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

[Tribal Warfare]

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.”

[teedubya]

Water is Wet.
By ADAM TEICHER

[DaWolf]

“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.”

Wow. Just...wow.

[KCJohnny]

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.

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!

['Hamas' Jenkins]

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!

At least you are consistent in your blind obedience to everything.

[Raiderhater]

I'm tired of excuses. Year in and year out that is all we get. There probably is an element of truth to the youth factor, but fuck, he wasn't doing anything better with the vets either.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

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.”

Wow. This is a hard read. Like I said before; all of the suspects at OAD are the "nicest losers you'll ever meet", as well as being pretty good actors at times( CARL ).
But still, I read this and that old Human element comes through and starts digging on my conscience.
Let's look at who refuses to face the Press; Clark and Carl.
Now with Carl we know EXACTLY who we're dealing with; there is no mystery whatsoever. Clark on the other hand, is the ultimate question mark.
Did I mention Hunt Money goes to a succer team too?
I don't want to do "Bus Chuckage" on Gun's behalf; he's done it quite nicely on his own in this article. That said, I get the feeling that the lack of compartmentalization( which stems from a lack of $$$$ )on the aspects of this franchise that truly need it, are helping to kill what might actually be worth something.

[Mecca]

It's really funny and sad at the same time to see coaches of a 1-10 team talk about how they're doing a great job and all expect to be back.

[Tribal Warfare]

Originally Posted by Mecca

It's really funny and sad at the same time to see coaches of a 1-10 team talk about how they're doing a great job and all expect to be back.

It's the KC Chiefs what do you expect?

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

It's the KC Chiefs what do you expect?

I'm just going to play football video games now....there's more hope in that than the Chiefs at this point.

[teedubya]

Originally Posted by Ari Chi3fs

Water is Wet.
By ADAM TEICHER

I'd give myself rep if I could. That shit was hilarious.






TAGS: Ari Chi3fs is a rep whore, How the **** does Frazod have more rep than me?, Seriously, WTF?!, How does anyone have more rep than Rain Man?

[chiefzilla1501]

No, No, NOOOO

[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 .’ ”

[KCJohnny]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

At least you are consistent in your blind obedience to everything.

I'm happy!

[kcxiv]

Originally Posted by Mecca

I'm just going to play football video games now....there's more hope in that than the Chiefs at this point.

Not really, there wasnt a decent football game to play this year. They are all shit. I rather watch the Chiefs defense then play any video football game put out this year.