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Yes, the start of training camps is two months away, but it’s never too early to consider the coming season. A look at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for the Chiefs in 2012.

Dream scenario (10-6): Kansas City’s roster is much stronger than it was in 2011, when the Chiefs were riddled with key injuries. Kansas City lost franchise building blocks such as Eric Berry, Jamaal Charles and Tony Moeaki very early. If such young players can return to where they were pre-injury to go along with an extremely strong offseason for Kansas City, this roster could be one of the most talented and deepest in the NFL. Despite a gaping hole at right tackle, the Chiefs’ pass-blocking was pretty strong in 2011, but the run-blocking was suspect. Kansas City has upgraded dramatically at that spot with the addition of Eric Winston, so expect the front five to excel this season. Another area in which Kansas City could rather easily improve is on special teams, where overall they struggled quite a bit in 2011. Based on last year’s opponents’ winning percentage, the Chiefs have the easiest schedule in the AFC West by a narrow margin over Oakland. To me, the Chiefs' ceiling this year is winning the division and maybe a playoff game or two.

Nightmare scenario (7-9): When discussing the Chiefs’ roster, which overall I am very high on, I failed to mention the quarterback position. Matt Cassel is not a bad quarterback, but he certainly isn’t a difference-maker, either. In fact, Kansas City is possibly the weakest team in the AFC West at the most important position on the field -- although a case could be made for the Raiders for that distinction. Also, there is little behind Cassel if he should fall to injury, as he did a year ago. That in itself puts a low ceiling on what this team might be able to ultimately accomplish in 2012. Also, will those young talents return to past form after injury? Will Dontari Poe be a difference-maker in his first NFL season? Although I don’t see the Chiefs’ ceiling being as high as Denver’s, I think their floor is in the 7-9 range unless utter disaster strikes again.

Denver Broncos

Champ Bailey says he doesn't anticipate a move to safety. "I'm a realist, though, if I see myself on tape and I think it's time to make a move, I'll know it's time to make a move, I'll be the first to see it, I'll be the first to know it," Bailey said, smiling. "In my mind, though, I might not say it right away, I might wait for somebody to ask."

Veteran defensive tackle Justin Bannan tells Lindsay Jones that he "tries not to" think too much about what effect playing football might have on his body down the road.

Kansas City Chiefs

Starting safeties Eric Berry and Kendrick Lewis aren't on the field for this week's practices, but are seemingly on course to be back for training camp, the Kansas City Star reports.

The Chiefs signed free-agent wide receiver Aaron Weaver, who played collegiately at Syracuse in 2010 but missed 2011 with a knee injury.

Oakland Raiders

In a (very) brief statement following the Raiders' organized team activities Tuesday, linebacker Rolando McClain apologized for "the bad publicity that's been put out there" following his legal troubles, CSN Bay Area reports. McClain's teammates have said the linebacker seems unfazed by the recent events.

The new defensive scheme is getting good reviews from players so far, according to the Raiders' official site.

Tight end David Ausberry has added 15 pounds this offseason and is up to 265 as he focuses on claiming a starting role, CBSSports.com reports.

San Diego Chargers

A rules change that will require all players to wear knee and thigh pads beginning in 2013 is "dumb," cornerback Quentin Jammer told U-T San Diego.

Philip Rivers lost pal and backup Billy Volek in a salary-cap move over the offseason, but a reunion with Charlie Whitehurst has the Chargers' starting quarterback feeling pretty comfortable, Kevin Acee writes.

The Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly looking at two aging veterans to add depth at positions where key players are coming off major injuries.

A Kansas City television station reported the Chiefs are visiting with former Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark and veteran safety O.J. Atogwe. Both players have been on the market for several weeks and haven't gotten much interest.

Starting tight end Tony Moeaki and star safety Eric Berry are both coming off torn ACLs. Both are expected to be ready for training camp.

Todd McShay has offered his final mock draft, in an Insider piece, and he has some extremely interesting choices for the three AFC West teams that are picking in the first round.

McShay has the Chiefs taking Alabama safety Mark Barron. There has been increased talk in the past couple of days that the Chiefs are on Barron. It makes sense. Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli loves players from the SEC. A Barron-Eric Berry combination would be potentially out of this world.

