tk13
09-14-2004, 01:06 AM
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/9656543.htm
No quick fix for Chiefs
Defense faces same problems from last year
By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star
Aware it can take time to build a defense from scratch, the Chiefs had a modest goal for Sunday's season opener in Denver.
They just wanted to be better in Gunther Cunningham's return as defensive coordinator than they were last season.
“I sure didn't expect 200 yards rushing when you have a whole summer and a whole camp to prepare for a game,” defensive tackle Ryan Sims said after emerging Monday from an extended team video session with Cunningham. “That's enough time, I think. It's very disappointing.
“But the first game doesn't define the defense and won't define this defense. It just lets you know where you are, where you stand.”
Defensively, the Chiefs stand in much the same place as last year after the 34-24 loss to the Broncos. The 30th-ranked rushing defense last season, the Chiefs are tied for 30th with New England after the first week of play.
They couldn't stop the Broncos at the game's crucial juncture when Denver went on a 7-minute-plus fourth-quarter touchdown drive that salted the game away.
So it's going to take more time to fix what ails the Chiefs' defense than anyone hoped. But how much time will it take? Can they find solutions in time for Sunday's home opener against defending NFC champion Carolina?
Coach Dick Vermeil was in search of answers Monday.
“Each offense … presents a different problem and a different scheme,” he said. “I expect us to be a lot better this next week than we were (last) week.”
Vermeil also expected better in Denver, but what he saw was frightening. Defenders lined up in the wrong spots and others missed assignments. The Chiefs reverted to their old way of doing things.
“It's like anything that's new,” Vermeil said. “It's hard to do it the new way all the time. You tend to respond the way you have responded in the past. Some of that did occur. Denver created some of that with their scheme and their game plan.”
The Broncos ran some plays like the quarterback sweep and bootlegs the Chiefs didn't defend well. But they don't figure to see those plays again until possibly the Dec. 19 rematch at Arrowhead Stadium because none of their upcoming opponents, except for Atlanta and Michael Vick, has a mobile quarterback like Denver's Jake Plummer.
“There aren't many quarterbacks who move like he does,” Vermeil said. “I don't know who we play next that's like him. They are not afraid to put him at risk. They ran quarterback sweeps and ran naked (bootlegs), and if you run a blitz and knock him down, he'll come back and run it again. They're not worried he's going to get hit in the mouth. That their philosophy and it works for them.”
The Chiefs have plenty of NFL company in trying to piece together a new defense. They are but one of 15 NFL teams with a new defensive coordinator.
But judging by the results of the opening weekend, the Chiefs are lagging on the curve. The Chiefs allowed more points and rushing yards (202) than any of those 14 other teams and more total yards than all but three.
The Chiefs are also one of the few teams not to make any significant personnel moves on defense. That also may be a factor.
“It was horrible,” Sims said. “We'd have flashes of greatness, and then we'd just resort back to missed assignments, mental errors. We go over things like that every day. A team like Denver will cut you up if you do that. Things will go from bad to worse. It's nothing that's unfixable. That's the positive side of it.
“You can't ask our offense to score more than they scored (Sunday) night. You're not going to win many games if you ask them to score more than 24 points, especially on the road.”
The Chiefs have reason for hope in that last season, many of their problems stemmed from defenders getting pushed off the ball and whipped physically.
“There was none of that (Sunday) night,” Sims said. “That's why all of these things are fixable.”
If they are to make gains against the Panthers, the Chiefs might have to do it without as many as three injured defensive starters. Vermeil indicated defensive end Vonnie Holliday (groin), strong safety Greg Wesley (hamstring) and cornerback Eric Warfield (knee) would all be questionable to play.
All were injured in Denver. Holliday would be replaced by rookie Jared Allen, Wesley by Willie Pile and Warfield by William Bartee. Bartee should play despite receiving an injury he called a concussion but the Chiefs called a sprained neck.
Middle linebacker Kawika Mitchell could return to practice Wednesday and may play Sunday. Vermeil said the Chiefs were encouraged by the play of his replacement, Monty Beisel, who probably will keep the starting job for the time being.
