Vermeil's KC era is winding down

2bikemike · 01-05-2005, 02:23 AM

Vermeil's KC era is winding down

By ADAM TEICHER

The Kansas City Star

Dick Vermeil indicated he will coach the Chiefs for one more season, but already he is planning for the end of his reign.

Vermeil said Tuesday that he would free all of his assistant coaches to look for jobs with more security. Vermeil's contract expires at the end of next season, and he has said he would retire for good when it's over.

“I told my coaching staff that this is my last year, and that if anyone had an opportunity that would give them security beyond what we could give them, then I would not hold them to it,” Vermeil said at his season-ending news conference. “I don't think it's fair to do that. I kind of believe most of them want to stay.”

The declaration is unlikely to spark a mass exodus. Vermeil is considered a desirable coach to work for. He has had only two voluntary defections among assistants in his four years with the Chiefs.

Last year, quarterbacks coach Terry Shea took a promotion to become offensive coordinator with the Bears, but Chicago fired him on Tuesday. And linebackers coach Joe Vitt left because of a personality conflict with incoming defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham.

Still, it adds uncertainty at a time when the Chiefs are trying to sort through the problems that led to a disappointing 7-9 season. The Chiefs are hoping to make one last run under Vermeil next season, but a rebuilding job looms in 2006 and beyond.

The Chiefs will have not only a new head coach then, but possibly a new general manager. Carl Peterson is also heading into the last year of his contract.

As Vermeil prepares for his swan song, he knows his biggest issue is his defense. He cited the secondary as the main source of the Chiefs' defensive woes.

The Chiefs were last in the NFL in passing defense. They played more zone coverage toward the end of the season, against Cunningham's preferred style, because cornerbacks Dexter McCleon, William Bartee and Julian Battle struggled in man-to-man.

Bartee and McCleon traded the starting spot opposite Eric Warfield during the season. Each lost it once because of poor play. Battle was benched late in the season after playing poorly. Bartee was dropped to fourth cornerback for the last couple of games behind a rookie free agent, Benny Sapp.

The Chiefs were also disappointed in the play of both veteran safeties, Greg Wesley and Jerome Woods.

“We're evaluating everything they do physically, evaluating who we think can get better and who can't get better, evaluating what we do and ask them to do within this scheme,'' Vermeil said. “Then, if they are our guys, whoever they end up being, then we've got to ask them to do whatever they can get done.

“We have to evaluate how much growth each one of those guys can make. If they can't get better, then someone else has to come in and play those positions.''

Vermeil and Peterson said they weren't inclined to weaken their offense to make improvements on defense. They said neither Priest Holmes nor Larry Johnson would be traded.

Peterson said he wanted Johnson to be half of a backfield committee next season with Holmes, but that decision is Vermeil's. Vermeil and offensive coordinator Al Saunders prefer going with one back.

Vermeil was less critical of the defensive front seven. The Chiefs probably will be looking for one new starting linebacker. Veteran Shawn Barber, who had reconstructive knee surgery Tuesday, won't be available for the start of training camp. His replacement, Monty Beisel, would be an unrestricted free agent.

It's possible all defensive linemen except veteran Vonnie Holliday will return.

“Our young linebackers have to keep growing, because they are very inconsistent,'' Vermeil said. “There is talent there, but they have to keep growing.

“I'm pleased with the progress of our defensive line. I think they can get better, and they will get better. Ryan Sims is still inconsistent. Eric Hicks is Eric Hicks. You know what you're going to get from Eric Hicks. We know what we're going to get from John Browning. We know what we're going to get from Lional Dalton. We know how much room Jared Allen has to grow.''

But Vermeil cautioned, as Peterson did before season's end, not to expect drastic personnel changes.

“It's harder today to overhaul a total roster from a defensive or offensive standpoint,'' Vermeil said. “We've done a heck of a job doing it offensively. I don't think any team in the National Football League has done as good a job as we have of overhauling an offense with the personnel moves that we made. We've tried to draft defensively, and some of those choices haven't worked out.''

To reach Adam Teicher,

2bikemike · 01-05-2005, 02:31 AM

Eric Hicks is Eric Hicks. You know what you're going to get from Eric Hicks.

But shouldn't we expect more?

**Rausch** · 01-05-2005, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bikemike

Vermeil's KC era is winding down

By ADAM TEICHER

The Kansas City Star

...bla bla bla...