Barron has become one of the hottest names in the draft, and there have been reports the Chargers could try to trade up from No. 18 to get him. Perhaps they will have to leapfrog a rival to get Barron.

McShay has the Chargers doing just fine for themselves. He has South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram dropping to No. 18. Folks, if that happens, you will hear roars of excitement from the Chargers’ war room. He’d be the impact 3-4 pass-rusher the Chargers have been craving.

McShay completes his AFC West blockbuster first round with Denver taking Boise State running back Doug Martin. I know the Broncos like Martin, and with the top defensive tackles off the board, maybe this is where the Broncos will be headed, although they might be able to trade down and still get Martin.

The Kansas City Chiefs are in an interesting draft position with the No. 11 pick. They may not be in a perfect spot for their needs and that’s why I could see them moving out of the slot once the draft starts.

This week, Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli said he was completely open to this approach in the first round.

“We may pick, we may trade up if something is getting close to us that we can get and someone is trying to bail out at a ridiculous price that we can’t pass up and there’s a player that really is the apple of our eye, or move back if someone comes to us with something,” Pioli said in a pre-draft news conference. “I think it might be a little bit interesting this year while we’re sitting there as to what we want to do.”

I think there may be a limited group of players Kansas City would trade up for. I could see them moving up to the No. 7 range for Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill, but I’m not convinced Kansas City would go up to the No. 3-4 range for the quarterback.

I’m not so sure there are any other prospects the Chiefs will make a big reach to get.

If the Chiefs stay at No. 11, they will focus on Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly or Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe. Mississippi State’s Fletcher Cox has been rising up draft boards and he could possibly be on the Chiefs’ radar at No. 11. Cox was a better college performer than Poe. Pioli values game-film production.

Bailing out and sliding down five to 10 spots and picking up another quality pick is also feasible option. By dropping down, Kansas City would eye Stanford guard David DeCastro (he could be available in the No. 14-16 range) or even Alabama safety Mark Barron (he could also be available in the same spot) to pair with Eric Berry.

The Chiefs have a lot of options and I think they will be one of the most interesting teams to watch in the first half of the first round.

Breakdown: Tony Gonzalez is coming back to Kansas City in Week 1. In his first meeting against his former team, the superstar tight end will try to ruin the opening game of the permanent Romeo Crennel era.

The Chiefs have an interesting stretch after their Oct. 21 bye. They host Oakland on Oct. 28 and then play in a prime-time game at San Diego four games later on Nov. 1. After a long layoff, the Chiefs are back in prime time in their lone Monday night game -- in Pittsburgh on Nov. 12. The Chiefs face former head coach Todd Haley, who is now the Steelers’ offensive coordinator.

Then, the Chiefs have three straight home games -- against Cincinnati, Denver and Carolina -- before playing three of their final four on the road.

Complaint department: The Chiefs’ schedule has two trouble spots. Playing back-to-back prime-time roadies at San Diego and Pittsburgh is not ideal. Having one home game in the final quarter of the season is challenging as well. The Chiefs must enter the final stretch in good shape.

Berry-Johnson meeting: There will be some juice involved in the Chiefs’ Week 2 trip to Buffalo. Kansas City star safety Eric Berrysuffered a torn ACL when he was hit by Stevie Johnson in Week 1 last season. Berry has openly questioned the hit. Johnson has denied that it was dirty. Expect emotions to be high.

Chiefs Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 9, Atlanta, 1:00 PM
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 16, at Buffalo, 1:00 PM
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 23, at New Orleans, 1:00 PM
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 30, San Diego, 1:00 PM
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 7, Baltimore, 1:00 PM
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 14, at Tampa Bay, 1:00 PM
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 28, Oakland, 4:05 PM
Week 9: Thursday, Nov. 1, at San Diego, 8:20 PM
Week 10: Monday, Nov. 12, at Pittsburgh, 8:30 PM
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 18, Cincinnati, 1:00 PM
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 25, Denver, 1:00 PM
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 2, Carolina, 1:00 PM
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 9, at Cleveland, 1:00 PM
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 16, at Oakland, 4:15 PM
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 23, Indianapolis, 1:00 PM
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 30, at Denver, 4:15 PM

Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry once again questioned whether Buffalo Bills receiver Steve Johnson intentionally hurt him in Week 1 last season. The hit cost Berry the entire season after he tore an ACL.

