Chiefs notebook: Pass rush missing
 

Whos going to step up in the pass rushing game??


http://www.kansascity.com/2011/09/22...h-missing.html




Chiefs coach Todd Haley on Thursday acknowledged that the lack of a consistent pass rush hasn’t helped matters in an 0-2 start, but it’s something the Chiefs will need to improve Sunday when they play the Chargers in San Diego.

The Chiefs have only one sack, fewest among the NFL’s 32 teams. Other than outside linebacker Tamba Hali bringing down Buffalo’s Ryan Fitzpatrick in the first week, no defender has shown an ability to reach the quarterback.

Haley said that doesn’t mean the Chiefs don’t possess those players.

“I’ll stand by what I said back in training camp: We have more pass-rushing, pressure players on campus than we’ve had to date,” Haley said.

Haley said his team has to take advantage of its chances, which so far have resulted in little more than near-misses. One of those came last week, when nickel corner Javier Arenas came around the edge and nearly brought down Detroit’s Matt Stafford.

“As much as anything else,” Haley said, “we have to take advantage when those opportunities arise, when the ball comes loose or the ball is thrown inaccurately or in a direction that we can make a play. Things will happen.

“We need to do everything a little better, and putting pressure on the quarterback is paramount in this league. … We’ve got to get sacks when we have opportunities, and if we miss those, those are generally momentum-turners for a game.”

Defensive backs seek chemistry

Cornerback Brandon Carr said the Chiefs’ inability to work together during the offseason has shown clear results — and few of them positive.

All teams were prohibited from holding team-organized practices during the NFL lockout, but Carr said it seemed to have affected the Chiefs more than others, mostly with timing and communication concerns.

“With the chemistry and all that,” Carr said, “it’s still coming around.”

Players met a handful of times during the offseason, usually at a Kansas City-area gym or on Bishop Miege High’s practice field for impromptu workouts. Carr said it apparently wasn’t enough.

“Hopefully this week we can all be on the same page,” he said. “It’s going to take some time. I can’t give you a point in time when it’s all going to click, but when it clicks, I guess you’ll all see it.”

Injury report

Chiefs wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin, who hasn’t played this season because of a thumb injury suffered in a fight with teammate Thomas Jones, was limited Thursday. Linebacker Hali (ankle) was a full participant, and defensive end Wallace Gilberry was limited because of a neck injury.

Chargers inside linebacker Jonas Mouton was placed on injured reserve Thursday because of a shoulder injury.

Seven other San Diego players sat out practice because of injuries. Defensive ends Luis Castillo (tibia) and Corey Liuget (ankle), wide receiver Malcom Floyd (groin), tight end Antonio Gates (foot), safety Bob Sanders (knee) and running back Mike Tolbert (calf) didn’t practice for the second day this week. Receiver Vincent Jackson was added to the injured list because of an injury to his abdomen, and he also didn’t practice.

“I’ll stand by what I said back in training camp: We have more pass-rushing, pressure players on campus than we’ve had to date,” Haley said.


Campus?

Whos he talking about there because i know hes not talking about "Team Invisible" Dorsey, Jackson and Gregg.

Gee....I wonder who he could be talking about?

I don't think "team invisible" played much together in Detroit. That was part of the problem. Team Invisible could defend the run. When Detroit brought out 3 WR sets Gilberry and Bailey were down lineman and Detroit knocked them off the ball consistently. IMO they should stick with Team invisible and use Hali and Houston and DJ better at rushing the QB.

It might help if you actually rush the passer from time to time.

I wonder how much of Flowers and Carr's recent troubles stem from blown communication with the shitty safeties that don't have as much experience with the playbook.

I understand that Romeo prefers to cover, be disciplined, and make the other team make mistakes. I understand that the approach works when executed well.

I also understand that we are now weak at safety and cannot cover TE's to save our lives.

We must pressure. We must bring 5 minimum. We have to send LB's. Blitz to disrupt the run, blitz to rush the passer.

Exactly, Carr and Flowers are going to look worse all year long because they have no help over the top and no pass rush. On the bright side maybe we can re up Carr a little cheaper coming off a bad year! :)

It's why I hate talking to casual fans about the loss of EB. They think the loss of one player is the loss of one player except EB had an immediate effect on at least four positions. LCB, RCB, SS, FS. Flowers and Carr didn't have to worry about being the last line of defense and Lewis had much less responsibility.

Getting down 20 early in a game is not good for a pass rush. Get a lead, pin your ears back and get to the QB, that's where most of your sacks will come from.

McGraw has been with the team for years. He is nowhere near EB's athletic ability, but he should know his assignments and did play some the last few years. There shouldn't be so much confusion.

He simply doesn't have the athletic ability. Sure he has "some' veteran prowess, but it's a lot harder to get away with lacking the physical skills at the S spot than it is at for example LB. Even if McGraw knows where he is supposed to be it doesn't matter, he can't keep up with anyone outside of a blocking TE. It takes a dumb QB throw for JM to make any impact.

Lewis and Piscatelli much less so. Lewis only started 10 games last year and missed four.

McGraw started 5 games in 2010, 6 he didn't even record a stat, 9 in 2009, none in 2008.

Flowers and Carr don't have very much experience playing with these guys.

I'd be surprised as **** if Flowers and Carr have any chemistry with two white guys that suck at football.