

I’m surprised Haley is not calling the plays because of his experience. But, in the end, it is best for him to have someone else call the plays. Haley called the plays in 2009, his first season as the Chiefs’ head coach. He admitted he was stretched too thin. Things worked much better last season when Weis called the plays.

Haley will always be there to assist Muir, but Haley has many other responsibilities to worry about, so having Muir call the plays is the right decision for now.

Here is Kansas City's team page:

1. Ready to air it out: The Chiefs' passing game excelled under former offensive coordinator Charlie Weis last season, and don't expect that to change now that Weis is at Florida. Offensive line coach Bill Muir has been promoted to offensive coordinator. Former Washington head coach Jim Zorn is the quarterback coach, and head coach Todd Haley will be involved in the passing game. Don't expect the Chiefs to shy away from throwing the ball. If you don't believe it, just look at two of their biggest offseason pickups -- receiver Jon Baldwin, their first-round pick, and free-agent slot receiver Steve Breaston.

2. It all starts with Jamaal Charles: The Chiefs are in fine shape at running back. They just signed fullback Le'Ron McClain, who runs the ball more than the typical fullback, and they still have veteran Thomas Jones. Those two will help keep pressure off star Jamaal Charles, who the team believes is most effective when he is fresh. Jones had 15 more carries than Charles last year. That will probably change because Charles is so explosive. According to the Football Scientist, KC Joyner, Charles is outstanding in his good blocking yards per attempt (GBYPA) metric. It gauges how productive a running back is when his blocking is effective. Charles had a 9.0 GBYPA last year, second best in the NFL.

3. Challenge will be stiffer in 2010: The Chiefs were a surprise division winner last year. They developed quickly and showed they are one of the NFL's most talented young teams. However, they benefited from an easy schedule. Kansas City played only two playoff teams in 2010. The schedule toughens this season. From Weeks 11 to 15, Kansas City plays five 2010 playoff teams, including the four teams that went to the conference championship games: Green Bay, Chicago, Pittsburgh and the New York Jets. The other 2010 playoff team in that mix is New England. Yes, it's brutal.

4. Varied weapons: Kansas City has a unique offense. No weapons are alike. The Chiefs will feature receivers Dwayne Bowe, Baldwin and Breaston. They all offer different things. Bowe is a classic No. 1 type. Baldwin is a big, vertical threat. Breaston is a chain-mover. Add field-stretching tight end Tony Moeaki and shifty running back/receiver Dexter McCluster, and the Chiefs will have many different schemes to keep defenses off balance.

5. Hali was not a one-hit wonder: Don't expect Tamba Hali to fade now that he got his big contract. The Chiefs recently gave Hali a five-year, $60 million deal with $35 million guaranteed. He is not a cash-grab type of player. He is very humble and is a hard worker. Expect Hali, who led the AFC with 14.5 sacks last season, to work even harder to live up to his big contract.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Been looking for post-lockout, smashmouth NFL action?

Hope you didn’t come to Chiefs camp during the past three weeks.

Kansas City's training camp wasn’t the most exciting place in the NFL. The Chiefs started very slowly, only going to pads last Sunday. The team’s starters did virtually nothing in a 25-0 loss to Tampa Bay last Friday night. Coach Todd Haley said he may take the same approach this Friday at Baltimore.

It’s a lockout-caused plan for Haley as the Chiefs take the big-picture approach and begin their AFC West title defense.

Haley was concerned about the length of the lockout and didn’t want to rush his team into action because of the lost time. He wants this team to be fresh for the season. Other teams have crammed in as much physical play as possible. Haley, known for his physical camps in his first two years in Kansas City, is taking a much different approach.

At this point, he said, getting his team conditioned to make up for lost time is more important to him than practicing hard. Haley said he will concentrate on heavy football drills toward the end of the preseason to ensure the team stays as healthy as possible heading into the regular season.

The coach is taking some heat for taking the cautious approach. Many fans are concerned that the Chiefs will not be ready when they open the regular season against visiting Buffalo on Sept. 11.

