Chiefs Teicher: Johnson, Toribio and Lewis sit out Chiefs practice with injuries - Page 22

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-03-2012, 07:50 PM

Johnson, Toribio and Lewis sit out Chiefs practice with injuries
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
The Chiefs began their practice week Monday without four defensive starters, including their two Pro Bowl linebackers. They’re preparing to play against the Atlanta Falcons, who were seventh in the NFL in scoring last season, that could present a problem.

The situation could improve some by the time the Chiefs and Falcons open their seasons against one another on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. But even early in the week, things were far from ideal.

“You’d like to have all your guys all the time,” coach Romeo Crennel said. “But in this business you don’t have all of them all the time and so you have to depend on other guys to step up and do their part when they’re called on.”

Linebacker Derrick Johnson, nose tackle Anthony Toribio and free safety Kendrick Lewis didn’t go through team portions of practice. Johnson and Toribio have injured ankle, Lewis an injured shoulder.

Johnson, injured in the final preseason game against the Packers, appeared the most likely of the group to be ready for Sunday’s game.

“As long as I make progress every day, that’s the plan,” Johnson said when asked whether he would play against the Falcons. “I am a fast healer. Let’s hope that this week I can be even faster.”

The Chiefs’ other Pro Bowl linebacker, Tamha Hali, will not play against Atlanta. He is serving his one-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.

Cornerback Brandon Flowers, who didn’t play in the preseason and hadn’t practiced for more than a month, was back to work Monday. But Flowers, who has what the Chiefs have called as bruised heel, said he didn’t know if he would play Sunday and suggested the decision might come down to day of the game.

“If I’m out there on Sunday, then that means I’m ready to go,” he said “We’ll know game day.”

For one day, at least, the Chiefs patched together a lineup that included backups in four spots. Cory Greenwood and Brandon Siler took turns at Johnson’s position. Rookie Dontari Poe is starting for Toribio and veteran Abe Elam for Lewis.

Andy Studebaker, Edgar Jones and Cameron Sheffield have been rotating in Hali’s spot.

“Particularly (in Hali’s spot), that’s what has to happen,” Crennel said. “We’ll have to rotate guys in there and we will during the course of the week and I expect all of them to step and to be able to produce. Now, are they going to produce the way Tamba is able to produce? Only time will tell that.”

All coaches have jitters the opening week of the season given the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Even before the injuries, suspension and resulting lineup changes, this would have been an anxious week for Crennel.

The Chiefs are one of the NFL’s youngest teams. They have five players who are 30 and they are the oldest. Heading into their ninth NFL seasons, guard Ryan Lilja and special teams player Terrance Copper have the most NFL experience.

“If you have a veteran team (with players) who have proven themselves and that you feel good about, I think you can be less anxious,” Crennel said. “I think everybody gets anxious when the season starts. But if you’ve got a veteran team and you’re solid all across the board, then I think you can be less anxious because you know what you have.

“(The Chiefs) have some young players who have to play and we all know that young players make mistakes. You don’t know how many mistakes they’re going to make or what a mistake might cost you during the course of the game. Some guys, when there are 70,000 or 80,000 in the stands and they know that it counts, they react differently. We’re going to have to see how all of that plays out.”

Adding to the mystery about how well the Chiefs will play on Sunday is their uneven preseason. The Chiefs went 1-3 with the starters playing well in the first and fourth games but not so in the middle two, when the defense was particularly disappointing.

Crennel said he takes comfort in the fact the Chiefs have gotten it done, even if not consistently.

“In the first preseason game, the way they executed in that game and then the last game, they showed they could execute at a good level,” he said. “So I think they gave us enough to feel good about going into the regular season.

“One of the things I wanted to do was to be able to say we could be solid and sound coming out of the last (preseason) game. I think from our play versus their first guys, we were solid and sound coming out of that game.”

Atlanta was also 1-3 in the exhibition season, losing to Baltimore, Cincinnati and Jacksonville while beating Miami. The Falcons made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, though they lost their playoff game each time.

