Babb: Glenn Dorsey’s discipline has the Chiefs excited about his future

[Tribal Warfare]

Glenn Dorsey’s discipline has the Chiefs excited about his future
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star

They tried to make him understand with humiliation. Then excruciating work. The Chiefs just needed Glenn Dorsey to accept that success begins with discipline.

Those afternoons seem distant now, when Dorsey pedaled and hiked and lugged equipment because he hadn’t been disciplined enough to practice. That was training camp in 2009, and at the time, the Chiefs were uncertain about the future of Dorsey, one of their most talented defenders.

But however it happened, he had to understand: Dorsey’s future was a cloudy one if he couldn’t learn restraint.

On this defense, that’s where it starts. And it doesn’t end at junk food.

More than a year later, Dorsey has made an early impression because of what he hasn’t done. He wasn’t drastically overweight when he began the offseason workout program. He didn’t rely only on his instincts. He didn’t abandon his assignments and chase big plays.

He finally understood.

“You realized, ‘Hey, we look a lot different without him,’ ” coach Todd Haley said.

Haley said he emphasizes discipline more than anything. Because if a player can’t be trusted to stay in shape each offseason, how could he be counted on to stay committed to an assignment that gives the big plays to someone else?

Through four games, Dorsey has 15 tackles, half a sack and zero forced turnovers. Those aren’t the kinds of numbers the Chiefs had in mind when they drafted him fifth overall in 2008. But regardless, Dorsey has been one of Kansas City’s best defenders this season. His job as a defensive end in this 3-4 scheme is to fill gaps, allow linebackers to attack and, as Haley said Thursday, “fight the urge to go make a play.”

When the Chiefs’ defense is at its best, Dorsey is passing up chances at a tackle to fill a predetermined space on the field.

It’s an odd thing, and more than a year after the Chiefs abandoned Dorsey’s preferred 4-3, he appears to have embraced his role — and, more than that, his requirements. Dorsey wasn’t in the Chiefs’ locker room Thursday when reporters were permitted inside, but Tyson Jackson knows how difficult it is for Dorsey, one of the most explosive defenders in college football three seasons ago, to pass up big opportunities.

“Your basic instincts tell you you’re a football player; you want to go out there and make as many plays as possible and help the team win,” said Jackson, who played with Dorsey at LSU. “But you’ve got to look at the bigger scheme of things.

“You’ve just got to take the pride and put it to the side for the team.”

The good thing for the Chiefs is that they believe Dorsey can further improve and perhaps emerge into a defensive playmaker — one of those players with the big numbers. When he played defensive tackle in Herm Edwards’ 4-3, Dorsey was a rotund wrecking ball designed to go forward and hit what was in front of him.

Now, at about 30 pounds lighter and much quicker, Dorsey can go in multiple directions — and coaches think that, as he gets more comfortable with his weight, he can combine those old instincts and his new speed to be a disruptive force on an emerging defense. The Chiefs have used Dorsey occasionally this season in sub-rush formations, and those chances could increase in the future.

For now, Dorsey still has to prove himself weekly. That’s the life of a football player, but the Chiefs pay close attention when Dorsey makes weight each week, a signal that the discipline is becoming ingrained.

“He wants to be good,” Haley said, “and I think he’s showing signs of that all the time.”

More, he has shown a willingness to do what’s necessary to be good in this system. It no longer matters how the Chiefs forced Dorsey to embrace discipline as his top priority; all that matters is that he’s done it, and he is discussed among Chiefs insiders as one of the team’s future stars, alongside linebacker Tamba Hali and cornerback Brandon Flowers.

Now Dorsey has to continue improving, continue understanding and continue avoiding temptation.

“It’s not going to happen overnight because those instincts are there,” Haley said. “They’ve been developed over years, and you’ve got to almost retrain your habits.

“He’s a much more disciplined player. Much more disciplined person.”

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by philfree

1st round talent at every level of our D. Add in DJ and Berry and this D is loaded. If TJ can make strides like Doresy has over this year and the offseason our D could end up sick.

PhilFree

yup....and that's how it should be when you suck for years, eventually all those high picks converge....

