Whitlock: Chiefs need to rattle Grossman - Page 2

C-Mac · 09-15-2007, 11:10 PM

Whitlock: Chiefs need to rattle Grossman
When I campaigned for the Chiefs to sign Ty Law, it was for games like today.

Ty Law vs. Rex Grossman is a total mismatch.

Seriously, Law has put together a Hall of Fame career by baiting quarterbacks into foolish throws. He’s owned Peyton Manning in the postseason, and Manning is quite possibly the smartest QB ever to play the game.

Law has done it because when he’s mentally locked in, his football instincts are the equal of Manning’s. There are few cornerbacks you can say that about. But it’s true about Law. He’s never been the fastest or quickest corner to play the game. Law has picked off 50 regular-season passes because he gets inside the head of the opposing quarterback.

There’s a lot of room inside Rex Grossman’s head.

If the Chiefs have any chance of winning today against the heavily favored Chicago Bears, Ty Law, Patrick Surtain, Benny Sapp, Jarrad Page, Bernard Pollard (and linebacker Donnie Edwards) need to produce at least two Grossman interceptions.

Kansas City’s secondary is supposed to be the strength of the defense. Law and Surtain have Pro Bowl résumés. Surtain has a huge contract. Page and Pollard are billed as future Pro Bowlers. KC’s secondary unit is matched against the Bears’ weak link, quarterback Rex Grossman.

I expect Law to deliver. He’s the only Chiefs player (besides maybe Donnie Edwards) who has delivered consistently in big games. Kansas City’s season is pretty much on the line today. Yes, teams have recovered from 0-2 starts.

But the Chiefs don’t strike me as the kind of team that will get markedly better late in the season. They don’t have a young quarterback or a young offensive line that is waiting to jell. What we see today is pretty much what we’re going to see all season from the Chiefs, even when Jared Allen returns from suspension.

My expectations are low for Kansas City’s offense all season and especially today. The Bears held San Diego and LaDainian Tomlinson to 14 points a week ago. Tomlinson, the game’s best back, rushed for just 25 yards. And the game was in San Diego.

Today, inside Soldier Field, with the defending NFC champion Bears trying to avoid an 0-2 start, I don’t see Brian Urlacher and Co. allowing Larry Johnson and Damon Huard to control the clock.

This should be a defensive struggle … as long as Chicago return man Devin Hester doesn’t run wild. We know the Bears have a great defense. The question is whether the Chiefs have a good defense.

Herm Edwards came here promising to build a great defense. Today will be a good test of whether he’s making any progress. Honestly, I have my doubts.

Ty Law can only do so much. Without a pass rush, Herm’s Cover 2 scheme falls apart. If the Chiefs can’t stop the run, Herm’s Cover 2 scheme falls apart. KC’s pass-rush problems won’t be fixed until Allen enters the lineup.

KC’s run defense will remain suspect as long as Page and Pollard remain suspect. I’m not prepared to write off the two second-year safeties, but they have not tackled as well as I expected. Page, in particular, missed tackles throughout the preseason.

Pollard and Law made an adjustment in coverage last week against Houston that allowed Andre Johnson to streak 77 yards downfield with a touchdown. Pollard is not a coverage safety. He should be a bruising intimidator, a poor man’s John Lynch. Right now, Pollard looks like a linebacker trying to play safety.

Well, we’ll find out today. There will be plenty of opportunities for Pollard and Page to make plays in the running game and in the passing game. If Kansas City’s secondary comes up empty, it’s a terrible sign for this season and next season.

Deberg_1990 · 09-16-2007, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Is the career day defense back?

Not quite that bad....its just the Chiefs luck, that Grossman or Benson would pick today to make a statement game for themselves to answer their critics.

Deberg_1990 · 09-16-2007, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Is the career day defense back?

Not quite that bad....its just the Chiefs luck, that Grossman or Benson would pick today to make a statement game for themselves to answer their critics.

TEX · 09-16-2007, 08:09 AM

Herm Edwards came here promising to build a great defense. Today will be a good test of whether he’s making any progress. Honestly, I have my doubts.

