There's one thing the Kansas City Chiefs proved in training camp and the pre-season leading into the 2010 season -- no team spent more time practicing in full pads with as much full-speed physical contact in the workouts than Todd Haley's team.

His goal was to come out of the pre-season with a physically tough team, one that could run the ball on offense and stop the run on defense. That's why the Chiefs wore shoulder pads in 31 days of the preparation, sometimes twice a day.

"The reason you're in pads for 31 days is to be a physical football team and I have seen that come out," said Haley. "I think that's a good sign for our team and a good sign of the direction we're going."

Or as offensive coordinator Charlie Weis said during training camp: "I think if you want a team to be physical at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, I think you have to go practice it. I don't think you can do it any other way."

The camp and pre-season work was a continuation of an off-season where there was near perfect attendance from the roster. The players have bought into the Parcells like approach that was implemented full scale this summer by Big Tuna disciples, Haley, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel.

Although the roster still lacks an abundance of talent, there was more competition for spots on the 53-man roster than in Haley's first season, one that finished with a 4-12 record. Starting jobs were on the line heading to camp at fullback, halfback, center, nose tackle, both inside linebacker spots and free safety. Most of those battles went right down to the final week of the pre-season.

"Generally the more competition, the better team you are becoming," said Haley. "We are becoming a better team."

A lot of that focus on improvement has fallen on quarterback Matt Cassel. He's coming off his first season as the Chiefs starting quarterback, posting numbers that were below average across the board with a 55 percent completion percentage, just 5.8 yards per passing attempt, 16 touchdown passes against 16 interceptions.

"I'm encouraged with Matt that he's doing the things necessary to be a good quarterback in the league that helps us win hopefully a bunch of games," Haley said. "The bottom line for this entire team and not just Matt is we have to get a little better every day."

Haley and Weis are implementing the Ray Perkins-Ron Erhardt offense that both came to learn during their times in New York with the Jets (Haley) and Giants (Weis). They want to be able to run the ball in any situation, and they appear to have those tools with Thomas Jones and last year's sensation Jamaal Charles. Both back gained 1,000 yards in the 2009 season and Haley says he's going to go with the hot hand.

To make that happen and to protect Cassel, the Chiefs need improved offensive line play. Signed after he was released by the Colts, Ryan Lilja has stabilized the right guard spot and the left side blockers tackle Branden Albert and guard Brian Waters have had good pre-seasons.

A big jump must come from the Chiefs defense that last year was No. 31 in stopping the run and gave up the league high rushing game and the league high receiving performance. "We're going to try to emphasize not letting them run the ball on us," said Crennel. "If we can stop the run, that will help the passing game as well -- the pass rush and everything. That's one of the things we're going to try and focus on and we've been talking about."

With first-round draft choice Eric Berry moving into the strong safety role, the secondary is a potential strongpoint with cornerbacks Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr, along with possible free safety starters Jon McGraw and rookie Kendrick Lewis.

It's the front seven that needs to make the biggest jump in performance. Fronting that group are former first round draft picks Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson. An improved pass rush is imperative to forcing some turnovers, with outside linebacker Tamba Hali, Mike Vrabel and Andy Studebaker providing the most pressure.

COACHING
Todd Haley, 2nd year, 2nd with Chiefs (4-12).

REMEMBERING
2009 record: 4-12 (4th in AFC West).

PREDICTING
2010 regular-season record: 6-10 (3rd in AFC West).

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