Kansas City Chiefs players and coaches will board the plane for training camp in less than two weeks and every minute of camp this year will be caught on tape.

The Chiefs head to River Falls, Wisc., July 26, and for three weeks, NFL Films, representing the HBO show “Hard Knocks,” will chronicle every move of camp.

This will be an unprecedented look at the Chiefs franchise. Fans haven't gone this in-depth with the team since Hank Stram talked about matriculating the ball down the field during the Super Bowl.

This is the perfect year for HBO to profile the Chiefs.

There is so much potential drama and so many unknowns about this football team, that Chiefs' fans should be sitting on their couches like it is a playoff game when the first episode airs Aug. 8.

So many people are questioning the Chiefs' chances for success this season that watching it all chronicled on tape will be can't miss television.

Larry Johnson is contemplating a holdout for a new contract and wants more money. I don't blame him, but come on, this guy hangs out with the Hollywood crowd, and I could see him wanting the exposure.

I really can't see him missing the chance to go through camp and be chronicled on HBO. Then again, this is Johnson. Maybe he will just star off-the-field in a sideshow with Chiefs General Manager Carl Peterson that will be chronicled for all the world to watch.

In general, Kansas City fans are soft on the team's chances entering camp. Words like rebuilding, terrible and 3-13 records get mentioned in the same sentence with this team.

The Chiefs have season tickets for sale and even have half-season packages available to fans for about $500. It used to be the Chiefs had a waiting list for season tickets.

Expectations are usually low when you replace veterans with young players, which is what the team is projected to do at quarterback.

Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard are the team's top returning quarterbacks. Croyle, in his second year, could be the starter, which causes angst amongst Chiefs fans. Nobody knows how Croyle will play this season, which is scary for a lot of fans.

A young quarterback is a complete unknown for a franchise accustomed to quarterbacks who have proven they can play in the NFL.

Chiefs fans are not used to the team throwing a young quarterback onto the gridiron and watching them develop.

The names Matt Blundin, Mike Elkins, Pat Barnes and Shane Matthews still come to mind when they think of young quarterbacks and none of them are worth remembering.

Chiefs officials hope Croyle is the player who will make fans forget the aforementioned group.

If Croyle is the real deal, then the season could be better than expected.

With all the questions, it should be an interesting camp. Let's go to River Falls. If you can't make it, just turn on HBO.

—Nick Bratkovic can be reached at (913) 837-4321 or via e-mail at nbratkovic@miconews.com.

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