RAND: It's too soon to worry in June

**Lzen** · 06-16-2005, 07:27 AM

RAND: It's too soon to worry in June
Jun 16, 2005, 5:52:41 AM by Jonathan Rand

As a coach who’s been known for being offensive-minded most of his career, Dick Vermeil sometimes gets accused of not worrying about his defense. And technically, that’s true. At least that was true after the Chiefs’ worked out on Wednesday.

That doesn’t mean Vermeil doesn’t care about his defense, which ranked 31st a year ago and must take a quantum leap in improvement for the Chiefs to reach the playoffs. Butgonz2 Vermeil claimed he’s more worried about his offense than his defense with the opener not quite three months away.

“I’m more concerned about the offense being able to compete at the same level as a year ago than about the ability of the defense to play successfully,” he said. Considering the Chiefs led the league in total offense in 2004, that statement seems extraordinary. But on this day, Vermeil was looking at what was right in front of him instead of what’s likely to materialize down the road.

He said he was worried because five of his offensive starters haven’t been practicing every down. Pro Bowl linemen Willie Roaf and Will Shields are resting their battered knees, under Vermeil’s instructions. When quarterback Trent Green just stands around, it’s only because Vermeil has nothing else for him to do.

Vermeil wouldn’t want Tony Gonzalez, his top receiving threat, rushing back from surgery. So Pro Bowl guard Brian Waters is really the only missing starter whom Vermeil would want on the field most every play were he around.

The defense, on the other hand, has been mostly intact and looking sharp. But what Vermeil worries about today and what he worries about come September 11 are not necessarily one and the same. There’s no reason to expect any of his rested or missing starters will be sidelined when the Jets visit Arrowhead Stadium.

The Chiefs’ offense is a known commodity. The defense, despite the addition of five solid to outstanding players, must be considered iffy until it starts shutting down opponents. Vermeil went out on a limb a year ago when he said he had as much defensive talent as he did when his 1999 St. Louis Rams won the Super Bowl. He stepped out on an even longer limb Wednesday, though this limb seems more capable of supporting Vermeil’s weight and optimism.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had as much talent on defense as I have right now,” he said. “I think we’ll do a better job preventing the big play. Will we move into the top six (in total defense)? I don’t know about that, but I think we can move into the top 12.”

That kind of optimism a year ago was based almost solely on the return of defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. Now it’s based on an upgrade in talent, especially at linebacker and in the secondary.

When Cunningham was told that Vermeil claimed to be more worried about his offense than defense, Cunningham gave a cautious smile. “I’m going to hold my thoughts ‘til I seem them in pads,” he said. “I’m getting too old to be too high right now. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”

Vermeil, though 68, obviously isn’t too old to get too high on his defense right now. Myself, I’d worry more about his defense than offense until his new defensive players prove they’re as talented as advertised. Then again, what do I know about worrying?

I always thought that I worried too much – until I began observing head football coaches. They worry when they lose. They worry when they win. They worry in November. They worry in June. Taking away their right to worry would be like taking away their food.

The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2005/06...worry_in_june/

**Lzen** · 06-16-2005, 07:37 AM

That Ronda Moss was on 610 this morning. She and the host (DA?) were making a huge deal out of Brian Waters. Making it sound as though Dick Vermeil was pissed because Waters isn't there. Vermeil merely pointed out all the starters that weren't practicing. It didn't sound to me like he was singling out Brian Waters. Then Moss goes on about how it "may" be for more money and he and Carl "may" be talking about new contract.

Where does she get this crap? She must pull it out of her ass. That's a lot of crap.

What happened to journalists reporting just the facts? Why do we need her idiotic speculation?

TRing · 06-16-2005, 07:49 AM

It seems to me that Waters doesnt realize that the window to a championship is slowly closing if not shut by the end of this year. I know he has a new baby and says he is trying to be a good dad but come on now, when everybody else on the team is this excited and working as hard as they are, Brian needs to take the hint and be there.

**Lzen** · 06-16-2005, 08:06 AM

I heard Brian will be there tomorrow. If his play drops this year, then we have reason to rail on him. However, if he goes out and plays like he has the past few seasons, this will all be a distant memory. My money is on the latter.

TRing · 06-16-2005, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

I heard Brian will be there tomorrow. If his play drops this year, then we have reason to rail on him. However, if he goes out and plays like he has the past few seasons, this will all be a distant memory. My money is on the latter.

i agree with that

KChiefs1 · 06-16-2005, 09:08 AM

Hopefully when Waters shows up this weekend we can put all of this talk to bed.

I heard Vermeil's comments about worrying about the offense because he is missing starters at practice...I personally don't want those guys practicing...save it for the regular season!

I already know what Shields, Roaf, Waters, Gonzalez & Priest bring to the table & Vermeil should too.

BigChiefFan · 06-16-2005, 09:13 AM

Waters hasn't missed one single MANDATORY camp. Until then, I won't go into panic mode regarding Waters.

TRing · 06-16-2005, 09:17 AM

Im going this saturday to see how we look and to tell you the truth i can't believe im this excited about practice, practice, i mean come on we talkin 'bout practice, you kiddin me, practice?

htismaqe · 06-16-2005, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

Waters hasn't missed one single MANDATORY camp. Until then, I won't go into panic mode regarding Waters.

Exactly.

tomahawk kid · 06-16-2005, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

Where does she get this crap? She must pull it out of her ass. That's a lot of crap.

What happened to journalists reporting just the facts? Why do we need her idiotic speculation?

Based on the size of her ass, she should be able to hide a plethora of information up there.....

