Chiefs Teicher: Johnson, Toribio and Lewis sit out Chiefs practice with injuries - Page 38

**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.”

O.city · 09-06-2012, 02:16 PM

Josh Looney ‏@JoshLooney
DJ: "I think I’ll get more confidence as the game comes Sun. My mindset is not to sit out this game. I’ve got to play this game.” #Chiefs

Was this from DJ's interview on 610?

Hammock Parties · 09-06-2012, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

DJ: "I think I’ll get more confidence as the game comes Sun. My mindset is not to sit out this game. I’ve got to play this game.” #Chiefs

And this is the smoking gun.

This is what the Patriot Way approach to injuries does to players.

Can you walk? Get your ass out there.

And if you reinjure it, too ****ing bad.

Chiefnj2 · 09-06-2012, 02:35 PM

Brown is in his second year, has never started a game, and a majority of the board is already writing him off as a bust.

The Hunt family knows their demographics. The fans will never be patient enough to try to develop a rookie QB.

O.city · 09-06-2012, 02:36 PM

I guess Club Romeo TC wasn't quite tough enough. We got guys all nicked up everywhere.

**RealSNR** · 09-06-2012, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Brown is in his second year, has never started a game, and mcaj is already writing him off as a bust.

The Hunt family knows their demographics. The fans will never be patient enough to try to develop a rookie QB.

FYP.

Most people recognize that Brown isn't very good at this point in his career, but very few people are upset by it. Mcaj blasts Jalil Brown every single chance he gets. I don't know what his obsession with the dude is

Hammock Parties · 09-06-2012, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Brown is in his second year, has never started a game, and a majority of the board is already writing him off as a bust.

The Hunt family knows their demographics. The fans will never be patient enough to try to develop a rookie QB.

This fanbase has been stupid patient with Cassel.

Go read ArrowheadPride for a good cross section.

A rookie QB will only make them MORE patient because there are MORE excuses to be made.

Hammock Parties · 09-06-2012, 03:09 PM

Poe is starting according to Fescoe.

**The Franchise** · 09-06-2012, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

Poe is starting according to Fescoe.

Trial by fire.

Buckweath · 09-06-2012, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

Poe is starting according to Fescoe.

Great!! I do not fear the Falcons running game and Poe is probably the best interior rusher we have.

O.city · 09-06-2012, 08:44 PM

Do we know if Toribio is gonna try and play? Or Lewis?

mcaj22 · 09-06-2012, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckweath

Great!! I do not fear the Falcons running game and Poe is probably the best interior rusher we have.

this is a joke, right

Hammock Parties · 09-07-2012, 12:04 AM

Jalil Brown is questionable with a groin injury.

http://www.nfl.com/injuries

Who goes if Flowers and Brown can't?

**RealSNR** · 09-07-2012, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

Jalil Brown is questionable with a groin injury.

http://www.nfl.com/injuries

Who goes if Flowers and Brown can't?

Romeo really should just stop pretending that Daniels is a safety. He's needed NOW at CB, and there his ass will be on the bench behind Elam and Berry while Brown and Arenas get repeatedly fist****ed.

**RealSNR** · 09-07-2012, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckweath

Great!! I do not fear the Falcons running game and Poe is probably the best interior rusher we have.

Actually, Bailey is our best interior rusher. Incidentally, he's also injured and likely out against the Falcons.

**BossChief** · 09-07-2012, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Do we know if Toribio is gonna try and play? Or Lewis?

I hope they sit Toribio and Powe gets a lot of time.

09-03-2012, 07:50 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2837187	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: 43,435

09-06-2012, 02:16 PM	#556
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $-585936	Josh Looney ‏@JoshLooney DJ: "I think I’ll get more confidence as the game comes Sun. My mindset is not to sit out this game. I’ve got to play this game.” #Chiefs Was this from DJ's interview on 610?
Posts: 84,162

09-06-2012, 02:35 PM	#558
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $6674388	Brown is in his second year, has never started a game, and a majority of the board is already writing him off as a bust. The Hunt family knows their demographics. The fans will never be patient enough to try to develop a rookie QB.
Posts: 22,540

09-06-2012, 02:36 PM	#559
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $-585936	I guess Club Romeo TC wasn't quite tough enough. We got guys all nicked up everywhere.
Posts: 84,162

09-06-2012, 03:09 PM	#562
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $960478	Poe is starting according to Fescoe. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 296,875

09-06-2012, 08:44 PM	#565
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $-585936	Do we know if Toribio is gonna try and play? Or Lewis?
Posts: 84,162

09-07-2012, 12:04 AM	#567
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $960478	Jalil Brown is questionable with a groin injury. http://www.nfl.com/injuries Who goes if Flowers and Brown can't? __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 296,875