When asked again if he thought Johnson deliberately hit him low on an open-field block Berry said on Tuesday, "You can look at the tape and make your own opinion about that. I mean, my opinion is my opinion."

Last month, Berry tweeted that he wondered whether the Bills had offered incentives to hurt him. Tuesday, Berry said the tweet was “pretty much a joke.” Johnson has denied the hit was intentional.

What do I think of Berry’s reaction?

His opinion is his and he can feel any way he wants to feel. But his focus must remain on his rehabilitation and improving off his special 2010 rookie season. Berry is reportedly on target and should be back to start the 2012 campaign.

By the way, the Chiefs visit Buffalo this season.

In other AFC West news:

Todd McShay looks at some potential second day draft steals for the Broncos and the Raiders.

The Chiefs signed defensive back Mikail Baker. He was a seventh-round pick by St. Louis out of Baylor last year and was cut in October. Baker will have an uphill battle to make the Chiefs’ 53-man roster.

In a radio interview, Kansas City coach Romeo Crennel talks about missing out on Peyton Manning in free agency and preparing for the challenge of facing Manning twice a season.

To clarify, the Chargers will open their offseason program next week. They were eligible to start Monday. Denver and Kansas City began their offseason program Monday and the Raiders started two weeks ago because they have a new coach. The Chargers’ offseason program will extend a week longer than the Broncos’ and Chiefs’ programs.

The AFC West was the tightest division in the NFL in 2011.

The Broncos, Raiders and Chargers finished 8-8 with Denver prevailing as the division winner via a tiebreaker. Kansas City was a game behind at 7-9. The Chiefs were a blocked field goal attempt against Oakland in Week 16 away from winning the division.

Each team marches toward 2012 with hopes of winning the division. While there is still some work to do in terms of the draft, let’s play the “what if” game. Below is five ways each team in the division could win the AFC West in 2012 if certain things occur. Hat tip to the reader who suggested the idea:

Denver

If Peyton Manning is fully recovered from a neck injury that kept him out of the entire 2011 season: Manning’s health is the key to Denver’s entire season. The team and Manning think he will be fine. If he is, the Broncos will be in great shape.

If Demaryius Thomas develops into a true No. 1 receiver: The third-year player has potential and showed great flashes last season. Playing with Manning should spark his career.

If Denver gets a running mate for Willis McGahee: McGahee had a great season in 2011, but he was dinged up a lot and he needs some help. If Denver can draft a player such as Miami’s Lamar Miller, Boise State’s Doug Martin or Virginia Tech’s David Wilson in the second round, they should be in great shape.

If Denver improves at defensive tackle: The Broncos need some help at the position and it is their most pressing need. Watch for Denver to take a defensive tackle at No. 25 in the first round and that player needs to contribute right away.

If the change at defensive coordinator is smooth: With Dennis Allen now the head coach in Oakland, former Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio is Denver’s seventh defensive coordinator in the past seven seasons. This change could be seamless, though, because Del Rio has previously been a coordinator on John Fox’s staff, and Fox plays a major role as a defensive coach.

Kansas City

If quarterback Matt Cassel plays better than he did in 2011: Cassel took a step back last season after a strong 2010 season. Instead of replacing him, though, the Chiefs gave Cassel more weapons. He has everything a quarterback needs to succeed. Now, he has to be a success.

If the Chiefs’ injured stars are recovered from serious knee injuries: Running back Jamaal Charles, safety Eric Berry and tight end Tony Moeaki all suffered torn ACL’s in September. All are expected back. If they are all fully recovered, the Chiefs should be fine.

If the Chiefs get an impact defender in the first round: The Chiefs have a strong defense, but they can use another stud. Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe or Boston College inside linebacker Luke Kuechly would both be solid fits.

If Stanford Routt fits in the defense: The Chiefs opted to sign former Oakland cornerback Stanford Routt and let Brandon Carr walk. Kansas City thinks Routt will flourish as the No. 2 cornerback next to Brandon Flowers. If Routt struggles, the defense will suffer.

