Chiefs Chiefs camp buzz: Defensive lineup gets shuffled

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-04-2010, 12:23 AM

Chiefs camp buzz: Defensive lineup gets shuffled

Defensive lineup doing the shuffle

Linebackers Jovan Belcher and Andy Studebaker, safety Kendrick Lewis and defensive end Wallace Gilberry have taken some turns with the starting defense in practice. All are young players and none has been a consistent starter. Another linebacker, veteran Derrick Johnson, is also getting his share of first-team snaps

While this is mostly a move to create different matchups at practice, don’t discount the possibility of some of the changes taking hold. While most coaches give lip service only to competition for jobs at camp, Todd Haley appears more sincere about it than most.

“Somebody’s got to go first and somebody’s to go second and somebody’s got to go third,” Haley said. “I don’t think we’re thinking (about a depth chart) right now. Of course, every meeting, we talk about how the guys are stacking and what we think. But the majority of those discussions in those meetings are about ’How can we make this guy better?’ …”

Eventually, the Chiefs will have to make a decision. But that day seems far off.

“Something that was preached to me for a lot of years was, ‘Think outside the box. Keep your mind open,’ ” Haley said.

With a strong preseason, Johnson could wrest a starting job from either Demorrio Williams or Corey Mays. Lewis also seems to have a reasonable shot at winning a starting spot over Jon McGraw.

Monitoring the quarterbacks

After releasing Matt Gutierrez in June, the Chiefs opted to take only three quarterbacks to camp. So there’s been plenty of work for starter Matt Cassel and the two backups, Brodie Croyle and Tyler Palko.

The Chiefs are trying to avoid giving them too much work, at least when it comes to throwing, or they’re risking arm injuries.

“We definitely have to monitor that and take feedback and take the precautions necessary to take care of these guys,” Haley said. “One of the factors is that we do have a bunch of young guys, three young guys.

“We’re watching it, we’re counting reps and we’re making sure we’re monitoring where they are and how they’re feeling. That’s an arm and you don’t want to overdo it. You’ve just got to manage it.”

The Chiefs went to camp last year with four quarterbacks: Cassel, Croyle, Tyler Thigpen and Ingle Martin. Martin was released during camp to make room for Gutierrez.

What you need to know about …

THE OFFENSE
Dexter McCluster got a roar from the crowd with a nifty open-field move that left first Demorrio Williams and then Mike Richardson grasping at air. … Ryan Succop made his four field-goal attempts from 32, 35, 38 and 41 yards. … Jerheme Urban showed no ill effects from the big hit he took Monday from Ricky Price. He beat safety Kendrick Lewis deep down the middle and caught a touchdown pass from Croyle.

THE DEFENSE
Brandon Carr continues to have a rough camp at least when it comes to covering Chris Chambers on fly patterns. Chambers beat Carr for a long touchdown pass from Cassel. Chambers beat Carr on the same pattern twice in a recent practice. … McCluster is proving difficult for the defense to cover, but fellow rookie Javier Arenas made a nice diving play to break up a pass intended for McCluster.

INJURY REPORT
Guard Brian Waters and linebacker Pierre Walters did not practice. Safety Jarrad Page has yet to sign his contract and is not in camp.

DAILY BATTLE
Studebaker is getting plenty of practice time at left outside linebacker in place of Mike Vrabel. Vrabel is getting practice time as an inside linebacker in the nickel defense. So it’s possible the Chiefs could move Studebaker into the starting lineup, thus making Vrabel a part-time player much as Derrick Johnson was last season.

TODAY’S SCHEDULE
The Chiefs will practice at 8:50 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. The morning practice will be indoors and closed to the public.

-King- · 08-04-2010, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Chiefs camp buzz: Defensive lineup gets shuffled

Defensive lineup doing the shuffle
Studebaker is getting plenty of practice time at left outside linebacker in place of Mike Vrabel. Vrabel is getting practice time as an inside linebacker in the nickel defense. So it’s possible the Chiefs could move Studebaker into the starting lineup, thus making Vrabel a part-time player much as Derrick Johnson was last season.

