Chiefs hope making secondary a primary focus will produce results

[BossChief]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=090...s&confirm=true

Conventional wisdom suggests that defenses are built from front to back, but the Kansas Chiefs are attempting to revive their dismal defense by restoring the proud tradition of their secondary.

From the Emmitt Thomas-led units of the late 1960's to the star-studded crews of the 90s that featured Pro Bowlers Albert Lewis, Kevin Ross, Deron Cherry, James Hasty and Dale Carter, the Chiefs have always excelled when their secondary led the way.
Associated Press
The Chiefs' pass defense was subpar last year in just about every category. Take a look at the unit's stats:
Secondary concerns


Total

Rank
Yards

3,707

22
Passer rating

87.1

20
TDs

25

T-20
40-plus yard passes

16

T-29

Last season, however, the Chiefs' secondary greatly contributed to the team's defensive woes. The unit was repeatedly victimized by the big play, and an inability to stop the deep ball resulted in the 22nd-ranked pass defense.

The Chiefs allowed the third-highest total of completions of 40 yards or more (16), and surrendered 25 passing touchdowns, which tied for 20th in the league. With the secondary unable to keep the ball from flying over their heads, the Chiefs finished 29th in scoring defense with a whopping average of 26.5 points per game.

Given the ineptitude of the defense as a whole, coach Todd Haley replaced coordinator Clancy Pendergast with Romeo Crennel during the offseason.

Crennel, who sat out the 2009 season after being fired by the Cleveland Browns following a 24-40 stint as their coach, comes to Kansas City with an excellent reputation as a defensive coordinator after serving as Bill Belichick's right-hand man in New England.

Known for using a clever blend of coverage and pressures, Crennel's system is deeply rooted in a "quarter-quarter-half" cover scheme that has the ability to suffocate offenses if executed properly.

The field is split into quarters with the strong corner (typically the left corner because most offenses tilt right) and the strong safety each responsible for covering a quarter of the field. On the weak-side, the boundary corner and free safety play a half-field coverage to create a double team on the split end (X-receiver). With the corner playing a "cloud" technique (corner is aligned three-to-five yards off the receiver forcing an inside release on all routes to ensure that the safety is able to stay on top of the receiver down the field) to disrupt the release of the receiver, the scheme can make it difficult for the quarterback to find open receivers.

In Kansas City, Crennel has the pieces in the secondary to enjoy tremendous success utilizing a system that puts all of the pressure on the strong corner and strong safety.

Brandon Flowers, the team's starting left corner, is a promising young player with the skills to develop into a star. Though he entered the league regarded as too short (five-foot-nine) and slow to be an elite corner, Flowers has proved his detractors wrong by routinely locking down the opposition's top receiver. He is physical and tenacious, and makes it tough on wideouts to create separation out of their break. With impressive ball skills to boot (his five interceptions led the team last season), Flowers has the ability to handle the one-on-one matchups that fall on the shoulders of the strong corner.

Eric Berry, the fifth overall pick in the 2010 draft, possesses the versatility to become a difference-maker at strong safety. As a big hitter with corner-like cover skills, Berry can function as the eighth-defender in the box on run downs, while also taking on the challenge of covering tight ends or slot receivers in passing situations. In addition, his sneaky rush skills will allow Crennel to use him as blitzer off the edge in select packages.

While some have criticized the Chiefs for using their first-round pick on a defensive back instead of addressing their pass rush, the need for a hybrid player of Berry's pedigree is a requirement for Crennel's scheme, and his presence could lead to a defensive revival.

Though the Chiefs' secondary will ultimately be the key, Crennel must also find a way to get more production from his front seven.

In looking for ways to juice up a pass rush that only generated 22 sacks a season ago, he will have to devise a game plan that creates favorable matchups for Tamba Hali. The fifth-year pro led the team with 8.5 sacks, and has the speed to wreak havoc off the edges. With another year under his belt as an outside linebacker, Hali could post double-digit sack totals for the first time in his career.

Crennel would have an easier time creating favorable situations for Hali and others if the defensive line could do a better job against the run on early downs. Last season, opponents rushed for 4.7 yards a carry, and the duo of Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey failed to create enough negative plays to put opponents in long yardage situations.

Dorsey, who struggled making the transition from 4-3 defensive tackle to 3-4 defensive end, is critical to the success of their run defense with his quickness and athleticism. Though he lacks the ideal length to play the position, the scheme can be tweaked in a way to get him into spots where he can become a force. If he can create any kind of disruption on a consistent basis, the pass rush and secondary will ultimately benefit.

Given the Chiefs' 6-35 record over the past 41 games, the team's decision to overhaul its woeful defense is hardly surprising, but relying on the secondary to spark the turnaround is an ode to defensive tradition in Kansas City.

Haley and Co. are taking a nostalgic view towards rebuilding the Chiefs. Time will soon tell if the reflective approach will yield more wins.

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by RedThat

In other words, you need everything.

