Tribal Warfare
08-19-2008, 10:55 PM
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/756939.html
Chiefs camp buzz: Another shake-up in defensive lineup
Another defensive lineup change
Tank Tyler replaced Ron Edwards as a starting defensive tackle in practice, marking the second lineup change on the line and the third on the defense since the start of training camp.
Edwards has been a solid if unspectacular run defender since he joined the Chiefs two years ago. But the Chiefs think Tyler, in his second season, has more potential and has earned the spot. Edwards will play as part of the defensive line rotation.
The Chiefs now line up with Tyler and Glenn Dorsey at tackle, and Tamba Hali and Turk McBride at end. Hali, in his third season, is the senior member of the group.
Alfonso Boone, who was displaced as the starting left end early in camp by McBride, comes in at tackle on obvious passing downs, replacing Tyler.
The Chiefs also replaced middle linebacker Napoleon Harris with Pat Thomas.
One last trial for Novak, Barth?
The Chiefs will take kickers Nick Novak and Connor Barth to Miami for Saturday night’s game against the Dolphins. This could be the last game for one of the two. The Chiefs, like all NFL teams, must trim their roster to 75 players before the final preseason game on Aug. 28.
It could also be the last game for both kickers. The Chiefs don’t appear sold on either of the two. Coach Herm Edwards seemed particularly disappointed when Barth missed a 46-yard field-goal attempt last week against the Arizona Cardinals.
Jay Feely and John Carney, who finished last season with the Chiefs, are two of the available veteran kickers.
“The thing about a veteran kicker is … they’re always out there,” Edwards said. “The great thing about kickers if they’re a veteran guy who’s not on a team right now, they don’t need a lot of practice.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT …
THE OFFENSE
Edwards said the starters, including quarterback Brodie Croyle, would play into the third quarter Saturday in Miami. He would like Croyle to be able to lead a live two-minute drill, something he hasn’t done in either of the first two games. Edwards hinted that the Chiefs might simulate a two-minute drill at another point in the game. … Dwayne Bowe again showed a tremendous ability to adjust to the ball in the air. He beat Pat Surtain and later Brandon Carr on fade patterns by making his move for the ball earlier than his opponent. … Bobby Sippio rebounded from his miserable game against Arizona to make a sliding catch from Tyler Thigpen.
THE DEFENSE
Linebacker Demorrio Williams continued to get work as a hand-on-the-ground rusher in passing situations. … Glenn Dorsey was back at his spot as a middle pass rusher in the nickel defense. … Rookie safety Khayyam Burns made a couple of nice plays. First he busted up a Thigpen pass, though he should have made an interception. Later, he squeezed through a tight gap to trap Dantrell Savage in the backfield. That earned him a congratulatory handshake from coordinator Gunther Cunningham.
INJURY REPORT
Running back Jamaal Charles (shoulder), wide receiver Kevin Robinson (knee), tight end Brad Cottam (shoulder), offensive linemen Branden Albert (foot) and Damion McIntosh (ankle), defensive lineman Trevor Johnson (concussion), linebackers Donnie Edwards (hamstring) and Napoleon Harris (knee), and cornerback Tyron Brackenridge (hamstring) did not practice.
Chiefs camp buzz: Another shake-up in defensive lineup
Another defensive lineup change
Tank Tyler replaced Ron Edwards as a starting defensive tackle in practice, marking the second lineup change on the line and the third on the defense since the start of training camp.
Edwards has been a solid if unspectacular run defender since he joined the Chiefs two years ago. But the Chiefs think Tyler, in his second season, has more potential and has earned the spot. Edwards will play as part of the defensive line rotation.
The Chiefs now line up with Tyler and Glenn Dorsey at tackle, and Tamba Hali and Turk McBride at end. Hali, in his third season, is the senior member of the group.
Alfonso Boone, who was displaced as the starting left end early in camp by McBride, comes in at tackle on obvious passing downs, replacing Tyler.
The Chiefs also replaced middle linebacker Napoleon Harris with Pat Thomas.
One last trial for Novak, Barth?
The Chiefs will take kickers Nick Novak and Connor Barth to Miami for Saturday night’s game against the Dolphins. This could be the last game for one of the two. The Chiefs, like all NFL teams, must trim their roster to 75 players before the final preseason game on Aug. 28.
It could also be the last game for both kickers. The Chiefs don’t appear sold on either of the two. Coach Herm Edwards seemed particularly disappointed when Barth missed a 46-yard field-goal attempt last week against the Arizona Cardinals.
Jay Feely and John Carney, who finished last season with the Chiefs, are two of the available veteran kickers.
“The thing about a veteran kicker is … they’re always out there,” Edwards said. “The great thing about kickers if they’re a veteran guy who’s not on a team right now, they don’t need a lot of practice.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT …
THE OFFENSE
Edwards said the starters, including quarterback Brodie Croyle, would play into the third quarter Saturday in Miami. He would like Croyle to be able to lead a live two-minute drill, something he hasn’t done in either of the first two games. Edwards hinted that the Chiefs might simulate a two-minute drill at another point in the game. … Dwayne Bowe again showed a tremendous ability to adjust to the ball in the air. He beat Pat Surtain and later Brandon Carr on fade patterns by making his move for the ball earlier than his opponent. … Bobby Sippio rebounded from his miserable game against Arizona to make a sliding catch from Tyler Thigpen.
THE DEFENSE
Linebacker Demorrio Williams continued to get work as a hand-on-the-ground rusher in passing situations. … Glenn Dorsey was back at his spot as a middle pass rusher in the nickel defense. … Rookie safety Khayyam Burns made a couple of nice plays. First he busted up a Thigpen pass, though he should have made an interception. Later, he squeezed through a tight gap to trap Dantrell Savage in the backfield. That earned him a congratulatory handshake from coordinator Gunther Cunningham.
INJURY REPORT
Running back Jamaal Charles (shoulder), wide receiver Kevin Robinson (knee), tight end Brad Cottam (shoulder), offensive linemen Branden Albert (foot) and Damion McIntosh (ankle), defensive lineman Trevor Johnson (concussion), linebackers Donnie Edwards (hamstring) and Napoleon Harris (knee), and cornerback Tyron Brackenridge (hamstring) did not practice.