Chiefs camp report: Poe has ‘a ways to go’

[Hammock Parties]

This whole article is

Woe is Poe

Almost from the start of training camp, coach Romeo Crennel has tried to downplay expectations for rookie nose tackle Dontari Poe, the Chiefs first-round draft pick. Crennel put that in his strongest terms yet on Wednesday when asked what Poe needs to improve on in order to get more playing time.

“A lot,” Crennel said. “He needs to work on technique, he needs to work on understanding the system, he needs to get the calls correct all the time. He’s got a ways to go.”

Anthony Toribio, who spent all of last season on the practice squad, remains as the starting nose tackle ahead of Poe on the depth chart. Poe enters the lineup on obvious passing downs when the Chiefs use their nickel defense.

Poe acknowledged the difficulty of adjusting to the NFL game.

“It’s all different,” he said. “The technique of it, there’s nothing the same about the college level. The only thing the same is that it’s football. As far as the speed level and the strength and all that, you’ve got to learn it all over again.

“I still have a ways to go but I’m getting better every day. I’m just trying to do what I can, trying to do everything they teach me.”

Tackling issues

To prevent injuries, the Chiefs have not done tackling drills during training camp. That could lead to some tackling problems in Friday night’s game.

“It’s not excused,” Crennel said. “On defense your job is to tackle, so tackle. Even though we don’t tackle in practice, your job is to tackle, so you tackle.”

Crennel said he wouldn’t work on tackling next week when camp resumes even if the Chiefs struggle in that area against Arizona.

“If I tackle Jamaal Charles, and he gets hurt, then you’re going to blame me for tackling,” Crennel said. “So, I’m going to use my best judgment to get those guys in position to tackle and make plays and try to keep my guys as healthy as I can, so I can get them to the regular season and we’re able to play at a good level. Everybody in the NFL has the same problem, trying to keep guys healthy and how to practice and get work done without exposing your guys to possible injury.”

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/08/08...#storylink=cpy

[L.A. Chieffan]

There will be an adjustment at first but I expect perennial pro bowler

[RealSNR]

After Haley's abortion of a preseason last year, I really almost don't give a shit about injuries. Just get the guys ****ing prepared to play football FFS. Injuries are a part of the game. So is losing, but one of those things you can prevent. And it ain't injuries.

[Hammock Parties]

Remember all that shit I said about Romeo's teams in Cleveland being soft?

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

Remember all that shit I said about Romeo's teams in Cleveland being soft?

What's strange about this is this isn't Patriot Way at all. Parcells and Belichick don't give a rat's ass about injuries.

[MMXcalibur]

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

Remember all that shit I said about Romeo's teams in Cleveland being soft?

You say a lot of shit.

[O.city]

How many teams are actually tackling to the ground in TC?

[O.city]

It's not like they aren't hitting, they are doing that. They just aren't taking people to the ground. Hit and wrap up, then stop.



It's the same thing most teams likely do.

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

Kent Babb ‏@kentbabb

...but patience will be the key for the team and fans this year for Poe. You seriously might not see Poe starting until very late in season.

[DeezNutz]

If if Poe were beasting, Romeo would be downplaying his awesomeness and noting what he as to work on, since the interview is as much for the team as the fans.

[O.city]

Was there a tweet before that O's?

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

Originally Posted by O.city

Was there a tweet before that O's?

Kent Babb ‏@kentbabb

According to @adamteicher's camp report, Romeo Crennel says Dontari Poe has a long way to go. Will prob write about this in a few days...

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

Remember all that shit I said about Romeo's teams in Cleveland being soft?

I expect big things from Poe this year!

10 sacks, Rookie Defensive Player of the year! Pro Bowler.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by ChiefsandO'sfan

Kent Babb ‏@kentbabb

According to @adamteicher's camp report, Romeo Crennel says Dontari Poe has a long way to go. Will prob write about this in a few days...

Got it.

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

Kent Babb ‏@kentbabb

Spoke to a former NFL player about him, and he said Week 12 (!!!) is a reasonable time frame, bc rushing Poe could ruin him.


Kent Babb ‏@kentbabb

This isn't what u'd ordinarily expect from a 1st-rnder, but Poe is so raw -- but if handled correctly & given chance to learn, could be star