Tribal Warfare
08-29-2011, 02:56 AM
Chiefs have trouble stopping the run (http://www.kansascity.com/2011/08/28/3106251/chiefs-camp-report-team-having.html)
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star
Chiefs coach Todd Haley said Sunday that film review of Friday’s 14-0 loss to St. Louis revealed that the Rams had a clear strategy of running the football against Kansas City — and that the Chiefs were consistently unable to make stops.
The Rams rushed for 123 yards in the first half, scoring TDs on their first two possessions, and maintaining possession for all but 2 minutes, 13 seconds in the first quarter. Steven Jackson rushed 15 times for 72 yards in the first half.
“They definitely had a clear-cut mode that they were going to play that game, early especially, which was run the football,” Haley said.
The Chiefs ranked 14th in the NFL last season in rushing defense, allowing an average of 110.2 yards. The team added veteran nose tackle Kelly Gregg in free agency, and Haley has said his defense’s top priority is to stop the run.
On Friday, the Chiefs had plenty of problems.
“If one guy slides a little too far,” Haley said, “or (gets) taken out of position, or if a linebacker scrapes too far, or gets a little too aggressive, it weakens the entire group, and I think we saw some of that the other night for sure.”
Haley said he thought his defense corrected some of its mistakes as the game continued. But if nothing else, it revealed a potential weakness in coordinator Romeo Crennel’s unit. The Chiefs have allowed teams an average of 141 rushing yards in three preseason contests, all losses.
“That’s something we’re working on nonstop,” Haley said.
Haley praises Johnson’s circus play
Coach Todd Haley remained impressed by linebacker Derrick Johnson’s acrobatic interception in the second quarter Friday, saying he watched the footage again and again.
“I just rewound it, rewound it, rewound it,” he said. “… What we’ve seen from him on the practice field and into the games has been really good stuff.”
Haley reiterated that he thinks Johnson could be even more impressive than he was last season, in which he had a breakout year with 96 tackles.
“He can be even better, and that’s the exciting thing for all of us,” Haley said. “And I think that he’s showing some of that right now.”
Chiefs rack up penalties
Haley said the team’s six flags for holding would be a “point of emphasis” during the Chiefs’ practices this week. Right tackle Barry Richardson was flagged three times for holding, including a second-quarter penalty that nullified a touchdown run by Jamaal Charles.
Haley said players can sacrifice technique if they feel they’re overmatched, and the team would work this week on re-emphasizing hand placement and footwork.
“That’s a good thing, in that if we can correct the technique,” he said, “we feel like you eliminate the problem. We can’t have those problems, that’s for sure.”
The offense
Tight end Anthony Becht, signed last week when the Chiefs placed linebacker Brandon Siler on injured reserve, took snaps with the first-team offense during skeleton drills; Leonard Pope worked briefly with the reserves. … Dexter McCluster caught a deep pass from Matt Cassel, beating rookie linebacker Justin Houston down the sideline.
The defense
Second-year linebacker Cameron Sheffield applied pressure to Cassel during team drills, forcing Cassel to dump a short pass to Pope for what would’ve been a loss. … Veteran free safety Jon McGraw batted down a pass late in the practice.
Injury report
The Chiefs had nine players in the injured/conditioning area. Guards Ryan Lilja and Darryl Harris, defensive end Wallace Gilberry, tight end Jake O’Connell, linebackers Gabe Miller and Pierre Walters, wide receiver Steve Breaston and offensive lineman Chris Harr missed practice. Wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin, whose right hand is still heavily wrapped, left after individual drills.
Daily battle
Kicker Todd Carter is still hanging around, quietly working alongside Ryan Succop, whose blocked attempt Friday at a 21-yard field goal all but sealed the loss to St. Louis. It’s doubtful Succop will be overtaken as the team’s primary kicker, but he has a history of having kicks blocked, something the Chiefs can’t afford to happen regularly.
Today’s schedule
The Chiefs will hold a practice at 10:40 a.m. today at their practice facility. It is closed to the public.
86 Sunday’s high temperature in Kansas City; today’s expected high is 89.
22 The number of plays St. Louis ran in the first quarter Friday, jumping to a 14-0 lead.
6 The number of first-quarter plays run by the Chiefs; the Rams had possession for 12 minutes, 47 seconds of the quarter.
