Chiefs Teicher:Cunningham has been unable to help Chiefs’ defense get better - Page 5

**Tribal Warfare** · 11-25-2008, 12:28 AM

Cunningham has been unable to help Chiefs’ defense get better
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

As is the norm for this time of the football season, Gunther Cunningham had day-old stubble on his face, wore heavy bags under his eyes and generally looked Monday like someone who hadn’t slept in days.

Told this, the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator managed a weak smile.

“I haven’t slept for six weeks, I don’t think,” he said.

It’s that kind of season for the beleaguered Cunningham, and it got worse Sunday when he presided over a defense that allowed a team-record 54 points in the loss to Buffalo.

Cunningham has spent a coaching career trying to cram more than 24 hours of work into every day, and given the Chiefs’ considerable defensive weaknesses, that hasn’t changed.

He said he’s given up watching “SportsCenter” and reading the Internet and the local media and is putting that time into finding solutions for the 1-10 Chiefs and their forlorn defense.

It’s doing precious little good. The Chiefs are last in the NFL in yards allowed and 30th in points allowed, propped up by only the equally pitiful Rams and Lions.

Cunningham isn’t generating the answers he once did. Over the years, some of Cunningham’s defenses have been dominant and others not so good, but he’s always had something that worked in his bag of tricks.

Not this season. The Chiefs are soft against the run and, lacking a strong rush, weak against the pass.

The hideous statistics attached to his name might suggest otherwise, but Cunningham said he believes this is one of his better coaching jobs.

“I’m probably coaching better this year than I have in a long time,” he said. “The Chargers game was one of the highlights of my coaching career even though we lost. We had so many injuries. To do the things we had to do to get through that game and fight them until the end and have a chance to win, that was pretty good.

“If I’ve improved in one area, it’s how to nurture young players and how to teach them in the classroom and on the grass. I’ve had to do things I’ve never had to do before because there are so many young people around me. I can’t even begin to tell you how much more of a teacher you have to be than when you have veteran players.”

Coach Herm Edwards agreed with Cunningham’s assessment, saying the entire defensive staff, the coordinator included, would be invited to return next season.

“We’re building something here and those guys are part of it,” Edwards said.

It’s also been one of Cunningham’s most challenging seasons. The Chiefs are using numerous young players. Injuries have not only knocked several starters from their lineup but forced the Chiefs to use players who only recently signed on.

Cunningham has mostly worked with veteran defenders in his time with the Chiefs, so he’s had to adjust. The Chiefs start three rookies. Only four of their starters are beyond their third NFL season.

Edwards said Cunningham isn’t out of his element working with so many young players.

“He’s doing something he hasn’t done in a long time, but he can do this and he’s enjoying it,” Edwards said.

The sparkle comes back to Cunningham’s face when he speaks of the many young players. Glenn Dorsey, Brandon Flowers, Brandon Carr, Bernard Pollard, Jarrad Page, Tank Tyler. Cunningham pushed the Chiefs to draft all of them.

He’s been guilty of leading the Chiefs astray before on veteran players like Kendrell Bell and Napoleon Harris but insisted this would be different.

“I know I’m right with these guys,” Cunningham said.

“I’ve got more experience than anybody in this city doing this. Nobody else has coached for as long as I have, 39 total and 28 in this league. I know what I see. If this all works like I think it’s going to work, I’m not worried. I’m going to someday be able to relax and put my feet up in hopefully 10 or 20 years and say, ‘I was right. They were the right guys for the Chiefs.’ ”

Cunningham hasn’t found a way to make it work yet. He had to simplify and reduce the schemes because of all the young and new players. But he also may have been guilty of expecting too much of certain players.

After trading Jared Allen, the Chiefs were hopeful Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson could be their prime pass rushers, but neither one has delivered.

The Chiefs have a league-low six sacks.

“What happens in coaching is that you never go into a year not thinking the most positive things that you can as a coach,” Cunningham said. “My idea of overcoming the Jared Allen deal was to put pressure on with blitzes. I thought I had the elements there.

“The problem I’m having is that Demorrio Williams got hurt and Pat Thomas got hurt. I was going to put the edge on the pass rush by using them, but I turn around and they’re not there. Demorrio Williams went downhill when he broke his hand. He’s finally coming back now. I like Pat Thomas as a blitzer but he’s been out. Now I’m using Rocky Boiman and Maurice Leggett. That’s not real good right now.

“If there was one failure, it was not having enough of that kind of guy with the right firepower.”

CoMoChief · 11-25-2008, 01:46 PM

Gunther RULES!!!!!

The defense needs to believe in the spirit of the yellow tinted glasses.

RustShack · 11-25-2008, 01:46 PM

Herm needs to let Gun go, I'm not saying Gun it good, but hes not calling plays like he normally would. Gun loves to Blitz and I haven't seen shit.

