The 13-3 Chiefs All-Stars

The question came during our chat last week: what would be your All-Chiefs team from those who were part of the 13-3 teams in 1995, 1997 and 2003?

Good question and as you will see, I’ve got my answers. Now, yours may differ but then that’s what the comments are for, so feel free to make a contribution.

I know that today, those 13-3 seasons seem a long, long time ago. The first one is now 14 years ago, the last six years past. In today’s world, that’s an eternity.   It makes it even longer when the last two teams wearing red and gold went 4-12 and 2-14.

But before I got started in picking an all-star team I wanted to check something to put some perspective on what the Chiefs accomplished in those three seasons. I wanted to find out how many teams in the last 14 seasons (1995-2008) finished with records of 13-3 or better and where the Chiefs three seasons would rank among those teams.

In that time frame, there were 33 seasons where teams won 13 games or more. It was done by 18 different teams.

And six of those teams did it three times. Here they are:

 

Team

Seasons/13+ Victories

1995-2008

Total Super Bowls

1995-2008

CHIEFS

1995, 1997, 2003

0

Green Bay

1996, 1997, 2007

1

Denver

1996, 1998, 2005

1

Indianapolis

1999, 2005, 2007

1

Tennessee

1999, 2000, 2008

0

New England

2003, 2004, 2007

3

Ponder that for a minute. How in the name of Martin Edward Schottenheimer did the Chiefs not get to at least one championship game in those seasons, let alone others when they had the opportunity? They put themselves in position three different times with the home-field advantage through the playoffs and a week off to get healthy.

Then they lose at Arrowhead by three points to Indianapolis, four points to Denver and seven points to the Colts.

Those are the kind of memories that drive Chiefs fans nuts. OK, here’s my all 13-3 Chiefs team, along with a coaching staff. If you could put these guys on the field together, I think they would have gotten the team over the hump.

OFFENSE

Pos.  Player  Season  Notes 
WR Andre Rison 1997 Spiderman came and went pretty quickly but he had a remarkable ‘97 season with 72 catches for 1,092 yards and 7 TDs.
WR Willie Davis 1995 In his last year with the Chiefs, Davis had 33 catches, 527 yards and 5 TDs. Others had more, but Willie was always clutch.
TE Tony Gonzalez 2003 Is there any doubt about this one? He had 71 catches for 916 yards and 10 TDs in that season.
LT Willie Roaf 2003 Tough call with John Alt playing the spot in ‘95. Roaf was in his second Chiefs season and in top form.
LG Dave Szott 1995-1997 Another tough call with Brian Waters playing in ‘03, but Szott was solid and under-rated over his career.
C Tim Grunhard 1995-1997 Tough, hard-nosed snapper who handled the position quite well over his career.
RG Will Shields 1995-1997-2003 The only guy on this team that starter all three seasons as part of his career which should end in Canton and the Hall of Fame.
RT John Tait 2003 Only competition was Glenn Parker in ‘97 who came in and solidified the position. But Tait was the better player.
QB Trent Green 2003 Threw for 4,039 yards, 24 TDs, 12 INTs to easily outclassed Steve Bono in ‘95 and Elvis Grbac in ‘97. Backup would be Rich Gannon.
RB Priest Holmes 2003 He produced more than 2,000 yards, 27 TDs that season, more than Marcus Allen got in the ‘95-’97 seasons combined.
FB Tony Richardson 2003 Did the dirty work of the offense, blocking for Holmes and picking up blitzers, without much production.
K  Pete Stoyanovich 1997 He made 26 of 27 FGs that season, including a pair of 50 yarders, one of which was for 54 yards that beat Denver at Arrowhead.

