Welcome Back Marty Ball

Chiefnj · 07-31-2006, 07:26 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/15160557.htm

Can Trent put on the brakes?

Green is not concerned about switch to conservative offense after thriving under Vermeil’s fast-paced attack.
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

RIVER FALLS, Wis. - Trent Green rescued the Chiefs more than once over the years with a long pass fit into a tight spot, a throw another quarterback might not have even tried.

New coach Herm Edwards doesn’t like for his quarterback to be the hero. He would rather see in that role any number of others: running back Larry Johnson, the offensive linemen, members of the revamped defense.

Edwards prefers his quarterback to hand off frequently to Johnson, get out of his way and, most important, not throw an interception when it comes time to pass.

The potential clash is an interesting one: Green’s ingrained willingness to take some chances down the field against Edwards’ decidedly conservative approach.

The success of the Chiefs’ passing game and their offense in general could depend on how well Green adapts. The Chiefs would prefer to figure out a way to harness their quarterback without taking away the quality that made Green a two-time Pro Bowler.

“What we don’t want to do is take away Trent’s aggressive mentality,” quarterbacks coach Terry Shea said. “He has more of that than any quarterback I’ve ever been around. In a lot of ways, that’s what allowed this offense to flourish.

“Trent has always had that flair for pushing the ball into a window, a tight window. He doesn’t lack for confidence in that way because his mind works so quickly that it’s ahead of the ball.

“He’s still who he is, and we want him to play that way as long as he is protecting the ball because that is probably the paramount theme that Herm has brought to the offense.”

It’s inaccurate to paint Green as some wild risk-taker. He’s done well pushing the ball down the field into some tight spots because of his accuracy but hasn’t thrown many interceptions since his 24 led the league his first season with the Chiefs in 2001.

There’s no question Green makes some bold decisions. Backup quarterback Damon Huard was teammates with Dan Marino in Miami and Tom Brady in New England but said Green’s thought process is as aggressive as either of them.

“Trent has such a good feel for this offense,” Huard said. “He knows when to take chances and when not to. That’s what the best quarterbacks do. He knows when to force the ball in there and when not to. He’s really good at that. That’s why I think he’ll do just fine no matter what our offensive philosophy turns out to be.”

Green played exactly the way former coach Dick Vermeil and offensive coordinator Al Saunders wanted. Vermeil and Saunders would tolerate turnovers as long as they were in small numbers and in an acceptable ratio to big plays.

No turnover is tolerable to Edwards.

“We’re going to keep within the theme of what Herm would like to see happen,” Shea said. “The top priority is to protect the ball. If we’re going to turn the ball over, let’s turn it over with our kicking game, either a field goal or a punt.

“With Dick, it was probably understated as compared to Herm. Herm is a lot more vocal about it.”

Stuck in the middle is Green, who thrived in the Vermeil-Saunders system.

The playbook has changed little, but the play-caller is now Mike Solari, a career offensive-line coach who has a fondness for the running game. Solari will operate under authority from Edwards.

Green played early in his career with San Diego and Washington, teams that ran conservative offenses at the time.

“It won’t be much of an adjustment for me,” he said, “because the first half of my career was spent with that philosophy.”

Yet Green can’t hide the player he is. Even though he liked seeing Green attack with downfield passes, even Saunders occasionally had to counsel his quarterback that it was OK sometimes to throw the safer, higher-percentage pass.

It’s not a stretch to think Edwards, Solari and Shea will have the same conversation with Green more often.

“You’re talking about game situations, the heat of the battle,” wide receiver Eddie Kennison said. “You’ve got to make a split-second decision. I don’t think Trent is going to change. I don’t think he can change.

“Trent will still be Trent regardless. He’ll still take his chances. That’s what makes him the player he is.”

Brock · 07-31-2006, 07:29 AM

Thank goodness. We don't want to score too many points.

KCTitus · 07-31-2006, 07:36 AM

I just threw up a little into my mouth...Do we really have to go through this again?

jspchief · 07-31-2006, 07:38 AM

Good. I'm glad it's back. We won more play-off games and saw more play-off appearances with Martyball than we did with Dickball.

BigChiefFan · 07-31-2006, 07:38 AM

I'm willing to take a wait and see approach, but it sounds like Herm needs to get the Hell out of the way, when it comes to the offensive side of the ball.

