Gretz Camp Article On The Chiefs Defense - Page 2

AJKCFAN · 08-03-2005, 05:32 AM

http://kcchiefs.com/news/2005/08/03/...hiefs_defense/

GRETZ: That Annoying Chiefs Defense
Aug 03, 2005, 6:08:59 AM by Bob Gretz - FAQ

RIVER FALLS, WI – Psst! You, sitting there in your red and gold underwear, drinking coffee from your Chiefs mug and mulling all things happening in Lamar Hunt’s kingdom, listen up. Pull your chair a little closer to the computer screen. I’ve got a piece of information that you’ll want to read.

The Chiefs are going to put a defense on the field in 2005 that will not be an embarrassment. The Chiefs are going to have a defense this season that makes a difference.

Now, don’t go out and celebrate in the streets or start making reservations for February in Detroit. It’s early, very early in a long marathon called the NFL season. Just one week has been completed here in the north woods.

But you can already tell this is going to be a different year for Gunther Cunningham’s group. The evidence? It comes from the Chiefs offense.

Right now, Dick Vermeil’s offense is annoyed with his defense. Every practice, twice-a-day for the last five days, there have been moments when the offense’s frustration has boiled over. Guys on that side of the ball are snapping at their defensive mates. It’s more than just the normal pushing and shoving matches that come with any training camp. The defense is flying to the football and as they do, they are running into the guys on the other side.

Now, normally this is a good thing. But when the guys are sharing the same locker room and are your teammates, it tends to cause some grumbling. That’s especially true when the offense has ruled the roost for the last three years around Arrowhead.

Take Tuesday night’s practice under the lights at Ramer Field. The intensity level always goes up a bit for these night practices; there’s just something about the lights, the shadows, the green grass … more than one guy has said it brings back memories of high school days.

The Chiefs were in a goal line drill, offense and against defense. In summers past, this was like shooting fish in a barrel for the offense. They generally did what they wanted, when they wanted.

That’s no longer the case. Just ask Priest Holmes. Maybe the most valuable piece of the Chiefs offensive puzzle took a handoff and hit the right side of the offensive formation. Quite surprisingly, the left side of the defensive formation hit back, and hit back hard. Holmes was decked by a bevy of defensive players and kept out of the end zone. After picking himself up off the ground, Holmes walked away from the play shaking his head, either disgust with the intensity of his teammates’ hitting, or trying to clear a few cobwebs from the blow.

A few minutes later, Trent Green dropped back into the pocket to throw the ball. Ryan Sims was rushing up the middle and he drove the offensive lineman who was trying to block him right into Green, knocking the quarterback to the ground as he released the football. Quarterbacks all wear a yellow jersey on the field. The color means caution. They are not supposed to be knocked down, or even touched in these drills.

This stuff goes on all the time now. In the morning workout, Lional Dalton grabbed Todd Collins in a sack and drew the ire of Tony Richardson. The day before, Casey Wiegmann was chirping away at Kawika Mitchell about something that happened in a run drill.

Dick Vermeil allowed on Tuesday that his defense was “very disruptive to everything the offense wanted to do.”

Now, it must be taken into account that the Chiefs are giving a lot of offensive players rest during this camp. Holmes, Tony Gonzalez and Willie Roaf only work in every other practice. Others like Wiegmann and Jason Dunn have been given time off. Green doesn’t always take every snap with the first offense and Will Shields hasn’t been active in practice since the first day.

But the same thing is happening on the defensive side. John Browning has been in and out of the action with a back injury. Carlos Hall has been a non-participant in team work as he rests ailing knees. Kendrell Bell’s time has been limited because of back problems. Junior Siavii has watched the last few workouts with a sore knee.

Right now this isn’t so much about personnel, as it is about attitude. The Chiefs defense is establishing a much needed new face. It’s a fine line that must be walked in training camp. A defense needs physicality to get things done. A defense trying to establish a new culture, needs even more physicality, not only to show their teammates they are different, but to show themselves.

But the worst thing that could happen is one of the major weapons on the Chiefs offense suffering an injury on the River Falls fields that costs him playing time in the regular season.

Right now, the Chiefs must walk that tight rope. Dick Vermeil knows that. His offensive coaching staff probably isn’t real happy with him right now, but he hasn’t forced the defense to back off the intensity level.