The Chiefs were also disappointed in the play of both veteran safeties, Greg Wesley and Jerome Woods.

“We're evaluating everything they do physically, evaluating who we think can get better and who can't get better, evaluating what we do and ask them to do within this scheme,'' Vermeil said. “Then, if they are our guys, whoever they end up being, then we've got to ask them to do whatever they can get done.

“We have to evaluate how much growth each one of those guys can make. If they can't get better, then someone else has to come in and play those positions.''

OMG! OMG! OMG! DV isn't going to do ANYTHING to improve this team! He said so, just look!

Fairplay · 01-05-2005, 03:35 AM

[QUOTE=2bikemike]Vermeil's KC era is winding down

As Vermeil prepares for his swan song, he knows his biggest issue is his defense. He cited the secondary as the main source of the Chiefs' defensive woes.

Newsflash!!
This has been the problem the last 5 years or so.

Fairplay · 01-05-2005, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bikemike

But Vermeil cautioned, as Peterson did before season's end, not to expect drastic personnel changes.

I want drastic changes to our piss poor defense. Not like its going to get any worse for god's sake!

Fairplay · 01-05-2005, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bikemike

“Our young linebackers have to keep growing, because they are very inconsistent,'' Vermeil said. “There is talent there, but they have to keep growing.

The sad thing is our linebackers we have now would be lucky to get a starting job for any other NFL team.

Fairplay · 01-05-2005, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bikemike

Vermeil and Peterson said they weren't inclined to weaken their offense to make improvements on defense. They said neither Priest Holmes nor Larry Johnson would be traded.

Peterson said he wanted Johnson to be half of a backfield committee next season with Holmes, but that decision is Vermeil's. Vermeil and offensive coordinator Al Saunders prefer going with one back.

Niether Holmes or Johnson will be traded! Running back by committee sucks. Let Holmes be the man with LJ coming in to rest him a little. Plus Homles isn't getting any younger.

Fairplay · 01-05-2005, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bikemike

As Vermeil prepares for his swan song, he knows his biggest issue is his defense. He cited the secondary as the main source of the Chiefs' defensive woes.

Does this mean we won't be drafting an RB in the first round?

Fairplay · 01-05-2005, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bikemike

Bartee and McCleon traded the starting spot opposite Eric Warfield during the season. Each lost it once because of poor play. Battle was benched late in the season after playing poorly.

Poorly, thats how they played all right.

**Rausch** · 01-05-2005, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairplay

Niether Holmes or Johnson will be traded! Running back by committee sucks. Let Holmes be the man with LJ coming in to rest him a little. Plus Homles isn't getting any younger.

Fairplay · 01-05-2005, 04:57 AM

Heh, i thought everyone else passed out in front of their monitors, no one was responding.

Fairplay · 01-05-2005, 04:58 AM

Rausch you mean to tell me you like RB by committee?

**Rausch** · 01-05-2005, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairplay

Rausch you mean to tell me you like RB by committee?

I like having options.

I'm just confused by your post. You state to hate the idea, then advocate it in the same sentence. I was stupified...

Fairplay · 01-05-2005, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

I like having options.

I'm just confused by your post. You state to hate the idea, then advocate it in the same sentence. I was stupified...

Im saying that even though Holmes is the man at RB. He doesn't play every single down. He goes out for a rest (if you noticed), then comes back in. Let LJ go in when he rests is all.

**Rausch** · 01-05-2005, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairplay

Im saying that even though Holmes is the man at RB. He doesn't play every single down. He goes out for a rest (if you noticed), then comes back in. Let LJ go in when he rests is all.

I'd advocate a 2 to 1 Holmes-to-LJ ratio, to keep Priest fresh.

Of course, the Marty-bashers would call "RBBC" immediately and try and stone me...

