Teicher: No changes in defensive coaching staff

[tk13]

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/10668159.htm

Vermeil: Defensive coaches staying

By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star


Despite pressure to improve a defense that finished next to last in yards allowed, Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil said Monday that he will make no changes to his defensive staff.

Vermeil was encouraged by president/general manager Carl Peterson to make some moves, particularly at defensive back. Peter Giunta and Vernon Dean coached a secondary that allowed more passing yards than any other NFL team.

Vermeil took the two weeks since the Chiefs' season-ending loss in San Diego to ponder changes. He returned to his Arrowhead Stadium office Monday, saying that while all of his assistants would be welcome to return, he also expected better results next season.

“The only way any football coach is evaluated is on how many games they won,” Vermeil said. “Since we won only seven games, everybody on this staff, including me, is evaluated as below average. An 8-8 record would have meant we were average.”

Although the Chiefs played poorly on defense since he joined the Chiefs in 2001, Vermeil has remained steadfastly loyal to his assistants. He resisted pressure from Peterson to replace coordinator Greg Robinson two years ago.

The only defensive staff changes were made last year when Vermeil accepted Robinson's resignation and linebackers coach Joe Vitt left for the Rams.

Giunta and Dean are under scrutiny after many of the defensive backs had poor seasons. The play of safeties Greg Wesley and Jerome Woods slipped noticeably. Young cornerbacks William Bartee and Julian Battle failed to develop into reliable players.

Vermeil said his coaches weren't to blame.

“Peter Giunta is no more guilty now than he was 100 percent responsible for the Super Bowl championship defense and the secondary he coached with the Rams,” Vermeil said. “They coached the players we give them to coach to the best of their ability. Do I blame them if a guy blows a coverage or breaks down fundamentally? No.

“If I thought they were doing a poor job of that, I would handle that. But I don't think that's true.”

Vermeil last year replaced Robinson with Gunther Cunningham and Vitt with Fred Pagac, but otherwise made few changes to defensive personnel. The Chiefs were even worse defensively. They allowed 103 more points and 330 additional yards and forced 17 fewer turnovers.

The Chiefs would have a second offensive staff departure if quarterback coach Jason Verduzco departs. He is a candidate to become offensive coordinator on Robinson's staff at Syracuse, where he recently became head coach.

Tight-ends coach Keith Rowen left two weeks ago to become offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals. He is replaced by Terry Shea, a former Chiefs assistant who spent one year with Chicago.

[siberian khatru]

I'm tired of everything that comes out of this old goat's mouth. I don't pay attention anymore. Just , upgrade the talent and win a Super Bowl.

[Mike Grose]

I'm getting sick to DEATH of half-measures.

Two years ago we tried to fix this broke-ass defense by bringing in some new blood while keeping all the coaches. Didn't work.

Then we tried to fix it by bringing in a new DC while keeping all the old sorry players and assistant coaches. Didn't work.

It's time to fix blow this thing up and go for broke by letting Gunther pick his own assistants and players. GR had to use Vermeil's chosen assistants Gunther had to use Vermeil's chosen assistants, and it's not WORKING!

1 Year. Make or break.

There are plenty of good young minds out there that would be happy to take a shot under Gunther to make their reputation.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Originally Posted by Mike Grose

I'm getting sick to DEATH of half-measures.

Two years ago we tried to fix this broke-ass defense by bringing in some new blood while keeping all the coaches. Didn't work.

Then we tried to fix it by bringing in a new DC while keeping all the old sorry players and assistant coaches. Didn't work.

It's time to fix blow this thing up and go for broke by letting Gunther pick his own assistants and players. GR had to use Vermeil's chosen assistants Gunther had to use Vermeil's chosen assistants, and it's not WORKING!

1 Year. Make or break.

There are plenty of good young minds out there that would be happy to take a shot under Gunther to make their reputation.

I wonder how much Gunther regrets coming back.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Dick would make a great RETIRED HEAD COACH.

Even better.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

I just can't believe that Dick is willing to go out on a sour note. Why doesn't he want to do whatever he can to make a real run at a championship in his last year? He should be going for broke. Instead he's still perfectly happy with mediocrity. Unbelievable.

[MichaelH]

Originally Posted by beer me

I wonder how much Gunther regrets coming back.

I've been thinking that too. While DV is contemplating life on his farm, Gunther and Carl have been trying to fix the problem. And they can't fix the problem because he's staring at his swans in his backyard, recharging his batteries for another season of propoganda.

[shaneo69]

Originally Posted by beer me

I wonder how much Gunther regrets coming back.

I wonder what Peterson would do if Gunther went to him and threatened to quit if Guinta wasn't fired?

[bricks]

Originally Posted by shaneo69

I wonder what Peterson would do if Gunther went to him and threatened to quit if Guinta wasn't fired?

I think that's what Gunther should do.

[bricks]

Originally Posted by kc rush

How many times did we hear Dick say that they failed as coaches to prepare the players to play? Fans and the media were too tough on the players, because they have talent. Dick saw it on the practice field every day.

Now that it means that his friends may have to go, it is the players fault for not being talented enough.

Which is it Dick? Either way changes need to be made and Dick doesn't seem to have the balls to do it. He doesn't want to move outside of his comfort zone to build something truly great and Carl doesn't want to upset his buddy. Hooray for mediocrity.

Three words describe Vermeil:

Clueless. Contradicting. Senile.

[shaneo69]

I think we should all pray that G Rob asks Guinta to be his defensive coordinator at Syracuse. Oh, wouldn't that be too good to be true?

[tomahawk kid]

Originally Posted by shaneo69

I think we should all pray that G Rob asks Guinta to be his defensive coordinator at Syracuse. Oh, wouldn't that be too good to be true?

Don't freaking tease me.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by beer me

I just can't believe that Dick is willing to go out on a sour note. Why doesn't he want to do whatever he can to make a real run at a championship in his last year? He should be going for broke. Instead he's still perfectly happy with mediocrity. Unbelievable.

I don't think that he's "willing to go out on a sour note." I think that he's staying true to his philosophy (loyalty), however misguided that philosophy might be in today's NFL.

[bricks]

I completely don't understand this. Carl said there was going to be changes. Particularily on his defensive staff and players. Now WTF is happening? Vermeil is coming in and saying no? We'll not make changes? Is Vermeil over-ruling Carl? WTF? Why doesn't Carl just step in and say no! Dick these guys aren't good enough, we need to make a change. He's the fucking GM, he's got a higher position than Dick. C'mon Carl STEP IN AND SHOW DICK YOUR THE BOSS!!!

[bricks]

If a coach can decide and over-rule over our GM, then, that says a lot about our GM as well. They can both go to hell if that's the case.

[shaneo69]

Originally Posted by tomahawk kid

Don't freaking tease me.

He hasn't named a D-coordinator yet. He hired Major Applewhite to be QB coach, and former B ronco LB Steve Russ ('95-'00) to be LB coach. I guess we're lucky we didn't have more former B roncos on the defensive staff when he was here. I would bet money that Glenn Cadrez gets a job working for him somewhere down the line.