Chiefs HERM ....A hard guy to surprise???

Kerberos · 06-12-2008, 05:54 AM

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2008/06...y_to_surprise/

A hard guy to surprise
Jun 12, 2008, 3:29:59 AM by Jonathan Rand - FAQ

The 2008 Chiefs and Herm Edwards are an interesting match – a team promising one surprise after another and a coach who insists that nothing surprises him.

That’s what you get when you pair a coach who’s seen a lot of the NFL, as a cornerback and a coach, with players who are finding every day an eye-opener.

Edwards may or may not always like what he sees of his young team. But he won’t be caught by surprise.

“I’m not surprised about anything,” he said as off-season workouts neared an end.

“I wake up every morning knowing there are going to be five things that happen to you that you have no control over and don’t know are going to happen. Why should it surprise you?”

The past two seasons have only reinforced that outlook. Since taking over the Chiefs, Edwards has already seen more than his fair share of what most of us would consider surprising.

His first Chiefs team squeaked into the playoffs on the final weekend, despite an 0-2 start and a scenario that required them to win their final game and for three other contenders to lose.

Edwards claims that long-shot ending did not surprise him. He maintains his team achieved just enough to deserve a playoff spot before running out of gas in a wild-card game at Indianapolis.

Then the 2007 Chiefs got off to another 0-2 start and won four of their next five games to jump into contention before losing their last nine games. How could anybody not be surprised by that?

“Going into the season, you knew we were rolling the dice a little bit with the team we had,” Edwards said, referring to an aging offense and a defense that remained a work in progress.

“A lot of things had to go right. Early on, they went right for us, but every week I knew, in my heart of hearts, ‘Hey, things have to continue to go right or things will start going the other way.’ And it’s sad that they did.”

Edwards will start his third season facing even more unknowns than ever. His past two rosters were heavily laden with proven veterans, though he wasn’t sure how much longer they could play at a winning level. Now, he can’t be positive if or when his current group will attain a winning level. But he’s leaning toward optimism.

Edwards has drafted a dozen players and says he has room for all, if they show him enough talent. Like any coach, he cautions that you shouldn’t read too much into the rookies’ practice-field performances because they won’t put on pads until training camp.

Yet he also goes out on a limb by suggesting that the vast majority of his rookies will get the chance to make an immediate contribution.

“They’re what we thought they were gonna be,” Edwards said as the OTAs neared an end.

“Some of these guys are a little bit better than we thought they’d be at this point in time. When they put the pads on, it’s a whole different ballgame because we’ll find out who’s physical, and who’s not. We’ve got a young crop of players that is very good.

“They’ve got past Phase One, but I think they can play and, you know what? We’re all gonna watch them play. We didn’t draft them to let them sit and wait two years. It doesn’t matter if you’re a rookie draft choice or rookie free agent. If you’re good enough to make this team and you dress on Sunday, you’re gonna play.”

06-12-2008, 05:54 AM	Topic Starter
Kerberos Chiefs Baby Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Henderson, NV Casino cash: $10000632	HERM ....A hard guy to surprise??? http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2008/06...y_to_surprise/ A hard guy to surprise Jun 12, 2008, 3:29:59 AM by Jonathan Rand - FAQ The 2008 Chiefs and Herm Edwards are an interesting match – a team promising one surprise after another and a coach who insists that nothing surprises him. That’s what you get when you pair a coach who’s seen a lot of the NFL, as a cornerback and a coach, with players who are finding every day an eye-opener. Edwards may or may not always like what he sees of his young team. But he won’t be caught by surprise. “I’m not surprised about anything,” he said as off-season workouts neared an end. “I wake up every morning knowing there are going to be five things that happen to you that you have no control over and don’t know are going to happen. Why should it surprise you?” The past two seasons have only reinforced that outlook. Since taking over the Chiefs, Edwards has already seen more than his fair share of what most of us would consider surprising. His first Chiefs team squeaked into the playoffs on the final weekend, despite an 0-2 start and a scenario that required them to win their final game and for three other contenders to lose. Edwards claims that long-shot ending did not surprise him. He maintains his team achieved just enough to deserve a playoff spot before running out of gas in a wild-card game at Indianapolis. Then the 2007 Chiefs got off to another 0-2 start and won four of their next five games to jump into contention before losing their last nine games. How could anybody not be surprised by that? “Going into the season, you knew we were rolling the dice a little bit with the team we had,” Edwards said, referring to an aging offense and a defense that remained a work in progress. “A lot of things had to go right. Early on, they went right for us, but every week I knew, in my heart of hearts, ‘Hey, things have to continue to go right or things will start going the other way.’ And it’s sad that they did.” Edwards will start his third season facing even more unknowns than ever. His past two rosters were heavily laden with proven veterans, though he wasn’t sure how much longer they could play at a winning level. Now, he can’t be positive if or when his current group will attain a winning level. But he’s leaning toward optimism. Edwards has drafted a dozen players and says he has room for all, if they show him enough talent. Like any coach, he cautions that you shouldn’t read too much into the rookies’ practice-field performances because they won’t put on pads until training camp. Yet he also goes out on a limb by suggesting that the vast majority of his rookies will get the chance to make an immediate contribution. “They’re what we thought they were gonna be,” Edwards said as the OTAs neared an end. “Some of these guys are a little bit better than we thought they’d be at this point in time. When they put the pads on, it’s a whole different ballgame because we’ll find out who’s physical, and who’s not. We’ve got a young crop of players that is very good. “They’ve got past Phase One, but I think they can play and, you know what? We’re all gonna watch them play. We didn’t draft them to let them sit and wait two years. It doesn’t matter if you’re a rookie draft choice or rookie free agent. If you’re good enough to make this team and you dress on Sunday, you’re gonna play.”
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