Carter: These kids are all right - Page 3

tk13 · 12-08-2004, 02:11 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/10363451.htm

These kids are all right

Chiefs' young players have stepped up

By IVAN CARTER The Kansas City Star

If the Chiefs and Titans were in the NFC, they'd enter Monday night's matchup with dreams of a playoff run still dancing in their heads. However, because both squads are in the AFC, they'll be playing for something else: the future.

When the Chiefs' season officially hit the skids with a loss at New Orleans three weeks ago, coach Dick Vermeil made it clear that he wouldn't usher in a youth movement just for the future's sake.

Still, the Chiefs are heading in that direction anyway.

Injuries have created playing time for fresh faces like running back Larry Johnson, who rushed for a career-high 118 yards in Sunday's victory at Oakland, safety Willie Pile, who finished second on the team with six tackles in the victory, and offensive lineman Jordan Black, who despite having not played right tackle since high school, filled in ably at that spot when Chris Bober went down in the third quarter.

Also, rookie defensive end Jared Allen played almost the entire game and picked up his sixth and seventh sacks of the season while first-year kicker Lawrence Tynes, who missed an extra point during crunch time of a loss at Jacksonville on Oct. 17, looked deep into the heart of the Black Hole and nailed a key 22-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

As the Chiefs celebrated the victory in the visiting locker room on Sunday, some of the visibly happy players were youngsters like Johnson, Pile, Black, Allen and Tynes.

“We just got a real taste of what the Chiefs-Raiders rivalry is all about,” said Pile, whose clutch fourth-quarter tackle on Ronald Curry may have prevented a touchdown. “We all know about it from watching the older guys, but it's a situation where you really can't understand what it's like until you're out there in the game. It feels real good as a young player to come out in a game like this and help us get a win.”

Pile, who was a seventh-round pick out of Virginia Tech in the 2003 draft, is one of 12 rookie or first-year players on the Chiefs' active roster. Another seven players, including Johnson, Black, defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson and middle linebacker Kawika Mitchell, are in their second seasons.

As the season winds down, more of the team's young players will get a chance to show what they can do. Specifically, rookie tight end Kris Wilson continues to make progress after re-aggravating a leg injury a few weeks ago and could see action against the Titans on Monday night and rookie offensive tackle Kevin Sampson, a seventh-round draft choice who was one of the pleasant surprises of training camp, could see action at right tackle.

Other rookies, like linebacker Keyaron Fox, linebacker Rich Scanlon and cornerback Benny Sapp, were active and participated on special teams Sunday. Yet another, wide receiver Samie Parker, dressed but did not play.

Allen continues to stand out as a playmaker. He needs three sacks in the final four games to reach 10 for the season, an accomplishment that would match Derrick Thomas' sack total as a rookie in 1989. The last Chiefs defensive lineman to reach double digits in sacks was Eric Hicks, who totaled 14 in 2000. The Chiefs haven't had a double-digit sack total come out of the right defensive end position — key because that is the blind side of most quarterbacks — since Thomas racked up 12 in 1998.

Listed at 6 feet 6, 265 pounds, Allen is sometimes driven off the line of scrimmage by offensive tackles much larger than him, and he's had more than one pass rush conclude with him on the ground. But he counters a lack of bulk with an explosive first step and a motor that never quits.

Allen also has played the role of team comedian. To celebrate Halloween and Vermeil's birthday, Allen showed up for a team meeting sporting nothing more than a black Speedo swimsuit, goggles and six gold medals a la Olympic champion Michael Phelps.

“His progress has exceeded where I thought it would be 12 weeks into the season,” Vermeil said. “I thought he'd be a player, I think we all did when we drafted him. … The number one thing a kid like Jared Allen brings to a team is a passion to play. It doesn't matter if it's on the practice field or pregame warmup or the last snap of the fourth quarter, he has a passion to compete and play the game equivalent to anyone on our roster.”

Vermeil, his coaching staff and the Chiefs' front office will continue to evaluate the team's young players over the course of the next four weeks. A few of them already have carved out a place for themselves next season and beyond while others, like Wilson and Parker, are looking forward to getting that chance.

“There are some kids that love to play and don't mind working hard and have really taken the time to evaluate the Will Shieldses, the Eric Hickses, Tony Gonzalezs, the Johnnie Mortons and Eddie Kennisons,” Vermeil said. “They've watched how they work and how they prepare. Those guys are great examples and (the young) players can learn from them.”

Mr. Laz · 12-08-2004, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

Also, rookie defensive end Jared Allen played almost the entire game and picked up his sixth and seventh sacks of the season while first-year

Allen continues to stand out as a playmaker. He needs three sacks in the final four games to reach 10 for the season, an accomplishment that would match Derrick Thomas' sack total as a rookie in 1989. The last Chiefs defensive lineman to reach double digits in sacks was Eric Hicks, who totaled 14 in 2000. The Chiefs haven't had a double-digit sack total come out of the right defensive end position — key because that is the blind side of most quarterbacks — since Thomas racked up 12 in 1998.

with all due respect to Allen, he'll prolly have twice the number of defensive plays this year to get those sacks. Derrick thomas was on a decent defense and had alot less plays to achieve his sacks.

this year our defense is all the field sooooooooo long that the "hustle" sacks are bound to turn up.

**Lzen** · 12-08-2004, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazarus

with all due respect to Allen, he'll prolly have twice the number of defensive plays this year to get those sacks. Derrick thomas was on a decent defense and had alot less plays to achieve his sacks.

this year our defense is all the field sooooooooo long that the "hustle" sacks are bound to turn up.

You could use that argument. Then again, one could argue that DT was on teams whose offense couldn't stay on the field very long. It would be interesting to see the actual stats.

