Chiefs hear clock ticking

RIVER FALLS, Wis. -- The years are beginning to catch up with and run out on Trent Green and his high-flying Kansas City offense.

Most of the Chiefs' players are well into their 30s. Resting aching backs, nursing tender knees and feet, they're practicing only once a day while more youthful teammates bear up under a two-a-day grind during an unusual hot spell in western Wisconsin.

There seems to be an unspoken urgency -- a now-or-never feel to camp. Fail to reach their Super Bowl goal this year, and they will probably have failed forever.

For some of the finest offensive talent in Kansas City's football history, it's showdown time at the Last Chance Saloon.

"Nobody really talks about it, but you get that sense," said Green, the 35-year-old quarterback who has remained remarkably fit.

With genuine stars in almost every position group, this offense has been one of the most productive in the league for three years in a row. They've led the league in scoring twice and finished second last season. Three times they were among the top four in total yards.

Their 398 first downs last year set an NFL record.

But year after year, an inept defense lay waste to all they achieved. They've made only one playoff appearance in that golden offensive period, losing to Indianapolis when the offense rolled up 31 points but the defense coughed up 38.

"I know some of the guys are thinking about retiring," said Green. "Will Shields almost retired this year. We know that for this group as a whole, this may be our last year together. So there's definitely a sense of urgency."

Right guard Shields and left tackle Willie Roaf -- who have 20 Pro Bowl appearances between them -- are probably playing their final year.

Shields, who turns 34 in September, flew back to Kansas City on Saturday for a medical exam on his back. He has hardly practiced since camp began.

Who knows how long three-time Pro Bowl running back Priest Holmes will choose to keep going? He's about to turn 32 and missed the final eight games last season with a knee injury.

Pro Bowl fullback Tony Richardson turns 34 this season. Center Casey Wiegmann is 32. So is wide receiver Eddie Kennison.

Even Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez, a relative pup at 29, is taking off one practice a day while his foot recovers from offseason surgery.

"I think right now they're just trying to be smart with everybody so that we're peaking at the right time," said Green, whose career passer rating of 87.9 is greater than both Dan Marino and Brett Favre. "They're just making sure guys aren't working too hard."

Head coach Dick Vermeil, 68, is probably in his last season, too.

"We talk about what we've got to do," he said. "I spend a little time each night visiting with them on different topics. There's nothing that generates effort better in training camp than a sense of urgency, a sense of purpose and a passion to win."

Offensive coordinator Al Saunders insists there is no reason the offense can't be as dangerous as ever, despite the number of candles on everyone's birthday cakes.

"I don't know that because you're 30, you fade a little bit. You have more experience," he said.

Nevertheless, the Chiefs demand a great deal from their offensive linemen. Besides pass protecting and run blocking, they must possess great mobility while running screens and draws. Those are the plays that enabled Holmes to set an NFL record from 2002-2004 for the most touchdowns (66) and rushing touchdowns (62) in a three-year span.

But Saunders has studied offenses that were similar to Kansas City's but even older.

"The Washington Redskins won three Super Bowls and their offensive line averaged 33 years," he said. "The Dallas Cowboys won three Super Bowls and their offensive line averaged 32.8 years.

"Our offensive line is 30.1. So we've got a younger offensive line and a younger offensive group than teams that have won Super Bowls back-to-back."