Chiefs Teicher|Sutton on Chiefs’ defense: ‘You don’t have to junk the system’ - Page 5

**Tribal Warfare** · 01-16-2013, 10:50 PM

Sutton on Chiefs’ defense: ‘You don’t have to junk the system’
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
New defensive coordinator Bob Sutton said the way the Chiefs go about their business next season probably won’t be much different than last year. They’re just hoping to do things better.

“One of the most important things in coaching is really to figure out who you are and not who you want to be,” said Sutton, who will retain the 3-4 defense used in recent seasons by former coordinator Romeo Crennel. “There’s a difference there. We’ve got to talk advantage of the talent in place and try to use that as the starting point of this whole thing. You don’t have to junk the system but you have to tilt it or slant it or move it in the direction of your strengths. That’s really what we’re doing right now.

“We’re not going to be tied to anything but the way I envision it speaking to Coach Reid when I came in here … it’s got to be tailored a little bit to the personnel here.”

Meanwhile, the Chiefs filled the last remaining hole in their coaching staff Tuesday by hiring Andy Heck as their offensive line coach. Heck, 46, spent the last nine seasons coaching the offensive line for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

A former first-round draft pick from Notre Dame, Heck played 12 seasons in the NFL as an offensive lineman for Seattle, Chicago and Washington.

Heck replaces Jack Bicknell Jr., who spent one season as the Chiefs offensive line coach. The Chiefs spoke with at least two other candidates, veteran offensive line coaches George Warhop and Tony Sparano.

The Chiefs also hired Kevin O’Dea as assistant special teams coach. O’Dea, who worked under Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub with the Bears last season, has also been a special teams coach for the Jets and Cardinals.

The Chiefs may make an additional coaching hire in former Vikings head coach Brad Childress, who would be a senior offensive assistant.

One of Sutton’s first jobs after being hired last week was to sort through the defensive talent. Linebackers Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali and safety Eric Berry are Pro Bowlers and linebacker Justin Houston and cornerback Brandon Flowers are first alternates, meaning they could be going to Hawaii as well.

“We’ve got some good football players here,” Sutton said. “It’s a good group, played hard, played physical. Those two attributes are ones that everybody in our league wants to have when you’re coaching on defense.

“We’ve got some pieces in place and really, no different than any of the other 31 teams, we probably have some areas where we probably need to improve on.”

Sutton inherits a defense with three Pro Bowlers in outside linebacker Tamba Hali and inside linebacker Derrick Johnson and safety Eric Berry.

“We’ve got some good football players here and guys who played well … played hard … were physical, those two attributes are ones everyone in our league wants to have on defense,” Sutton said. “If you’re physical, tough-minded, serve you well for a long time. Those parts are here. That’s encouraging and exciting.”

Sutton said he was familiar with the Chiefs’ defense under former coach Romeo Crennel from working with Jets head coach Rex Ryan.

“It’s a great system of defense, the true 3-4. When Rex came into the Jets, it had many similarities to this, but has a little more multiple and more schematically how we lined up,” Sutton said. “A lot of the principles stayed the same in how our up-front players attacked blockers. …

“A lot of the players have the characteristics we’re looking for.”

Two of those are pass rushers like Justin Houston, who finished with 10 sacks, and Hali, who finished with nine.

“They’re exciting guys coming off the edge,” Sutton said. “One of the things I learned from Rex is it’s great to have sacks, but the key thing is to hit the quarterback. You’re trying to affect the quarterback and not let him feel comfortable. The bottom line is we don’t want that guy standing back there and feeling comfortable.

“You need guys whether it’s coming through pressure or unconventional means to get there, you still need people to defeat a blocker and get to that quarterback. We’ve got two guys who have proven they are capable of doing that.”

The Star’s Randy Covitz contributed to this report

RustShack · 01-17-2013, 10:02 PM

My mind is blown why people point out his tenure as the Jets DC. Mangini came from a team where he ran that defense, Sutton had never been in that defense. Who's defense was it then? Yeah it was the guy who's never been in it before. Idiots.

