ChiefsPlanet - Blueprint for Carl (how to turn around a defense in one offseason)...

After a 4-12 season in 1998, Bud Carson retired as Rams DC, and because DV didn't want to hurt any feelings, he named John Bunting and Peter Giunta as co-defensive coordinators for 1999. Of course, the Rams won the Super Bowl, and Vermiel rode off into the sunset.

When Martz became HC for 2000, he decided to make the brilliant move of promoting Giunta to DC and firing Bunting. The Rams proceeded to run out a defensive team each week that was actually worse than what the Chiefs have had the past 3-4 years. The Rams still made the playoffs when Paul Edinger of the Bears kicked a 55 yard FG in the final seconds to beat the Lions and allow the Rams to sneak in the playoffs, but they then went out and proceeded to get their ass handed to them by the Saints.

After that season, Martz vowed to re-build the defense. First on the agenda was firing Giunta and hiring Lovie Smith. At DE, he made slack-ass Kevin Carter a franchise player and then traded him to Tennessee for a 1st round pick. He then signed Chidi Ahanotu, a low-priced free agent, to replace Carter. Grant Wistrom stayed at the other DE. At DT, Ray Agnew retired, and Brian Young, a 2000 draftee, was promoted to starter. The other DT, Jeff Zgonina, remained a starter.

At LB, Mike Jones, the Super Bowl hero who declined horribly in 2000, was sent packing and Mark Fields was signed to replace him. The other OLB, Todd Collins, was also let go, and Tommy Polley was drafted and became an immediate starter. London Fletcher remained at MLB.

At CB, Dexter McCleon remained at one spot, with Dre Bly remaining as the nickel. But Todd Lyght was sent packing, and Aeneas Williams was brought in as the high profile free agent signing. At Safety, Keith Lyle and Devin Bush were both let go, and Kim Herring was signed away from the World Champion Ravens, while 1st round pick Adam Archuleta became an immediate starter.

Lovie Smith was able to meld this defense into a Super Bowl caliber unit in one year by replacing 7 of 11 starters. Can Carl Peterson, Dick Vermiel, and Gunther Cunningham do the same?