“This is a good Atlanta team coming in,” Crennel said. “They have some skill on all sides of the ball, really. So we’re going to have to play our best to win.”

**RealSNR** · 09-04-2012, 07:58 PM

It's not all Matt Cassel's fault you ****ing homers. Why doesn't Derrick Johnson execute on every single ****ing tackle attempt?

Sheesh, no wonder we lost to the Ravens in the playoffs!

mcaj22 · 09-04-2012, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBob

Siler played in the SEC where everyone can tackle.

that same SEC that had midget turds like Dexter McCluster run all over it for 1000 yards.

yeah every one can tackle there. not.

NJChiefsFan · 09-04-2012, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBob

There isn't one. Never said there was.

Well here is the issue. You show a missed tackle, then say you know that every LB misses tackles. HELLO! You are admitting that there is a need for quantifying these stats. Missed tackle % lists exist. Go compare the two if you want to actually make your point.

Ceej · 09-04-2012, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

there are some awesome gifs of him standing on the sidelines while DJ sets a franchise record for tackles...

proof, of course, that siler is a better tackler...

So, Siler = bench captain AND better tackler than DJ.

Got it.

NJChiefsFan · 09-04-2012, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBob

You guys are some serious homers. Probably the worst I have ever seen. Can't admit DJ is a sucky tackler or Carr is a better cover corner? Acting like Poe is our biggest weakness? You need to think about things and understand this isn't Madden.

You did predict us to be 5-0 correct? How can you possibly call somebody else a homer?

Black Bob · 09-04-2012, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

In no way did you ever say that.
Posted via Mobile Device

**** you

Quote:

DJ has never been a good tackler. He was never even scouted as a good tackler at Texas. He takes bad angles. He's gotten better but Siler is a better tackler. He's just not good in coverage and he's not a playmaker.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBob

I absolutely believe DJ is an iffy tackler. He always has been. It's why Pioli tried to trade him when he got here. DJ has improved and become more of a playmaker but, he still misses tackles every week.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBob

You're idiot and are putting words in mouth just like the rest of the dumb ****s in this thread that don't have an argument. I never wanted Siler to start over DJ. All I said was that we have good depth this year and it won't be that bad of a transition. In doing so, I stated that Siler was a better tackler than DJ.

To win the Superbowl, you must have good depth. It's one of the most important pieces to the puzzle. This entire conversation was started because I said we were competent in replacing Lewis, Toribio, and DJ. We are much better prepared than last year. In no way did I say that any of the back ups were better players.

Some of you guys were the delusional dub****s who thought we should bench Cassel for Stanzi or Quinn. I got nothing to with that....

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBob

I see where you guys are coming from. I stated he has improved. He is not as good of a tackler as Siler. I will drop it now because it's not worth it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBob

I think it's true that all Chief's fans are somewhat fickle. All I am saying is that the way these people defend DJ's tackling has to be one of the most homer threads I've ever seen.

I mean people won't say that Bowe doesn't drop the ball. They will say, "Bowe drops the ball BUT......" That's why this is different. It's denial I guess. DJ is a better player but, his weak spot is fundamental tackling. No one wants to hear it.

"You can take the boy out of the country but, you can't take the country out of the boy."

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBob

Yeah but he still misses tackles. I never said he shouldn't be on the field. I just said Siler is a better tackler.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBob

DJ is a better player. He just isn't as good of a tackler. If you think he is, then bet me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBob

NO SHIT. I have been saying that the whole time. McGraw was a better tackler than Lewis but, guess what? I wanted Lewis to start.It is not uncommon for back ups to be better at fundamentals than starters. NFL starters are generally play makers. That's what makes them the best of the best.

**SAUTO** · 09-04-2012, 08:08 PM

Again for the reading impaired...
they both make the routine plays on a regular basis...

