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SportingNews.com - NFL - Chiefs Team Report

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Will Svitek is a good athlete who has the tools to be a productive left tackle, but he will have to overcome his inexperience as he replaces the injured Damion McIntosh. Svitek was a defensive lineman in college, so he's still learning his craft. He will need to grow up quickly during the preseason. The Chiefs are hopeful McIntosh will return early in the regular season. A longer absence spells trouble for the Chiefs. He was perhaps their most indispensable player. ...

Depth on the defensive line was evident at training camp. The addition of veteran Alfonso Boone gives the Chiefs a second powerful presence alongside Ron Edwards in the middle of their defensive line. Rookies Tank Tyler and Turk McBride appear capable of providing quality snaps off the bench. McBride also might wind up starting at end during Jared Allen's two-game suspension. Edwards should benefit the most. He had to play a lot of snaps last season, but should be more effective with a reduced workload.

NEWCOMER REPORT: The contributions from first-round WR Dwayne Bowe figure to be minimal, at least early in the season. His late arrival to training camp will limit his ability to be an every-down contributor. The Chiefs will initially work him in to some of their three-wide receiver packages, particularly in the scoring zone. Because of his size and ability to win contested battles, Bowe might have his biggest impact in congested areas like the end zone. He will have to catch the ball more consistently than he did in offseason practices if Bowe is to earn more playing time.

SCOUTING REPORT: TE Tony Gonzalez is 31 but is showing no signs of a decline. He uses his body like the basketball player he used to be by shielding defenders and still wins most battles for contested passes. One improvement Gonzalez made last season was his ability to run after the catch. The Chiefs will need him more than ever as their passing game continues to shift from one based around the downfield throw to one based on ball control, and they break in a new quarterback, so look for Gonzalez's numbers to remain steady.

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