**Anyong Bluth** · 01-17-2013, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz_TinBalls

Well, you've got to have smart physical inside LB's to make the 1 gap style work or you will give up big plays up the middle.

I defer to Ray Lewis' statements on Rex's 34 defense -- something to the effect of constantly getting mauled by linemen.

If your DL take the right gap to the ball, you did good. If they take the wrong gap, your backers had better man up.

Not that I'm disagreeing with your statement, but really I've always hated the 2-gap and it seems silly to me to not have your dline guys penetrating bc they still have to be accounted for and yes you and get gashed like on traps, etc., but your Mikes should be able to fill gaps and take on the guys at the point of attack. Esp. for this team and having Berry's talent and run support available. I just feel its absurd to simply clog the lanes - esp in this day and age when the rules and offensive schemes heavily favor passing. Better to send them in and collapse the pocket, disrupt the qb's field of vision/knock down balls, and either sack the guy or put him on his ass and on high-alert and paranoid of hearing footsteps to rattle his timing.

As for Ray Ray's comment I'll defer to when he played against the Chiefs during DV's stint on a nationally televised game and was miced up. He whined and bitched like a little girl BC he was getting steamrolled, including being BLOWN UP in a goal line stand as the Chiefs trotted into the end zone right over him because our oline & trich tossed him back and on his ass like a ragdoll. So, take his complaint about not having his constant fresh crop of all pro dlinemen in front to wingman and free him up with a grain of salt and in context.

Ace Gunner · 01-17-2013, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

yep, I wondered if anyone would catch that.

Funny, I caught a millisecond of Kietzman on the radio tonight saying he is getting Herm to really open up on a lot of NFL coaching/jobs type stuff now because he says Herm came to the realization after this past month of HC openings that nobody wants Herm to HC for them, so he's kind of leting the good stuff out the bag.

Kietzman said Herm felt if they would have been able to draft Matt Ryan instead of Dorsey, they'd have won big time with him and he might still be the HC. I thought about that for a minute and just shook my head. I'm no Herm basher, but I do believe in fate -- somehow, I just feel like everything has run it's course here for the Chiefs. And Herm.

Kietzman said Herm has begun to embrace sports broadcasting as a result of being passed over this last time, so we may get some juicy bits from the Herminator in the future. I'd love to have been a fly on the wall during that last season or two he was coach. The shit was getting pretty deep at 1 arrowhead

Hammock Parties · 01-17-2013, 10:23 PM

Haha, Herm tried to get back in the NFL?

That's precious.

Hammock Parties · 01-17-2013, 10:27 PM

Matt Ryan would have been ****ing crushed behind our OL in 2008.

Nothing was ever going to work with Herm. Amazing that he still doesn't get that.

The guy is completely out of his element in the pass happy modern NFL.

Ace Gunner · 01-17-2013, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

Not that I'm disagreeing with your statement, but really I've always hated the 2-gap and it seems silly to me to not have your dline guys penetrating bc they still have to be accounted for and yes you and get gashed like on traps, etc., but your Mikes should be able to fill gaps and take on the guys at the point of attack. Esp. for this team and having Berry's talent and run support available. I just feel its absurd to simply clog the lanes - esp in this day and age when the rules and offensive schemes heavily favor passing. Better to send them in and collapse the pocket, disrupt the qb's field of vision/knock down balls, and either sack the guy or put him on his ass and on high-alert and paranoid of hearing footsteps to rattle his timing.

As for Ray Ray's comment I'll defer to when he played against the Chiefs during DV's stint on a nationally televised game and was miced up. He whined and bitched like a little girl BC he was getting steamrolled, including being BLOWN UP in a goal line stand as the Chiefs trotted into the end zone right over him because our oline & trich tossed him back and on his ass like a ragdoll. So, take his complaint about not having his constant fresh crop of all pro dlinemen in front to wingman and free him up with a grain of salt and in context.

ya well, it is what it is and that OL?? one of the best. ever. DJ is in for some real tests of will next season.