He can’t. If the Chiefs are going to be something more than just a record setting offensive team in 2005, they need this defense to fly around the field from day one of training camp, to last day of the season.

It may be annoying, but it’s necessary.

**Iowanian** · 08-03-2005, 08:52 AM

I'm actually really glad to hear most of that.

I don't really think the guys are missing time from "back and knee injuries"........I'm guessing thier sore or strained.....and they're being given time to heal up a little, looking ahead to a long season, with a rough beginning.

They NEED a healthy team for Sept 11.

RedThat · 08-03-2005, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlyonsd

Well, I was mostly being sarcastic. But I am dreading the day it becomes apparent in our offense's play that they have become old. Gonna happen some day.

Nah man. I'll share some good news for ya. We got a lot of young guys in this offense that are playing well right now, and developing. Plus, they know the offense pretty well.

-Shields, and Roaf are up there in age. Say they retire, we got Welbourn and Black. Sampson is also pretty good. Chris Bober is good too. Mind you, these guys are nowhere near Shields and Roaf, however, they can get the job done.

-Trent could play another 3 years easy. I've seen QB's play till there 38, 39.

-Priest is getting old, but, still productive. History shows RB's on average don't last long, and most are done after 30. Who do the Chiefs have to back this up? Larry Johnson

-Kennison 32, Gonzo 29. I'm not worried about these guys at all. Receivers can last a long time. A lot of guys are still productive at that position even from the ages 35 and beyond. Take guys like Issac Bruce, Tim Brown, Jerry Rice, Shannon Sharpe as examples. All these guys were productive even at the ages of say 35, 37. To make things even better we have young developing talent in Kris Wilson and Sammie Parker. Both are going to get their share of playing time.

-I'm a little skeptical about our FB position for the future. T-Rich is getting older. I hope he can play another 2,3 years. Holcombe is not young either. He's 30. Mind you, he's not old. I don't know much about him too be honest. Maybe he'll be our FB of the future?

*On a side note, I think our offense can still be productive for the next 3,4 years. I think this "old" thing is a little overrated. A lot of critics enjoy using that terminology, but honestly, I don't think it's as bad as they make it seem. The key to this offense, is retaining the rights and services to Al Saunders, plus, all the other guys like Green, Gonzo, Kennison, Welbourn, Black, Sampson, Bober, LJ, Parker, Wilson, etc. Mind you, I expect Priest, T-Rich, Shields, and Roaf to retire. Al Saunders is the architect of this offense. He is the key. I would hate to see him go. If we had to start from scratch, with a ton of new players, and a new co-ordinator, then I would express concern. This is what I hope for, I hope the Chiefs retain:

-Al Saunders
-Tony Gonzalez
-Trent Green
-John Welbourn
-Jordan Black
-Eddie Kennison
-Kevin Sampson
-Chris Bober
-Kris Wilson
-Sammie Parker
-Larry Johnson
-Robert Holcombe

I hope all this could happen. I think it will be challenging though, especially with the new additions we made on defense. It will be challenging to retain all these guys and fit them under the total salary cap figure. Especially after seeing their contracts go up every year. Mind you, like every fan I'm sure, I would like to see longevity with this team.

AirForceChief · 08-03-2005, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

Carlos Hall has ailing knees? Jeebus ...

This was surprising to me as well, anyone got the scoop??

milkman · 08-03-2005, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirForceChief

This was surprising to me as well, anyone got the scoop??

Yeah it is surprising.

If it were Eric Hicks, I'd wouldn't be surprised at all.