01-05-2005, 02:23 AM
2bikemike Born to Ride Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NWA Casino cash: $2545377	Vermeil's KC era is winding down Vermeil's KC era is winding down By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Dick Vermeil indicated he will coach the Chiefs for one more season, but already he is planning for the end of his reign. Vermeil said Tuesday that he would free all of his assistant coaches to look for jobs with more security. Vermeil's contract expires at the end of next season, and he has said he would retire for good when it's over. “I told my coaching staff that this is my last year, and that if anyone had an opportunity that would give them security beyond what we could give them, then I would not hold them to it,” Vermeil said at his season-ending news conference. “I don't think it's fair to do that. I kind of believe most of them want to stay.” The declaration is unlikely to spark a mass exodus. Vermeil is considered a desirable coach to work for. He has had only two voluntary defections among assistants in his four years with the Chiefs. Last year, quarterbacks coach Terry Shea took a promotion to become offensive coordinator with the Bears, but Chicago fired him on Tuesday. And linebackers coach Joe Vitt left because of a personality conflict with incoming defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. Still, it adds uncertainty at a time when the Chiefs are trying to sort through the problems that led to a disappointing 7-9 season. The Chiefs are hoping to make one last run under Vermeil next season, but a rebuilding job looms in 2006 and beyond. The Chiefs will have not only a new head coach then, but possibly a new general manager. Carl Peterson is also heading into the last year of his contract. As Vermeil prepares for his swan song, he knows his biggest issue is his defense. He cited the secondary as the main source of the Chiefs' defensive woes. The Chiefs were last in the NFL in passing defense. They played more zone coverage toward the end of the season, against Cunningham's preferred style, because cornerbacks Dexter McCleon, William Bartee and Julian Battle struggled in man-to-man. Bartee and McCleon traded the starting spot opposite Eric Warfield during the season. Each lost it once because of poor play. Battle was benched late in the season after playing poorly. Bartee was dropped to fourth cornerback for the last couple of games behind a rookie free agent, Benny Sapp. The Chiefs were also disappointed in the play of both veteran safeties, Greg Wesley and Jerome Woods. “We're evaluating everything they do physically, evaluating who we think can get better and who can't get better, evaluating what we do and ask them to do within this scheme,'' Vermeil said. “Then, if they are our guys, whoever they end up being, then we've got to ask them to do whatever they can get done. “We have to evaluate how much growth each one of those guys can make. If they can't get better, then someone else has to come in and play those positions.'' Vermeil and Peterson said they weren't inclined to weaken their offense to make improvements on defense. They said neither Priest Holmes nor Larry Johnson would be traded. Peterson said he wanted Johnson to be half of a backfield committee next season with Holmes, but that decision is Vermeil's. Vermeil and offensive coordinator Al Saunders prefer going with one back. Vermeil was less critical of the defensive front seven. The Chiefs probably will be looking for one new starting linebacker. Veteran Shawn Barber, who had reconstructive knee surgery Tuesday, won't be available for the start of training camp. His replacement, Monty Beisel, would be an unrestricted free agent. It's possible all defensive linemen except veteran Vonnie Holliday will return. “Our young linebackers have to keep growing, because they are very inconsistent,'' Vermeil said. “There is talent there, but they have to keep growing. “I'm pleased with the progress of our defensive line. I think they can get better, and they will get better. Ryan Sims is still inconsistent. Eric Hicks is Eric Hicks. You know what you're going to get from Eric Hicks. We know what we're going to get from John Browning. We know what we're going to get from Lional Dalton. We know how much room Jared Allen has to grow.'' But Vermeil cautioned, as Peterson did before season's end, not to expect drastic personnel changes. “It's harder today to overhaul a total roster from a defensive or offensive standpoint,'' Vermeil said. “We've done a heck of a job doing it offensively. I don't think any team in the National Football League has done as good a job as we have of overhauling an offense with the personnel moves that we made. We've tried to draft defensively, and some of those choices haven't worked out.'' To reach Adam Teicher,
Posts: 16,299

01-05-2005, 02:31 AM	#2
2bikemike Born to Ride Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NWA Casino cash: $2545377	Eric Hicks is Eric Hicks. You know what you're going to get from Eric Hicks. But shouldn't we expect more?
Posts: 16,299

01-05-2005, 03:35 AM	#4
Fairplay A certain set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: texas Casino cash: $10026683 VARSITY	[QUOTE=2bikemike]Vermeil's KC era is winding down As Vermeil prepares for his swan song, he knows his biggest issue is his defense. He cited the secondary as the main source of the Chiefs' defensive woes. Newsflash!! This has been the problem the last 5 years or so.
Posts: 25,265

01-05-2005, 04:57 AM	#11
Fairplay A certain set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: texas Casino cash: $10026683 VARSITY	Heh, i thought everyone else passed out in front of their monitors, no one was responding.
Posts: 25,265

01-05-2005, 04:58 AM	#12
Fairplay A certain set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: texas Casino cash: $10026683 VARSITY	Rausch you mean to tell me you like RB by committee?
Posts: 25,265