Tribal Warfare
10-23-2010, 12:59 AM
Chiefs need to get better at defending the tight end as Jaguars come to town (http://www.kansascity.com/2010/10/22/2344620/chiefs-need-to-get-better-at-defending.html)
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Eight years ago, when he was a Jets rookie fresh out of Kansas State, safety Jon McGraw didn’t spend a lot of time concerned with the opposing tight end in pass coverage.
“It seems like that,” said McGraw, who now plays for the Chiefs. “When I came into the league, it was Tony Gonzalez, and (Antonio) Gates was just getting started. There were those two guys, and then it seemed like everyone else was in the same kind of (category). Now it seems like every week there’s a really talented receiving tight end you’ve got to game-plan for.”
The Chiefs benefited from this development this season when they drafted Tony Moeaki, their leader in receptions. But the Chiefs have had problems covering opposing tight ends.
It was a big problem in last week’s loss in Houston where one tight end, Joel Dreessen, caught a touchdown throw and another, Owen Daniels, caught two passes for 51 yards on one of the Texans’ fourth-quarter touchdown drives.
“We made mistakes on those two plays where the tight end was able to change field position,” defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel said. “As result of it, their team had momentum, and when you give up plays, your team loses a little confidence trying to get themselves settled. We weren’t able to get settled, and it cost us the game.”
It’s an issue for the Chiefs again on Sunday against Jacksonville at Arrowhead Stadium. Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis has 20 catches, although that doesn’t put him among the league leaders.
But his five touchdowns do.
“He’s probably one of the best tight ends we’ll face this year along with (San Francisco’s Vernon) Davis,” Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson said.
“This guy here is big, tall and can block and catch. You see a lot of receiving ends these days and some of them are one-dimensional, but this guy can do both.
“In years past, when we’ve played Jacksonville, we’ve always circled Marcedes Lewis as a guy who can run and stretch the field. This year, they’re going to him more. He’s taking advantage of it.”
The Chiefs have had all sorts of breakdowns in their pass coverage, and they certainly haven’t been limited to the tight end. But the problem has been most acute in the middle of the field.
Two rookies, Eric Berry and Kendrick Lewis, have started at safety. Donald Washington made the first start of his career in Houston in place of the injured Lewis. The Chiefs also have a pair of starting linebackers, Tamba Hali and Jovan Belcher, who are still learning to cover passes.
As a result, the tight end has been a particular problem. San Diego’s Antonio Gates caught a touchdown pass against the Chiefs. Cleveland’s Ben Watson had a 44-yard catch to set up a touchdown.
The Chiefs did a better job against Davis, who had just three catches for 22 yards, and Dallas Clark of Indianapolis, who had three receptions for 20 yards.
“They’re all good tight ends, and they all did a good job making plays against us,” Johnson said. “Other than that, I don’t think there’s anything there to take note of. The tight end has caught balls against us in zone and in man, so there’s really nothing you can put your finger on. We’ve just got to play better.”
Marcedes Lewis has been more of a blocker than receiver in his four NFL seasons. He had a career high of 41 catches in 2008 but never had more than two touchdown receptions until this season.
At 6 feet 6 and 275 pounds, Lewis provides a big target, something the Jaguars can use more than ever on Sunday. Their starting quarterback will likely be Todd Bouman, who signed only this week and could be forced into the lineup because of injuries.
“His overall game is heightened to a whole new level,” Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew said of Marcedes Lewis. “His running routes, blocking, catching the ball. Obviously, he’s a big target and can run. He’s providing an opportunity for the quarterbacks to get him the ball. We always find the open guy, and he’s always open.”
If the Chiefs aren’t already used to playing against top receiving tight ends, they need to get there quickly. Oakland’s Zach Miller and Seattle’s John Carlson are among upcoming opponents.
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Eight years ago, when he was a Jets rookie fresh out of Kansas State, safety Jon McGraw didn’t spend a lot of time concerned with the opposing tight end in pass coverage.
“It seems like that,” said McGraw, who now plays for the Chiefs. “When I came into the league, it was Tony Gonzalez, and (Antonio) Gates was just getting started. There were those two guys, and then it seemed like everyone else was in the same kind of (category). Now it seems like every week there’s a really talented receiving tight end you’ve got to game-plan for.”
The Chiefs benefited from this development this season when they drafted Tony Moeaki, their leader in receptions. But the Chiefs have had problems covering opposing tight ends.
It was a big problem in last week’s loss in Houston where one tight end, Joel Dreessen, caught a touchdown throw and another, Owen Daniels, caught two passes for 51 yards on one of the Texans’ fourth-quarter touchdown drives.
“We made mistakes on those two plays where the tight end was able to change field position,” defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel said. “As result of it, their team had momentum, and when you give up plays, your team loses a little confidence trying to get themselves settled. We weren’t able to get settled, and it cost us the game.”
It’s an issue for the Chiefs again on Sunday against Jacksonville at Arrowhead Stadium. Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis has 20 catches, although that doesn’t put him among the league leaders.
But his five touchdowns do.
“He’s probably one of the best tight ends we’ll face this year along with (San Francisco’s Vernon) Davis,” Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson said.
“This guy here is big, tall and can block and catch. You see a lot of receiving ends these days and some of them are one-dimensional, but this guy can do both.
“In years past, when we’ve played Jacksonville, we’ve always circled Marcedes Lewis as a guy who can run and stretch the field. This year, they’re going to him more. He’s taking advantage of it.”
The Chiefs have had all sorts of breakdowns in their pass coverage, and they certainly haven’t been limited to the tight end. But the problem has been most acute in the middle of the field.
Two rookies, Eric Berry and Kendrick Lewis, have started at safety. Donald Washington made the first start of his career in Houston in place of the injured Lewis. The Chiefs also have a pair of starting linebackers, Tamba Hali and Jovan Belcher, who are still learning to cover passes.
As a result, the tight end has been a particular problem. San Diego’s Antonio Gates caught a touchdown pass against the Chiefs. Cleveland’s Ben Watson had a 44-yard catch to set up a touchdown.
The Chiefs did a better job against Davis, who had just three catches for 22 yards, and Dallas Clark of Indianapolis, who had three receptions for 20 yards.
“They’re all good tight ends, and they all did a good job making plays against us,” Johnson said. “Other than that, I don’t think there’s anything there to take note of. The tight end has caught balls against us in zone and in man, so there’s really nothing you can put your finger on. We’ve just got to play better.”
Marcedes Lewis has been more of a blocker than receiver in his four NFL seasons. He had a career high of 41 catches in 2008 but never had more than two touchdown receptions until this season.
At 6 feet 6 and 275 pounds, Lewis provides a big target, something the Jaguars can use more than ever on Sunday. Their starting quarterback will likely be Todd Bouman, who signed only this week and could be forced into the lineup because of injuries.
“His overall game is heightened to a whole new level,” Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew said of Marcedes Lewis. “His running routes, blocking, catching the ball. Obviously, he’s a big target and can run. He’s providing an opportunity for the quarterbacks to get him the ball. We always find the open guy, and he’s always open.”
If the Chiefs aren’t already used to playing against top receiving tight ends, they need to get there quickly. Oakland’s Zach Miller and Seattle’s John Carlson are among upcoming opponents.