Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs safeties are ready to take it up a notch - Page 7

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-12-2009, 10:37 PM

Chiefs safeties are ready to take it up a notch
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

RIVER FALLS, Wis. | The play was the kind seen far too infrequently by the Chiefs in recent seasons, so it touched off a Super Bowl worthy celebration among their defenders, even if it happened during a recent training-camp practice.

Free safety Jarrad Page knocked a pass away from rookie running back Javarris Williams on a fourth-down play during a 2-minute drill, giving the Chiefs’ defense its feel-good moment.

The Chiefs are counting on Page and strong safety Bernard Pollard to deliver many similar plays when the regular season begins. The Chiefs drafted both players in 2006, Pollard in the second round and Page in the seventh, and in doing so envisioned a day when they would be pillars of a defense that was competitive or better.

They are hopeful this is the year. Page is already there, having given the Chiefs many such plays in his two seasons as a starter. The wait for Pollard has been longer and at times painful but could be over if his training-camp play is any indication.

“When we came here, we both wanted to create a certain identity about what we wanted to get done on the field,” Page said. “We’ve gotten to that point. People kind of know what to expect from us. We have identities. That’s a good thing. Now what we have to do is build on it.”

The Chiefs signed veteran safety Mike Brown shortly before camp to challenge Pollard for his starting spot. The competition hasn’t materialized and may in fact be finished.

“I’m definitely out here competing but I realize my role,” said Brown, who played nine seasons for Chicago but became a free agent when the Bears made no effort to re-sign him.

“Those are their spots. I’m just here in case something happens to them. I’ll be able to come in and play a high level. I’m here to provide some depth. If there’s any insight I can give, I’m willing to do that.

“They’re two young, extremely good safeties and I enjoy watching them play. They both bring a little something different to the table. Bernard is extremely physical and has great power. Page is the great free safety with range and incredible hands and incredible athletic ability.”

Those are the identities Page referred to, and while they are well-earned, they don’t tell the whole story. Page can at times be a sloppy tackler while Pollard’s problems in pass coverage had the Chiefs’ former administration and coaching staff occasionally wondering whether he would be better off as a linebacker.

The switch to the 3-4 system and coordinator Clancy Pendergast’s system could benefit Pollard.

“I really love it because it kind of gets me (closer) to the line of scrimmage,” Pollard said. “I won’t have to line up and play cover 2 every snap or stay back. I’m able to come up and get closer and make plays. That’s what I did in college. That’s more my game.

“I’m happy with where I am and I’m happy with the changes and the new scheme and the new system. I’m ready to play some ball.”

Page played a lot as a rookie and became a starter two seasons ago. He preserved Chiefs victories several times with late-game heroics and now appears ready to move forward in his professional development.

“Being a veteran doesn’t mean you can’t get better,” Page said. “It just means that you’ve seen some things. I feel I’ve seen a lot of things and I feel I’m a really good student of the game. I feel I understand offensive schemes and I understand why Clancy wants us to do certain things out there. It’s my job to get other guys on board with that. Sometimes the younger guys don’t understand. I need to show them.

“That’s what a veteran does.”

The play of Page and Pollard hasn’t left anything for the 31-year-old Brown, who has been strictly a second-teamer on defense. Recent injuries and advancing age scared off other safety-needy teams.

He said he’s at full strength but had a hard time convincing teams of that until the Chiefs came along in June.

“I didn’t have too many takers,” he said. “This role has obviously been an adjustment. Everything is new for me.

“Obviously, I’m older now and probably not as fast as I used to be. But I still feel I can play good football.”

Hammock Parties · 09-19-2009, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Pollard is going to SUCK again and I am going to serve up gifs of his pathetic play like so much CROW for thee.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 09-19-2009, 10:17 AM

What is LJ up to now in both pre season a game one; about one half of a Terrell Davis game?

Hammock Parties · 09-19-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

FAIL

FYP

Sweet Daddy Hate · 09-19-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

My sweet baboo is going to choke a choad this year

That wasn't me, that was Firefox reality-checker.