DEFENSE

Pos.  Player  Season  Notes 
DE  Neil Smith 1995 He led the Chiefs that year with 12 sacks along with five forced fumbles.
DT  Dan Saleaumua 1995 Always involved in big plays during his Chiefs career, he had seven sacks and three forced fumbles in ‘95, with 67 tackles.
DT  Joe Phillips 1995-1997 People forget that when the Chiefs added Phillips off the waiver wire in 1992 they switched from a 3-4 to 4-3.
DE  John Browning 1997-2003 Maybe the most versatile defensive lineman in Chiefs history, in ‘97 he was the RE and in ‘03 he was the LT.
OLB  Derrick Thomas 1995-1997 Enough said.
MLB  Donnie Edwards 1997 Took over inside for Tracy Simien and in his second season Edwards had 136 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 4 INTs and 2 forced fumbles.
OLB  Anthony Davis 1997 Generally a boom or bust player, but he had a good season in ‘97 with 125 total tackles and 3.5 sacks. Scott Fujita in ‘03 was close.
CB  Dale Carter 1995-1997 He was a handful off the field, but one of the best coverage cornerbacks on the field in the 1990s. He had 4 INTs in ‘95.
CB  James Hasty 1995-1997 Joined the team as a free agent in ‘95 and made an immediate impact, forcing Mark Collins to safety. He had 3 INTs both years.
FS  Jerome Woods 1997-2003 The first choice in that very productive ‘96 draft class, Woods jumped into the starting lineup in ‘97, still there in ‘03.
SS  Brian Washington 1995 He joined the team as a free agent in that season and made an immediate impact in the secondary with 90 tackles, 3 INTs
P Louie Aguiar 1995-1997 Over those two seasons, he averaged a combined 43 yards a punt in those two seasons and no punts were returned for TD.

COACHING STAFF:

Head coach – Marty Schottenheimer 1995-1997. That Marty didn’t get to the Super Bowl with one of these teams was a crime. The ‘97 team had the best shot because the offense was better than the ‘95 offense.

Defensive coordinator – Gunther Cunningham 1995-1997. He came to the team in ‘95 as defensive line coach, but eventually replaced Dave Adolph who resigned for family reasons. Gun did a great job with those two defenses and should have, since they had the most talent.

Offensive coordinator – Al Saunders 2003. There is no doubt the Chiefs had one of the league’s best offenses in the first part of the decade and Saunders was pulling the strings and punching the buttons on that. Just a little bit of defense could have been the difference. Those days seem a long time ago.

Special teams coach – Mike Stock 1995-1997. Tough to blame him for Lin Elliott in ‘95, the Chiefs did not allow an opposing return TD in those two seasons, while scoring five with Tamarick Vanover. Coverage units were led by LB Greg Manusky, LB Tracy Rogers and WR Danan Hughes.


19 Responses to “The 13-3 Chiefs All-Stars”

  • May 10, 2009  - Tim says:

    I’ll tell you why he didn’t get a championchip, Bob. Its because when the games got tight (and many of them shouldn’t have been) he played not to lose instead of putting the hammer down. The defenses played too much prevent. Gunther was a master at shutting people down but in far too many critical situations, he called defenses that allowed HUGE 3rd down plays.

    Too much of that is why KC had enough of Marty Ball. They were great coaches…just not in the clutch. Marty never learned his lesson from “THE DRIVE” in Cleveland.


  • May 10, 2009  - Harold C. says:

    It’s hard to argue with those choices Bob. I think I agree with you. It sure was a shame. If only….if only…..


  • May 10, 2009  - Johnfromfairfax says:

    I would have to agree with the majority of selections. Perhaps Waters and Alt could be argued but Roaf is a sure HOF player and Szott never received the recognition he deserved. Those defenses under Marty were awesome. They controlled the games and made it so much fun to watch. Marty should have gotten a championship and it’s a shame it didn’t happen for him and us. I’ll always be convinced we would have if Montana stuck around for 1 more year and been paired with that great 95 defense. Ifs and buts huh, but it was sure fun watching those teams. I get the feeling we are on the path to return to those days at Arrowhead.


  • May 10, 2009  - Dave says:

    Man, those were some great OLs. Sad we didn’t win a championship….so close….so close


  • May 10, 2009  - Nick L. says:

    Hey guys dont worry! Its been six years since our last 13-3 team, and before that, six years…see what im gettin at.


  • May 10, 2009  - Vince says:

    At kick receiver, do you take Tamerick Vanover or Dante Hall?


  • May 10, 2009  - Double A says:

    I like the choices of Dave Szott, Joe Phillips and Willie Davis.