08-03-2005, 05:32 AM
AJKCFAN Head Chief, Esq. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: New York Casino cash: $2411798	Gretz Camp Article On The Chiefs Defense http://kcchiefs.com/news/2005/08/03/...hiefs_defense/ GRETZ: That Annoying Chiefs Defense Aug 03, 2005, 6:08:59 AM by Bob Gretz - FAQ RIVER FALLS, WI – Psst! You, sitting there in your red and gold underwear, drinking coffee from your Chiefs mug and mulling all things happening in Lamar Hunt’s kingdom, listen up. Pull your chair a little closer to the computer screen. I’ve got a piece of information that you’ll want to read. The Chiefs are going to put a defense on the field in 2005 that will not be an embarrassment. The Chiefs are going to have a defense this season that makes a difference. Now, don’t go out and celebrate in the streets or start making reservations for February in Detroit. It’s early, very early in a long marathon called the NFL season. Just one week has been completed here in the north woods. But you can already tell this is going to be a different year for Gunther Cunningham’s group. The evidence? It comes from the Chiefs offense. Right now, Dick Vermeil’s offense is annoyed with his defense. Every practice, twice-a-day for the last five days, there have been moments when the offense’s frustration has boiled over. Guys on that side of the ball are snapping at their defensive mates. It’s more than just the normal pushing and shoving matches that come with any training camp. The defense is flying to the football and as they do, they are running into the guys on the other side. Now, normally this is a good thing. But when the guys are sharing the same locker room and are your teammates, it tends to cause some grumbling. That’s especially true when the offense has ruled the roost for the last three years around Arrowhead. Take Tuesday night’s practice under the lights at Ramer Field. The intensity level always goes up a bit for these night practices; there’s just something about the lights, the shadows, the green grass … more than one guy has said it brings back memories of high school days. The Chiefs were in a goal line drill, offense and against defense. In summers past, this was like shooting fish in a barrel for the offense. They generally did what they wanted, when they wanted. That’s no longer the case. Just ask Priest Holmes. Maybe the most valuable piece of the Chiefs offensive puzzle took a handoff and hit the right side of the offensive formation. Quite surprisingly, the left side of the defensive formation hit back, and hit back hard. Holmes was decked by a bevy of defensive players and kept out of the end zone. After picking himself up off the ground, Holmes walked away from the play shaking his head, either disgust with the intensity of his teammates’ hitting, or trying to clear a few cobwebs from the blow. A few minutes later, Trent Green dropped back into the pocket to throw the ball. Ryan Sims was rushing up the middle and he drove the offensive lineman who was trying to block him right into Green, knocking the quarterback to the ground as he released the football. Quarterbacks all wear a yellow jersey on the field. The color means caution. They are not supposed to be knocked down, or even touched in these drills. This stuff goes on all the time now. In the morning workout, Lional Dalton grabbed Todd Collins in a sack and drew the ire of Tony Richardson. The day before, Casey Wiegmann was chirping away at Kawika Mitchell about something that happened in a run drill. Dick Vermeil allowed on Tuesday that his defense was “very disruptive to everything the offense wanted to do.” Now, it must be taken into account that the Chiefs are giving a lot of offensive players rest during this camp. Holmes, Tony Gonzalez and Willie Roaf only work in every other practice. Others like Wiegmann and Jason Dunn have been given time off. Green doesn’t always take every snap with the first offense and Will Shields hasn’t been active in practice since the first day. But the same thing is happening on the defensive side. John Browning has been in and out of the action with a back injury. Carlos Hall has been a non-participant in team work as he rests ailing knees. Kendrell Bell’s time has been limited because of back problems. Junior Siavii has watched the last few workouts with a sore knee. Right now this isn’t so much about personnel, as it is about attitude. The Chiefs defense is establishing a much needed new face. It’s a fine line that must be walked in training camp. A defense needs physicality to get things done. A defense trying to establish a new culture, needs even more physicality, not only to show their teammates they are different, but to show themselves. But the worst thing that could happen is one of the major weapons on the Chiefs offense suffering an injury on the River Falls fields that costs him playing time in the regular season. Right now, the Chiefs must walk that tight rope. Dick Vermeil knows that. His offensive coaching staff probably isn’t real happy with him right now, but he hasn’t forced the defense to back off the intensity level. He can’t. If the Chiefs are going to be something more than just a record setting offensive team in 2005, they need this defense to fly around the field from day one of training camp, to last day of the season. It may be annoying, but it’s necessary.
Posts: 925

08-03-2005, 08:52 AM	#16
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $4818454	I'm actually really glad to hear most of that. I don't really think the guys are missing time from "back and knee injuries"........I'm guessing thier sore or strained.....and they're being given time to heal up a little, looking ahead to a long season, with a rough beginning. They NEED a healthy team for Sept 11.
Posts: 61,511

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