08-12-2009, 10:37 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3067187	Teicher: Chiefs safeties are ready to take it up a notch Chiefs safeties are ready to take it up a notch By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star RIVER FALLS, Wis. \| The play was the kind seen far too infrequently by the Chiefs in recent seasons, so it touched off a Super Bowl worthy celebration among their defenders, even if it happened during a recent training-camp practice. Free safety Jarrad Page knocked a pass away from rookie running back Javarris Williams on a fourth-down play during a 2-minute drill, giving the Chiefs’ defense its feel-good moment. The Chiefs are counting on Page and strong safety Bernard Pollard to deliver many similar plays when the regular season begins. The Chiefs drafted both players in 2006, Pollard in the second round and Page in the seventh, and in doing so envisioned a day when they would be pillars of a defense that was competitive or better. They are hopeful this is the year. Page is already there, having given the Chiefs many such plays in his two seasons as a starter. The wait for Pollard has been longer and at times painful but could be over if his training-camp play is any indication. “When we came here, we both wanted to create a certain identity about what we wanted to get done on the field,” Page said. “We’ve gotten to that point. People kind of know what to expect from us. We have identities. That’s a good thing. Now what we have to do is build on it.” The Chiefs signed veteran safety Mike Brown shortly before camp to challenge Pollard for his starting spot. The competition hasn’t materialized and may in fact be finished. “I’m definitely out here competing but I realize my role,” said Brown, who played nine seasons for Chicago but became a free agent when the Bears made no effort to re-sign him. “Those are their spots. I’m just here in case something happens to them. I’ll be able to come in and play a high level. I’m here to provide some depth. If there’s any insight I can give, I’m willing to do that. “They’re two young, extremely good safeties and I enjoy watching them play. They both bring a little something different to the table. Bernard is extremely physical and has great power. Page is the great free safety with range and incredible hands and incredible athletic ability.” Those are the identities Page referred to, and while they are well-earned, they don’t tell the whole story. Page can at times be a sloppy tackler while Pollard’s problems in pass coverage had the Chiefs’ former administration and coaching staff occasionally wondering whether he would be better off as a linebacker. The switch to the 3-4 system and coordinator Clancy Pendergast’s system could benefit Pollard. “I really love it because it kind of gets me (closer) to the line of scrimmage,” Pollard said. “I won’t have to line up and play cover 2 every snap or stay back. I’m able to come up and get closer and make plays. That’s what I did in college. That’s more my game. “I’m happy with where I am and I’m happy with the changes and the new scheme and the new system. I’m ready to play some ball.” Page played a lot as a rookie and became a starter two seasons ago. He preserved Chiefs victories several times with late-game heroics and now appears ready to move forward in his professional development. “Being a veteran doesn’t mean you can’t get better,” Page said. “It just means that you’ve seen some things. I feel I’ve seen a lot of things and I feel I’m a really good student of the game. I feel I understand offensive schemes and I understand why Clancy wants us to do certain things out there. It’s my job to get other guys on board with that. Sometimes the younger guys don’t understand. I need to show them. “That’s what a veteran does.” The play of Page and Pollard hasn’t left anything for the 31-year-old Brown, who has been strictly a second-teamer on defense. Recent injuries and advancing age scared off other safety-needy teams. He said he’s at full strength but had a hard time convincing teams of that until the Chiefs came along in June. “I didn’t have too many takers,” he said. “This role has obviously been an adjustment. Everything is new for me. “Obviously, I’m older now and probably not as fast as I used to be. But I still feel I can play good football.”
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09-19-2009, 10:17 AM	#92
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	What is LJ up to now in both pre season a game one; about one half of a Terrell Davis game? __________________ 1. Merciless, severe. 2. Given freely and generously. 100% refusal to overrate 20 year Head Coaches with ZERO **ing rings as a Head Coach. CP's Official Professor of 'Dem Blues for 2019/2020!**
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