No quick fix for Chiefs
Defense faces same problems from last year
By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star
Aware it can take time to build a defense from scratch, the Chiefs had a modest goal for Sunday's season opener in Denver.
They just wanted to be better in Gunther Cunningham's return as defensive coordinator than they were last season.
“I sure didn't expect 200 yards rushing when you have a whole summer and a whole camp to prepare for a game,” defensive tackle Ryan Sims said after emerging Monday from an extended team video session with Cunningham. “That's enough time, I think. It's very disappointing.
“But the first game doesn't define the defense and won't define this defense. It just lets you know where you are, where you stand.”
Defensively, the Chiefs stand in much the same place as last year after the 34-24 loss to the Broncos. The 30th-ranked rushing defense last season, the Chiefs are tied for 30th with New England after the first week of play.
They couldn't stop the Broncos at the game's crucial juncture when Denver went on a 7-minute-plus fourth-quarter touchdown drive that salted the game away.
So it's going to take more time to fix what ails the Chiefs' defense than anyone hoped. But how much time will it take? Can they find solutions in time for Sunday's home opener against defending NFC champion Carolina?
Coach Dick Vermeil was in search of answers Monday.
“Each offense … presents a different problem and a different scheme,” he said. “I expect us to be a lot better this next week than we were (last) week.”
Vermeil also expected better in Denver, but what he saw was frightening. Defenders lined up in the wrong spots and others missed assignments. The Chiefs reverted to their old way of doing things.
“It's like anything that's new,” Vermeil said. “It's hard to do it the new way all the time. You tend to respond the way you have responded in the past. Some of that did occur. Denver created some of that with their scheme and their game plan.”
The Broncos ran some plays like the quarterback sweep and bootlegs the Chiefs didn't defend well. But they don't figure to see those plays again until possibly the Dec. 19 rematch at Arrowhead Stadium because none of their upcoming opponents, except for Atlanta and Michael Vick, has a mobile quarterback like Denver's Jake Plummer.
“There aren't many quarterbacks who move like he does,” Vermeil said. “I don't know who we play next that's like him. They are not afraid to put him at risk. They ran quarterback sweeps and ran naked (bootlegs), and if you run a blitz and knock him down, he'll come back and run it again. They're not worried he's going to get hit in the mouth. That their philosophy and it works for them.”
The Chiefs have plenty of NFL company in trying to piece together a new defense. They are but one of 15 NFL teams with a new defensive coordinator.
But judging by the results of the opening weekend, the Chiefs are lagging on the curve. The Chiefs allowed more points and rushing yards (202) than any of those 14 other teams and more total yards than all but three.
The Chiefs are also one of the few teams not to make any significant personnel moves on defense. That also may be a factor.
“It was horrible,” Sims said. “We'd have flashes of greatness, and then we'd just resort back to missed assignments, mental errors. We go over things like that every day. A team like Denver will cut you up if you do that. Things will go from bad to worse. It's nothing that's unfixable. That's the positive side of it.
“You can't ask our offense to score more than they scored (Sunday) night. You're not going to win many games if you ask them to score more than 24 points, especially on the road.”
The Chiefs have reason for hope in that last season, many of their problems stemmed from defenders getting pushed off the ball and whipped physically.
“There was none of that (Sunday) night,” Sims said. “That's why all of these things are fixable.”
If they are to make gains against the Panthers, the Chiefs might have to do it without as many as three injured defensive starters. Vermeil indicated defensive end Vonnie Holliday (groin), strong safety Greg Wesley (hamstring) and cornerback Eric Warfield (knee) would all be questionable to play.
All were injured in Denver. Holliday would be replaced by rookie Jared Allen, Wesley by Willie Pile and Warfield by William Bartee. Bartee should play despite receiving an injury he called a concussion but the Chiefs called a sprained neck.
Middle linebacker Kawika Mitchell could return to practice Wednesday and may play Sunday. Vermeil said the Chiefs were encouraged by the play of his replacement, Monty Beisel, who probably will keep the starting job for the time being.