The Kansas City Chiefs won 10 games in total between 2007 and 2009 before shocking the world with a 10-win, division championship season in 2010.

The Chiefs came back to Earth in 2011, however, as injuries combined with a tougher schedule to ruin expectations, ultimately costing Todd Haley his head coaching position.

It’s an important off-season, with several important players returning from injuries (Jamaal Charles, Matt Cassel, Tony Moeaki, Eric Berry to name a few) and more up for free agency (Dwayne Bowe). Lifelong Chiefs fan Patrick Allen is the senior editor of the Arrowhead Addict blog. He gave us some thoughts on how 2011 went and what’s in store for 2012.

Zoneblitz: What went wrong in 2011 after such a positive 2010 season?

Patrick Allen: What didn’t go wrong? Primarily, the Chiefs suffered from injuries they just couldn’t overcome. I know all team’s go through injuries but KC just wasn’t deep enough to deal with it. The 2010 team had no major injuries, which was remarkable. In 2011, the team lost their starting safety, RB, QB and TE. The first three were Pro Bowlers in 2012.

The fact that they still finished 7-9, with a tough schedule, is actually kind of impressive in my book.

Zoneblitz: The Chiefs had a lot of injuries but still started playing better as the season went along. Do you agree with the firing of Todd Haley?

Allen: Yes. Todd just made too many questionable decisions during his tenure. I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt but I just couldn’t support him after he started Tyler Palko for four games. He also continued to let Barry Richardson play right tackle (he’s the worst tackle in the NFL) while keeping Jared Gaither on the bench. Gaither was later cut and went on to join the Chargers where he played REALLY well. Those mistakes, along with his other antics, were just too much for me.

Zoneblitz: What do you think of the hiring of Romeo Crennel?

Allen: I think it is a great hire. KC’s strength is on defense and it was essential that Romeo be kept around. He’ll be a solid coach that if given enough talent, could lead the Chiefs to a championship.

Zoneblitz: So what is the more accurate snapshot of where the Chiefs are at, 2010 or 2011? Will they return to the top of the division in 2012?

Allen: The NFL is so crazy you can never tell. That being said, I think that if their injury luck changes, they’ll have a strong case to be the division favorite. They’ll need another strong draft and free agency period to get there though. The team must add quality depth.

Zoneblitz: What is the word on the recoveries of Jamaal Charles, Tony Moeaki and Eric Berry?

Allen: They were all injured a week apart and they are rehabbing together. They should all be back in time for offseason workouts. Whether or not they will have lost any explosiveness remains to be seen.

Zoneblitz: With the new coaching staff do you expect Charles to get a heavier workload or will there still be a timeshare?

Allen: I think he’ll be treated with care. The Chiefs will likely bring in another quality back to pair with him so you won’t notice his absence on the field as much. In the clutch though, I think they’ll go to Jamaal so I could see his carries increasing a bit. A smart offensive coordinator will use him more often in the short passing game.

Zoneblitz: What are your thoughts on Matt Cassel’s development as the starter in Kansas City?

Allen: I think Matt Cassel is about as good as he is ever going to get. I think the situation around him could improve enough for him to win a playoff game. I think the season Alex Smith had this year is evidence of that. But I am still not sold that he can win it all.

Zoneblitz: Will Dwayne Bowe return?

Allen: He’d better. I think the Chiefs will franchise him at the very least.

Zoneblitz: What would you like to see the Chiefs do in the draft and free agency?

Allen: I would like to see them do what it takes to trade up and select Robert Griffin but they’ll never do it. I think if the Chiefs keep dragging their feet on selecting a franchise quarterback they will miss their window.

Otherwise, they need to add a starting right tackle and depth along their offensive line. They could use one more veteran receiver and two more tight ends. On defense they are okay but they need depth at safety.

Follow Arrowhead Addict on twitter at: @arrowheadaddict
Follow Zoneblitz.com on twitter at: @ZoneblitzCom

Previous In Depth: Buffalo Bills
Next In Depth: Seattle Seahawks