06-16-2005, 07:27 AM
Lzen Supporter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Jan Quadrant Vincent 16 Casino cash: $2250692	RAND: It's too soon to worry in June RAND: It's too soon to worry in June Jun 16, 2005, 5:52:41 AM by Jonathan Rand As a coach who’s been known for being offensive-minded most of his career, Dick Vermeil sometimes gets accused of not worrying about his defense. And technically, that’s true. At least that was true after the Chiefs’ worked out on Wednesday. That doesn’t mean Vermeil doesn’t care about his defense, which ranked 31st a year ago and must take a quantum leap in improvement for the Chiefs to reach the playoffs. Butgonz2 Vermeil claimed he’s more worried about his offense than his defense with the opener not quite three months away. “I’m more concerned about the offense being able to compete at the same level as a year ago than about the ability of the defense to play successfully,” he said. Considering the Chiefs led the league in total offense in 2004, that statement seems extraordinary. But on this day, Vermeil was looking at what was right in front of him instead of what’s likely to materialize down the road. He said he was worried because five of his offensive starters haven’t been practicing every down. Pro Bowl linemen Willie Roaf and Will Shields are resting their battered knees, under Vermeil’s instructions. When quarterback Trent Green just stands around, it’s only because Vermeil has nothing else for him to do. Vermeil wouldn’t want Tony Gonzalez, his top receiving threat, rushing back from surgery. So Pro Bowl guard Brian Waters is really the only missing starter whom Vermeil would want on the field most every play were he around. The defense, on the other hand, has been mostly intact and looking sharp. But what Vermeil worries about today and what he worries about come September 11 are not necessarily one and the same. There’s no reason to expect any of his rested or missing starters will be sidelined when the Jets visit Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs’ offense is a known commodity. The defense, despite the addition of five solid to outstanding players, must be considered iffy until it starts shutting down opponents. Vermeil went out on a limb a year ago when he said he had as much defensive talent as he did when his 1999 St. Louis Rams won the Super Bowl. He stepped out on an even longer limb Wednesday, though this limb seems more capable of supporting Vermeil’s weight and optimism. “I don’t think I’ve ever had as much talent on defense as I have right now,” he said. “I think we’ll do a better job preventing the big play. Will we move into the top six (in total defense)? I don’t know about that, but I think we can move into the top 12.” That kind of optimism a year ago was based almost solely on the return of defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. Now it’s based on an upgrade in talent, especially at linebacker and in the secondary. When Cunningham was told that Vermeil claimed to be more worried about his offense than defense, Cunningham gave a cautious smile. “I’m going to hold my thoughts ‘til I seem them in pads,” he said. “I’m getting too old to be too high right now. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.” Vermeil, though 68, obviously isn’t too old to get too high on his defense right now. Myself, I’d worry more about his defense than offense until his new defensive players prove they’re as talented as advertised. Then again, what do I know about worrying? I always thought that I worried too much – until I began observing head football coaches. They worry when they lose. They worry when they win. They worry in November. They worry in June. Taking away their right to worry would be like taking away their food. The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs. http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2005/06...worry_in_june/
Posts: 41,318

06-16-2005, 07:37 AM	#2
Lzen Supporter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Jan Quadrant Vincent 16 Casino cash: $2250692	That Ronda Moss was on 610 this morning. She and the host (DA?) were making a huge deal out of Brian Waters. Making it sound as though Dick Vermeil was pissed because Waters isn't there. Vermeil merely pointed out all the starters that weren't practicing. It didn't sound to me like he was singling out Brian Waters. Then Moss goes on about how it "may" be for more money and he and Carl "may" be talking about new contract. Where does she get this crap? She must pull it out of her ass. That's a lot of crap. What happened to journalists reporting just the facts? Why do we need her idiotic speculation? __________________ If at first you don't succeed ...skydiving is not for you.
Posts: 41,318

06-16-2005, 07:49 AM	#3
TRing Yada Yada Yada Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: KC Casino cash: $9995750	It seems to me that Waters doesnt realize that the window to a championship is slowly closing if not shut by the end of this year. I know he has a new baby and says he is trying to be a good dad but come on now, when everybody else on the team is this excited and working as hard as they are, Brian needs to take the hint and be there.
Posts: 173

06-16-2005, 08:06 AM	#4
Lzen Supporter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Jan Quadrant Vincent 16 Casino cash: $2250692	I heard Brian will be there tomorrow. If his play drops this year, then we have reason to rail on him. However, if he goes out and plays like he has the past few seasons, this will all be a distant memory. My money is on the latter. __________________ If at first you don't succeed ...skydiving is not for you.
Posts: 41,318

06-16-2005, 09:08 AM	#6
KChiefs1 I’m a Mahomo! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mid-Missouri Casino cash: $6771021	Hopefully when Waters shows up this weekend we can put all of this talk to bed. I heard Vermeil's comments about worrying about the offense because he is missing starters at practice...I personally don't want those guys practicing...save it for the regular season! I already know what Shields, Roaf, Waters, Gonzalez & Priest bring to the table & Vermeil should too. __________________
Posts: 54,038

06-16-2005, 09:13 AM	#7
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	Waters hasn't missed one single MANDATORY camp. Until then, I won't go into panic mode regarding Waters. __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
Posts: 15,777

06-16-2005, 09:17 AM	#8
TRing Yada Yada Yada Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: KC Casino cash: $9995750	Im going this saturday to see how we look and to tell you the truth i can't believe im this excited about practice, practice, i mean come on we talkin 'bout practice, you kiddin me, practice?
Posts: 173