Tribal Warfare
09-25-2009, 11:17 PM
Dorsey says he’s a better player this season (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/1471275.html)
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Glenn Dorsey pondered the notion for a second and, while picking at some tape on his football shoes, finally agreed. Yes, he said, it’s possible he could be a better player for the Chiefs this year and few people might know.
That can be what happens to a defensive end in a 3-4 defense.
“That could be,” said Dorsey, the Chiefs’ first-round draft pick last year. “But I think people that really understand the game will see the difference in the way I’m playing. It might not show up on the stats, but the improvement is there.”
As proof, Dorsey can offer last week’s game against Oakland, probably the best of his professional career. Dorsey, who was credited with five tackles, was a big reason the Raiders rushed for just 67 yards and a feeble 2.7 per carry.
Dorsey had a chance to make a potentially game-changing play in the fourth quarter when he batted a JaMarcus Russell pass at the line of scrimmage. Had Dorsey made the catch instead of watching the ball fall harmlessly to the grass, he could have scored a touchdown or at least provided the offense with field position inside the Oakland 10.
If he’s to get noticed this season, Dorsey might have to make plays like that one. He comes out of the game on obvious passing downs, so his chances for sacks are limited.
Without the chance to drag down the opposing quarterback, it figures to be difficult for Dorsey to live up to his lofty draft position. The Chiefs selected Dorsey last year with the fifth pick in the draft.
Still, for what they’re asking him to do, the Chiefs are quietly encouraged.
“That was probably the best we’ve seen from him to date since we’ve been together,” defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast said. “He’s showing up more. But we’ve got 14 more to go, so hopefully he’ll continue to make progress.”
It’s somewhat of a surprise that the Chiefs are praising Dorsey this early in the season. They were unhappy with him at the start of their offseason conditioning program for showing up overweight and out of shape.
He then failed the Chiefs’ conditioning test at the start of training camp and missed the first couple of practice sessions.
Even head coach Todd Haley said he was impressed with Dorsey’s progress.
“He’s a guy that kind of let himself get away, shapewise and conditioningwise, in the offseason,” Haley said. “It was a long way back. He’s worked hard to get back. Now he’s finally in a position bodywise and conditionwise where he can really go to work now and start to see some improvement. I think he’s seeing that, and that’s leading to a little confidence on his part, and that’s all good stuff.
“The important thing is he stays where he’s at or better as far as conditioning and stays on top of that week in and week out and continues to let that confidence build.”
Dorsey said he intended to honor that request.
“He’s been preaching to me since (he) got here to lose some weight and get in shape,” Dorsey said. “I’m getting closer and closer and I’m seeing a difference on the field and in practice. It’s all for the better.”
It will be if all his games are like the one Dorsey played against Oakland.
“You could say that was my best game,” he said. “I was able to make a few plays. I was in the right position, and I knew what (the Raiders) were trying to do to us. I’m always looking at why I played (well) and I’ll try to do that this week.
“I did OK. I still have a lot of things I have to work on.”
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Glenn Dorsey pondered the notion for a second and, while picking at some tape on his football shoes, finally agreed. Yes, he said, it’s possible he could be a better player for the Chiefs this year and few people might know.
That can be what happens to a defensive end in a 3-4 defense.
“That could be,” said Dorsey, the Chiefs’ first-round draft pick last year. “But I think people that really understand the game will see the difference in the way I’m playing. It might not show up on the stats, but the improvement is there.”
As proof, Dorsey can offer last week’s game against Oakland, probably the best of his professional career. Dorsey, who was credited with five tackles, was a big reason the Raiders rushed for just 67 yards and a feeble 2.7 per carry.
Dorsey had a chance to make a potentially game-changing play in the fourth quarter when he batted a JaMarcus Russell pass at the line of scrimmage. Had Dorsey made the catch instead of watching the ball fall harmlessly to the grass, he could have scored a touchdown or at least provided the offense with field position inside the Oakland 10.
If he’s to get noticed this season, Dorsey might have to make plays like that one. He comes out of the game on obvious passing downs, so his chances for sacks are limited.
Without the chance to drag down the opposing quarterback, it figures to be difficult for Dorsey to live up to his lofty draft position. The Chiefs selected Dorsey last year with the fifth pick in the draft.
Still, for what they’re asking him to do, the Chiefs are quietly encouraged.
“That was probably the best we’ve seen from him to date since we’ve been together,” defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast said. “He’s showing up more. But we’ve got 14 more to go, so hopefully he’ll continue to make progress.”
It’s somewhat of a surprise that the Chiefs are praising Dorsey this early in the season. They were unhappy with him at the start of their offseason conditioning program for showing up overweight and out of shape.
He then failed the Chiefs’ conditioning test at the start of training camp and missed the first couple of practice sessions.
Even head coach Todd Haley said he was impressed with Dorsey’s progress.
“He’s a guy that kind of let himself get away, shapewise and conditioningwise, in the offseason,” Haley said. “It was a long way back. He’s worked hard to get back. Now he’s finally in a position bodywise and conditionwise where he can really go to work now and start to see some improvement. I think he’s seeing that, and that’s leading to a little confidence on his part, and that’s all good stuff.
“The important thing is he stays where he’s at or better as far as conditioning and stays on top of that week in and week out and continues to let that confidence build.”
Dorsey said he intended to honor that request.
“He’s been preaching to me since (he) got here to lose some weight and get in shape,” Dorsey said. “I’m getting closer and closer and I’m seeing a difference on the field and in practice. It’s all for the better.”
It will be if all his games are like the one Dorsey played against Oakland.
“You could say that was my best game,” he said. “I was able to make a few plays. I was in the right position, and I knew what (the Raiders) were trying to do to us. I’m always looking at why I played (well) and I’ll try to do that this week.
“I did OK. I still have a lot of things I have to work on.”