I just invented the rule of 2. If you have two very good players with each unit, (offensive backfield, receivers, OL, DL, LB and secondary) and average players elsewhere, you are basically a dynasty. I would be willing to live with average players on the OL before I would any of the other 5 areas.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I'm not sure they'll keep Washington at safety, I think they might just be working him out there to see if they might have something since they just invested a high 2 in Arenas.

I'd like to start collecting DT's, ILB's and pass rushing OLB's, personally.

Without them, the back 7 won't matter much. You can't ask these kids to cover for 7 seconds.

That's what makes Flowers even more impressive to me.

This team has no pass rush, he's forced to cover WAY too long, and ProFootballFocus rated him the 5th best CB in the league last year.

Kid is severely underrated around the NFL. Imagine how good he could be if he had some help up front?

I think the switch will prove to be permanent.

As for Flowers, if this team had a pass rush, he's be up there just in the discussion as the best corner not named Revis, Woodson, or Namde (since I can't spell his last name. Asomuogha?).

[Mr. Laz]

the main thing is to be solid everywhere and then have greatness in certain spots that make everyone else better.

Traditional thinking says "great QB" makes everyone on offense better "great pass rush" makes everyone on defense better.

Traditional but not mandatory ... the jets are almost the exact opposite. They use "great Oline" to make everyone on offense better and "great coverage" to make everyone on defense better.

Some teams try to scheme to hide positions to give more emphasis on their "great" area ala Baltimore pretty much sacrificing offense to help their defense stay great.

I guess the Chiefs are hoping to have a generally solid offense with a great coverage unit to make up for a weak defense.



long shot

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by Laz

the main thing is to be solid everywhere and then have greatness in certain spots that make everyone else better.

Traditional thinking says "great QB" makes everyone on offense better "great pass rush" makes everyone on defense better.

Traditional but not mandatory ... the jets are almost the exact opposite. They use "great Oline" to make everyone on offense better and "great coverage" to make everyone on defense better.

Some teams try to scheme to hide positions to give more emphasis on their "great" area ala Baltimore pretty much sacrificing offense to help their defense stay great.

I guess the Chiefs are hoping to have a generally solid offense with a great coverage unit to make up for a weak defense.



long shot

It's still relatively early in the rebuild. If next year's draft added a big stud pass rusher at OLB and a fatass NT, and get decent development of the young talent we already have, the D could be quite good in '11.

At that point we'd be crappy at QB and have a few holes to fill elsewhere.

[RedThat]

Originally Posted by cdcox

I just invented the rule of 2. If you have two very good players with each unit, (offensive backfield, receivers, OL, DL, LB and secondary) and average players elsewhere, you are basically a dynasty. I would be willing to live with average players on the OL before I would any of the other 5 areas.

I could live with this, but it all depends on which player Im getting at the units you mentioned that could elevate the play of the team and the players around them.

For example, give me Peyton Manning, and I could live with average players on the Oline and a decent RB. Take away Peyton Manning, and its going to be a lot different.

Want to elaborate here, the positions I would choose from each unit you mentioned that would make the most difference in impact on a football team are QB, RB, LT, WR, also give me a passrushing DE, a solid DT, a dominant MLB, and a game changing safety. jmo

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Laz

the main thing is to be solid everywhere and then have greatness in certain spots that make everyone else better.

Traditional thinking says "great QB" makes everyone on offense better "great pass rush" makes everyone on defense better.

Traditional but not mandatory ... the jets are almost the exact opposite. They use "great Oline" to make everyone on offense better and "great coverage" to make everyone on defense better.

Some teams try to scheme to hide positions to give more emphasis on their "great" area ala Baltimore pretty much sacrificing offense to help their defense stay great.

I guess the Chiefs are hoping to have a generally solid offense with a great coverage unit to make up for a weak defense.



long shot

The Ravens haven't sacrificed offense to keep their defense great.

They've used numerous high picks on offensive players, including two first round picks on QB in the last ten years.

They just didn't hit on the first QB, or the other skill positions beyond RB.

[RedThat]

Originally Posted by milkman

I think the switch will prove to be permanent.

As for Flowers, if this team had a pass rush, he's be up there just in the discussion as the best corner not named Revis, Woodson, or Namde (since I can't spell his last name. Asomuogha?).

I bet if he made a few of those easy pick 6's last year people would already be hyping him up as one of the best.

[RedThat]

Originally Posted by Laz

the main thing is to be solid everywhere and then have greatness in certain spots that make everyone else better.

Traditional thinking says "great QB" makes everyone on offense better "great pass rush" makes everyone on defense better.

Traditional but not mandatory ... the jets are almost the exact opposite. They use "great Oline" to make everyone on offense better and "great coverage" to make everyone on defense better.

Some teams try to scheme to hide positions to give more emphasis on their "great" area ala Baltimore pretty much sacrificing offense to help their defense stay great.

