Teicher: Chiefs thrive against immobile QB's - Page 2

tk13 · 12-08-2005, 02:14 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/13354107.htm

In their POCKET
Chiefs thrive vs. immobile quarterbacks

By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

There’s another sitting duck playing quarterback against the Chiefs this week, which means it could be another big game for the Kansas City defense.

The Chiefs have generally fared well against pocket passers who are one-dimensional. They had plenty of success in recent games against players such as Miami’s Gus Frerotte, Oakland’s Kerry Collins, Houston’s David Carr and New England’s Tom Brady.

Scramblers such as Philadelphia’s Donovan McNabb, Denver’s Jake Plummer and Washington’s Mark Brunell have given the Chiefs fits.

The Chiefs will see Dallas’ Drew Bledsoe in Sunday’s game at Texas Stadium, and there is no quarterback who is more of a classic pocket passer. Bledsoe still has a big arm and, when given time, can still pick apart a defense.

But he makes few plays after the pocket breaks down, something the Chiefs intend to make happen early and often Sunday.

“This is a good chance for our defensive line to go out and add up on the sack category and get some good hits on the guy,” Chiefs cornerback Eric Warfield said. “It’s all a matter of how well their offensive line protects.”

That’s what it usually comes down to for Bledsoe. He’s been sacked 431 bone-rattling times in his 13 seasons.

It’s all because he has trouble avoiding the rush. Bledsoe is so immobile he makes the Chiefs’ Trent Green, another speed-challenged quarterback, look nimble by comparison.

The Chiefs made Bledsoe’s life miserable the last two times they saw him. Bledsoe, playing for Buffalo at the time, was sacked five times and had four passes intercepted in two Bills’ defeats.

Defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham generally prefers to blitz more against quarterbacks who can’t beat the rush with their feet, so Cowboys coach Bill Parcells knows what’s coming Sunday.

“We always expect with Drew being at quarterback that people will try to get at us some,” Parcells said.

The Chiefs wouldn’t be the first team to try to rough him up.

“Some of the teams we’ve played — the Broncos, the Eagles, (Washington) — have come and really tried to blitz us a ton,” Bledsoe said. “Because of that, we’ve gone to some quick passes and rollouts to take the pressure off our protection a little bit. Some of that stuff can help if you’re having some issues protection-wise. It gets you away from the pressure a little bit.

“It’s helped us some. It’s given us some plays through the course of the year. Sometimes that’s what you have to do if teams are going to come after you. The Chiefs are blitzing some, particularly on first and second down. They’re getting after teams a little bit. We’ll have to respond to that appropriately.”

After spending a 6-10 season suffering with the aging Vinny Testaverde and rookie Drew Henson, the Cowboys were looking for some stability at quarterback. Few are more stable than Bledsoe, who has been everything the Cowboys expected.

He can be difficult to protect because of his mobility issues, but Bledsoe is still more than capable when given time. He helped the Cowboys win an early-season shootout against the 49ers by throwing for 363 yards and two touchdowns.

“He’s still making some plays with his arm,” Warfield said. “One thing about him is that the guy is going to sit back in the pocket. He’s not going to try to scramble. He’s going to pretty much try to beat you with his arm and let the running game take over.”

The Cowboys have had their share of offensive-line problems this season. Left tackle Flozell Adams is out for the season because of an injury and right tackle Rob Petitti is a rookie.

They’ve tried to adjust by sending Bledsoe on some unsightly rollouts and making other adjustments that might help him get rid of the ball quicker.

“They’re doing what they can to keep him healthy and keep him protected and get the ball down the field at the same time,” Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil said.

The Chiefs sound as if they would rather see Bledsoe on the move.

“Drew doesn’t have the feet,” Warfield said. “He’s not a big concern when he’s rolling out of the pocket. He’s taken a lot of hits during his career. That’s what he’s known for. He’s going to take some sacks, and yet he’s a playmaker. He makes big plays with his arm.”

The Chiefs set the tone in recent wins against the Patriots and Broncos with big early hits that appeared to rattle quarterbacks. Defensive end Jared Allen hit Brady hard on one of New England’s first plays and Brady sailed his passes the rest of the game.

Linebacker Derrick Johnson leveled Plummer last week and the Broncos quarterback was never the same.

Bledsoe is known for being a tough guy. He has to be if he’s gone down and picked himself up more than 400 times.

So he’s used to being a target — and expects to be one no more for the Chiefs than he is every other week.

“(The Chiefs) were still coming after Jake a little bit this last week,” Bledsoe said. “They were still blitzing some in that game. I don’t know that it necessarily changes a whole ton based on the quarterback they’re playing. It’s just the defense they choose to play.”

Thig Lyfe · 12-08-2005, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

I wouldn't mind gettin Carr as our QBOTF!

He would be a top QB behind our current line.

Chief Henry · 12-08-2005, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

I wouldn't mind gettin Carr as our QBOTF!

**Rain Man** · 12-08-2005, 04:53 PM

I'm actually salivating at the thought of Bledsoe lined up behind two subpar offensive tackles.

It should be noted that if Flozell Adams went down in Week 6, the Cowboys have gone 3-3 since that time. Their wins have come over Arizona, Detroit, and a narrow win over a rapidly melting Philadelphia. They lost to Denver, the Giants, and Seattle. I think I see a pattern there.