Siler is not a better tackler, he just doesn't get to the tackle attempts that DJ misses on...
Posted via Mobile Device

**RealSNR** · 09-04-2012, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBob

**** you

NJChiefsFan · 09-04-2012, 08:10 PM

None of those quotes state what Pawnmower was saying, which you quoted and said you had said. That being that making a tackle by taking the simple route allowing the first down ect. vs. going for the value takle can make a LB look worse. That getting there so much more than Siler is going to mean he has more missed tackles. You really didn't say any of that in your bold quotes.

Black Bob · 09-04-2012, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJChiefsFan

None of those quotes state what Pawnmower was saying, which you quoted and said you had said. That being that making a tackle by taking the simple route allowing the first down ect. vs. going for the value takle can make a LB look worse. That getting there so much more than Siler is going to mean he has more missed tackles. You really didn't say any of that in your bold quotes.

What I said was DJ is playmaker and a starter. Siler is not. He is just a better tackler. I don't give a **** about sideline to sideline or yards gained. I know DJ is better. I'm talking about wrapping up and finishing the tackle. If Siler gets his hands on the guy, the guy is probably going down. That's the difference.

**QuikSsurfer** · 09-04-2012, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBob

What I said was DJ is playmaker and a starter. Siler is not. He is just a better tackler. I don't give a **** about sideline to sideline or yards gained. I know DJ is better. I'm talking about wrapping up and finishing the tackle. If Siler gets his hands on the guy, the guy is probably going down. That's the difference.

Where is the evidence of this?

Black Bob · 09-04-2012, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJChiefsFan

You did predict us to be 5-0 correct? How can you possibly call somebody else a homer?

Yep, I did. That's a prediction I made and I believe it. Maybe it's an out there prediction? However, it's a prediction and not fact.

I talked about earlier but player evaluation is the true test in homerism imo. Seriously, everyone knows DJ has been known for shitting tackling and Bowe is known for drops. Does that mean they aren't playmakers? No, it doesn't. Flowers gives up TDs and gets hurt. He also gets picks and TD and is a great tackler. People call him a cover corner and act like he never gets beat. it's not true.

I don't care if you think I'm a homer for picking five wins. I have said multiple times that I am usually conservative. We are going to be much better than people think.

Ceej · 09-04-2012, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBob

What I said was DJ is playmaker and a starter. Siler is not. He is just a better tackler. I don't give a **** about sideline to sideline or yards gained. I know DJ is better. I'm talking about wrapping up and finishing the tackle. If Siler gets his hands on the guy, the guy is probably going down. That's the difference.

Please provide us with 3 yr old gifs to prove your point.

Black Bob · 09-04-2012, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuikSsurfer

Where is the evidence of this?

Someone already posted the stats. It's also on the tape.

It's pretty funny how you guys all gang up on me and how shit gets contorted. You guys should quit listening to some of these dub ****s and start from the beginning of the thread.

No one has the balls to bet me that DJ won't miss a tackle on Sunday and that's all you need to know.

I win.

**QuikSsurfer** · 09-04-2012, 08:19 PM

No one is arguing that DJ doesn't miss tackles from time to time...
But how can you say Siler is a better tackler? Again, where is the evidence?

