Gretz on defense and special teams - Page 3

shaneo69 · 02-09-2007, 10:30 PM

GRETZ: Chiefs Questions Part 2
Feb 09, 2007, 1:13:12 AM by Bob Gretz

The Chiefs defense improved in 2006. But there’s still plenty of ground to make up to get that unit at the level that Herm Edwards expects. On the special teams, there are several questions that must be answered in this off-season, including one big one.

How can the Chiefs generate a pass rush from the middle of their defensive line?
This defense has two good pass rushers coming off the edge in Jared Allen and Tamba Hali. Linebacker Derrick Johnson also produced 4.5 sacks from the outside.

They had no pressure coming from the middle. Chiefs defensive tackles James Reed and Ron Edwards produced just 3.5 sacks on the season. The team’s defensive backs produced five sacks.

Outside pass rushers like Allen, Hali and Johnson should create sacks for the guys inside, and vice-a-versa. But that didn’t happen with the Chiefs. They finished the season with 32 sacks. Correlation or not, in their seven losses the Chiefs had a total of six sacks.

A defensive tackle that can generate push in the middle of the pocked would have to rank at the top of the Chiefs wish list for 2007.

How can the Chiefs defense improve its production at linebacker?
At one outside spot, they have a good player in Johnson. The only thing that slowed him down was a sprained ankle that cost him playing time. Kawika Mitchell holds down the middle, but he’s also soon to be an unrestricted free agent. Although he led the team in tackles last year with 118, the Chiefs will not overpay to keep Mitchell.

Even if they do work out a deal with Mitchell, there’s talk about moving him to the outside.

Right now, the Chiefs need a third linebacker to join those two, whether it’s outside or in the middle (if Mitchell moves.) In two seasons, Kendrell Bell has shown he’s not the answer and given his first significant playing time, Keyaron Fox did nothing to convince the Chiefs that he’s the answer.

What’s the future at cornerback?
If the Chiefs keep Ty Law on the roster, along with Pat Surtain, would give them one of the oldest cornerback duos in the league. Law will be 33 during the 2007 season and Surtain will be 31 years old. There are no reliable backups. Benny Sapp is a contributor, but more for his blitzing and ability to disrupt at the line of scrimmage than anything in coverage. Lenny Walls is in the mold of Eric Warfield: some physical gifts, but those are overshadowed by his inconsistency.

Whether they address it this year or next, the Chiefs must move some talented young cornerbacks into the pipeline.

Has Dante’s Inferno flamed out?
There are questions on the special teams side involving kicker Lawrence Tynes and snapper Kendall Gammon. But the biggest question that must be answered by the Chiefs this year is the future of Dante Hall.

In the 2006 season, he was a non-factor in the offense, with just 29 touches and only 215 yards. Those are the lowest totals in the last five seasons.

On returners, Hall struggled all season. He hit a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third game of the season against San Francisco. On 53 kickoff returns, he had just three over 40 yards and no touchdowns. His 22.8-yard average was his lowest on kickoff returns in the last five years.

Hall had problems dealing with the new coaching staff and approach to the kicking game. Under Dick Vermeil, Hall was one of the head coach’s favored sons and the feeling was mutual. It was Vermeil that pumped life into Hall’s career back in 2001 when he took over the team. Hall was pretty much allowed to handle the returns as he wished. That wasn’t the case in ‘06, when he got extra scrutiny every time he ran away from the wedge, or made poor decisions on whether to return the football.

Right now, the Chiefs and Hall have to decide if they have a future together. Hall is not an ascending player. If he can adapt to how Herm Edwards and his staff are handling the special teams, there’s a chance he can still be effective. If not, it may be time to part ways.

The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of Carl Peterson.

htismaqe · 02-10-2007, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

I only read it on the planet.

What can I say? I'd rather read shitty football articles than than most of the other headline topics of the day. Besides that-It's fun to see how Gretz really takes everything he writes so seriously when he's such a ****ing windbag. It's pure comedy.