If Romeo Crennel’s late influence is intact: Crennel went from the interim coach to the permanent coach because he sparked the Chiefs in the final three weeks of the season. His team played very hard for him and went 2-1. Let’s see if the good vibes continue.

Oakland

If quarterback Carson Palmer adjusts to the West Coast offense: Palmer is both trying to re-energize his career and adapt to playing in a West Coast offense. The Raiders and Palmer believe it is a good fit.

If receivers Darrius Heyward-Bey, Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford continue to develop: I think these three players have showed flashes. If they continue to develop, the Raiders will have a lot of firepower.

If running back Darren McFadden can stay healthy: McFadden has missed a total of 19 games in four NFL season and at least three games in all four seasons. He missed the final nine games of last season with a foot injury. With backup Michael Bush now in Chicago and Oakland sporting young backups, it is imperative the special McFadden stays healthy as much as possible in 2012.

If the defensive front can stay healthy: The Raiders’ defensive line is their best aspect of a defense in transition. It must stay healthy and be an anchor to the unit.

If rookie coach Dennis Allen can have fast success: At 39, Allen, who has just one year of experience as a defensive coordinator, is the youngest head coach in the NFL. He must prove quickly that he is up to the task.

San Diego

If quarterback Philip Rivers can avoid the interception bug: He threw a career-high 20 interception in 2011. Rivers threw a total of 22 interceptions in the previous two seasons combined.

If running back Ryan Mathews can take the next step: San Diego coach Norv Turner recently said he expects Mathews to have a breakout season in 2012, his third in the NFL. He has shown flashes, but he needs to be more consistent.

If the receivers, as a unit, can make up for the loss of Vincent Jackson: The Chargers like their receiving crew even after Jackson signed with Tampa Bay. San Diego added Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal, and already has Malcom Floyd and Vincent Brown. Jackson is a star and he will be missed, but the Chargers think they have made up for his loss by having a deeper rotation.

If the Chargers' defense can be better on third down: San Diego had the worst third-down defense in the NFL last season. Improving in that area is a point of emphasis for new defensive coordinator John Pagano.

If the Chargers can add an impact pass-rusher in the first round: The Chargers need a young pass-rusher to emerge. It will be their top priority with the No. 18 pick.

A lot of Chiefs’ fans are all riled up by the news that the Kansas City Chiefs are considering at least two of the top quarterbacks available in the draft.

My reaction? Predictable.

The Chiefs looked into some of the quarterbacks in last year’ draft pool, and I expect them to look at several this year. So, it’s no shock the team is taking closer looks at Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill and Michigan State’s Kirk Cousins.

Kansas City starter Matt Cassel turns 30 in May. It would behoove the Chiefs to look for a young prospect to develop. The Chiefs probably have a better chance to draft Cousins rather than Tannehill. Kansas City has the No. 11 pick in the draft, and Tannehill is expected to taken before then.

Cousins is expected to be a second-round pick. The Chiefs have the No. 44 pick in the second round and could have a real shot at Cousins

I wouldn’t be surprised if we see the Chiefs show interest in other quarterbacks in the coming weeks, such as Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden, Arizona’s Nick Foles, and Arizona State’s Brock Osweiler.

The Chiefs don’t have a ton of pressing needs, so this might be the time to try to snag the quarterback of the future, and I’m sure that is why the Chiefs are taking pre-draft looks at players at the position.

Meanwhile, in a radio interview, Chiefs’ safety Eric Berry talks about his recovery from a torn knee ligament.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Kansas City Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli met with the media on Friday afternoon. In addition to talking about the team’s quarterback situation, here are some other highlights:

Pioli said the Chiefs’ three injured stars -- running back Jamaal Charles, safety Eric Berry and tight end Tony Moeaki -- are on schedule to be ready for training camp. All three suffered torn ACLs in their knees in September. Pioli said there aren’t any guarantees that all three will be ready for camp, but the team feels good about each player’s progress.

