The 2013 preseason for the Kansas City Chiefs is essentially an appetizer to the main course, known as the regular season and beyond. That being said, let's set the table, with some of the more intriguing storylines for the Chiefs four preseason games.
Preseason Game #1 - Kansas City at New Orleans(Mercedes-Benz Superdome)
A New Beginning
There's nothing like the first game.
Forget the fact that yes, it's preseason, but this is the kickoff to the Chiefs new regime, led by general manager John Dorsey and head coach Andy Reid.
It's also a fresh start for new Chiefs QB Alex Smith, whose last snap from under center was Week 17, during a 27-13 49ers victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
The trip to the Bayou will be a reunion for Chiefs QB Chase Daniel, who played for the New Orleans Saints, backing-up QB Drew Brees for the past three seasons.
Preseason Game #2 - San Francisco at Kansas City(Arrowhead Stadium)
Teacher vs Pupil
This game is on the calendars of many around the league, wanting to see the interaction between Chiefs QB Alex Smith, San Francisco head coach Jim Harbaugh and 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick.
After suffering a concussion as the team's starting QB in Week 10, Smith lost his job to Kaepernick and mentored him during much of last season's run to the Super Bowl.
Despite being cleared by doctors, later in the season, Jim Harbaugh kept the ball in Kaepernick's hands, while Smith maintained his composure and led from the sideline.
The waiting is over for Smith, who will likely see at least a few drives against Missouri native, 49ers DE Aldon Smith and the rest of his former teammates from the Bay area.
Preseason Game #3 - Kansas City at Pittsburgh(Heinz Field)
Team vs. Former Head Coach
While the Todd Haley-Kansas City Chiefs matchup is intriguing, I don't see it as the top storyline of this game.
Week 3 of the preseason is the game that most-closely resembles a regular-season matchup.
So, we get to see, likely for the first time, the Chiefs starters for at least 30 minutes of football, if not more.
The opportunity to see Andy Reid's first-string offense and Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton's first-string defense, including newly-acquired DBs Sean Smith and Dunta Robinson, as well as DE Mike DeVito and more, clearly steals the show as the game's headliner.
Last year's 16-13 loss in Week 10 to the Steelers took place under a continual downpour of rain; while the conditions could be similar this year, the Chiefs are not, bearing a new look, feel and drive about them.
Preseason Game #4 - Green Bay at Kansas City(Arrowhead Stadium)
Current GM vs Former Team
John Dorsey became the sixth general manager in Chiefs history on January 12, 2013, leaving behind the Green Bay Packers, a team he has been associated with, either as a player or in the front office, for more than two decades.
To say there won't be extra emotion, regardless of it being the final preseason game, I don't believe is accurate.
Dorsey will be presenting "his guys" on the field at Arrowhead, regardless if they're first-string players or those trying to make the final spot on the team's 53-man roster.
His team will be playing against Packers players he helped bring to Green Bay, including Super Bowl XLV winners QB Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews, among others.
Lastly, Dorsey will be competing against his former mentor, Packers GM Ted Thompson.
Imagine the emotion of working for a good friend, learning from him and then later being offered a dream job that eventually pits you against that very friend; that's exactly the scenario Dorsey will encounter during the Chiefs final preseason game in 2013.
Let's also not forget, this game presents an opportunity for former Green Bay players, current Chiefs OL Tommie Draheim and LB Frank Zombo to prove the Packers made a mistake by letting them get away.
One last thing, Chiefs defensive assistant/secondary coach Al Harris will get the opportunity to see his teaching skills put to use against his former team. Harris played cornerback for the Packers for seven seasons, recording 14 INTs (2003-2009).