Chiefnj · 12-08-2004, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazarus

with all due respect to Allen, he'll prolly have twice the number of defensive plays this year to get those sacks. Derrick thomas was on a decent defense and had alot less plays to achieve his sacks.

this year our defense is all the field sooooooooo long that the "hustle" sacks are bound to turn up.

You can argue just the opposite. WIth guys like Lewis, Ross and Cherry in the secondary I'm sure receivers were being covered a lot longer than they are in 2004 giving a young DT more time to get to the QB. Opposing DL's also had to worry about Smith, Saleamua and Maas more than they do Hicks, Sims and Browning.

ROYC75 · 12-08-2004, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NY CHIEF

Scanlon and Sampson, Time for the syracuse boys to show their stuff.Hopefully the 4742 scanlon bashers wont start on Sampson

Just think, If Eric (the road grader ) Downing was here, that would be 3 Cuse players on the roster.

Gaz · 12-08-2004, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj

You can argue just the opposite. WIth guys like Lewis, Ross and Cherry in the secondary I'm sure receivers were being covered a lot longer than they are in 2004 giving a young DT more time to get to the QB. Opposing DL's also had to worry about Smith, Saleamua and Maas more than they do Hicks, Sims and Browning.

That makes a lot more sense to me.

xoxo~
Gaz
Would think a very good secondary made a DEs life easier until the PI rules were changed.

12-08-2004, 02:11 AM
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1902500	Carter: These kids are all right http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/10363451.htm These kids are all right Chiefs' young players have stepped up By IVAN CARTER The Kansas City Star If the Chiefs and Titans were in the NFC, they'd enter Monday night's matchup with dreams of a playoff run still dancing in their heads. However, because both squads are in the AFC, they'll be playing for something else: the future. When the Chiefs' season officially hit the skids with a loss at New Orleans three weeks ago, coach Dick Vermeil made it clear that he wouldn't usher in a youth movement just for the future's sake. Still, the Chiefs are heading in that direction anyway. Injuries have created playing time for fresh faces like running back Larry Johnson, who rushed for a career-high 118 yards in Sunday's victory at Oakland, safety Willie Pile, who finished second on the team with six tackles in the victory, and offensive lineman Jordan Black, who despite having not played right tackle since high school, filled in ably at that spot when Chris Bober went down in the third quarter. Also, rookie defensive end Jared Allen played almost the entire game and picked up his sixth and seventh sacks of the season while first-year kicker Lawrence Tynes, who missed an extra point during crunch time of a loss at Jacksonville on Oct. 17, looked deep into the heart of the Black Hole and nailed a key 22-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. As the Chiefs celebrated the victory in the visiting locker room on Sunday, some of the visibly happy players were youngsters like Johnson, Pile, Black, Allen and Tynes. “We just got a real taste of what the Chiefs-Raiders rivalry is all about,” said Pile, whose clutch fourth-quarter tackle on Ronald Curry may have prevented a touchdown. “We all know about it from watching the older guys, but it's a situation where you really can't understand what it's like until you're out there in the game. It feels real good as a young player to come out in a game like this and help us get a win.” Pile, who was a seventh-round pick out of Virginia Tech in the 2003 draft, is one of 12 rookie or first-year players on the Chiefs' active roster. Another seven players, including Johnson, Black, defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson and middle linebacker Kawika Mitchell, are in their second seasons. As the season winds down, more of the team's young players will get a chance to show what they can do. Specifically, rookie tight end Kris Wilson continues to make progress after re-aggravating a leg injury a few weeks ago and could see action against the Titans on Monday night and rookie offensive tackle Kevin Sampson, a seventh-round draft choice who was one of the pleasant surprises of training camp, could see action at right tackle. Other rookies, like linebacker Keyaron Fox, linebacker Rich Scanlon and cornerback Benny Sapp, were active and participated on special teams Sunday. Yet another, wide receiver Samie Parker, dressed but did not play. Allen continues to stand out as a playmaker. He needs three sacks in the final four games to reach 10 for the season, an accomplishment that would match Derrick Thomas' sack total as a rookie in 1989. The last Chiefs defensive lineman to reach double digits in sacks was Eric Hicks, who totaled 14 in 2000. The Chiefs haven't had a double-digit sack total come out of the right defensive end position — key because that is the blind side of most quarterbacks — since Thomas racked up 12 in 1998. Listed at 6 feet 6, 265 pounds, Allen is sometimes driven off the line of scrimmage by offensive tackles much larger than him, and he's had more than one pass rush conclude with him on the ground. But he counters a lack of bulk with an explosive first step and a motor that never quits. Allen also has played the role of team comedian. To celebrate Halloween and Vermeil's birthday, Allen showed up for a team meeting sporting nothing more than a black Speedo swimsuit, goggles and six gold medals a la Olympic champion Michael Phelps. “His progress has exceeded where I thought it would be 12 weeks into the season,” Vermeil said. “I thought he'd be a player, I think we all did when we drafted him. … The number one thing a kid like Jared Allen brings to a team is a passion to play. It doesn't matter if it's on the practice field or pregame warmup or the last snap of the fourth quarter, he has a passion to compete and play the game equivalent to anyone on our roster.” Vermeil, his coaching staff and the Chiefs' front office will continue to evaluate the team's young players over the course of the next four weeks. A few of them already have carved out a place for themselves next season and beyond while others, like Wilson and Parker, are looking forward to getting that chance. “There are some kids that love to play and don't mind working hard and have really taken the time to evaluate the Will Shieldses, the Eric Hickses, Tony Gonzalezs, the Johnnie Mortons and Eddie Kennisons,” Vermeil said. “They've watched how they work and how they prepare. Those guys are great examples and (the young) players can learn from them.”
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