“I’m sticking to my convictions,” Haley said. “This is what is best for this team. I believe we will be ready for the season.”

The Chiefs picked up the intensity in practice this week, but they will not turn their starters loose until the third preseason game. There is even a chance that the starters will play in the final preseason game, which routinely doesn’t happen around the league.

“This is the approach Coach Haley wants us to take,” Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel. “We are fully behind him.”

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Work with the quarterback: Cassel’s development is still the No. 1 priority for this team, and camp time is essential. There is no doubt that Cassel progressed last season, but he fell off at the end of the season and now has to get used to working with new quarterback coach Jim Zorn after a one-year stint with Charlie Weis as a his offensive coordinator. Weis now has the same job at the University of Florida. Cassel and Zorn lost valuable time due to the lockout. However, they are said to have built a good relationship and gotten comfortable working together this summer.

2. Spread the ball around: The Chiefs are spending this camp getting their varied passing-game weapons in order. This can be a dangerous passing offense and this camp is being spent on how to best utilize it. Cassel has many directions in which to look. It starts with No. 1 receiver Dwayne Bowe, but the Chiefs have given him help by drafting Jon Baldwin in the first round and signing slot receiver Steve Breaston, who played for Haley in Arizona and caught 77 passes in 2008 under Haley’s guidance. Add tight end Tony Moeaki and running back/receiver Dexter McCluster and there are a lot of options. Figuring out the best way to utilize all of them is what camp is for.

3. Figuring what’s best for Charles: It has driven many Kansas City fans crazy that the Chiefs don’t give Jamaal Charles more carries. Thomas Jones had 245 rushing attempts last season, while Charles had 230. Jones fell off toward the end of the season, but Charles was spectacular. He had 1,467 rushing yards, second in the league. The Chiefs want to increase his numbers but also want him to stay fresh and healthy, so don’t expect his workload to fly through the roof. To help both Charles and Jones, who will likely get 8-10 carries per game, the Chiefs signed former Baltimore fullback Le'Ron McClain, who runs the ball more than the average fullback. The Chiefs are working all three backs during this camp to figure out the most advantageous carry distribution.

ARE THEY GOING TO JARED?

The Chiefs’ camp got interesting last week when the team picked up former Baltimore left tackle Jared Gaither. Known as an above-average left tackle, Gaither missed all of last season with a back injury. The Raiders considered signing him early in camp, but they passed because of his back.

The Chiefs signed Gaither during camp and he is now practicing with the second team. If his back holds up, there is a strong chance he could move into the starting lineup and send Branden Albert to right tackle. Albert, a first-round pick in 2008, has been a decent but not great left tackle. The Chiefs have long considered making him a right tackle, where many scouts think he’d flourish. If he moves to right tackle, Albert would replace Barry Richardson. If the massive Gaither (6-foot-9, 340 pounds) is healthy and motivated, this could be a significant move for Kansas City.

CHIEFS MAY NEED TO BACK IT UP AT QB

The Chiefs are keeping a close eye on backup quarterbacks Tyler Palko and rookie Ricky Stanzi during camp. The two struggled in the preseason opener last week. If they continue to struggle, Kansas City could potentially consider bringing in a veteran backup such as Jake Delhomme to be the No. 2 quarterback. Still, Stanzi, a fifth-round pick from Iowa, should be a lock to make the team. Palko will have to increase his production to survive the final cuts.

OBSERVATION DECK

• The team loves the addition of nose tackle Kelly Gregg. He has been a leader, has been working hard in camp and has been a positive influence on young players, including draft pick Jerrell Powe.

• The Chiefs are working on increasing their turnover numbers on defense. They had the eighth-fewest takeaways in the NFL last season.

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Denny Medley/US PRESSWIREFirst-round draft pick Jon Baldwin, along with new acquisition Steve Breaston, are expected to make an impact this season.
• Baldwin was hampered by some minor issues. Camp observers said he struggled early in camp getting off the line of scrimmage, but the coaching staff is confident the No. 26 overall pick in the 2011 draft will catch up quickly. Baldwin had a reputation for being difficult in college, but the Chiefs haven’t seen any of indications of that and are more than satisfied with his attitude.