**the Talking Can** · 07-31-2006, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

Good. I'm glad it's back. We won more play-off games and saw more play-off appearances with Martyball than we did with Dickball.

or, you could say we saw more playoffs with good defense and lost all of them because of Martyball....

KCTitus · 07-31-2006, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

Good. I'm glad it's back. We won more play-off games and saw more play-off appearances with Martyball than we did with Dickball.

We did? I thought 'we' won with Montana and fizzled with Marty...I'll have to check, it was soooo long ago, I might have gotten that backwards.

wolfpack0735 · 07-31-2006, 07:46 AM

i sure hope hermie stays out of the offense. i dont think he`s totally a fool,he knows he has a powerful offense. the passing game might even open up more since everyone will be keying on LJ.

jspchief · 07-31-2006, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

or, you could say we saw more playoffs with good defense and lost all of them because of Martyball....

Sure. You could say whatever the hell you want. You could say that it wasn't the philosophy, it was the decisions made within the philosophy. You could say the Steelers just won a Superbowl playing Martyball. You could say for all the statistical accolades Vermeil brought us, he also brought us a mentally weak team and zero post season success.

You could also call Herm Edwards' scheme Martyball before the team has taken a single snap.

The reality is, we don't know what the offense is going to do yet. I'm not going to get worked up about it until I actually see how we execute it in games. I'm just glad we're going in a direction other than the one that got us nowhere for the last 5 years.

**HemiEd** · 07-31-2006, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCTitus

I just threw up a little into my mouth...Do we really have to go through this again?

Me too, I hope this is only coach speak.

**penguinz** · 07-31-2006, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

or, you could say we saw more playoffs with good defense and lost all of them because of Martyball....

It was because of Marty's decision's not martyball. See the playoff game against the colts for proof.

King_Chief_Fan · 07-31-2006, 07:50 AM

Putting the leash on Green is just crazy

KCTitus · 07-31-2006, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

...I'm just glad we're going in a direction other than the one that got us nowhere for the last 5 years.

As opposed to Martyball which won 'us' a bunch of playoff games...right?

Just to clarify, Martyball and 'smashmouth' are different to me. Martyball is a 'play not to lose' strategy that loses every time it's tried. Pittsburgh didnt win with Martyball, rather it won with 'smashmouth' football.

Zman · 07-31-2006, 07:51 AM

It amazing to me how quick we all fall off the band wagon. I don't care if it's Martyball, Air it out ball or whatever you want to call it. As long as it ends up with a Superbowl. Look at Indianapolis they got the best offense in football and no playoff victories. I think we should all just shut up and see what happens!!!

**penguinz** · 07-31-2006, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zman

It amazing to me how quick we all fall off the band wagon. I don't care if it's Martyball, Air it out ball or whatever you want to call it. As long as it ends up with a Superbowl. Look at Indianapolis they got the best offense in football and no playoff victories. I think we should all just shut up and see what happens!!!

Are you serious?