Spicy McHaggis · 11-25-2008, 02:12 PM

Gunther gave up reading the internet?

How will he know when he gets shitcanned then?

chiefsngop · 11-25-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spicy McHaggis

Gunther gave up reading the internet?

How will he know when he gets shitcanned then?

Did Gunther really just pat himself on the back while overseeing a bottom 3 in the league _efense ?

My heat level toward C. Hunt is really starting to rise.

If these fuckin coaches can't take any accountability at all, and can actually pat themselves on the back after winning 1 out of 20 games.

Then Mr. Hunt has to put the accountability on them, for them. If they don't get the message that this state of affairs is unacceptable then Hunt has to provide that message.

Obviously CP, HE, & GC just don't understand that 1 out of 20 just isn't acceptable.

chiefzilla1501 · 11-25-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustShack

Herm needs to let Gun go, I'm not saying Gun it good, but hes not calling plays like he normally would. Gun loves to Blitz and I haven't seen shit.

I've seen him do the jailbreak blitz many times and it almost always seems to lead to a big play. Playcalling is one thing. What frustrates me to no end is how awful these players are at simple fundamentals. Good defensive coaches don't let their players play that sloppy.

**BigMeatballDave** · 11-25-2008, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCJohnny

Interesting. The two coordinators, each a former HC, and Herm, the HC who has never been a coordinator will return for year two of the total rebuild. Ya never know. This might be the right answer.

Me? I'm going to sit back and enjoy it while most of ChiefsPlanet recycles the Fire _____________ Now! threads...

Go Chiefs!

You are truely reeruned...

chiefzilla1501 · 11-25-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by googlegoogle

Keep blaming coaches for the poor players on this team.

DJ= high first rounder. Fails.
Tamba = first rounder. Fails.

Turk=Fails.

Herm is making mistakes in drafting. Kuharik too.

Really? Because I saw a coach on the other side of the ball take a D-IIA 6th round pick QB and a busted offensive line develop an offense that fits the strengths of his players.

You know you're not a good coach when you demand superstar players to make your defense work instead of developing a defense that will get the best out of their players. Gun has proven time and time and time again that he not only has a poor eye for talent, but he also has a track record of playing them out of position.

talastan · 11-25-2008, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I've seen him do the jailbreak blitz many times and it almost always seems to lead to a big play. Playcalling is one thing. What frustrates me to no end is how awful these players are at simple fundamentals. Good defensive coaches don't let their players play that sloppy.

What do mean, arm tackling is the staple of the Chiefs defensive philosophy. Just as important as the Cover Who scheme!

Sweet Daddy Hate · 11-25-2008, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I've seen him do the jailbreak blitz many times and it almost always seems to lead to a big play. Playcalling is one thing. What frustrates me to no end is how awful these players are at simple fundamentals. Good defensive coaches don't let their players play that sloppy.

I'll add to that; as a rookie/2nd-year guy, who's your Tony Gonzales to look up to and learn from on this defense?

Donnie Edwards?

**BigMeatballDave** · 11-25-2008, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCJohnny

I'm happy!

Well, ignorance IS bliss...

**BigMeatballDave** · 11-25-2008, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaWolf

You see, the problem with Gun is that there is ALWAYS an excuse. He's quick to pat himself on the back if he thinks something went well, but when it doesn't, it's always due to something else.

When the coaches don't stand up to take accountability, how do you expect the players to take accountability for their play?

This

TEX · 11-25-2008, 05:55 PM

Must be nice to have the kind of total job security that Carl, Herm, and Gun have for total failure...

**Dylan** · 11-25-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueballs

“I’ve got more experience than anybody in this city doing this. Nobody else has pulled his pecker for as long as I have, 39 total and 28 in this league. I know what I see. If this all works like I think it’s going to work, I’m not worried. I’m going to someday be able to relax and put my feet up in hopefully 10 or 20 years and say, ‘I was right. And I'll have a 14" dick .’ ”

KCUnited · 11-25-2008, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustShack

Herm needs to let Gun go, I'm not saying Gun it good, but hes not calling plays like he normally would. Gun loves to Blitz and I haven't seen shit.

He blitzed Brackenridge, who didn't even sniff the qb, on the game winning TD against TB.