UPDATE: ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed that Baldwin is doubtful for the rest of training camp after a locker-room fight with Jones. Baldwin’s incident occurred after the Chiefs brass praised his attitude. This event has to be alarming for the team.

• Veteran backup Jerheme Urban has been running with the first team with Bowe as Baldwin and Breaston get acclimated. Don’t expect that to last. Baldwin and Breaston were brought in to play a lot of snaps.

• Haley has paired veterans with rookies to help the younger players through camp. The players room together, and Haley often matches up players from opposite sides of the ball to help team continuity.

• Veteran Andy Studebaker has been working with the first team at outside linebacker opposite star pass-rusher Tamba Hali. The Chiefs are going to use several players to pressure the quarterback, but Studebaker has a chance to have a key role while rookie Justin Houston learns the team’s system.

• McCluster has been working mostly out of the backfield as Haley suggested he would in May. Still, expect McCluster to line up at receiver some as well. The Chiefs are looking to create as many matchup problems as they can with McCluster, especially on third downs.

• Rookie DE Allen Bailey has a chance to contribute right away as a pass-rusher. He has been working diligently in that area in camp.

• Rookie offensive lineman Rodney Hudson has been looking good. The second-round pick could play at guard and at center.

• The team also likes the progress of second-year guard Jon Asamoah, who has a chance to shine in the aftermath of the release of Brian Waters.

• Former San Diego inside linebacker Brandon Siler is making a push for major playing time. He is a solid talent who also helps on special teams.

• Linebacker Cameron Sheffield has played well. And he could be a contributor. He missed all of last season after suffering a neck injury in the preseason.

• One undrafted free agent to watch is Temple linebacker Amara Kamara. He has caught on to the defensive scheme very quickly.

• Cornerback Jalil Brown, a fourth-round pick out of Colorado, has been impressive and has a chance to be contributor in some packages and on special teams.

Three things to watch for in Kansas City’s preseason opener against visiting Tampa Bay on Friday night. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET.

Matt Cassel: The quarterback made strides last season under former offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, but he slipped badly in the final two games of the season. Let’s see how he performs under new quarterback coach Jim Zorn.

Receivers: The Chiefs addressed their need at the position by drafting Jon Baldwin in the first round and signing veteran Steve Breaston. I’m sure Cassel will be looking for them both often Thursday night.

Pass-rush: The Chiefs need to give Tamba Hali, who led the AFC with 14.5 sacks last season, some help. They added some pieces. Let’s see if they can bring the heat against Tampa Bay.

The Chiefs’ first foray into the outside free-agent market was a predictable, yet impressive move.

ESPN’s John Clayton has reported that Arizona receiver Steve Breaston has agreed to terms with the Chiefs. He played for Kansas coach Todd Haley in Arizona. Haley was the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator.

This is a natural fit. Breaston will be able to come right in and contribute in Haley’s offense. Expect him to be a slot receiver. He is a dangerous player who can move the chains. He had 47 catches for 718 yards in 13 games last season. He had 77 catches for 1,008 in 2008 in Haley’s final season with the Cardinals.

Breaston is going to make some plays in Kansas City. But, most importantly, so are a lot of other people.

Sure, the Chiefs lost offensive coordinator Charlie Weis after the season, but they’ve gained plenty. Kansas City took Pitt receiver Jon Baldwin with the No. 26 overall pick. He is expected to be the No. 2 receiver. If he for some reason fails to come on as a rookie, Breaston can now start opposite No. 1 receiver Dwayne Bowe.

But I expect Baldwin to be ready to contribute right away. He is a vertical threat who will stretch the field. A Bowe, Baldwin, Breaston receiving trio is strong and it’s much better than last year’s receiving crew when it was Bowe and no one else.

Add second-year tight end Tony Moeaki and second-year running back/receiver Dexter McCluster and the Chiefs have one of the most varied passing offenses in the NFL.