07-31-2006, 07:26 AM
Chiefnj MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Willis, Harris and Davis. Casino cash: $10004900	Welcome Back Marty Ball http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/15160557.htm Can Trent put on the brakes? Green is not concerned about switch to conservative offense after thriving under Vermeil’s fast-paced attack. By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star RIVER FALLS, Wis. - Trent Green rescued the Chiefs more than once over the years with a long pass fit into a tight spot, a throw another quarterback might not have even tried. New coach Herm Edwards doesn’t like for his quarterback to be the hero. He would rather see in that role any number of others: running back Larry Johnson, the offensive linemen, members of the revamped defense. Edwards prefers his quarterback to hand off frequently to Johnson, get out of his way and, most important, not throw an interception when it comes time to pass. The potential clash is an interesting one: Green’s ingrained willingness to take some chances down the field against Edwards’ decidedly conservative approach. The success of the Chiefs’ passing game and their offense in general could depend on how well Green adapts. The Chiefs would prefer to figure out a way to harness their quarterback without taking away the quality that made Green a two-time Pro Bowler. “What we don’t want to do is take away Trent’s aggressive mentality,” quarterbacks coach Terry Shea said. “He has more of that than any quarterback I’ve ever been around. In a lot of ways, that’s what allowed this offense to flourish. “Trent has always had that flair for pushing the ball into a window, a tight window. He doesn’t lack for confidence in that way because his mind works so quickly that it’s ahead of the ball. “He’s still who he is, and we want him to play that way as long as he is protecting the ball because that is probably the paramount theme that Herm has brought to the offense.” It’s inaccurate to paint Green as some wild risk-taker. He’s done well pushing the ball down the field into some tight spots because of his accuracy but hasn’t thrown many interceptions since his 24 led the league his first season with the Chiefs in 2001. There’s no question Green makes some bold decisions. Backup quarterback Damon Huard was teammates with Dan Marino in Miami and Tom Brady in New England but said Green’s thought process is as aggressive as either of them. “Trent has such a good feel for this offense,” Huard said. “He knows when to take chances and when not to. That’s what the best quarterbacks do. He knows when to force the ball in there and when not to. He’s really good at that. That’s why I think he’ll do just fine no matter what our offensive philosophy turns out to be.” Green played exactly the way former coach Dick Vermeil and offensive coordinator Al Saunders wanted. Vermeil and Saunders would tolerate turnovers as long as they were in small numbers and in an acceptable ratio to big plays. No turnover is tolerable to Edwards. “We’re going to keep within the theme of what Herm would like to see happen,” Shea said. “The top priority is to protect the ball. If we’re going to turn the ball over, let’s turn it over with our kicking game, either a field goal or a punt. “With Dick, it was probably understated as compared to Herm. Herm is a lot more vocal about it.” Stuck in the middle is Green, who thrived in the Vermeil-Saunders system. The playbook has changed little, but the play-caller is now Mike Solari, a career offensive-line coach who has a fondness for the running game. Solari will operate under authority from Edwards. Green played early in his career with San Diego and Washington, teams that ran conservative offenses at the time. “It won’t be much of an adjustment for me,” he said, “because the first half of my career was spent with that philosophy.” Yet Green can’t hide the player he is. Even though he liked seeing Green attack with downfield passes, even Saunders occasionally had to counsel his quarterback that it was OK sometimes to throw the safer, higher-percentage pass. It’s not a stretch to think Edwards, Solari and Shea will have the same conversation with Green more often. “You’re talking about game situations, the heat of the battle,” wide receiver Eddie Kennison said. “You’ve got to make a split-second decision. I don’t think Trent is going to change. I don’t think he can change. “Trent will still be Trent regardless. He’ll still take his chances. That’s what makes him the player he is.”
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07-31-2006, 07:29 AM	#2
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	Thank goodness. We don't want to score too many points.
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07-31-2006, 07:36 AM	#3
KCTitus Archivist Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: The Ethernet Casino cash: $9892732	I just threw up a little into my mouth...Do we really have to go through this again? __________________ Anything you post on this BB can and will be used against you...
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07-31-2006, 07:38 AM	#4
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	Good. I'm glad it's back. We won more play-off games and saw more play-off appearances with Martyball than we did with Dickball. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
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07-31-2006, 07:38 AM	#5
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	I'm willing to take a wait and see approach, but it sounds like Herm needs to get the Hell out of the way, when it comes to the offensive side of the ball. __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
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07-31-2006, 07:46 AM	#8
wolfpack0735 buttnaked is the only way tobe Join Date: May 2001 Location: B/T lost & nowhere in ks. Casino cash: $10008827	i sure hope hermie stays out of the offense. i dont think he`s totally a fool,he knows he has a powerful offense. the passing game might even open up more since everyone will be keying on LJ. __________________ Three most important things in life... Chiefs football, Beer and women, all in that order!! Adopt - A - Chief Willie Lanier Old enough to remember WHAT a Super Bowl is!!
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07-31-2006, 07:50 AM	#12
King_Chief_Fan Praise Him Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: none ya Casino cash: $5895486	Putting the leash on Green is just crazy __________________ No Jesus No Peace Know Jesus Know Peace Ephesians 2:8-10 English Standard Version (ESV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
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07-31-2006, 07:51 AM	#14
Zman Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: Kansas Casino cash: $10004900	It amazing to me how quick we all fall off the band wagon. I don't care if it's Martyball, Air it out ball or whatever you want to call it. As long as it ends up with a Superbowl. Look at Indianapolis they got the best offense in football and no playoff victories. I think we should all just shut up and see what happens!!! __________________ "The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will." Vince Lombardi
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