Ace Gunner · 01-17-2013, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoWalrus

Matt Ryan would have been ****ing crushed behind our OL in 2008.

Nothing was ever going to work with Herm. Amazing that he still doesn't get that.

The guy is completely out of his element in the pass happy modern NFL.

ya, they went through 8 QB's those final two seasons with Herm. Matt Ryan would be the latest version of David Carr by now.

Mother****erJones · 01-17-2013, 10:37 PM

I like this hire. Im glad Reid went outside the box. Sutton has experience and knows he has to be aggressive. I cant wait to see some exotic looks and blitzes. The thing I heard on 610 today about Reid I liked, was that he is an innovator. Likes new ideas and schemes. Not the same old bland defense

Mother****erJones · 01-17-2013, 10:38 PM

Just because Matt Ryan is good in ATL doesnt mean he'd be good here. Pioli wouldve cut him. We havent had a great offensive mind and QB coach since the Vermeil days

ArrowheadMagic · 01-17-2013, 10:59 PM

At least this time he has actual 34 personnel to run his defense. Find out what he can do.

RustShack · 01-17-2013, 11:37 PM

I've loving the Reid hire. He isn't married to schemes like most other coaches. Well he is on offense, but that doesn't really matter as we had no offense.

It is interesting that we went from the Air Croyel to the Earnhardt-Perkins, and now the West Coast... as the EP is a mix between the Croyel and West Coast. Doesn't really matter what we run though, all that matters is getting a QB and the offense will see success.

**Anyong Bluth** · 01-17-2013, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz_TinBalls

ya well, it is what it is and that OL?? one of the best. ever. DJ is in for some real tests of will next season.

True, true! That is in my somewhat limited football history knowledge the greatest offensive line I can rack my brain to come up with. (basically familiar with general knowledge of 70's going back and know way more from the 80's going forward) IDK, maybe some of the Redskin's lines from yesteryear or the Cowboys in the 90's...?

So, if there is a better one it would have had to been in the 70's or older- which then comes the debate of the size & skill of today's athletes compared to older eras, which especially in the prototypical NFL between decades has seen a DRASTIC evolution as to their size, speed, & agility.

That line is the model specimen of domination for an NFL line, IMO!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6oR...e_gdata_player

**Anyong Bluth** · 01-17-2013, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtchiefs4life

Just because Matt Ryan is good in ATL doesnt mean he'd be good here. Pioli wouldve cut him. We havent had a great offensive mind and QB coach since the Vermeil days

That McCarthy guy wasn't too bad of a QB's coach either... whatever happened to that guy????

Mother****erJones · 01-18-2013, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

That McCarthy guy wasn't too bad of a QB's coach either... whatever happened to that guy????

