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07-30-2006, 11:06 AM
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_4112496
Article Launched: 7/30/2006 01:00 AM
CB aims to lay down the Law with Chiefs
By Thomas George
Denver Post Staff Columnist
DenverPost.com
In recent NFL offseasons, we have seen more teams respond directly to player acquisitions made by their divisional foes.
It goes this way: You got that player - here is our answer.
George Young, the deceased and longtime Giants general manager, used to have intriguing discussions with me about this. He was amazed how teams in the NFC East countered the menacing linebacker Lawrence Taylor. They began to draft or find left tackles, and even right ones, who could battle the roving, robust Taylor.
Seldom could Taylor be blocked.
But in that division, especially, meeting Taylor twice a year every year, somebody had to do it.
And it had to be someone particularly equipped to match up.
This brings us to the Chiefs, who look around the AFC West and see fancy receivers. Randy Moss in Oakland. The still shifty Keenan McCardell in San Diego. Our own noble Rod Smith and the prize newcomer, Javon Walker.
The Chiefs know that somebody has to cover these guys. Twice a year, every year.
Enter Ty Law.
After a lengthy negotiation, Law signed with the Chiefs last week. This five-time Pro Bowl cornerback instantly becomes a centerpiece of the Chiefs defense. He is their specific answer to Walker and the general answer to the AFC West's prime receiving crew.
He is a 12th-year player who uses crafty knowledge as much as his talent. He gives the Chiefs stability on the back end. He is the finishing touch on a defense that has been revamped this offseason from the new defensive-minded head coach (Herman Edwards), to an altered defensive staff, to scheme and philosophy, to the team's draft emphasis.
This guy basically played on one foot last season because of injuries, yet led the league in interceptions with 10.
He is old. He has lost too many steps. His best years are behind him, you say.
Law says: "Well, the proof will be in the pudding. My career stats don't lie. I didn't luck out on 10 interceptions last year and the Pro Bowl. I didn't make a name for myself overnight. When my critics take that stand, it adds fuel to my fire. I was old last year, as far as they were concerned. I was washed up last year.
"I proved them wrong then, but that was the hardest season I've been through in my life. We lost a lot of games last year, a tough year for the Jets, and the losing made my foot hurt even more. You're going to see a healthier player now. A more confident one. I didn't lose confidence in my ability, just in one of my wheels. You are going to see a more aggressive player this year."
Law injured his left foot in a 2004 Halloween game while with the Patriots. For the rest of that season and last season, he hurt. He limped. Yet he performed.
Law does not believe football is a track meet.
He studies quarterbacks as much as receivers; he studies offenses and defenses. He reads plays. He reacts to them. His instincts are supernatural.
He has what Champ Bailey has, that "it" at cornerback. New England came after him again in the offseason, and so did Seattle. So did several other teams. But after flirting with the Chiefs last season before signing with the Jets, this time, everything stuck.
"After the misery of last season for me and for Herm, we both get a chance to reunite and redeem ourselves with the Chiefs," Law said. "The fans are crazy here, and I will love that. I can roll with this."
He can run with Walker and Moss and the rest, though he is not a blazer. He is a stout hitter in run support. This is a move he is "feeling," he said.
"When I look at the AFC East where I come from, I think the talent in the AFC West has overtaken it," Law said. "You can't just talk about the receivers out here. You've got guys like LaDainian Tomlinson at running back and Antonio Gates at tight end, who I might end up covering on some plays. We're not talking about just receivers, but total offensive football teams that have depth. The Broncos are extremely talented offensively, loaded with a great coach behind them. They pound you with the run and then hit you long with the pass. They, alone, will give me a heck of a challenge twice a year."
He has 46 career interceptions. He returned seven of those for touchdowns.
He is a player the Broncos must reckon with.
At least twice a year. Every year.
"I'm broadening my NFL experience," Law said. "I'm going to bring a winning attitude here. That didn't leave. I've always had hunger inside as an individual and with my team. I've been to the top in this game in both areas, as a player and as a champion. It's something you never get tired of. I'm looking for one of my best seasons. Fail here? No, I won't let that happen."
Thomas George can be reached at 303-820-1994 or tgeorge@denverpost.com.