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star
Chiefs coach Todd Haley said Sunday that film review of Friday’s 14-0 loss to St. Louis revealed that the Rams had a clear strategy of running the football against Kansas City — and that the Chiefs were consistently unable to make stops.
The Rams rushed for 123 yards in the first half, scoring TDs on their first two possessions, and maintaining possession for all but 2 minutes, 13 seconds in the first quarter. Steven Jackson rushed 15 times for 72 yards in the first half.
“They definitely had a clear-cut mode that they were going to play that game, early especially, which was run the football,” Haley said.
The Chiefs ranked 14th in the NFL last season in rushing defense, allowing an average of 110.2 yards. The team added veteran nose tackle Kelly Gregg in free agency, and Haley has said his defense’s top priority is to stop the run.
On Friday, the Chiefs had plenty of problems.
“If one guy slides a little too far,” Haley said, “or (gets) taken out of position, or if a linebacker scrapes too far, or gets a little too aggressive, it weakens the entire group, and I think we saw some of that the other night for sure.”
Haley said he thought his defense corrected some of its mistakes as the game continued. But if nothing else, it revealed a potential weakness in coordinator Romeo Crennel’s unit. The Chiefs have allowed teams an average of 141 rushing yards in three preseason contests, all losses.
“That’s something we’re working on nonstop,” Haley said.
Haley praises Johnson’s circus play
Coach Todd Haley remained impressed by linebacker Derrick Johnson’s acrobatic interception in the second quarter Friday, saying he watched the footage again and again.
“I just rewound it, rewound it, rewound it,” he said. “… What we’ve seen from him on the practice field and into the games has been really good stuff.”
Haley reiterated that he thinks Johnson could be even more impressive than he was last season, in which he had a breakout year with 96 tackles.
“He can be even better, and that’s the exciting thing for all of us,” Haley said. “And I think that he’s showing some of that right now.”
Chiefs rack up penalties
Haley said the team’s six flags for holding would be a “point of emphasis” during the Chiefs’ practices this week. Right tackle Barry Richardson was flagged three times for holding, including a second-quarter penalty that nullified a touchdown run by Jamaal Charles.
Haley said players can sacrifice technique if they feel they’re overmatched, and the team would work this week on re-emphasizing hand placement and footwork.
“That’s a good thing, in that if we can correct the technique,” he said, “we feel like you eliminate the problem. We can’t have those problems, that’s for sure.”
The offense
Tight end Anthony Becht, signed last week when the Chiefs placed linebacker Brandon Siler on injured reserve, took snaps with the first-team offense during skeleton drills; Leonard Pope worked briefly with the reserves. … Dexter McCluster caught a deep pass from Matt Cassel, beating rookie linebacker Justin Houston down the sideline.
The defense
Second-year linebacker Cameron Sheffield applied pressure to Cassel during team drills, forcing Cassel to dump a short pass to Pope for what would’ve been a loss. … Veteran free safety Jon McGraw batted down a pass late in the practice.
Injury report
The Chiefs had nine players in the injured/conditioning area. Guards Ryan Lilja and Darryl Harris, defensive end Wallace Gilberry, tight end Jake O’Connell, linebackers Gabe Miller and Pierre Walters, wide receiver Steve Breaston and offensive lineman Chris Harr missed practice. Wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin, whose right hand is still heavily wrapped, left after individual drills.
Daily battle
Kicker Todd Carter is still hanging around, quietly working alongside Ryan Succop, whose blocked attempt Friday at a 21-yard field goal all but sealed the loss to St. Louis. It’s doubtful Succop will be overtaken as the team’s primary kicker, but he has a history of having kicks blocked, something the Chiefs can’t afford to happen regularly.
Today’s schedule
The Chiefs will hold a practice at 10:40 a.m. today at their practice facility. It is closed to the public.
86 Sunday’s high temperature in Kansas City; today’s expected high is 89.
22 The number of plays St. Louis ran in the first quarter Friday, jumping to a 14-0 lead.
6 The number of first-quarter plays run by the Chiefs; the Rams had possession for 12 minutes, 47 seconds of the quarter.