Tribal Warfare
12-04-2010, 04:26 AM
Chiefs notes: Chiefs look to improve defense second time around (http://www.kansascity.com/2010/12/03/2496179/chiefs-notes-chiefs-look-to-improve.html)
A second chance on defense
Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel said Friday that his unit has to start better on Sunday against Denver than it did three weeks ago, when Denver jumped to a 35-0 first-half lead and blew out Kansas City 49-29.
Crennel said the Chiefs have to do a better job against the run, which could help the team on the many play-action passes the Broncos used at Invesco Field.
“They were like a pitcher that was ahead in the count,” Crennel said. “We got behind in the count, and then their variety of what they were able to do expanded, and we could never catch up. That has something to do with it.
“We had an opportunity to make a couple plays early that we didn’t make, and they stayed ahead in the count. What we have to do is not get behind in the count this time and then see if we can play a lot better.”
Crennel added that the Chiefs hope to force Denver into difficult third-down situations more often and then allow the crowd at Arrowhead Stadium to have an effect.
Weis remembers costly mistakes
Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis said Friday that winning Sunday might have less to do with what Kansas City does than what it doesn’t do. In the teams’ previous meeting three weeks ago, Weis recalled, the Chiefs committed a false-start penalty that negated a third-down catch by running back Jamaal Charles. Weis also remembers quarterback Matt Cassel underthrowing Chris Chambers, who was open and had a clear path toward the end zone.
Weis said the Chiefs have to be sharper this time around if they hope to avoid a similar result.
“It wasn’t just their defense; it was just how the whole game went,” he said. “They got it rocking and rolling on offense, and we weren’t matching them in the point production and the game got out of hand and out of reach pretty quickly.”
Secondary isn’t yet healthy
The Chiefs have been missing one defensive back or another for most of the last month, and it’s unclear whether they’ll have their full starting unit available Sunday.
Cornerback Brandon Flowers, who missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury, is listed as questionable. Rookie safety Kendrick Lewis is probable with an ankle injury, and reserve cornerback Jackie Bates is out with an injured knee.
The team signed cornerback Mike Richardson earlier this week in an effort to improve its depth in the secondary. To make room for Richardson, the Chiefs waived linebacker Justin Cole, whom the team added to its practice squad Friday.
Other injuries
Safety Jon McGraw (head) and left guard Ryan Lilja (foot) were listed as probable for Sunday’s game.
The Broncos will be without four players, including three members of their secondary. Safeties Brian Dawkins (knee) and Darcel McBeth and cornerback Andre Goodman (hip) were listed as out for Sunday. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (ankle) also will miss the game.
A second chance on defense
Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel said Friday that his unit has to start better on Sunday against Denver than it did three weeks ago, when Denver jumped to a 35-0 first-half lead and blew out Kansas City 49-29.
Crennel said the Chiefs have to do a better job against the run, which could help the team on the many play-action passes the Broncos used at Invesco Field.
“They were like a pitcher that was ahead in the count,” Crennel said. “We got behind in the count, and then their variety of what they were able to do expanded, and we could never catch up. That has something to do with it.
“We had an opportunity to make a couple plays early that we didn’t make, and they stayed ahead in the count. What we have to do is not get behind in the count this time and then see if we can play a lot better.”
Crennel added that the Chiefs hope to force Denver into difficult third-down situations more often and then allow the crowd at Arrowhead Stadium to have an effect.
Weis remembers costly mistakes
Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis said Friday that winning Sunday might have less to do with what Kansas City does than what it doesn’t do. In the teams’ previous meeting three weeks ago, Weis recalled, the Chiefs committed a false-start penalty that negated a third-down catch by running back Jamaal Charles. Weis also remembers quarterback Matt Cassel underthrowing Chris Chambers, who was open and had a clear path toward the end zone.
Weis said the Chiefs have to be sharper this time around if they hope to avoid a similar result.
“It wasn’t just their defense; it was just how the whole game went,” he said. “They got it rocking and rolling on offense, and we weren’t matching them in the point production and the game got out of hand and out of reach pretty quickly.”
Secondary isn’t yet healthy
The Chiefs have been missing one defensive back or another for most of the last month, and it’s unclear whether they’ll have their full starting unit available Sunday.
Cornerback Brandon Flowers, who missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury, is listed as questionable. Rookie safety Kendrick Lewis is probable with an ankle injury, and reserve cornerback Jackie Bates is out with an injured knee.
The team signed cornerback Mike Richardson earlier this week in an effort to improve its depth in the secondary. To make room for Richardson, the Chiefs waived linebacker Justin Cole, whom the team added to its practice squad Friday.
Other injuries
Safety Jon McGraw (head) and left guard Ryan Lilja (foot) were listed as probable for Sunday’s game.
The Broncos will be without four players, including three members of their secondary. Safeties Brian Dawkins (knee) and Darcel McBeth and cornerback Andre Goodman (hip) were listed as out for Sunday. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (ankle) also will miss the game.