Article Launched: 7/30/2006 01:00 AM
CB aims to lay down the Law with Chiefs
By Thomas George
Denver Post Staff Columnist
DenverPost.com
In recent NFL offseasons, we have seen more teams respond directly to player acquisitions made by their divisional foes.
It goes this way: You got that player - here is our answer.
George Young, the deceased and longtime Giants general manager, used to have intriguing discussions with me about this. He was amazed how teams in the NFC East countered the menacing linebacker Lawrence Taylor. They began to draft or find left tackles, and even right ones, who could battle the roving, robust Taylor.
Seldom could Taylor be blocked.
But in that division, especially, meeting Taylor twice a year every year, somebody had to do it.
And it had to be someone particularly equipped to match up.
This brings us to the Chiefs, who look around the AFC West and see fancy receivers. Randy Moss in Oakland. The still shifty Keenan McCardell in San Diego. Our own noble Rod Smith and the prize newcomer, Javon Walker.
The Chiefs know that somebody has to cover these guys. Twice a year, every year.
Enter Ty Law.
After a lengthy negotiation, Law signed with the Chiefs last week. This five-time Pro Bowl cornerback instantly becomes a centerpiece of the Chiefs defense. He is their specific answer to Walker and the general answer to the AFC West's prime receiving crew.
He is a 12th-year player who uses crafty knowledge as much as his talent. He gives the Chiefs stability on the back end. He is the finishing touch on a defense that has been revamped this offseason from the new defensive-minded head coach (Herman Edwards), to an altered defensive staff, to scheme and philosophy, to the team's draft emphasis.
This guy basically played on one foot last season because of injuries, yet led the league in interceptions with 10.
He is old. He has lost too many steps. His best years are behind him, you say.
Law says: "Well, the proof will be in the pudding. My career stats don't lie. I didn't luck out on 10 interceptions last year and the Pro Bowl. I didn't make a name for myself overnight. When my critics take that stand, it adds fuel to my fire. I was old last year, as far as they were concerned. I was washed up last year.
"I proved them wrong then, but that was the hardest season I've been through in my life. We lost a lot of games last year, a tough year for the Jets, and the losing made my foot hurt even more. You're going to see a healthier player now. A more confident one. I didn't lose confidence in my ability, just in one of my wheels. You are going to see a more aggressive player this year."
Law injured his left foot in a 2004 Halloween game while with the Patriots. For the rest of that season and last season, he hurt. He limped. Yet he performed.
Law does not believe football is a track meet.
He studies quarterbacks as much as receivers; he studies offenses and defenses. He reads plays. He reacts to them. His instincts are supernatural.
He has what Champ Bailey has, that "it" at cornerback. New England came after him again in the offseason, and so did Seattle. So did several other teams. But after flirting with the Chiefs last season before signing with the Jets, this time, everything stuck.
"After the misery of last season for me and for Herm, we both get a chance to reunite and redeem ourselves with the Chiefs," Law said. "The fans are crazy here, and I will love that. I can roll with this."
He can run with Walker and Moss and the rest, though he is not a blazer. He is a stout hitter in run support. This is a move he is "feeling," he said.
"When I look at the AFC East where I come from, I think the talent in the AFC West has overtaken it," Law said. "You can't just talk about the receivers out here. You've got guys like LaDainian Tomlinson at running back and Antonio Gates at tight end, who I might end up covering on some plays. We're not talking about just receivers, but total offensive football teams that have depth. The Broncos are extremely talented offensively, loaded with a great coach behind them. They pound you with the run and then hit you long with the pass. They, alone, will give me a heck of a challenge twice a year."
He has 46 career interceptions. He returned seven of those for touchdowns.
He is a player the Broncos must reckon with.
At least twice a year. Every year.
"I'm broadening my NFL experience," Law said. "I'm going to bring a winning attitude here. That didn't leave. I've always had hunger inside as an individual and with my team. I've been to the top in this game in both areas, as a player and as a champion. It's something you never get tired of. I'm looking for one of my best seasons. Fail here? No, I won't let that happen."
Thomas George can be reached at 303-820-1994 or tgeorge@denverpost.com.