C-Mac
05-27-2005, 07:36 AM
GRETZ: Returning to Turnovers
May 27, 2005, 4:36:14 AM by Bob Gretz
The voice cuts through the chatter of the practice field on nearly every snap of the ball as the Chiefs go through their OTA workouts at the Truman Sports Complex.
“Get your hands on the ball.“
“Rip out the ball.“
“Get the rock.”
It’s the voice of Gunther Cunningham, waging an every day war to return the Chiefs defense to the culture of the takeaway.
Of all the frustrations that came with the defensive performance of the Chiefs in 2004, the greatest for Cunningham was the inability of his unit to turn the tide of games with key turnovers. Heck, it was greater than that: the frustration crested with the simple inability of the Chiefs to force fumbles or grab interceptions in any situation.
The Chiefs had just 21 takeaways last year, ranking them in a tie for 27th in the league. They recovered just eight fumbles, to rank in a tie for 29th in the league. Their 13 interceptions left them tied for 24th. They had five games when they did not get a single takeaway.
Worst of all, the 21 takeaways was the lowest total in Chiefs history.
Yes, you read that right. In 45 seasons, the only time they came close to having that few takeaways was in 1982, when they had 22 in a nine-game season. The eight fumbles recovered was the second lowest total in any Texans-Chiefs season.
This was not Kansas City defensive football, certainly not what was established in 1989 with Marty Schottenheimer and continued through five seasons when Cunningham was either defensive coordinator or head coach. In those seasons (1995-2000) the Chiefs averaged 33.5 takeaways per season.
In 2003, the Chiefs actually had 37 fumbles recovered and interceptions in Greg Robinson’s defense. The best evidence of the troubles the group had switching over to the Cunningham defense may be the drop in takeaways. Very simply, the players did not fit the system, especially at linebacker, the position group that’s going to help produce both interceptions and fumbles. Plus, a team’s safeties are always going to be big turnover producers and the Chiefs did not get good play out of their back line last year (just four takeaways, all from Greg Wesley.)
Turnovers also come from the pass rush, as defensive ends and blitzing backers and safeties hit the quarterback from the blind side, knocking the ball loose. While the Chiefs had a respectable 41 sacks in ‘04, not a single one of their eight fumbles recovered came from a quarterback.
That’s why the changes in the Chiefs defense for 2005 have more to do with just new faces, although that’s where they started. The personnel moves were made over the first four months of the season and included the addition of safety Sammy Knight, the man who has created more turnovers in the last eight seasons than any player in the NFL. Knight had 46; the next closest player had 40 (Darren Sharper) in the same time frame. How impressive is that number? Jerome Woods has played eight seasons of football for the Chiefs (1996-2001, 2003-04) and had just 19 career takeaways.
Now, as the players go through meetings and practice sessions, Cunningham is working on returning the takeaway culture. There’s only one way to do that: constant reminders. Defensive minded coaches have pushed this for years, guys like Tony Dungy and former assistants on his staff like Herman Edwards and Lovie Smith. It’s something they work on every time the team is on the field, no matter the circumstances: OTA, mini-camp, training camp, in-season practice sessions. Going after the ball becomes ingrained and it’s always stressed, never taken for granted. That’s why Indianapolis produced 36 takeaways to rank among the league leaders, despite a mediocre overall defense. Edwards’ NY Jets had 33 takeaways.
In off-season sessions in years past, defensive players were instructed to “tag off” on runners and receivers, more like touch football. This year, Cunningham is badgering his players to get their hands on the ball, not just the man. Since these are non-contact drills, it’s the first step in training players for when the real hitting starts.
During Tuesday’s OTA practice, various members of the defensive staff could be heard exhorting their players to get after the ball and knock it out. In Wednesday’s practice, the only constant voice was Cunningham; so even the coaching staff needs reminding that their players need reminding and it must happen over, and over, and over again.
Sure it gets tiring, it gets old, the players hear it over and over and there’s concern they’ll tune it out. That can’t happen. Takeaways mean too much. They cannot be taken for granted and they cannot be expected to just show up when it’s game time.
Takeaways are a way of life and the Chiefs defense needs to return to that lifestyle. That starts right now for players and coaches in hot, sweaty May practice sessions that are far from the regular-season spotlight.