[Rasputin]

Yes Dorsey is playing disciplined football, but so is the rest of the defense. Rarely are they out of posisiton and give up the big play. It's night and day over the last regime we had night and day. Herm came here to fix the wo full D. Now the D is back thanks to Haley bringing in Crennell. **** YEA!!!

Manning couldn't pick us apart like he would have, has, in the past. It was great defense against one of the best QBs ever.

I like the word discipline when talking about our Defense, that's what was lacking for so manny years.

[philfree]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

yup....and that's how it should be when you suck for years, eventually all those high picks converge....

Unless you're the Detroit Lions.


PhilFree

[Bewbies]

Originally Posted by Rausch

This.

If he ever reaches his potential he could be the best 3-4 DE in history.

Period.

Better than Bruce Smith?

[SenselessChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

To be perfectly honest, given how Hali has played this year, I think he'd be a pretty good RDE, even if he has lost some weight.

RDE: Hali
3T: Dorsey
NT: Smith/Edwards
LDE: Jackson

On passing downs, you could bring in Gilberry or Magee to play the nose. Put Williams at WLB, and DJ or Belcher could man either MLB or SLB.

Hali is in the scheme that fits him best. Putting him as a 4-3 end again would be a mistake.

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by Cool han Luke

Yes Dorsey is playing disciplined football, but so is the rest of the defense. Rarely are they out of posisiton and give up the big play. It's night and day over the last regime we had night and day. Herm came here to fix the wo full D. Now the D is back thanks to Haley bringing in Crennell. **** YEA!!!

Manning couldn't pick us apart like he would have, has, in the past. It was great defense against one of the best QBs ever.

I like the word discipline when talking about our Defense, that's what was lacking for so manny years.

That's the main thing I've noticed. (Although DJ was out of position on a few plays during Indy's first drive) Players are breaking down squaring up, and tackling, instead of flying in, and whiffing like they did during Herm's entire tenure. Much more disciplined than we've seen in a long time.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by beach tribe

That's the main thing I've noticed. (Although DJ was out of position on a few plays during Indy's first drive) Players are breaking down squaring up, and tackling, instead of flying in, and whiffing like they did during Herm's entire tenure. Much more disciplined than we've seen in a long time.

Actually, the kind of discipline this defense is playing with right now has been lacking since the days of Cowher.

The 90s Chiefs didn't lose all their discipline when ****her took over because Marty was still the HC, but you could see the slow erosion of discipline even then.

Good lord, how I hated ****her.

Jim (Logical, rip) and I were about the only ones that weren't happy when Carl brought him back as DC after Spinner "resigned".

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by milkman

Actually, the kind of discipline this defense is playing with right now has been lacking since the days of Cowher.

The 90s Chiefs didn't lose all their discipline when ****her took over because Marty was still the HC, but you could see the slow erosion of discipline even then.

Good lord, how I hated ****her.

Jim (Logical, rip) and I were about the only ones that weren't happy when Carl brought him back as DC after Spinner "resigned".

You're right, and it's amazing what a huge difference the emphasis on discipline, and holding players accountable for not being disciplined has made. Thank God for Crennel's hire, and Haley's iron fist.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by milkman

Actually, the kind of discipline this defense is playing with right now has been lacking since the days of Cowher.

The 90s Chiefs didn't lose all their discipline when ****her took over because Marty was still the HC, but you could see the slow erosion of discipline even then.

Good lord, how I hated ****her.

Jim (Logical, rip) and I were about the only ones that weren't happy when Carl brought him back as DC after Spinner "resigned".

That's part of it ... the discipline, I mean ... perhaps, even, the greatest contributor to the "turnaround". But I think part of the reason the defense has improved so quickly has to do with conditioning, Mr. milkman.

Over time (and certainly during Herm's tenure), this team had grown soft. I now think that part of the reason DJ and several other players I could name never seemed to play to their perceived potential, had to do with the fact they were not in premier "football shape".

Haley's demands that players lose unnecessary weight, take care of themselves during the off-season, and run gassers every time somebody screws up is paying dividends. It's showing up (knock on noggin) in the injury list and it's showing up in the 4th quarter ... that's my take, anyhow.