    I’d put John Alt over Roaf. Alt — 10 years at LT, was excellent. QBs and Coaches had no worries. Roaf is HOF, but his golden years were spent elsewhere.


  • May 10, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    “Seasons/13+ Victories, Total Super Bowls 1995-2008″

    - to paraphrase Hilary Clinton, a football sense: “it takes a team to win a Superbowl.” Yet, beyond that conspicuous aspect considered and affirmed - said 13 win teams Superbowl totals being: KC and TEN 0, DEN, GB & IND 1 each & NE 3 - the obvious that stands out is the QB for each those teams… specifically, a knack or lack ‘greatness’.

    HOF caliber QBs Elway, Favre, Manning and Brady generously dot the winners side, while the list of also-ran good to even All Star caliber types announce Green and McNair…players yet a notch below the winning four, teams that too ended up a notch below hoped destination.

    Did Lin Elliott lose it for KC in 1995, or was it Steve “Don’t Call Me Sonny or U2″ Bono? Had Elvis not been in the building in ‘97 would Rich Gannon have brought the house down/prevailed?

    Too, would a Manning or Elway or the like have made the difference for Kaycee in 1995? 1997? ‘03 despite swiss-cheese defense? Who can say.

    Variables are many: Elway was a 3-time Superbowl loser sans HB Terrell Davis being in tow, 1985’s Bears had a Kilmer-esque Jim McMahon at QB which was sufficient in conjunction with a defense his in CHI which may have been the best ever. On the other, NE was a loser with QB Bledsoe yet became a winner with Brady.

    While the road to success travels many splendored paths more often than not the QB is the catalyst, this the case going back to the very beginning of the Superbowl series, Bart Starr being the MVP in #1 & #2 (even though some felt a WR - Max McGee - was the MVP Superbowl 1), Joe Namath was the MVP in #3, Len Dawson MVP in #4 - all HOF QBs.

    To this day more than half of the Superbowl MVPs have been QB’s, with apologies to McMahon, Trent Dilfer and their ilk. Bias any aside, this is an indication of where the best player on the field stars from in the opinion voters.

    So while the fact is there’s more than one way to skin a cat, in KC the only teams that ever got to or won a Superbowl were the 2 football Cadillac’s which were driven by our own HOF QB Len Dawson.

    KC has never replaced Lenny, and more likely than not we will not win another Superbowl until we do.


  • May 10, 2009  - anonymous says:

    Curious, If Lenny The Cool still has that 63 Merc convertible that he was awarded for being selected AFL Player of the year in 62. LOL

    Nice OL’ ride!


  • May 10, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    Or that even cooler ‘70 Dodge Challenger RT which Lenny won as MVP Superbowl IV, & on which propped his lovely, late wife Jackie atop for those SPORT magazine publicity pics?

    I still own and drive my own ‘70 Hemi Challenger; as with my football loves, any car as Chiefs team built after January ‘70 is of no great concern to me, for in each case they don’t make em like that anymore.


  • May 10, 2009  - anonymous says:

    “built after January ‘70 is of no great concern to me, for in each case they don’t make em like that anymore.”

    I can’t argue that, not as far as “Muscle Cars” go.
    Although some of the new Mustangs and the new Challenger are intriguing. Never been much of a Vet guy.

    My favorite of all the cars I owned in my youth was my 69 Charger R/T and a 67 Ford XL. imo they didn’t make em like that in those days either, they were just special cars, and purchased off the wages of a whole lotta hard work. At a nickle a bail!


  • May 10, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    I’ve owned many cars of yesteryear, most of them befitting the taste developed in youth & realized teen/adult years.

    Today, the lovelies in my ‘carem’ number but 4 - 3 of which emanated from the greatest time e’er in cardom my opine, the 1960s:

    1970 Dodge Challenger RT 426 Hemi
    1968 Dodge Charger RT 440 Six-Pack
    1969 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray ZL-1 427

    The other is a 1930 Duesenberg which I inherited and as such, have not been of a mind to sell; it is a masterpiece.

    I have no use for modern ’styling’ (where’s the vomit bag), space-age looking instrument panels and wheels/rims that look tacky etc; I’d ride a bicycle before I’d own one of today’s.

