Teicher: Chiefs tinker with new defense on start of three-day minicamp
 

Chiefs tinker with new defense on start of three-day minicamp
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Jarrad Page couldn’t help but watch with envy when the Chiefs would play an opponent like Pittsburgh or Baltimore, one that plays the 3-4 defense.

“It seems like those guys always get pressure on the quarterback,” said Page, a Chiefs starting safety. “I think with the 3-4, you’re always going to get pressure on the quarterback because you can do so many things. (The offense) never knows who’s rushing and who’s going to drop, so you can bring pressure from more positions.

“That’s what the coaches are doing now, getting guys ready to play. I don’t know yet who’s going to be the stand-up (rushers) outside, whether they’re getting Tamba (Hali) ready to do that or what. We do have enough athletes that we can have some guys do that. I’m pretty sure we have the guys and we can make it happen.”

The Chiefs started the process of installing their new defense Friday with the opening practices of their three-day minicamp, their first under new coach Todd Haley.

The practices were closed to the media, and Haley wouldn’t disclose how the Chiefs lined up defensively. He did say the Chiefs were still assessing skills of various players and would continue to massage the lineup if necessary.

“We’ve got them lined up right now,” Haley said. “But every discussion we have as a coaching staff is, ‘Well, let’s see what this weekend looks like.’ This weekend is more about teaching, really. It’s not even a fair weekend to come out of this and say we’re going to have any idea on evaluations.”

The Chiefs have 67 players. Participation at this minicamp is not mandatory under NFL rules. Haley wouldn’t disclose an exact number of players who participated but said the number was more than 60.

“This is all voluntary,” he said. “The guys have been very good about letting me know when there’s an issue or something’s up. We’ve been 60-plus from the start. That’s a sign that the guys want to get on board.

“The way I’ve seen it work is that this time of year is for getting in condition and getting strong and building the foundation of your team. A lot of things occur in these hours spent in the weight room and out on the turf running and sweating together. Relationships start to form and a bond starts to happen and if you’re not here, that can’t happen.

“There are some that don’t want to do what it takes to win. They’d rather be doing something else when the other guys are working together and trying to build the foundation.”

Haley indicated much of the practices were spent teaching the basics.

The Chiefs are planning to play some of their old 4-3 defense as well and look like last year’s Arizona Cardinals. Haley coached for Arizona last season and brought the Cardinals’ coordinator, Clancy Pendergast, to lead Kansas City’s defense.

The Chiefs have yet to unveil publicly when they’re in the 3-4 how they will use several of last year’s players, including former first-round draft picks Hali and Glenn Dorsey.

“It will be interesting to see how the players we have kind of fit into that,” said backup linebacker Monty Beisel, signed last month after 2 1/2 seasons with the Cardinals. “I’m still not real familiar with who’s who on this team yet. What I do know is that from the top down with Scott and Todd and bringing in Clancy and Gary Gibbs and all of those guys, we’ve got a knowledgeable group of coaches.

“I know a little bit about Derrick Johnson and what kind of player he is. He’s an athlete that can make plays. Once we learn the scheme, it will be exciting and effective.

“It’s a players’ defense. It’s kind of a hybrid, some 3-4, some 4-3. The guys I’ve been around have really enjoyed the defense. We changed it, modified it, did a lot of different things, and that’s fun for the players. You can definitely make a lot of players. You get to play fast and attack, so from a player’s aspect, it’s fun.”

To reach Adam Teicher, Chiefs reporter for The Star, send e-mail to [email protected]
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...y/1148626.html

Its exciting seeing Page become a more pro-active guy within the organization. He seems to be voicing his opinion more often than not. This Hybrid defense should be fun to watch. We will never know who is gonna be out on the field and it should keep guys fresh during the game with rotation.

Correct, Page. "Those guys." Read: talented players.

There is no magic system that masks deficiencies in talent.

lol, he's been in a shitty defense his whole NFL career, he doesnt know any better. lol

Normally I would get a chubby over my team making big changes to improve themselves but Tamba moving to OLB does nothing for me.

If he drops 20-30 pounds then maybe... but at 280?

Tamba at OLB is likely going to be an ugly site too see

Only for Chiefs fans

Oh no...Guardian is gonna show up and tell you guys how wrong you are and how Tamba Hali will do a fine job...

Just like everyone thought he would make a good RE last year?

And then he'll be unanimously praised for giving his analysis.

ROFL

He's a good guy and is capable of nice insight but some people act like ****ing Bill Walsh just dropped some knowledge.

Sham-WOW!

Tamba Hali has alot of supporters for some reason...people will argue he's been productive.

Don't look at me I didn't like that pick when they made it.

He's kind of like RainMan in that he uses big words so he makes people think he knows what he's talking about. And some of what he said was fine, but this Hali OLB thing is just insanity.

If by "everyone", you mean the Chiefs defensive coaching staff, I guess yeah.

If you mean certain Chiefsplanet members, then NO.

I hate saying this but Tamba is Ryan Sims all over again... albeit with a much better attitude and seemingly a better work ethic.

One big year then bust.

Oh how I wish that the Chiefs had drafted the guy I wanted... Santonio Holmes.

What about the guy I wanted!