May 27, 2005, 4:36:14 AM by Bob Gretz
The voice cuts through the chatter of the practice field on nearly every snap of the ball as the Chiefs go through their OTA workouts at the Truman Sports Complex.
“Get your hands on the ball.“
“Rip out the ball.“
“Get the rock.”
It’s the voice of Gunther Cunningham, waging an every day war to return the Chiefs defense to the culture of the takeaway.
Of all the frustrations that came with the defensive performance of the Chiefs in 2004, the greatest for Cunningham was the inability of his unit to turn the tide of games with key turnovers. Heck, it was greater than that: the frustration crested with the simple inability of the Chiefs to force fumbles or grab interceptions in any situation.
The Chiefs had just 21 takeaways last year, ranking them in a tie for 27th in the league. They recovered just eight fumbles, to rank in a tie for 29th in the league. Their 13 interceptions left them tied for 24th. They had five games when they did not get a single takeaway.
Worst of all, the 21 takeaways was the lowest total in Chiefs history.
Yes, you read that right. In 45 seasons, the only time they came close to having that few takeaways was in 1982, when they had 22 in a nine-game season. The eight fumbles recovered was the second lowest total in any Texans-Chiefs season.
This was not Kansas City defensive football, certainly not what was established in 1989 with Marty Schottenheimer and continued through five seasons when Cunningham was either defensive coordinator or head coach. In those seasons (1995-2000) the Chiefs averaged 33.5 takeaways per season.
In 2003, the Chiefs actually had 37 fumbles recovered and interceptions in Greg Robinson’s defense. The best evidence of the troubles the group had switching over to the Cunningham defense may be the drop in takeaways. Very simply, the players did not fit the system, especially at linebacker, the position group that’s going to help produce both interceptions and fumbles. Plus, a team’s safeties are always going to be big turnover producers and the Chiefs did not get good play out of their back line last year (just four takeaways, all from Greg Wesley.)
Turnovers also come from the pass rush, as defensive ends and blitzing backers and safeties hit the quarterback from the blind side, knocking the ball loose. While the Chiefs had a respectable 41 sacks in ‘04, not a single one of their eight fumbles recovered came from a quarterback.
That’s why the changes in the Chiefs defense for 2005 have more to do with just new faces, although that’s where they started. The personnel moves were made over the first four months of the season and included the addition of safety Sammy Knight, the man who has created more turnovers in the last eight seasons than any player in the NFL. Knight had 46; the next closest player had 40 (Darren Sharper) in the same time frame. How impressive is that number? Jerome Woods has played eight seasons of football for the Chiefs (1996-2001, 2003-04) and had just 19 career takeaways.
Now, as the players go through meetings and practice sessions, Cunningham is working on returning the takeaway culture. There’s only one way to do that: constant reminders. Defensive minded coaches have pushed this for years, guys like Tony Dungy and former assistants on his staff like Herman Edwards and Lovie Smith. It’s something they work on every time the team is on the field, no matter the circumstances: OTA, mini-camp, training camp, in-season practice sessions. Going after the ball becomes ingrained and it’s always stressed, never taken for granted. That’s why Indianapolis produced 36 takeaways to rank among the league leaders, despite a mediocre overall defense. Edwards’ NY Jets had 33 takeaways.
In off-season sessions in years past, defensive players were instructed to “tag off” on runners and receivers, more like touch football. This year, Cunningham is badgering his players to get their hands on the ball, not just the man. Since these are non-contact drills, it’s the first step in training players for when the real hitting starts.
During Tuesday’s OTA practice, various members of the defensive staff could be heard exhorting their players to get after the ball and knock it out. In Wednesday’s practice, the only constant voice was Cunningham; so even the coaching staff needs reminding that their players need reminding and it must happen over, and over, and over again.
Sure it gets tiring, it gets old, the players hear it over and over and there’s concern they’ll tune it out. That can’t happen. Takeaways mean too much. They cannot be taken for granted and they cannot be expected to just show up when it’s game time.
Takeaways are a way of life and the Chiefs defense needs to return to that lifestyle. That starts right now for players and coaches in hot, sweaty May practice sessions that are far from the regular-season spotlight.