    I’ve driven newer cars including the Challenger, Vette, Viper etc - they’re garbage in my humble opinion…I would rather drive a 60s Volkswagen Beetle than anything made today.

    The old cars didn’t stop great, didn’t turn as well etc., but unlike today’s excuses for cars they had legitimate eye appeal - not to mention that they were and remain a whole lot more fun. I’ve no use for cars with TVs, humongous stereo systems & other superfluous garbage a generation this finds must haves.

    Though I don’t race on public streets, it is my cars given thumbs up and challenged regularly at stoplights (befitting a law-abiding tack mine I decline and tell them to “enjoy your fantasy” when they wonder why, nod toward late father a Police Officer & common sense.) Too, it’s always amusing how many looks the old school rides get from younger folks, comparison to the newer cars.
    I’ve no interest in their rides yet they fall in love with mine…hats off to Detroit yesteryear.

    Here’s a note of interest - the Obama-ite types & assorted cretins who want to crush older vehicles are now at work the legislative halls California in an attempt to outlaw all ‘black’ vehicles due to ‘environmental’ concerns…wow. How far we’ve fallen; cue Twilight Zone music…end is near.


  • May 10, 2009  - anonymous says:

    I Agree with your opinion on these ridicules sound systems. A trunk full of woofer or a keg? Give me the keg! (although I’m high on satellite radio) And I’d also have to add an Amen, to your sermon on the UGLY low profile tires and wheels of today, even though I understand enough about physics to know that “low profile” tires are far superior to the 50/60 series tires were in performance. There still UGLY. Give me a set of Craiger Slots with a 60 series tire any day! But is fools folly to shun the new, just because it’s new.


  • May 10, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    Back to football & the Chiefs I follow each today more so out of habit than love as afore. The game is not, sadly, what it once was . . . nor are the players. Like cars no comparison, each.

    Seems to me in this garish 21st century ours, the Chiefs wouldst be more interested in standing out in any way they could.

    This is another reason I stated afore they should go back to the larger helmet arrowheads - it not only stands out more (are you reading this Clark Hunt?) but also looks better by far than current dinky ones affixed. ‘Warpaint’ the horse, George Toma-esque painted fields and endzones (not to mention Championship football - not seen around these parts since January 1970).

    Oh I forgot - cue Sergio Leone movie soundtrack - all that would cost “a few dollar$ more”…never mind.


  • May 10, 2009  - Mark says:

    Unless Marty changed his philosophy, he was never going to go as far as he should have in the playoffs. It’s no accident he had the playoff record he does. When you play to keep it close, and ty to win in the 4th quarter, you’ll lose, as our last joke Head Coach showed conclusively. At least Marty had guts in the regular season.
    I’d go with Kennison or even Morton from the 2003 team over Willie Davis, with Greg Wesley over Brian Washington at Safety, and the 2003 Waters, who was the best G in Football that year, over Szott in a close call.


  • May 11, 2009  - Dan says:

    K ought to be a guy who did not play anyof those games, Nick Lowery. If we have Nick we win in ‘95 for sure, probably ‘99 too and have a Super Bowl here.


  • May 11, 2009  - Dan says:

    Stoyonovich ought to be nammed. a la Joe Axelson, from being allowed to stop at KCI even if the plane has an emergency.


  • May 11, 2009  - Dan says:

    that is not nammed, its banned


  • May 11, 2009  - Arrowhead86 says:

    Bob, can you please revisit that 97 team and the playoff loss to Denver. Specifically the TG play in the endzone where he was called out of bounds.

    Here’s how I remember it: the push rule was in effect (meaning if forced out of bounds altho he would have landed in, consider a catch - td in this case)

    TG caugght the pass after jumping straight up in the air.. he was pushed hard.. so hard he came down horizontally and his upper torso landed out of bands.. his legs landed in bounds. the only problem was that the force of the push was great enough that his upper body landed 1st.

    Am I wrong in my rememberance of that play and the rule at the time?? Of course we then tried the FG that Dave Szott was called for a phantom hold.. pushing us back and resulting in a missed FG. The rest is history.

    As for the all star team, I’d have to take Eddie Kennison over Willie Davis. Put Willie in the slot though!


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