09-03-2012, 07:50 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2827187	Teicher: Johnson, Toribio and Lewis sit out Chiefs practice with injuries Johnson, Toribio and Lewis sit out Chiefs practice with injuries By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star The Chiefs began their practice week Monday without four defensive starters, including their two Pro Bowl linebackers. They’re preparing to play against the Atlanta Falcons, who were seventh in the NFL in scoring last season, that could present a problem. The situation could improve some by the time the Chiefs and Falcons open their seasons against one another on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. But even early in the week, things were far from ideal. “You’d like to have all your guys all the time,” coach Romeo Crennel said. “But in this business you don’t have all of them all the time and so you have to depend on other guys to step up and do their part when they’re called on.” Linebacker Derrick Johnson, nose tackle Anthony Toribio and free safety Kendrick Lewis didn’t go through team portions of practice. Johnson and Toribio have injured ankle, Lewis an injured shoulder. Johnson, injured in the final preseason game against the Packers, appeared the most likely of the group to be ready for Sunday’s game. “As long as I make progress every day, that’s the plan,” Johnson said when asked whether he would play against the Falcons. “I am a fast healer. Let’s hope that this week I can be even faster.” The Chiefs’ other Pro Bowl linebacker, Tamha Hali, will not play against Atlanta. He is serving his one-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. Cornerback Brandon Flowers, who didn’t play in the preseason and hadn’t practiced for more than a month, was back to work Monday. But Flowers, who has what the Chiefs have called as bruised heel, said he didn’t know if he would play Sunday and suggested the decision might come down to day of the game. “If I’m out there on Sunday, then that means I’m ready to go,” he said “We’ll know game day.” For one day, at least, the Chiefs patched together a lineup that included backups in four spots. Cory Greenwood and Brandon Siler took turns at Johnson’s position. Rookie Dontari Poe is starting for Toribio and veteran Abe Elam for Lewis. Andy Studebaker, Edgar Jones and Cameron Sheffield have been rotating in Hali’s spot. “Particularly (in Hali’s spot), that’s what has to happen,” Crennel said. “We’ll have to rotate guys in there and we will during the course of the week and I expect all of them to step and to be able to produce. Now, are they going to produce the way Tamba is able to produce? Only time will tell that.” All coaches have jitters the opening week of the season given the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Even before the injuries, suspension and resulting lineup changes, this would have been an anxious week for Crennel. The Chiefs are one of the NFL’s youngest teams. They have five players who are 30 and they are the oldest. Heading into their ninth NFL seasons, guard Ryan Lilja and special teams player Terrance Copper have the most NFL experience. “If you have a veteran team (with players) who have proven themselves and that you feel good about, I think you can be less anxious,” Crennel said. “I think everybody gets anxious when the season starts. But if you’ve got a veteran team and you’re solid all across the board, then I think you can be less anxious because you know what you have. “(The Chiefs) have some young players who have to play and we all know that young players make mistakes. You don’t know how many mistakes they’re going to make or what a mistake might cost you during the course of the game. Some guys, when there are 70,000 or 80,000 in the stands and they know that it counts, they react differently. We’re going to have to see how all of that plays out.” Adding to the mystery about how well the Chiefs will play on Sunday is their uneven preseason. The Chiefs went 1-3 with the starters playing well in the first and fourth games but not so in the middle two, when the defense was particularly disappointing. Crennel said he takes comfort in the fact the Chiefs have gotten it done, even if not consistently. “In the first preseason game, the way they executed in that game and then the last game, they showed they could execute at a good level,” he said. “So I think they gave us enough to feel good about going into the regular season. “One of the things I wanted to do was to be able to say we could be solid and sound coming out of the last (preseason) game. I think from our play versus their first guys, we were solid and sound coming out of that game.” Atlanta was also 1-3 in the exhibition season, losing to Baltimore, Cincinnati and Jacksonville while beating Miami. The Falcons made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, though they lost their playoff game each time. “This is a good Atlanta team coming in,” Crennel said. “They have some skill on all sides of the ball, really. So we’re going to have to play our best to win.”
Posts: 43,433

09-04-2012, 08:08 PM	#322
SAUTO Shit Join Date: Jun 2008 Casino cash: $10039067	Again for the reading impaired... they both make the routine plays on a regular basis... Siler is not a better tackler, he just doesn't get to the tackle attempts that DJ misses on... Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 55,715

09-04-2012, 08:10 PM	#324
NJChiefsFan I've Made a Huge Mistake Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NJ Casino cash: $4500423	None of those quotes state what Pawnmower was saying, which you quoted and said you had said. That being that making a tackle by taking the simple route allowing the first down ect. vs. going for the value takle can make a LB look worse. That getting there so much more than Siler is going to mean he has more missed tackles. You really didn't say any of that in your bold quotes.
Posts: 12,495

09-04-2012, 08:19 PM	#330
QuikSsurfer Got swag? Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Madison, MS Casino cash: $10008287	No one is arguing that DJ doesn't miss tackles from time to time... But how can you say Siler is a better tackler? Again, where is the evidence? __________________
Posts: 11,847