Pioli said that he thinks this is a strong draft overall, and he really likes the running backs. I expect the Chiefs to look at a running back fairly early in the draft or in free agency. With Charles coming back from injury and Jackie Battle and Thomas Jones being free agents, the Chiefs will need help there. One possibility, I think, is to sign New England’s Benjarvus Green-Ellis in free agency. Pioli signed him as an undrafted free agent in New England.

Pioli said he believes second-year player Rodney Hudson is ready to start at center or guard. His best bet might be at center. Casey Wiegmann is considering retirement, and the team might be ready to move to Hudson, anyway.

Pioli said 2011 first-round pick Jonathan Baldwin has made progress, and is expected to be a contributor in 2012.

Pioli reiterated that he wants to keep receiver Dwayne Bowe and cornerback Brandon Carr, who are headed for free agency. With the Chiefs signing cornerback Stanford Routt this week, the odds of Carr coming back have lessened considerably.

Pioli said he was “heartbroken” to see college scouting director Phil Emery leave to become the Bears’ general manager. Pioli praised Emery extensively and said he will make the city of Chicago proud.

Joel from Los Angeles wants to know if I think Jason Campbell is staying in Oakland as a backup.

Bill Williamson: I can’t see it, Joel. I think Campbell will want to go to a team where he will be looked upon as the starter going into training camp. There will be a couple of teams that could give him that chance. He’d be a terrific backup in Oakland, but I think he may be looking for a better option.

---

Brian Diercksen from Norton Ma. wants an update on the Chiefs’ key injured players.

BW: Everyone is on target to be fine for the start of camp. Safety Eric Berry, running back Jamaal Charles and tight end Tony Moeaki all blew out their knees in September. Quarterback Matt Cassel broke his hand in November. But all are doing great, and there are no complications expected.

---

Parker Keegan from Seattle wants to know who I think will be the final Al Davis draft pick to stay in Oakland.

BW: It’s a great question, Parker. I think there are a lot of candidates. But I would look at the offensive line and say either 2010 draft pick, Jared Veldheer, or 2011 draft pick Stefen Wisniewski. Offensive linemen tend to have long careers. The key is Oakland signing these players to long-term deals. Both Veldheer and Wisniewski have the look of being anchor types, so I could see the Raiders wanting to establish long-term relationships to both. So, I could see Davis’ impact lasting on the team for several more years.

Mid-week mail call:

Sam K. in Philadelphia wants to know if I think the Chargers will get a compensatory pick for the free-agency losses of Darren Sproles and Kevin Burnett.

Bill Williamson: Well, the compensatory picks system is pretty complicated. Remember, the Chargers will get dinged for adding Takeo Spikes. But I would expect San Diego to probably get, at least, one comp pick. This is just a guess, but maybe in the fourth round or fifth round.

Shawn Ducey from Barre, VT wants to know why I think the Chiefs could address safety this year in the draft.

BW: I don’t necessarily think safety will be a huge draft priority, but I could see Kansas City adding a safety in the middle rounds if they like a certain player. Jon McGraw is aging and Kendrick Lewis is decent, but not great. The Chiefs will be in great shape at one safety spot when Eric Berry returns from a knee injury, but adding talent to the position wouldn't be a bad idea.

Jim from Louisville wants to know if I think the Chargers will give receiver Vincent Jackson a contract extension.

BW: I think they should give him an extension. San Diego ownership has to show some goodwill to the fan base and it has to show the Chargers are serious about winning. Keeping coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith didn’t play well with many fans. Signing the star receiver to a long-term deal would be welcomed by the fans. Plus, giving him the franchise tag could limit the Chargers from making other moves. And letting Jackson walk as a free agent, well, that is just not something a team that needs to make the playoffs next year can afford to do.

» NFC Wrap-ups: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Arrow indicates direction team is trending.

Final power ranking: 22
Preseason Power Ranking: 18

Biggest surprise: The Chiefs’ resiliency. Some may be surprised a team that went 10-6 last year and won the AFC West title and followed it up with a 7-9 season is trending up. But the Chiefs showed a lot of guts. First, they fought back from an avalanche of injuries and an 0-3 start to become competitive. Then, after coach Todd Haley was fired following the Week 14 loss, the Chiefs responded by going 2-1 under interim coach Romeo Crennel, including giving Green Bay its only loss of the regular season. Kansas City was a blocked field goal at the end of regulation in Week 16 against Oakland from repeating as division champion. Crennel is expected to be the permanent head coach. This is a young team getting key players back. The future is bright.