Me too. The guy's all TALK.

09-15-2007, 11:10 PM
C-Mac Lurker Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wally World Casino cash: $2113699	Whitlock: Chiefs need to rattle Grossman Whitlock: Chiefs need to rattle Grossman When I campaigned for the Chiefs to sign Ty Law, it was for games like today. Ty Law vs. Rex Grossman is a total mismatch. Seriously, Law has put together a Hall of Fame career by baiting quarterbacks into foolish throws. He’s owned Peyton Manning in the postseason, and Manning is quite possibly the smartest QB ever to play the game. Law has done it because when he’s mentally locked in, his football instincts are the equal of Manning’s. There are few cornerbacks you can say that about. But it’s true about Law. He’s never been the fastest or quickest corner to play the game. Law has picked off 50 regular-season passes because he gets inside the head of the opposing quarterback. There’s a lot of room inside Rex Grossman’s head. If the Chiefs have any chance of winning today against the heavily favored Chicago Bears, Ty Law, Patrick Surtain, Benny Sapp, Jarrad Page, Bernard Pollard (and linebacker Donnie Edwards) need to produce at least two Grossman interceptions. Kansas City’s secondary is supposed to be the strength of the defense. Law and Surtain have Pro Bowl résumés. Surtain has a huge contract. Page and Pollard are billed as future Pro Bowlers. KC’s secondary unit is matched against the Bears’ weak link, quarterback Rex Grossman. I expect Law to deliver. He’s the only Chiefs player (besides maybe Donnie Edwards) who has delivered consistently in big games. Kansas City’s season is pretty much on the line today. Yes, teams have recovered from 0-2 starts. But the Chiefs don’t strike me as the kind of team that will get markedly better late in the season. They don’t have a young quarterback or a young offensive line that is waiting to jell. What we see today is pretty much what we’re going to see all season from the Chiefs, even when Jared Allen returns from suspension. My expectations are low for Kansas City’s offense all season and especially today. The Bears held San Diego and LaDainian Tomlinson to 14 points a week ago. Tomlinson, the game’s best back, rushed for just 25 yards. And the game was in San Diego. Today, inside Soldier Field, with the defending NFC champion Bears trying to avoid an 0-2 start, I don’t see Brian Urlacher and Co. allowing Larry Johnson and Damon Huard to control the clock. This should be a defensive struggle … as long as Chicago return man Devin Hester doesn’t run wild. We know the Bears have a great defense. The question is whether the Chiefs have a good defense. Herm Edwards came here promising to build a great defense. Today will be a good test of whether he’s making any progress. Honestly, I have my doubts. Ty Law can only do so much. Without a pass rush, Herm’s Cover 2 scheme falls apart. If the Chiefs can’t stop the run, Herm’s Cover 2 scheme falls apart. KC’s pass-rush problems won’t be fixed until Allen enters the lineup. KC’s run defense will remain suspect as long as Page and Pollard remain suspect. I’m not prepared to write off the two second-year safeties, but they have not tackled as well as I expected. Page, in particular, missed tackles throughout the preseason. Pollard and Law made an adjustment in coverage last week against Houston that allowed Andre Johnson to streak 77 yards downfield with a touchdown. Pollard is not a coverage safety. He should be a bruising intimidator, a poor man’s John Lynch. Right now, Pollard looks like a linebacker trying to play safety. Well, we’ll find out today. There will be plenty of opportunities for Pollard and Page to make plays in the running game and in the passing game. If Kansas City’s secondary comes up empty, it’s a terrible sign for this season and next season.
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09-16-2007, 08:09 AM	#18
TEX Out Gunning CP's Fandom Police Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Laguna Beach, CA Casino cash: $2123127	Herm Edwards came here promising to build a great defense. Today will be a good test of whether he’s making any progress. Honestly, I have my doubts. Me too. The guy's all TALK. __________________ "The CHIEFS, HAVE THEIR DYNASTY!"
Posts: 34,756