Lzen
06-16-2005, 07:27 AM
RAND: It's too soon to worry in June
Jun 16, 2005, 5:52:41 AM by Jonathan Rand
As a coach who’s been known for being offensive-minded most of his career, Dick Vermeil sometimes gets accused of not worrying about his defense. And technically, that’s true. At least that was true after the Chiefs’ worked out on Wednesday.
That doesn’t mean Vermeil doesn’t care about his defense, which ranked 31st a year ago and must take a quantum leap in improvement for the Chiefs to reach the playoffs. Butgonz2 Vermeil claimed he’s more worried about his offense than his defense with the opener not quite three months away.
“I’m more concerned about the offense being able to compete at the same level as a year ago than about the ability of the defense to play successfully,” he said. Considering the Chiefs led the league in total offense in 2004, that statement seems extraordinary. But on this day, Vermeil was looking at what was right in front of him instead of what’s likely to materialize down the road.
He said he was worried because five of his offensive starters haven’t been practicing every down. Pro Bowl linemen Willie Roaf and Will Shields are resting their battered knees, under Vermeil’s instructions. When quarterback Trent Green just stands around, it’s only because Vermeil has nothing else for him to do.
Vermeil wouldn’t want Tony Gonzalez, his top receiving threat, rushing back from surgery. So Pro Bowl guard Brian Waters is really the only missing starter whom Vermeil would want on the field most every play were he around.
The defense, on the other hand, has been mostly intact and looking sharp. But what Vermeil worries about today and what he worries about come September 11 are not necessarily one and the same. There’s no reason to expect any of his rested or missing starters will be sidelined when the Jets visit Arrowhead Stadium.
The Chiefs’ offense is a known commodity. The defense, despite the addition of five solid to outstanding players, must be considered iffy until it starts shutting down opponents. Vermeil went out on a limb a year ago when he said he had as much defensive talent as he did when his 1999 St. Louis Rams won the Super Bowl. He stepped out on an even longer limb Wednesday, though this limb seems more capable of supporting Vermeil’s weight and optimism.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had as much talent on defense as I have right now,” he said. “I think we’ll do a better job preventing the big play. Will we move into the top six (in total defense)? I don’t know about that, but I think we can move into the top 12.”
That kind of optimism a year ago was based almost solely on the return of defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. Now it’s based on an upgrade in talent, especially at linebacker and in the secondary.
When Cunningham was told that Vermeil claimed to be more worried about his offense than defense, Cunningham gave a cautious smile. “I’m going to hold my thoughts ‘til I seem them in pads,” he said. “I’m getting too old to be too high right now. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”
Vermeil, though 68, obviously isn’t too old to get too high on his defense right now. Myself, I’d worry more about his defense than offense until his new defensive players prove they’re as talented as advertised. Then again, what do I know about worrying?
I always thought that I worried too much – until I began observing head football coaches. They worry when they lose. They worry when they win. They worry in November. They worry in June. Taking away their right to worry would be like taking away their food.
The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.
http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2005/06/16/rand_its_too_soon_to_worry_in_june/
Jun 16, 2005, 5:52:41 AM by Jonathan Rand
As a coach who’s been known for being offensive-minded most of his career, Dick Vermeil sometimes gets accused of not worrying about his defense. And technically, that’s true. At least that was true after the Chiefs’ worked out on Wednesday.
That doesn’t mean Vermeil doesn’t care about his defense, which ranked 31st a year ago and must take a quantum leap in improvement for the Chiefs to reach the playoffs. Butgonz2 Vermeil claimed he’s more worried about his offense than his defense with the opener not quite three months away.
“I’m more concerned about the offense being able to compete at the same level as a year ago than about the ability of the defense to play successfully,” he said. Considering the Chiefs led the league in total offense in 2004, that statement seems extraordinary. But on this day, Vermeil was looking at what was right in front of him instead of what’s likely to materialize down the road.
He said he was worried because five of his offensive starters haven’t been practicing every down. Pro Bowl linemen Willie Roaf and Will Shields are resting their battered knees, under Vermeil’s instructions. When quarterback Trent Green just stands around, it’s only because Vermeil has nothing else for him to do.
Vermeil wouldn’t want Tony Gonzalez, his top receiving threat, rushing back from surgery. So Pro Bowl guard Brian Waters is really the only missing starter whom Vermeil would want on the field most every play were he around.
The defense, on the other hand, has been mostly intact and looking sharp. But what Vermeil worries about today and what he worries about come September 11 are not necessarily one and the same. There’s no reason to expect any of his rested or missing starters will be sidelined when the Jets visit Arrowhead Stadium.
The Chiefs’ offense is a known commodity. The defense, despite the addition of five solid to outstanding players, must be considered iffy until it starts shutting down opponents. Vermeil went out on a limb a year ago when he said he had as much defensive talent as he did when his 1999 St. Louis Rams won the Super Bowl. He stepped out on an even longer limb Wednesday, though this limb seems more capable of supporting Vermeil’s weight and optimism.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had as much talent on defense as I have right now,” he said. “I think we’ll do a better job preventing the big play. Will we move into the top six (in total defense)? I don’t know about that, but I think we can move into the top 12.”
That kind of optimism a year ago was based almost solely on the return of defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. Now it’s based on an upgrade in talent, especially at linebacker and in the secondary.
When Cunningham was told that Vermeil claimed to be more worried about his offense than defense, Cunningham gave a cautious smile. “I’m going to hold my thoughts ‘til I seem them in pads,” he said. “I’m getting too old to be too high right now. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”
Vermeil, though 68, obviously isn’t too old to get too high on his defense right now. Myself, I’d worry more about his defense than offense until his new defensive players prove they’re as talented as advertised. Then again, what do I know about worrying?
I always thought that I worried too much – until I began observing head football coaches. They worry when they lose. They worry when they win. They worry in November. They worry in June. Taking away their right to worry would be like taking away their food.
The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.
http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2005/06/16/rand_its_too_soon_to_worry_in_june/