OK, I guess I can forgive that. At least you're not incrementing the hit counter at KCCrap.com.

**Tribal Warfare** · 02-10-2007, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

You don't agree that we need help at LB, two new DT's, and a young CB?

don't forget the WR position too

02-09-2007, 10:30 PM
shaneo69 Smug Weasel Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bleachers at Busch Casino cash: $10004900	Gretz on defense and special teams GRETZ: Chiefs Questions Part 2 Feb 09, 2007, 1:13:12 AM by Bob Gretz The Chiefs defense improved in 2006. But there’s still plenty of ground to make up to get that unit at the level that Herm Edwards expects. On the special teams, there are several questions that must be answered in this off-season, including one big one. How can the Chiefs generate a pass rush from the middle of their defensive line? This defense has two good pass rushers coming off the edge in Jared Allen and Tamba Hali. Linebacker Derrick Johnson also produced 4.5 sacks from the outside. They had no pressure coming from the middle. Chiefs defensive tackles James Reed and Ron Edwards produced just 3.5 sacks on the season. The team’s defensive backs produced five sacks. Outside pass rushers like Allen, Hali and Johnson should create sacks for the guys inside, and vice-a-versa. But that didn’t happen with the Chiefs. They finished the season with 32 sacks. Correlation or not, in their seven losses the Chiefs had a total of six sacks. A defensive tackle that can generate push in the middle of the pocked would have to rank at the top of the Chiefs wish list for 2007. How can the Chiefs defense improve its production at linebacker? At one outside spot, they have a good player in Johnson. The only thing that slowed him down was a sprained ankle that cost him playing time. Kawika Mitchell holds down the middle, but he’s also soon to be an unrestricted free agent. Although he led the team in tackles last year with 118, the Chiefs will not overpay to keep Mitchell. Even if they do work out a deal with Mitchell, there’s talk about moving him to the outside. Right now, the Chiefs need a third linebacker to join those two, whether it’s outside or in the middle (if Mitchell moves.) In two seasons, Kendrell Bell has shown he’s not the answer and given his first significant playing time, Keyaron Fox did nothing to convince the Chiefs that he’s the answer. What’s the future at cornerback? If the Chiefs keep Ty Law on the roster, along with Pat Surtain, would give them one of the oldest cornerback duos in the league. Law will be 33 during the 2007 season and Surtain will be 31 years old. There are no reliable backups. Benny Sapp is a contributor, but more for his blitzing and ability to disrupt at the line of scrimmage than anything in coverage. Lenny Walls is in the mold of Eric Warfield: some physical gifts, but those are overshadowed by his inconsistency. Whether they address it this year or next, the Chiefs must move some talented young cornerbacks into the pipeline. Has Dante’s Inferno flamed out? There are questions on the special teams side involving kicker Lawrence Tynes and snapper Kendall Gammon. But the biggest question that must be answered by the Chiefs this year is the future of Dante Hall. In the 2006 season, he was a non-factor in the offense, with just 29 touches and only 215 yards. Those are the lowest totals in the last five seasons. On returners, Hall struggled all season. He hit a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third game of the season against San Francisco. On 53 kickoff returns, he had just three over 40 yards and no touchdowns. His 22.8-yard average was his lowest on kickoff returns in the last five years. Hall had problems dealing with the new coaching staff and approach to the kicking game. Under Dick Vermeil, Hall was one of the head coach’s favored sons and the feeling was mutual. It was Vermeil that pumped life into Hall’s career back in 2001 when he took over the team. Hall was pretty much allowed to handle the returns as he wished. That wasn’t the case in ‘06, when he got extra scrutiny every time he ran away from the wedge, or made poor decisions on whether to return the football. Right now, the Chiefs and Hall have to decide if they have a future together. Hall is not an ascending player. If he can adapt to how Herm Edwards and his staff are handling the special teams, there’s a chance he can still be effective. If not, it may be time to part ways. The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of Carl Peterson.
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