Everyone talks about how quarterback Matt Cassel needs to get better. Well, he just got better with these additions. Cassel has to be drooling to have these weapons. Don’t forget, Kansas City has the No. 12 ranked offense in the NFL.

Yes, folks, this offense has a chance to explode on a weekly basis. Kansas City has a lot of money to spend and its first pending outside expenditure is a worthwhile endeavor.

» NFC: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South » Unrestricted FAs

Readiness factor: The Chiefs are in pretty good shape. They didn’t have many major changes. New offensive coordinator Bill Muir was on the staff last year, and big pockets of players worked out together on a few occasions. I don’t think there will be any major obstacles to this team getting rolling quickly.

Biggest challenge: Quarterback Matt Cassel's progression is vital for this team. He made great progress last season, but he stalled in the Chiefs' final two games after offensive coordinator Charlie Weis announced he was leaving for the University of Florida. New quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn is charged with working with Cassel. The two have met briefly, but they will have to get on the same page quickly to ensure Cassel can continue to lead the offense effectively.

Getting rookies ready: The Chiefs are excited about their draft class. Players such as receiver Jon Baldwin, center/guard Rodney Hudson and front-seven defenders Justin Houston and Allen Bailey have a chance to play right away. They must get up to speed without the benefit of an offseason program.

Key players without contracts for 2011: Center Casey Wiegmann.

According to our poll results, many readers expect the 2011 Kansas City Chiefs to take a slight dip in 2011.

Our poll was inspired by an ESPN.com Insider piece by K.C. Joyner. He wrote that he thinks the Chiefs will slide some this season. The Chiefs went 10-6 and were the surprise winner of the AFC West last season. In the three previous seasons, the Chiefs won a combined 10 games.

Our poll gave four choices to pick from: 12 wins or more; 10-11 wins; 8-9 wins or under .500.

As of 4:05 p.m. ET, 48 percent of the voters think the Chiefs will win 8-9 games. Twenty-seven percent think the Chiefs will win 10-11 games. Twenty-one percent think the Chiefs will finish under .500 and just four percent think they will win 12 or more games. More than 3,600 votes were tallied.

Seventy-five percent of the readers think the Chiefs will win between 8-11 games. I think that is fair. I know some people think last season was a fluke. The Chiefs will have to adjust to life without offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, and the truth is, the 2011 schedule is tougher. Those facts could indicate the Chiefs are primed for a slight dive.

Still, this is a young team that will get better. It seems to have drafted well again, and it doesn’t appear this team will lose many key contributors. So, there is no reason to think the Chiefs were a one-hit wonder.

Thanks to everyone who participated.

We are going to start our yearly series of the position-by-position rankings. It is going to be a little different this season because we’re starting it before free agency starts and the rosters set. We will adjust accordingly as we go along.

Let’s start with the quarterbacks:

1, Philip Rivers, San Diego: Rivers keeps improving. He is an elite-level quarterback, who was spectacular in 2010. He is the best player in the AFC West. It’s that simple.

2, Matt Cassel, Kansas City: Cassel came on strong in 2010, earning a Pro Bowl berth. He flourished under offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. But Cassel did flounder in the two games after it was announced Weis was leaving. The Chiefs must ensure Cassel continues to make positive strides. At his best, Cassel can be a winning quarterback and a difference maker. At his worst, Cassel can be ineffective and mistake-prone. Cassel needs to be more consistent.

3. Jason Campbell, Oakland: Campbell had an up-and-down 2010, his first season with the Raiders. He was replaced three times, but he settled down late in the season and he made some big plays for Oakland. The Raiders believe in him and they think he will make strides in 2011. Like Cassel, he must show better consistency. If Campbell has a big 2011 season, I could see him being No. 2 on this list next year. If not, I could see Oakland looking for another starting quarterback in 2012.

4. Tim Tebow, Denver: The Broncos haven’t decided who will be the starter in Week 1. The general thought is Denver will move forward with Tebow at some point in 2011 ahead of veteran Kyle Orton. Tebow has potential. But there’s no way he could start anywhere but last in this division group. The big question is where Tebow will be in terms of next year’s list? Will he show enough in 2011 for the Broncos to name him the long-term starter or will Denver try to find another quarterback?

