Baltimore Ravens 38-Kansas City Chiefs24

Coaches Scott Pioli & Todd Haley Refit Team

The Kansas City Chiefs flew into Baltimore with hope and optimism for the start of the 2009 NFL season. After posting a 2-14 record in 2008, Chiefs' owner Clark Hunt knew things had to change.

Hunt immediately fired GM Carl Peterson after 19 seasons and opted to go with proof positive success in Scott Pioli, former GM for the New England Patriots. Pioli helped mold 3 super bowl championships in 7 seasons at New England. The first thing Pioli wanted to do was find a head coach for his new team.

He brought in Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley. After interviewing the Chiefs' current coach, Herman Edwards, Pioli decided to let the defensive-minded coach go and head in a different direction.

In Pioli's mind, Todd Haley was the man for the job. Haley brings an offensive mind to the table for the Chiefs, something they lack. They also signed Clancy Pendergast, defensive coordinator, from the Arizona Cardinals. The Chiefs will start with a fresh slate of offensive and defensive players this season.

To start the 2009 regular season, the Chiefs opened up on the road against the Baltimore Ravens who went all the way to the AFC title game in 2008 until they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers who went on to win the Super Bowl against Haley and Pendergast's Arizona Cardinals.

The Chiefs began the season with starting quarterback Matt Cassel out with a mild knee injury. Back up quarterback Brodie Croyle took the field instead. Blocking a punt for a touchdown in the second quarter, and an interception by linebacker Derrick Johnson in the 3rd quarter, kept the Chiefs in a respectful game to the end.

Falling to the Ravens 38-24, Kansas City looked like a new team, and that's what Pioli and Haley want to see. The building process for Kansas City will not happen overnight, but next week Kansas City will have starter Matt Cassel back, and play at home in Arrowhead Stadium against longtime rivals The Oakland Raiders.

It will be interesting to see the improvement in one week, and from week to week, for the remainder of the 2009 Kansas City Chiefs' season.