Hall of Fame QB Len Dawson criticizes Chiefs' receivers, advocates for Alex Smith

Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson led the Kansas City Chiefs to their only Super Bowl in 1969, and offered a critique of the current state of the franchise Friday.

Dawson was decidedly unimpressed with the Chiefs' wide receivers, a group that reached a dubious milestone by not recording a touchdown in 2014.

"I think they have to solidify the offensive line, and they have to have some weapons. A wide receiver did not catch a touchdown pass last year," Dawson said to Jenny Vrentas of Monday Morning Quarterback. "That can't happen again. You have to have people who are threats. They went out and secured some people. I'll wait until training camp gets underway to see how they are doing, but they should be better this year than they were last year."

Kansas City signed Pro Bowler Jeremy Maclin in free agency to bolster the club's receiving corps. The Chiefs' offense was criticized last season for being far too reliant on Jamaal Charles' all-world breakaway speed.

Dawson, the MVP of Super Bowl IV, was impressed by Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith and offered the 31-year-old an important vote of confidence.

"I don't tell him what to do," Dawson said. "He's got enough people talking to him. I just give him encouragement. He's a good quarterback. And if they give him some help - can you imagine playing the whole season and not one wide receiver catches a pass for a touchdown? I've never heard of that. But he's a good player, and the thing is, his teammates believe in him. That's the first thing that has to happen."

Buoyed by a strong running game and pass rush, the Chiefs made a strong push towards the playoffs, ultimately falling short of their goal. With Smith poised to compile another efficient season and armed with a legitimate weapon in Maclin, Kansas City appears poised to return to the postseason after a one-year hiatus.