KCChiefsMan · 12-08-2005, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

I wouldn't mind gettin Carr as our QBOTF!

we're never going to have a QBOTF

12-08-2005, 02:14 AM
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $2002500	Teicher: Chiefs thrive against immobile QB's http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/13354107.htm In their POCKET Chiefs thrive vs. immobile quarterbacks By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star There’s another sitting duck playing quarterback against the Chiefs this week, which means it could be another big game for the Kansas City defense. The Chiefs have generally fared well against pocket passers who are one-dimensional. They had plenty of success in recent games against players such as Miami’s Gus Frerotte, Oakland’s Kerry Collins, Houston’s David Carr and New England’s Tom Brady. Scramblers such as Philadelphia’s Donovan McNabb, Denver’s Jake Plummer and Washington’s Mark Brunell have given the Chiefs fits. The Chiefs will see Dallas’ Drew Bledsoe in Sunday’s game at Texas Stadium, and there is no quarterback who is more of a classic pocket passer. Bledsoe still has a big arm and, when given time, can still pick apart a defense. But he makes few plays after the pocket breaks down, something the Chiefs intend to make happen early and often Sunday. “This is a good chance for our defensive line to go out and add up on the sack category and get some good hits on the guy,” Chiefs cornerback Eric Warfield said. “It’s all a matter of how well their offensive line protects.” That’s what it usually comes down to for Bledsoe. He’s been sacked 431 bone-rattling times in his 13 seasons. It’s all because he has trouble avoiding the rush. Bledsoe is so immobile he makes the Chiefs’ Trent Green, another speed-challenged quarterback, look nimble by comparison. The Chiefs made Bledsoe’s life miserable the last two times they saw him. Bledsoe, playing for Buffalo at the time, was sacked five times and had four passes intercepted in two Bills’ defeats. Defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham generally prefers to blitz more against quarterbacks who can’t beat the rush with their feet, so Cowboys coach Bill Parcells knows what’s coming Sunday. “We always expect with Drew being at quarterback that people will try to get at us some,” Parcells said. The Chiefs wouldn’t be the first team to try to rough him up. “Some of the teams we’ve played — the Broncos, the Eagles, (Washington) — have come and really tried to blitz us a ton,” Bledsoe said. “Because of that, we’ve gone to some quick passes and rollouts to take the pressure off our protection a little bit. Some of that stuff can help if you’re having some issues protection-wise. It gets you away from the pressure a little bit. “It’s helped us some. It’s given us some plays through the course of the year. Sometimes that’s what you have to do if teams are going to come after you. The Chiefs are blitzing some, particularly on first and second down. They’re getting after teams a little bit. We’ll have to respond to that appropriately.” After spending a 6-10 season suffering with the aging Vinny Testaverde and rookie Drew Henson, the Cowboys were looking for some stability at quarterback. Few are more stable than Bledsoe, who has been everything the Cowboys expected. He can be difficult to protect because of his mobility issues, but Bledsoe is still more than capable when given time. He helped the Cowboys win an early-season shootout against the 49ers by throwing for 363 yards and two touchdowns. “He’s still making some plays with his arm,” Warfield said. “One thing about him is that the guy is going to sit back in the pocket. He’s not going to try to scramble. He’s going to pretty much try to beat you with his arm and let the running game take over.” The Cowboys have had their share of offensive-line problems this season. Left tackle Flozell Adams is out for the season because of an injury and right tackle Rob Petitti is a rookie. They’ve tried to adjust by sending Bledsoe on some unsightly rollouts and making other adjustments that might help him get rid of the ball quicker. “They’re doing what they can to keep him healthy and keep him protected and get the ball down the field at the same time,” Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil said. The Chiefs sound as if they would rather see Bledsoe on the move. “Drew doesn’t have the feet,” Warfield said. “He’s not a big concern when he’s rolling out of the pocket. He’s taken a lot of hits during his career. That’s what he’s known for. He’s going to take some sacks, and yet he’s a playmaker. He makes big plays with his arm.” The Chiefs set the tone in recent wins against the Patriots and Broncos with big early hits that appeared to rattle quarterbacks. Defensive end Jared Allen hit Brady hard on one of New England’s first plays and Brady sailed his passes the rest of the game. Linebacker Derrick Johnson leveled Plummer last week and the Broncos quarterback was never the same. Bledsoe is known for being a tough guy. He has to be if he’s gone down and picked himself up more than 400 times. So he’s used to being a target — and expects to be one no more for the Chiefs than he is every other week. “(The Chiefs) were still coming after Jake a little bit this last week,” Bledsoe said. “They were still blitzing some in that game. I don’t know that it necessarily changes a whole ton based on the quarterback they’re playing. It’s just the defense they choose to play.”
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12-08-2005, 04:53 PM	#18
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3338491 VARSITY	I'm actually salivating at the thought of Bledsoe lined up behind two subpar offensive tackles. It should be noted that if Flozell Adams went down in Week 6, the Cowboys have gone 3-3 since that time. Their wins have come over Arizona, Detroit, and a narrow win over a rapidly melting Philadelphia. They lost to Denver, the Giants, and Seattle. I think I see a pattern there. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,338