11-25-2008, 12:28 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $932813	Teicher:Cunningham has been unable to help Chiefs’ defense get better Cunningham has been unable to help Chiefs’ defense get better By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star As is the norm for this time of the football season, Gunther Cunningham had day-old stubble on his face, wore heavy bags under his eyes and generally looked Monday like someone who hadn’t slept in days. Told this, the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator managed a weak smile. “I haven’t slept for six weeks, I don’t think,” he said. It’s that kind of season for the beleaguered Cunningham, and it got worse Sunday when he presided over a defense that allowed a team-record 54 points in the loss to Buffalo. Cunningham has spent a coaching career trying to cram more than 24 hours of work into every day, and given the Chiefs’ considerable defensive weaknesses, that hasn’t changed. He said he’s given up watching “SportsCenter” and reading the Internet and the local media and is putting that time into finding solutions for the 1-10 Chiefs and their forlorn defense. It’s doing precious little good. The Chiefs are last in the NFL in yards allowed and 30th in points allowed, propped up by only the equally pitiful Rams and Lions. Cunningham isn’t generating the answers he once did. Over the years, some of Cunningham’s defenses have been dominant and others not so good, but he’s always had something that worked in his bag of tricks. Not this season. The Chiefs are soft against the run and, lacking a strong rush, weak against the pass. The hideous statistics attached to his name might suggest otherwise, but Cunningham said he believes this is one of his better coaching jobs. “I’m probably coaching better this year than I have in a long time,” he said. “The Chargers game was one of the highlights of my coaching career even though we lost. We had so many injuries. To do the things we had to do to get through that game and fight them until the end and have a chance to win, that was pretty good. “If I’ve improved in one area, it’s how to nurture young players and how to teach them in the classroom and on the grass. I’ve had to do things I’ve never had to do before because there are so many young people around me. I can’t even begin to tell you how much more of a teacher you have to be than when you have veteran players.” Coach Herm Edwards agreed with Cunningham’s assessment, saying the entire defensive staff, the coordinator included, would be invited to return next season. “We’re building something here and those guys are part of it,” Edwards said. It’s also been one of Cunningham’s most challenging seasons. The Chiefs are using numerous young players. Injuries have not only knocked several starters from their lineup but forced the Chiefs to use players who only recently signed on. Cunningham has mostly worked with veteran defenders in his time with the Chiefs, so he’s had to adjust. The Chiefs start three rookies. Only four of their starters are beyond their third NFL season. Edwards said Cunningham isn’t out of his element working with so many young players. “He’s doing something he hasn’t done in a long time, but he can do this and he’s enjoying it,” Edwards said. The sparkle comes back to Cunningham’s face when he speaks of the many young players. Glenn Dorsey, Brandon Flowers, Brandon Carr, Bernard Pollard, Jarrad Page, Tank Tyler. Cunningham pushed the Chiefs to draft all of them. He’s been guilty of leading the Chiefs astray before on veteran players like Kendrell Bell and Napoleon Harris but insisted this would be different. “I know I’m right with these guys,” Cunningham said. “I’ve got more experience than anybody in this city doing this. Nobody else has coached for as long as I have, 39 total and 28 in this league. I know what I see. If this all works like I think it’s going to work, I’m not worried. I’m going to someday be able to relax and put my feet up in hopefully 10 or 20 years and say, ‘I was right. They were the right guys for the Chiefs.’ ” Cunningham hasn’t found a way to make it work yet. He had to simplify and reduce the schemes because of all the young and new players. But he also may have been guilty of expecting too much of certain players. After trading Jared Allen, the Chiefs were hopeful Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson could be their prime pass rushers, but neither one has delivered. The Chiefs have a league-low six sacks. “What happens in coaching is that you never go into a year not thinking the most positive things that you can as a coach,” Cunningham said. “My idea of overcoming the Jared Allen deal was to put pressure on with blitzes. I thought I had the elements there. “The problem I’m having is that Demorrio Williams got hurt and Pat Thomas got hurt. I was going to put the edge on the pass rush by using them, but I turn around and they’re not there. Demorrio Williams went downhill when he broke his hand. He’s finally coming back now. I like Pat Thomas as a blitzer but he’s been out. Now I’m using Rocky Boiman and Maurice Leggett. That’s not real good right now. “If there was one failure, it was not having enough of that kind of guy with the right firepower.”
Posts: 42,055

11-25-2008, 01:46 PM	#61
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $8052254	Gunther RULES!!!!! The defense needs to believe in the spirit of the yellow tinted glasses. __________________
Posts: 39,156

11-25-2008, 01:46 PM	#62
RustShack **** That Noise Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Jack Trice Casino cash: $4716954	Herm needs to let Gun go, I'm not saying Gun it good, but hes not calling plays like he normally would. Gun loves to Blitz and I haven't seen shit. __________________
Posts: 15,047

11-25-2008, 02:12 PM	#63
Spicy McHaggis Keep 'er Movin' Join Date: Sep 2004 Casino cash: $9905359	Gunther gave up reading the internet? How will he know when he gets shitcanned then?
Posts: 4,963

11-25-2008, 05:55 PM	#72
TEX Out Gunning CP's Fandom Police Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Laguna Beach, CA Casino cash: $2383127	Must be nice to have the kind of total job security that Carl, Herm, and Gun have for total failure... __________________ "The CHIEFS, HAVE THEIR DYNASTY!"
Posts: 34,668