He was here in the 90s not after vermeil

01-16-2013, 10:50 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $742813	Teicher\|Sutton on Chiefs’ defense: ‘You don’t have to junk the system’ Sutton on Chiefs’ defense: ‘You don’t have to junk the system’ By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star New defensive coordinator Bob Sutton said the way the Chiefs go about their business next season probably won’t be much different than last year. They’re just hoping to do things better. “One of the most important things in coaching is really to figure out who you are and not who you want to be,” said Sutton, who will retain the 3-4 defense used in recent seasons by former coordinator Romeo Crennel. “There’s a difference there. We’ve got to talk advantage of the talent in place and try to use that as the starting point of this whole thing. You don’t have to junk the system but you have to tilt it or slant it or move it in the direction of your strengths. That’s really what we’re doing right now. “We’re not going to be tied to anything but the way I envision it speaking to Coach Reid when I came in here … it’s got to be tailored a little bit to the personnel here.” Meanwhile, the Chiefs filled the last remaining hole in their coaching staff Tuesday by hiring Andy Heck as their offensive line coach. Heck, 46, spent the last nine seasons coaching the offensive line for the Jacksonville Jaguars. A former first-round draft pick from Notre Dame, Heck played 12 seasons in the NFL as an offensive lineman for Seattle, Chicago and Washington. Heck replaces Jack Bicknell Jr., who spent one season as the Chiefs offensive line coach. The Chiefs spoke with at least two other candidates, veteran offensive line coaches George Warhop and Tony Sparano. The Chiefs also hired Kevin O’Dea as assistant special teams coach. O’Dea, who worked under Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub with the Bears last season, has also been a special teams coach for the Jets and Cardinals. The Chiefs may make an additional coaching hire in former Vikings head coach Brad Childress, who would be a senior offensive assistant. One of Sutton’s first jobs after being hired last week was to sort through the defensive talent. Linebackers Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali and safety Eric Berry are Pro Bowlers and linebacker Justin Houston and cornerback Brandon Flowers are first alternates, meaning they could be going to Hawaii as well. “We’ve got some good football players here,” Sutton said. “It’s a good group, played hard, played physical. Those two attributes are ones that everybody in our league wants to have when you’re coaching on defense. “We’ve got some pieces in place and really, no different than any of the other 31 teams, we probably have some areas where we probably need to improve on.” Sutton inherits a defense with three Pro Bowlers in outside linebacker Tamba Hali and inside linebacker Derrick Johnson and safety Eric Berry. “We’ve got some good football players here and guys who played well … played hard … were physical, those two attributes are ones everyone in our league wants to have on defense,” Sutton said. “If you’re physical, tough-minded, serve you well for a long time. Those parts are here. That’s encouraging and exciting.” Sutton said he was familiar with the Chiefs’ defense under former coach Romeo Crennel from working with Jets head coach Rex Ryan. “It’s a great system of defense, the true 3-4. When Rex came into the Jets, it had many similarities to this, but has a little more multiple and more schematically how we lined up,” Sutton said. “A lot of the principles stayed the same in how our up-front players attacked blockers. … “A lot of the players have the characteristics we’re looking for.” Two of those are pass rushers like Justin Houston, who finished with 10 sacks, and Hali, who finished with nine. “They’re exciting guys coming off the edge,” Sutton said. “One of the things I learned from Rex is it’s great to have sacks, but the key thing is to hit the quarterback. You’re trying to affect the quarterback and not let him feel comfortable. The bottom line is we don’t want that guy standing back there and feeling comfortable. “You need guys whether it’s coming through pressure or unconventional means to get there, you still need people to defeat a blocker and get to that quarterback. We’ve got two guys who have proven they are capable of doing that.” The Star’s Randy Covitz contributed to this report
Posts: 42,138

01-17-2013, 10:02 PM	#61
RustShack **** That Noise Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Jack Trice Casino cash: $4606954	My mind is blown why people point out his tenure as the Jets DC. Mangini came from a team where he ran that defense, Sutton had never been in that defense. Who's defense was it then? Yeah it was the guy who's never been in it before. Idiots. __________________
Posts: 15,049

01-17-2013, 10:23 PM	#64
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4540478	Haha, Herm tried to get back in the NFL? That's precious. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 278,409

01-17-2013, 10:27 PM	#65
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4540478	Matt Ryan would have been ***ing crushed behind our OL in 2008. Nothing was ever* going to work with Herm. Amazing that he still doesn't get that. The guy is completely out of his element in the pass happy modern NFL. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 278,409

01-17-2013, 10:59 PM	#70
ArrowheadMagic Veteran Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OPKS Casino cash: $8173465	At least this time he has actual 34 personnel to run his defense. Find out what he can do.
Posts: 3,851

01-17-2013, 11:37 PM	#71
RustShack **** That Noise Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Jack Trice Casino cash: $4606954	I've loving the Reid hire. He isn't married to schemes like most other coaches. Well he is on offense, but that doesn't really matter as we had no offense. It is interesting that we went from the Air Croyel to the Earnhardt-Perkins, and now the West Coast... as the EP is a mix between the Croyel and West Coast. Doesn't really matter what we run though, all that matters is getting a QB and the offense will see success. __________________
Posts: 15,049