Biggest disappointment: The injuries. The Chiefs played the entire season with standout second-year tight end Tony Moeaki. They lost star second-year safety Eric Berry in Week 1 and star running back Jamaal Charles in the second week. Quarterback Matt Cassel suffered a season-ending injury in November. It could have been a much different season.

Biggest need: Kansas City still needs some help in many areas, including the defensive line, linebacker and at safety. But I think it needs to look at a tackle. Right tackle Barry Richardson is the type of player you look to upgrade from; I think tackle will be a focal point for the Chiefs in the first round, where they will have either the 11th or 12th pick in the first round. That will be decided by a coin flip with Seattle.

Team MVP: Linebacker Derrick Johnson. He is an underrated player and deserved his Pro Bowl berth. He is a playmaker and is always around the ball. Kansas City finished the season strong on defense and it began with Johnson.

Who’s the quarterback? After Sunday’s game, Kyle Orton, who started the final three games of the season after being claimed off waivers from Denver, said he believes it is Cassel’s team. I agree. I think the Chiefs will move forward with Cassel and Orton will look for a starting job elsewhere as a free agent.

When the Kansas City Chiefs fired coach Todd Haley earlier this month, names such as Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, former Titans coach Jeff Fisher and Rams offensive cordinator Josh McDaniels emerged as possible replacements. .

All are high-profile coaches who would evoke emotions and excitement of varied degrees. Buried below the bigger names, though, was the candidacy of Kansas City defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, who was named the interim coach immediately after Haley was fired and considered a candidate, but perhaps not a leading candidate

However, that all changed last Sunday when Crennel’s Chiefs beat previously-perfect Green Bay in his first game as coach. Now, Crennel is considered by many as the top candidate. If the Chiefs -- who still have a heartbeat in the AFC West division race -- play well in their final two games against visiting Oakland and at Denver, Crennel, 64, could all but wrap up the job. He is already being endorsed by key figures in the organization.

The following is a look at why the Chiefs’ brass may decide to make Crennel the permanent head coach:

He’d get along with Scott Pioli: This is a paramount. Haley wasn’t fired because his injury-ravaged team was 5-8. He was fired primarily because he butted heads with Pioli, the general manager. This is a critical hire for Pioli. If he blows this one, his time in Kansas City could end.

Pioli must hire someone he is sure he can trust and someone he could work with. Pioli goes way back with Crennel, back to the Patriots' success in the early 2000s, and he is a big reason Crennel is in Kansas City. There would not be any coach-GM friction.

He just wants to coach: One of the reasons there wouldn’t be any friction is because Crennel is the good-soldier type. He is a lifer coach who is focused on teaching his players. He is not a new-school coach who wants his fingerprints on the playbook and everything else.

“Romeo trusts Scott Pioli and his ability to build a roster that can go to the Super Bowl. All Romeo would be interested in doing is coaching the team,” his agent, Joe Linta, said.

He’d bring stability to the program: The Chiefs are an interesting team. They are a building, young program that has already tasted success. This group won 10 games and the AFC West division title last year. The Chiefs, though, have been decimated by injuries this season and played virtually the entire year without young stars Jamaal Charles, Eric Berry and Tony Moeaki, and they have gone a long period without quarterback Matt Cassel. All of these players are expected to be healthy next year. This is not a depleted franchise.

Retaining Crennel would prevent the Chiefs from having to adjust to a new coaching philosophy. The learning curve would be essentially wiped out and the Chiefs could go to training camp next year raring to go.

Players like him: Interim coaches don’t get Gatorade baths -- as Crennel did after the Green Bay shocker -- unless they are respected by the players.

There is no doubt Kansas City’s players like the affable, fair and above-board Crennel. The players chanted his name in the locker room after Sunday's win. Fullback Le'Ron McClain said after the game that Crennel had an instant impact on the team and he has players' support for the full-time job.