I guess the Chiefs are hoping to have a generally solid offense with a great coverage unit to make up for a weak defense.



long shot

From a fans perspective, Im looking at this as improvement more than anything. And Im fine with that. I don't expect them to compete this year. Not without a LB corps and good passrush or a really good front seven I should say.

Still a lot of areas on the team that need to be addressed, and we all know that, and Im sure they know it too. Like Cdcox mentioned it's still early in the rebuild so more time is required to build this team into a contender. The team was a mess from the day Pioli and co. got here. Even if you hire the best exec's in the world, I think this is a 3-4 year rebuild we were looking at here. And thats provided that everything goes well imo.

*Im in the realistic way of thinking category.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by RedThat

From a fans perspective, Im looking at this as improvement more than anything. And Im fine with that. I don't expect them to compete this year. Not without a LB corps and good passrush or a really good front seven I should say.

Still a lot of areas on the team that need to be addressed, and we all know that, and Im sure they know it too. Like Cdcox mentioned it's still early in the rebuild so more time is required to build this team into a contender. The team was a mess from the day Pioli and co. got here. Even if you hire the best exec's in the world, I think this is a 3-4 year rebuild we were looking at here. And thats provided that everything goes well imo.

*Im in the realistic way of thinking category.

The team was not a mess when Pioli and company got here.

The '08 draft still had the potential for providing a great foundation for the future of this team with the right person running things, both in the front office and on the field.

Clark Hunt essentially decided to blow up that foundation when he brought in Pioli.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by cdcox

It's still relatively early in the rebuild. If next year's draft added a big stud pass rusher at OLB and a fatass NT, and get decent development of the young talent we already have, the D could be quite good in '11.

At that point we'd be crappy at QB and have a few holes to fill elsewhere.

He may end up a liability against the run but I bet Hali has a good year as a pass rusher this year.

Hopefully we can stop the run well enough to force some passing downs.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

He may end up a liability against the run but I bet Hali has a good year as a pass rusher this year.

Hopefully we can stop the run well enough to force some passing downs.

In order to do that on a regular basis, you need a strong front 7, especially in the middle.

It's going to be another long season.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by milkman

The team was not a mess when Pioli and company got here.

The '08 draft still had the potential for providing a great foundation for the future of this team with the right person running things, both in the front office and on the field.

Clark Hunt essentially decided to blow up that foundation when he brought in Pioli.

Hmmmm. I can't really agree with this. 2-14 and a record for fewest sacks in a season (by a mile) don't bode well for not a mess.

Most of the "foundation" is still here. Flowers, Carr, Hali, Charles, Albert. It didn't get blown up.

I also have no doubt Herm and Carl wouldn't have been able to turn the corner, ever. Unless you call 10-6 every other year success.

Time will still tell whether current crew can do it. I have a feeling the current FO and coaches have a better shot at it than the last.

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

He may end up a liability against the run but I bet Hali has a good year as a pass rusher this year.

Hopefully we can stop the run well enough to force some passing downs.

I agree that Hali will be a decent pass rusher. But he won't be Jared-Allen or DT good. We could really use someone of that caliber to compliment Hali. At that point, the defense would have the potential to be lights out against the pass.

Superstar Pass rusher
Hali
DJ (his strength is pass defense)
Flowers
Berry

That has real potential.

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Hmmmm. I can't really agree with this. 2-14 and a record for fewest sacks in a season (by a mile) don't bode well for not a mess.

Most of the "foundation" is still here. Flowers, Carr, Hali, Charles, Albert. It didn't get blown up.

I also have no doubt Herm and Carl wouldn't have been able to turn the corner, ever. Unless you call 10-6 every other year success.

Time will still tell whether current crew can do it. I have a feeling the current FO and coaches have a better shot at it than the last.

The point is that several players, most notably Dorsey, could have been stars in a 4-3 but aren't well suited for a 3-4. Plus we wouldn't have been stuck drafting Tyson Jackson had we stayed in the 4-3.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Hmmmm. I can't really agree with this. 2-14 and a record for fewest sacks in a season (by a mile) don't bode well for not a mess.

Most of the "foundation" is still here. Flowers, Carr, Hali, Charles, Albert. It didn't get blown up.

I also have no doubt Herm and Carl wouldn't have been able to turn the corner, ever. Unless you call 10-6 every other year success.

Time will still tell whether current crew can do it. I have a feeling the current FO and coaches have a better shot at it than the last.

Reading comprehension problem?

I said "If the right people" were in charge.

Clearly that means that Carl and Herman ****ing Edwards were not the right people.

This rebuild would be much further along had Clark Hunt hired someone who wasn't determined to blow up the scheme and put someone in charge that could have built with the foundation that was already in place.

Yes, the team sucked.
Yes they only had 10 sacks.

But a good staff could have moved forward with what was in place without transitioning everyone into new positions.

They could have focused on offense in the '09 draft, and worked on defense in this draft.

Instead, we wasted #3 overall a 5 tech because we just had to transition to a 34 immediately.