KC's defense getting an attitude adjustment

[Hammock Parties]

http://kan.scout.com/2/753207.html

Shortly after the Chiefs selected Dwayne Bowe last year, Herm Edwards addressed the media about his team’s first-round pick.

"He brings energy," the head coach said of his new receiver. "He brings a lot of energy when you watch him play. You need that."

For fans who weren’t familiar with Bowe’s career at LSU, a quote like that probably didn’t offer much insight. Energy? Don’t most players play with energy? After all, it’s not often that you see a receiver stretching and yawning at the line of scrimmage before slowly jogging along his route.

But after a season of watching Bowe on the field, Edwards' words now make plenty of sense. Instead of saying "energy", he could have just as easily said "swagger," or maybe even "attitude." Bowe plays with a noticeable sense of confidence, a trait that’s found in many of the league’s best receivers.

Rather than being a selfish "me-first" type of player, however, Bowe’s attitude seems like the kind of thing that can permeate throughout the team. In crunch time, the confident swagger he plays with could end up giving his teammates a lift.

Last season, even through the dark cloud of misery that hung over Kansas City's offense, we all saw the kind of impact a talented, self-assured player like Bowe can have - and he’s just one person. How would the Chiefs’ offense look with three players like Bowe on the field at any given time?

Well, it may take a while before we get the answer to that specific question. But on the other side of the ball, the answers may be coming much faster.

Somewhat lost in all the excitement surrounding Kansas City’s recent draft was the profile of several players the Chiefs added. Specifically, the first three defensive picks: Glenn Dorsey, Brandon Flowers, and DaJuan Morgan.

A model citizen off the field, Dorsey plays with a certain attitude that the Chiefs have been lacking on defense for years. He’s a leader – some pre-draft reports likened his fiery leadership to that of Ray Lewis – and, like his former LSU teammate Bowe, he has the confidence of a winner.

The Tigers have averaged just over two losses a season in the past four years, and Dorsey himself was the team captain of the defending national champions.

In terms of playing with "energy," Flowers may become the Dwayne Bowe of the defense. Watch any highlight package of the Chiefs’ second-round pick and you’ll come away with an immediate sense of the sort of attitude he can bring. Flowers’ confidence and his hard-hitting style make him exactly the kind of player who can help bring back the swagger to the Chiefs’ defensive unit.

And speaking of swagger, one of the most cited criticisms of third-round pick DaJuan Morgan was that he may have played with too much of it. His frequent celebrations after making big plays brought up questions about his attitude and maturity, though he was still considered one of the top safeties in the 2008 class.

With these three players on the field at once, KC's defense won't lack in leadership, toughness, or attitude. And as Edwards works to bring an identity back to that side of the ball, it’s not a coincidence that he’s begun drafting the types of players who can bring those traits to a team.

The Chiefs used to have a defense that struck fear into opponents, the sort of defense that punched you in the face and then talked trash while you sulked away. With the additions he’s made this year, it’s clear Edwards is working to bring that same attitude back to the Chiefs.

[B_Ambuehl]

Somebody writes this article very year on how incomers are going to save our defense.

In '05 it was Kendrell Bells big hits in pitttsburgh and Sammy Knights leadership ability

In '06 it was Bernard Pollards piledriving hits and Tamba Halis nonstop motor

In '07 it was Tank and Turk

In '08 it's this new group.

In '09 it'll be how the loss of Jared Allen and his energy hurt the defense and how some new suck at defensive end will bring it back.

yawn

[philfree]

Originally Posted by B_Ambuehl

Somebody writes this article very year on how incomers are going to save our defense.

In '05 it was Kendrell Bells big hits in pitttsburgh and Sammy Knights leadership ability

In '06 it was Bernard Pollards piledriving hits and Tamba Halis nonstop motor

In '07 it was Tank and Turk

In '08 it's this new group.

In '09 it'll be how the loss of Jared Allen and his energy hurt the defense and how some new suck at defensive end will bring it back.

yawn

Well if we add up '06, '07, and '08 we might have something.

PhilFree

[Nightfyre]

So you took an idea posted by three or four people before you and turned it into an article without citing them? cool.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

So you took an idea posted by three or four people before you and turned it into an article without citing them? cool.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

So you took an idea posted by three or four people before you and turned it into an article without citing them? cool.

You're accusing me of something which I cannot possibly be guilty of.

[crispystl]

Originally Posted by Micjones

Can we please stop talking about the Chiefs defenses of the 90's?
It's been a long long time since this team played that style of football.
I'm happy to see a more aggressive style come back to Kansas City, but I'd be happier to stop hearing about Neil Smith and James Hasty.

Don't get me wrong. Those were the wonder years.

Not to mention the attitude adjustment. Ive heard for the last five fuggin offseason about the chiefs defense's newfound swagger only to end up watching them get dismantled.

[crispystl]

Originally Posted by crispystl420

Not to mention the attitude adjustment. Ive heard for the last five fuggin offseason about the chiefs defense's newfound swagger only too end up watching them get dismantled.

Didn't mean to steal anyone's thunder. Sorry I missed page three.

[kstater]

hmmmm, a lot of your ideas appear to come from this thread:

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=184464

[Reerun_KC]

GOATSE would never dream of plagerism!

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by kstater

hmmmm, a lot of your ideas appear to come from this thread:

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=184464

You're not very bright. On multiple levels.

1. I didn't write the article.

2. The article was on our website TEN HOURS before that thread's creation

Now, if you want to accuse us of plagiarism via time travel, I suppose I can't argue against that point.

[BigRock]

Originally Posted by kstater

hmmmm, a lot of your ideas appear to come from this thread:

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=184464

That'd be a tough trick to pull off, since the WPI article was up yesterday.

[Mr. Laz]

hope so ..... but let's be honest, we hear this same shit every freakin year.

[Easy 6]

Its true...everytime we get a new guy on D, the hype is that change is a comin'.

But...i actually feel it has some merit this time, all signs point to Dorsey being 100% motor with a mouth to match. "Swaggertude" HAS been missing from this team for far too long, hopefully Dorsey is the perfect cocky/confident tonic...verbally holding guys accountable & leading by example at the same time.

[KcMizzou]

Originally Posted by Laz

hope so ..... but let's be honest, we hear this same shit every freakin year.

That's not unique to the Chiefs... at all.

If your team (in any sport) was mediocre or worse the season before... you're gonna hear these things. Makes it impossible to believe any of it until you see it on the field.

[KCUnited]

A lot of folks swagger, they're usually the most insecure pussies. I'll just take a defense that can tackle, and get off the field on 3rd down.