Kenney Takes Over for Blackledge as Starting QB

Bill Kenney, not Todd Blackledge, will be the starting quarterback today when the Kansas City Chiefs, with the lowest-rated offense in the NFL, play host to Tampa Bay.

Chiefs Coach John Mackovic, who installed Blackledge over Kenney last May, made the announcement.

Blackledge had started the first seven games, but was replaced by Kenney at the start of the second half last Sunday. Kenney threw a 16-yard touchdown pass on his first pass, and guided the Chiefs to another score that was the difference in a 42-41 Kansas City victory over San Diego.

“All I can guarantee is that I’ll be enthusiastic, I’ll be prepared and I’ll give it all I have to help our team win,” Kenney said. “I want to lead this team to victory.”

Blackledge, the Chiefs top draft choice and the second quarterback taken in the 1983 draft, failed to move the offense while the Chiefs built a 4-3 record on the strength of defense and special teams play. Blackledge has completed 46% of his passes for 998 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions.

The Chiefs are last in the NFL in total offense, averaging 238 yards a game. Blackledge, the son of Pittsburgh Steeler assistant coach Ron Blackledge, declined to speak to reporters after the announcement.

“I just think we need to see what we can do to keep our team going,” Mackovic said. “We are really in a good position. We’ve played well. The only thing that has really not been up to par has been the overall performance of our offense. Certainly, that isn’t indicative of one person’s play. Bill has more experience and hopefully he will operate in the passing game the way he has in the past. Todd is 25 years old and has a long career ahead of him. He is a young, bright, mature player.”

Kenney, 31, went to the Pro Bowl in 1983 after he completed 57% of his passes for 4,348 yards. He missed the last five games last year with a variety of injuries.

After the victory over San Diego, Kenney said he felt he was at the top of his game.

“I think by the way I went in the game it’s obvious I have confidence in myself,” said Kenney, who said he did not agree with Mackovic’s decision to start Blackledge but has not been critical of the coach.

“I tried to go right down the field. I didn’t try to dump off balls.”

Making Blackledge the second player taken behind John Elway in 1983 was the first major decision as head coach for Mackovic, who this year cut 1985 first-round draft choice Ethan Horton.

Blackledge has been very slow to develop. In a recent loss to Cleveland, he played the entire game and the Chiefs netted only 126 yards in total offense.

In the second half last Sunday against the Chargers, he completed six of 15 passes for 69 yards. His last pass floated into the hands of San Diego defensive end Leslie O’Neal who returned it five yards for his first NFL touchdown.