This is what I saw when I went. Vrabel was barely on the field.

And Johnson/Belcher is a way better ILB combo than Mays/Williams.

08-04-2010, 12:23 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $472813	Chiefs camp buzz: Defensive lineup gets shuffled Chiefs camp buzz: Defensive lineup gets shuffled Defensive lineup doing the shuffle Linebackers Jovan Belcher and Andy Studebaker, safety Kendrick Lewis and defensive end Wallace Gilberry have taken some turns with the starting defense in practice. All are young players and none has been a consistent starter. Another linebacker, veteran Derrick Johnson, is also getting his share of first-team snaps While this is mostly a move to create different matchups at practice, don’t discount the possibility of some of the changes taking hold. While most coaches give lip service only to competition for jobs at camp, Todd Haley appears more sincere about it than most. “Somebody’s got to go first and somebody’s to go second and somebody’s got to go third,” Haley said. “I don’t think we’re thinking (about a depth chart) right now. Of course, every meeting, we talk about how the guys are stacking and what we think. But the majority of those discussions in those meetings are about ’How can we make this guy better?’ …” Eventually, the Chiefs will have to make a decision. But that day seems far off. “Something that was preached to me for a lot of years was, ‘Think outside the box. Keep your mind open,’ ” Haley said. With a strong preseason, Johnson could wrest a starting job from either Demorrio Williams or Corey Mays. Lewis also seems to have a reasonable shot at winning a starting spot over Jon McGraw. Monitoring the quarterbacks After releasing Matt Gutierrez in June, the Chiefs opted to take only three quarterbacks to camp. So there’s been plenty of work for starter Matt Cassel and the two backups, Brodie Croyle and Tyler Palko. The Chiefs are trying to avoid giving them too much work, at least when it comes to throwing, or they’re risking arm injuries. “We definitely have to monitor that and take feedback and take the precautions necessary to take care of these guys,” Haley said. “One of the factors is that we do have a bunch of young guys, three young guys. “We’re watching it, we’re counting reps and we’re making sure we’re monitoring where they are and how they’re feeling. That’s an arm and you don’t want to overdo it. You’ve just got to manage it.” The Chiefs went to camp last year with four quarterbacks: Cassel, Croyle, Tyler Thigpen and Ingle Martin. Martin was released during camp to make room for Gutierrez. What you need to know about … THE OFFENSE Dexter McCluster got a roar from the crowd with a nifty open-field move that left first Demorrio Williams and then Mike Richardson grasping at air. … Ryan Succop made his four field-goal attempts from 32, 35, 38 and 41 yards. … Jerheme Urban showed no ill effects from the big hit he took Monday from Ricky Price. He beat safety Kendrick Lewis deep down the middle and caught a touchdown pass from Croyle. THE DEFENSE Brandon Carr continues to have a rough camp at least when it comes to covering Chris Chambers on fly patterns. Chambers beat Carr for a long touchdown pass from Cassel. Chambers beat Carr on the same pattern twice in a recent practice. … McCluster is proving difficult for the defense to cover, but fellow rookie Javier Arenas made a nice diving play to break up a pass intended for McCluster. INJURY REPORT Guard Brian Waters and linebacker Pierre Walters did not practice. Safety Jarrad Page has yet to sign his contract and is not in camp. DAILY BATTLE Studebaker is getting plenty of practice time at left outside linebacker in place of Mike Vrabel. Vrabel is getting practice time as an inside linebacker in the nickel defense. So it’s possible the Chiefs could move Studebaker into the starting lineup, thus making Vrabel a part-time player much as Derrick Johnson was last season. TODAY’S SCHEDULE The Chiefs will practice at 8:50 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. The morning practice will be indoors and closed to the public.
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