ChiefsfaninPA
06-14-2006, 08:20 AM
GRETZ: INSIDE AN OTA - DEFENSE
Jun 14, 2006, 8:10:31 AM by Bob Gretz (http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/bob_gretz/) - FAQ (http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2004/01/19/bob_gretz_faq/)
The Chiefs completed another OTA session on Tuesday at the Truman Sports Complex. Here’s a look at what the defense got done during the practice. We will look at the offense in Thursday’s OTA and report back on Friday.
DEFENSIVE LINE
There were 14 of the roster’s 16 linemen on the field, with the only missing faces being veterans John Browning and Eric Hicks. After the workout, Hicks was on the field working with the tackling sled. He’s limited in the amount of teamwork he can do as he recovers from off-season rotator cuff surgery. On the field but not practicing was Junior Siavii, while Zach Ville was limited in his participation. Ville is coming off a spring season in NFL Europe, while Siavii spent time riding a stationary bike. He’s limited because of sore knees.
During the individual position segments, the defensive line worked harder than any other group on the field. Part of that comes from the new tempo and what’s expected of them in the defense. Part of it is new assistant coach Tim Krumrie and his aggressive nature. These guys are working both strength and speed as they throw around tackling sleds and giant bags that pose as blockers.
Of the three position groups on defense, the tempo that Herman Edwards wants in this defense has affected the line more than the linebackers or secondary. They are being asked to run a lot more than they have in the past and a lot more than most defense linemen. That’s the style of the so-called Tampa defense and these guys have begun to understand they will have to be in the best shape of their careers to get and stay on the field.
The other thing that was especially noticeable in Tuesday’s OTA and has been throughout these off-season sessions is the number of balls the defensive line is batting down. Because they are moving up field off the snap, they are on the offense’s side of the ball more often and they are getting their arms up and knocking down passes.
Tamba Hali had an interception in the backfield, while Ryan Sims and Lional Dalton both had sacks from the interior of the line. Throughout the day, the defense put a lot of pressure on the passers.
LINEBACKERS
There are 10 linebackers on the Chiefs roster and all of them took part in Tuesday’s practice, including NFL Europe participant Kris Griffin.
In the individual drills, the linebackers worked on their pass drops, something they do in every practice. They also worked on their use of hands in getting free of blockers.
In the teamwork sessions, the linebackers did a lot of blitzing and were very successful in getting to the quarterbacks. In six plays, linebackers Kawika Mitchell, Rich Scanlon and Keyaron Fox each had sacks and Derrick Johnson was close on another one. Later, Boomer Grigsby added a sack as well.
Against the run, Mitchell, Johnson and Fox constantly showed up to stop plays. In coverage, Mitchell ran step for step with TE Tony Gonzalez deep down the middle of the field, but didn’t see the ball as it arrived over his head.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
There are 17 cornerbacks and safeties on the roster and 15 were on the field during Tuesday’s session and those missing were NFL Europe participants Gabriel Helms and Justin Perkins. Not practicing because of injury were William Bartee, Benny Sapp and Marcus Maxey.
Footwork, footwork, footwork is one of the key fundamentals the secondary works on in each of these sessions and Tuesday was no different. Assistant coach David Gibbs is constantly in the ear of these guys about the correct footwork in turning, backpedaling, etc.
During the team portion of Tuesday’s workout, Edwards was standing behind the secondary. The head coach was constantly talking to his defensive backs about using their eyes, seeing the receivers, the quarterback and the ball.
CB Michael Bragg had an interception. CB Kevin Garrett broke up a potential TD pass to WR Jermaine Jamison in the end zone that should have been an interception. A flea-flicker beat CB Patrick Surtain. In a situation drill, on a fourth down throw Dante Hall got away from CB Alphonso Hodge to move the sticks.
Overall, there’s a difference in the defensive tempo from the team’s mini-camp last month. That’s especially evident along the defensive line. Progress has been made.
Jun 14, 2006, 8:10:31 AM by Bob Gretz (http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/bob_gretz/) - FAQ (http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2004/01/19/bob_gretz_faq/)
The Chiefs completed another OTA session on Tuesday at the Truman Sports Complex. Here’s a look at what the defense got done during the practice. We will look at the offense in Thursday’s OTA and report back on Friday.
DEFENSIVE LINE
There were 14 of the roster’s 16 linemen on the field, with the only missing faces being veterans John Browning and Eric Hicks. After the workout, Hicks was on the field working with the tackling sled. He’s limited in the amount of teamwork he can do as he recovers from off-season rotator cuff surgery. On the field but not practicing was Junior Siavii, while Zach Ville was limited in his participation. Ville is coming off a spring season in NFL Europe, while Siavii spent time riding a stationary bike. He’s limited because of sore knees.
During the individual position segments, the defensive line worked harder than any other group on the field. Part of that comes from the new tempo and what’s expected of them in the defense. Part of it is new assistant coach Tim Krumrie and his aggressive nature. These guys are working both strength and speed as they throw around tackling sleds and giant bags that pose as blockers.
Of the three position groups on defense, the tempo that Herman Edwards wants in this defense has affected the line more than the linebackers or secondary. They are being asked to run a lot more than they have in the past and a lot more than most defense linemen. That’s the style of the so-called Tampa defense and these guys have begun to understand they will have to be in the best shape of their careers to get and stay on the field.
The other thing that was especially noticeable in Tuesday’s OTA and has been throughout these off-season sessions is the number of balls the defensive line is batting down. Because they are moving up field off the snap, they are on the offense’s side of the ball more often and they are getting their arms up and knocking down passes.
Tamba Hali had an interception in the backfield, while Ryan Sims and Lional Dalton both had sacks from the interior of the line. Throughout the day, the defense put a lot of pressure on the passers.
LINEBACKERS
There are 10 linebackers on the Chiefs roster and all of them took part in Tuesday’s practice, including NFL Europe participant Kris Griffin.
In the individual drills, the linebackers worked on their pass drops, something they do in every practice. They also worked on their use of hands in getting free of blockers.
In the teamwork sessions, the linebackers did a lot of blitzing and were very successful in getting to the quarterbacks. In six plays, linebackers Kawika Mitchell, Rich Scanlon and Keyaron Fox each had sacks and Derrick Johnson was close on another one. Later, Boomer Grigsby added a sack as well.
Against the run, Mitchell, Johnson and Fox constantly showed up to stop plays. In coverage, Mitchell ran step for step with TE Tony Gonzalez deep down the middle of the field, but didn’t see the ball as it arrived over his head.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
There are 17 cornerbacks and safeties on the roster and 15 were on the field during Tuesday’s session and those missing were NFL Europe participants Gabriel Helms and Justin Perkins. Not practicing because of injury were William Bartee, Benny Sapp and Marcus Maxey.
Footwork, footwork, footwork is one of the key fundamentals the secondary works on in each of these sessions and Tuesday was no different. Assistant coach David Gibbs is constantly in the ear of these guys about the correct footwork in turning, backpedaling, etc.
During the team portion of Tuesday’s workout, Edwards was standing behind the secondary. The head coach was constantly talking to his defensive backs about using their eyes, seeing the receivers, the quarterback and the ball.
CB Michael Bragg had an interception. CB Kevin Garrett broke up a potential TD pass to WR Jermaine Jamison in the end zone that should have been an interception. A flea-flicker beat CB Patrick Surtain. In a situation drill, on a fourth down throw Dante Hall got away from CB Alphonso Hodge to move the sticks.
Overall, there’s a difference in the defensive tempo from the team’s mini-camp last month. That’s especially evident along the defensive line. Progress has been made.