Hammock Parties
03-12-2008, 09:34 AM
http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2008/03/12/helping_our_mistaken_comrades/
You can’t believe everything you read.
That’s especially true these days when there’s so much to read from so many sources.
In an effort to help our comrades in the media, we are here today to sweep up some of the mess they’ve made in recent stories.
Like the recent coverage of the Chiefs signing of free agent linebacker Demorrio Williams by the local newspapeer. It was reported that the Williams signing was due to the coaching staff’s unhappiness with Napoleon Harris and his play at middle linebacker last season. The story said that Donnie Edwards was moving inside to middle linebacker and Williams would play outside linebacker. No source was provided for this information. That lack of attribution didn’t keep local radio and television yakkers from repeating the information like it was fact.
Just one problem: it’s not true. Edwards isn’t moving to the middle, Harris isn’t moving to the bench and Williams isn’t moving into the starting lineup.
I know this is true because I asked the only sources needed for this discussion: head coach Herm Edwards and defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. The Chiefs liked Williams because he’s young and fast; Cunningham said he reminds him a little bit of former linebacker Anthony Davis from the mid-1990s. Remember, Edwards will soon celebrate his 35th birthday. After seasons of being an iron-man, he had injury problems last year.
The Chiefs wanted another young linebacker, an upgrade from what they’ve seen in the past from the likes of Keyaron Fox. The coaches wanted to improve the competition level at linebacker, and both coaches felt they needed another experienced body to get that done. They want to see more consistency and more plays from the linebacker group as a whole.
But that doesn’t mean either of those veterans is headed to the bench or that Williams is penciled into the starting lineup.
Here’s another one, this from the Boston Globe. Because of his early career with the Patriots, there are sportswriters in New England who still think Ty Law can play the cornerback position in the NFL.
Last week the Globe had a feature on Law, pumping up his credentials and his current availability. It included some interesting quotes from Law. He said:
“I thought the opportunity was a great one at the time (going to Kansas City.) But to be honest, it wasn’t the best playing experience for me by any means. I feel that if you put me in a situation that takes advantage of my skills, I could be in Hawaii the next three years. But you have to be in the right scheme of things to showcase your talent.”
By Hawaii, Law was talking about playing in the Pro Bowl.
At this point in his career, Law’s only hope of visiting Hawaii is buying his own plane ticket. He can no longer run with receivers. How many times did he simply fall down trying to make a move in coverage? He is willing to come up and support the run, but a corner has to cover and that’s something Law did very little of during his 33 games with the Chiefs.
For Law to indicate he was not handled very well by the Chiefs in their defensive scheme is ridiculous. It was more like the other way around. His inability to run and cover receivers hampered what the Chiefs were able to do with their defense.
More than likely there will be a team that signs Law now that he’s a free agent. Buyer beware.
---------------
Would have been nice if Gretz had mentioned WPI, who got it right the first time.
You can’t believe everything you read.
That’s especially true these days when there’s so much to read from so many sources.
In an effort to help our comrades in the media, we are here today to sweep up some of the mess they’ve made in recent stories.
Like the recent coverage of the Chiefs signing of free agent linebacker Demorrio Williams by the local newspapeer. It was reported that the Williams signing was due to the coaching staff’s unhappiness with Napoleon Harris and his play at middle linebacker last season. The story said that Donnie Edwards was moving inside to middle linebacker and Williams would play outside linebacker. No source was provided for this information. That lack of attribution didn’t keep local radio and television yakkers from repeating the information like it was fact.
Just one problem: it’s not true. Edwards isn’t moving to the middle, Harris isn’t moving to the bench and Williams isn’t moving into the starting lineup.
I know this is true because I asked the only sources needed for this discussion: head coach Herm Edwards and defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. The Chiefs liked Williams because he’s young and fast; Cunningham said he reminds him a little bit of former linebacker Anthony Davis from the mid-1990s. Remember, Edwards will soon celebrate his 35th birthday. After seasons of being an iron-man, he had injury problems last year.
The Chiefs wanted another young linebacker, an upgrade from what they’ve seen in the past from the likes of Keyaron Fox. The coaches wanted to improve the competition level at linebacker, and both coaches felt they needed another experienced body to get that done. They want to see more consistency and more plays from the linebacker group as a whole.
But that doesn’t mean either of those veterans is headed to the bench or that Williams is penciled into the starting lineup.
Here’s another one, this from the Boston Globe. Because of his early career with the Patriots, there are sportswriters in New England who still think Ty Law can play the cornerback position in the NFL.
Last week the Globe had a feature on Law, pumping up his credentials and his current availability. It included some interesting quotes from Law. He said:
“I thought the opportunity was a great one at the time (going to Kansas City.) But to be honest, it wasn’t the best playing experience for me by any means. I feel that if you put me in a situation that takes advantage of my skills, I could be in Hawaii the next three years. But you have to be in the right scheme of things to showcase your talent.”
By Hawaii, Law was talking about playing in the Pro Bowl.
At this point in his career, Law’s only hope of visiting Hawaii is buying his own plane ticket. He can no longer run with receivers. How many times did he simply fall down trying to make a move in coverage? He is willing to come up and support the run, but a corner has to cover and that’s something Law did very little of during his 33 games with the Chiefs.
For Law to indicate he was not handled very well by the Chiefs in their defensive scheme is ridiculous. It was more like the other way around. His inability to run and cover receivers hampered what the Chiefs were able to do with their defense.
More than likely there will be a team that signs Law now that he’s a free agent. Buyer beware.
---------------
Would have been nice if Gretz had mentioned WPI, who got it right the first time.