FAX

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by FAX

That's part of it ... the discipline, I mean ... perhaps, even, the greatest contributor to the "turnaround". But I think part of the reason the defense has improved so quickly has to do with conditioning, Mr. milkman.

Over time (and certainly during Herm's tenure), this team had grown soft. I now think that part of the reason DJ and several other players I could name never seemed to play to their perceived potential, had to do with the fact they were not in premier "football shape".

Haley's demands that players lose unnecessary weight, take care of themselves during the off-season, and run gassers every time somebody screws up is paying dividends. It's showing up (knock on noggin) in the injury list and it's showing up in the 4th quarter ... that's my take, anyhow.

FAX

Well keep in mind that this defense features four first rounders still on their first contract, two second rounders on their first contract and a mix of veterans, late rounders and a undrafted few free agents. The talent is definitely there but the Chiefs now have their first true defensive coordinator since 1991.

That alone is HUGE.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by FAX

That's part of it ... the discipline, I mean ... perhaps, even, the greatest contributor to the "turnaround". But I think part of the reason the defense has improved so quickly has to do with conditioning, Mr. milkman.

Over time (and certainly during Herm's tenure), this team had grown soft. I now think that part of the reason DJ and several other players I could name never seemed to play to their perceived potential, had to do with the fact they were not in premier "football shape".

Haley's demands that players lose unnecessary weight, take care of themselves during the off-season, and run gassers every time somebody screws up is paying dividends. It's showing up (knock on noggin) in the injury list and it's showing up in the 4th quarter ... that's my take, anyhow.

FAX

No question conditioning is a part of it, and that falls into the broader scope of discipline.

[BossChief]

Im stepping out on a limb here, I know this, but I think Haley may very well be our best coach of my lifetime (Im 32)...as I was not around for the championship days of yesteryear.

Time will tell, as usual, but the signs and indicators are there that this team is headed toward great places.

The way these kids are playing for these guys is obvious to anyone with eyes...if we can get a damn quarterback, this team WILL win a championship in the next few years.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Well keep in mind that this defense features four first rounders still on their first contract, two second rounders on their first contract and a mix of veterans, late rounders and a undrafted few free agents. The talent is definitely there but the Chiefs now have their first true defensive coordinator since 1991.

That alone is HUGE.

I'm certainly not discounting Crennel's abilities. I was high on Crennel when he was hired and I remain high. It seems obvious that the team is responding to him and his approach to the game. First off, Crennel has the kind of background that players respect. Second off, he isn't half-bad at putting players in a position to be successful. Once a player gets his mind around that, he realizes that doing what he's told is a win/win for everybody.

One encouraging item, as a matter of fact, has emerged in Crennel's last two press interviews in which he's mentioned that he's "... still learning what the players can do ...". It makes sense that, the more familiar he becomes with the team, the more improvement we'll see in his game plans.

Still, there is such a marked difference between last year and this season, I have to believe that there's more to the story than just "discipline". We have young legs, sure ... but we are also seeing better individual performances from guys who have been marginal since they were drafted. I just think that part of the reason for that is better conditioning.

FAX

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Im stepping out on a limb here, I know this, but I think Haley may very well be our best coach of my lifetime (Im 32)...as I was not around for the championship days of yesteryear.

Time will tell, as usual, but the signs and indicators are there that this team is headed toward great places.

The way these kids are playing for these guys is obvious to anyone with eyes...if we can get a damn quarterback, this team WILL win a championship in the next few years.

I just can't even imagine how good that would feel.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Im stepping out on a limb here, I know this, but I think Haley may very well be our best coach of my lifetime (Im 32)...as I was not around for the championship days of yesteryear.

Time will tell, as usual, but the signs and indicators are there that this team is headed toward great places.

The way these kids are playing for these guys is obvious to anyone with eyes...if we can get a damn quarterback, this team WILL win a championship in the next few years.

It's going to be interesting. If Haley can take us to the promised land, one would have to rank him just below Hank. Some people might be prepared to do that already.

FAX