New Oakland Raiders coach Hue Jackson realizes the most challenging aspect of his role as a first-time head coach at any level is finding the time to do everything it takes to run a team.

“It’s amazing. You just don’t have any time,” said Jackson, who joked at the NFL combine last month that the biggest sacrifice since becoming a head coach is his physical fitness. “You look up, and you want to go work out and you don’t have the time to do it.”

Jackson is not doing his schedule any favors. In addition to all of the usual roles taken on by head coaches, Jackson will join the alternative ranks of head coaches who call their own offensive plays.

Although it's not a large movement around the NFL, it has become a major trend in the AFC West. Jackson, San Diego’s Norv Turner and Kansas City’s Todd Haley are all expected to call their own plays. Turner has long performed the duty. Haley called the plays in his first season in Kansas City in 2009 before relinquishing the job to Charlie Weis in 2010. With Weis now at the University of Florida, Haley promoted offensive line coach Bill Muir to offensive coordinator.

Haley –- who calls play calling “an art” -- has said multiple times since promoting Muir that he has not decided whether he will call the plays. However, he has also said he is not opposed to doing it. Under Jon Gruden in Tampa Bay, Muir ran the offensive meetings and Gruden called the plays on game day.

Assuming Haley will be, at least, very involved in the play calling, the AFC West will be the epicenter of coaches who call plays. Ironically, had Denver not fired Josh McDaniels, the AFC West would have been a full house of head coaches who call their own plays. In a poll of my ESPN.com blog network colleagues, a total of 10 head coaches are expected to call their own plays.

In addition to Jackson, Turner and Haley, Buffalo’s Chan Gailey, New Orleans' Sean Payton, San Francisco’s Jim Harbaugh, Houston’s Gary Kubiak, Green Bay’s Mike McCarthy, Cleveland’s Pat Shurmur and Dallas’ Jason Garrett are all expected to call their own offensive shots. Arizona’s Ken Whisenhunt may be actively involved as well.

Payton and McCarthy have won the past two Super Bowls using this approach. It’s a proven winning formula.

Still, there are two schools of thought: Some people don’t like to see a head coach call his own plays because he may have too much on his plate. Others like it because it keeps the head coach in control of his team.

The general managers of two of the teams that employ the system both say the bottom line is whether it is effective.

“Experience is what matters, no matter who calls the plays,” San Diego general manager A.J. Smith said. “In our particular case, Norv has been calling plays for a long time and it runs very smooth and very well for us.”

Added Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli: “I've been a part of it where coaches have been playcallers on offense or defense. What matters is whether you get it right.”

While Jackson knows his challenge, Gary Horton of Scouts Inc. thinks Jackson is starting his head-coaching career the right way. In fact, Horton would be bothered if Jackson, who was Oakland’s offensive coordinator last season, wasn’t calling his own plays.

“I’d hate to see a guy like Hue not call plays as a head coach,” said Horton, who is a former longtime NFL scout. "That’s why he was hired. He was hired because he has terrific play-calling skills. I want him calling the plays. I’d hate for him to say, ‘Well, I have other things to worry about.’ Play to your strengths. If you were a great playcaller as an offensive coordinator, I want to see you do it as a head coach. If I’m an owner, I’m going to demand it. 'This is why I’m hiring you. Go call the plays.’”

Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. agrees that if a head coach thinks he's the best playcaller on the staff, he should assume the role as a head coach. However, Williamson said he has seen coaches who call the plays lose touch with the rest of the game.

“It can be too much if you’re not careful,” said Williamson, another former NFL scout. “I think it is similar to coaches who are also general managers. I think it can be a failing combination. You see these guys have their back turned to the field sometime when the defense is on the field because they are talking with the quarterback. There is so much to worry about during a game. There’s clock management, knowing when to call a timeout. It’s a lot to juggle.”

The key is delegation. Coaches who call their own plays must trust their assistants, particularly their defensive coordinators.