“That was a head-coach thing. We got that from Romeo,” McClain said. “What a statement we made. It’s great for him, for his future here. I know a lot of guys hope so. I know he had us ready to play this week and we showed it, from the first drive on out.”

He’s a calming force: Haley clashed with a lot of players. That is not Crennel’s nature. Teams usually look for polar opposites when they look to replace a coach, and that would be the case here. Crennel is different than Haley because he is not a screamer. Haley was volatile and would often blow up. Crennel is more of a listener. He is firm and he is not a pushover, but screaming is not Crennel’s first approach. That could be refreshing for the locker room, and I bet Pioli would welcome that tact as well.

He knows the Patriot Way: Pioli has modeled his teams after the Patriots, where he had great success as an executive with New England and was part of three Super Bowl championship teams last decade.

Crennel was the defensive coordinator on all three teams. Pioli and Crennel share the same vision. I think Pioli would be very interested in moving forward with a head coach who shared the New England experience with him.

He has head-coaching experience: Crennel showed his head-coaching experience in the Green Bay game. It was his 65th NFL games a head coach. That type of experience is always appealing to a team. Crennel was 24-40 in four seasons (2005-08) as the head coach in Cleveland. The record in Cleveland wasn’t great, but there were some front-office and talent issues there that made it a difficult situation.

“He is smart and could be one of those guys that does well with his second opportunity,” said Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc., who worked in Cleveland with Crennel for a short period. “He did get a ton out of a Derek Anderson-led Browns team a few years ago and the players love and respect him.“

He could build a good staff: Hiring McDaniels as head coach may be a difficult sale considering he flamed out in Denver and he is part of a failing staff in St. Louis. However, if Crennel is hired as the head coach, McDaniels could be a terrific option as offensive coordinator if the Rams’ staff is sent packing. McDaniels has worked with both Cassel and current Chiefs quarterback Kyle Orton (a pending free agent). A staff headed by Crennel with an offense led by McDaniels could be appealing. Plus, Jacksonville interim coach Mel Tucker was on Crennel’s staff in Cleveland. He’d be an attractive defensive coordinator candidate.

He won’t break the bank: Unlike Fisher and Ferentz (and other big hitters such as Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden), Crennel would be reasonably priced. That would appeal to ownership. Combining Crennel’s numerous positive attributes and his relatively low price tag, this could be a perfect pairing that may have begun with the Chiefs’ derailment of the Packers’ pursuit of perfection.

Here are some highlights of our AFC West chat, which was held earlier Thursday:

Denver

Scott from Northglenn, Colo.: Do you think that Tebow had his best game of the year in a loss vs. the Pats? Most of his passes were on target and impressive...

Bill Williamson: I do, yes. He made some nice throws. In every other start this season, he had stretches of bad quarterback play. I didn't see that in the New England game. Since the SD game on Nov. 27, Tebow has continued to make big strides

Kansas City

Al from Wausau, WI.: Bill, when Kansas City gets its injured starters back in 2012, do you feel they may have enough to contend for a division title? Might they still have an outside shot to get a division title yet this year?

BW: Yes, I think KC will be in the mix next year. There is a lot of talent on that team. For it to be 6-8 with all the major injuries it has had and its tough schedule is pretty impressive. Remember, a lot of people said at the start of the season that the Chiefs could go 8-8 and be improved from last year's 10-6 team because of the schedule. So, to play virtually the entire year without Charles, Berry and Moeaki and much of the year without Cassel, the Chiefs should be proud of themselves for their effort this season. The future is bright.

Oakland

Rr8drfanrick from Sun Valley, CA.: Any chance of Mcfadden and Ford coming back Sat. against the KC?

BW: Neither player is practicing today. So, it's highly unlikely they want play Saturday at KC. Maybe next week against SD. McFadden has been out for two months and Ford has been out for six weeks.

San Diego

Maximus from SD: Odds of Norv Turner being back as head coach for the Chargers next year?

BW: ESPN's playoff predictor has the Chargers chances of making the playoffs at 18 percent. I'd say that is Turner's chances of returning. He needs to get his team to the playoffs. But if the Chargers do go 9-7 and aren't in the playoffs, San Diego ownership will have a tough decision to make.