"You have to have a strong guy over on the other side,” Horton said. “You look at a guy like Todd Haley. He’s in good shape because he has Romeo Crennel. Romeo will take care of the defense and allow Todd to run his offense.”

If he does call the plays, expect Haley to be more prepared than he was when he called the plays in 2009. Haley suddenly took over the duties in the preseason when he fired Gailey.

“In Year 1, you're comparing apples to oranges to where we are now as a team and as a staff,” Haley said. “We've had two years full years to lay our foundation [and] the system now is in place. ... Play calling is an art. It's instinctual. There are guys that are good at it and guys that aren't so good at it.”

In 2011, success in the AFC West may depend on head coaches dealing with the challenge of calling plays.

» NFC labor impact: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

A team-by-team look at how a continued labor impasse and extended NFL freeze on transactions would affect the division:

Denver Broncos: A long labor impasse would stunt the development of second-year quarterback Tim Tebow. Like all young quarterbacks, Tebow needs time in the offseason to work with his coaches, study the playbook and work with teammates in the system. If Tebow missed an entire offseason, he would have a difficult time catching up once training camp started, seriously damaging his chances to be the opening day starter.

New Denver coach John Fox is not going to be comfortable going with Tebow as his starting quarterback unless he gets ample time to see him perform in the offseason. If the impasse extends well into the summer, Denver may be forced to take a look at Kyle Orton instead of trading him. If there is a quick resolution before the draft, Denver could be tempted to move Orton.

Kansas City Chiefs: The biggest key in Kansas City is Matt Cassel’s continued development. He flourished in 2010 under offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. However, Weis is now at the University of Florida. Cassel struggled in the two games after it was disclosed that Weis was leaving.

Kansas City promoted offensive line coach Bill Muir to offensive coordinator. But in addition to coach Todd Haley, Cassel will work closely with new quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn, a former NFL quarterback and head coach. He has a strong reputation for working with quarterbacks.

Cassel and Zorn need time to work together. The two won’t be able to communicate during the labor impasse. It will be troublesome for the two to miss months of study time. That would put Cassel behind. He’d have to cram to learn Zorn’s ways. That could hurt the entire offense.

Oakland Raiders: A lengthy labor impasse would keep Oakland from knowing exactly what this team will look like. The Raiders have locked up defensive players Richard Seymour, Stanford Routt, Kamerion Wimbley and John Henderson, in addition to special-teams player Rock Cartwright. They also have re-signed reserves Kyle Boller, Hiram Eugene and Daniel Loper. But Oakland still has many free agents to deal with, including star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, tight end Zach Miller, safety Michael Huff, running back Michael Bush and guard Robert Gallery. Gallery said he is not planning to return to Oakland. Oakland gave tenders to Bush and Miller, but they could end up being unrestricted free agents in a new CBA.

The Raiders have created some risk for themselves with their aggressive strategy of re-signing free agents. If there is a salary cap in the new CBA, they don't know how high or low it will be. So it's possible they have painted themselves into a corner by giving out too many contracts.

If the draft occurs before the impasse is resolved, the Raiders will have to make some tough decisions, based on the uncertainty of their remaining free-agent class.

San Diego Chargers: Like Oakland, San Diego has a lot of free-agent uncertainty. The Chargers didn’t enter the offseason with as many high-profile free agents as Oakland, but they have key players to deal with. Unlike Oakland, though, the Chargers haven’t been aggressive with their free agents during this uncertain time. The only way San Diego has addressed free agency was by giving receiver Vincent Jackson the franchise tag. Keeping Jackson is key.

There are other issues. San Diego needs to figure out what to do with safety Eric Weddle and receiver Malcom Floyd . It put restricted-free-agent tenders on them, but there is a chance they could be unrestricted free agents in a new CBA. They are two key players.

The Chargers have a good roster, but it does need to be enhanced. A long impasse will keep the Chargers from fully knowing exactly what their roster will look like. That could create some anxiety for a team that thinks it can make a Super Bowl push with the right moves. However, adding former defensive player of the year Bob Sanders was a sign that when free agency does begin this team could be active on the open market, which hasn't been the case in recent years.