Chiefs Babb: Chiefs defensive coordinator Crennel not going into panic mode - Page 5

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-24-2011, 12:40 AM

Chiefs defensive coordinator Crennel not going into panic mode
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star

After 89 points allowed, two losses and a bleak outlook, there seems to be plenty of reasons for the Chiefs defense to panic. Yet, coordinator Romeo Crennel has remained unruffled.

“He’s been calm,” Chiefs cornerback Brandon Carr said. “With a resume like Romeo’s, he’s seen it all, for the most part.”

Crennel has coached good defenses and poor ones, been the coach of a Cleveland Browns team that seemed to have little chance of turning the corner, and now he’s the leader of a defense that seems to possess talent but clearly lacks answers. The Chiefs have one sack, two interceptions — though Jon McGraw fumbled shortly after his pick last week — and one missing rising star at safety, Eric Berry, who tore the ACL in his left knee during the first game.

That has resulted in a group of stunned players and reason to think the Chiefs have little chance of stopping some of the league’s better offenses. They couldn’t do that the past two weeks, in blowout losses to Buffalo and Detroit, and it’s difficult to point toward ways the Chiefs might slow the Chargers’ powerful, multi-dimensional attack Sunday in San Diego.

But instead of appearing rattled, players said Crennel has been the picture of serenity. He’s still pointed in meetings, energetic during practices. This is the same old Romeo, even if his defense lacks the confidence it had in 2010, when it produced a pair of Pro Bowlers in Berry and linebacker Tamba Hali.

“I haven’t seen a change in him,” defensive lineman Wallace Gilberry said. “He still demands the best out of us, expects the best out of us, and we’re not giving it to him right now.”

For his part, Crennel said he has avoided the temptation to make drastic changes to the defense because doing so could further set back the Chiefs. That might sound impossible, considering the way they have lost, but many defenders believe that improving communication and fundamental play can prevent those two blowout defeats from being repeated.

“You have to look at what you’re doing and then try to figure out why you’re not doing as well,” Crennel said. “To change completely, there’s a learning curve that goes along with change.

“It might help you, and it might not help you. I think your best chance is to work on your foundations, and if you can identify something that’s definitely hurting you, then you make a change at that point or you change your technique or something there. But wholesale change, I don’t know if wholesale change is the answer.”

Crennel said the Chiefs’ top priority is to keep opposing offenses out of the end zone, something the defense struggled with against the Bills and the Lions. Big yards and field goals are tolerable. Touchdowns are not. Crennel and head coach Todd Haley have, in recent days, pointed to near-misses by the defense. Crennel said that’s a sign his players have continued to play hard, even amid large deficits, but becoming effective is a matter of taking those final steps in getting a sack, or holding onto the ball when it hits a defender in the hands, or simply a player being in the spot he’s assigned.

“Once we get all that stuff cleaned up and taken care of,” Gilberry said, “it’ll be back to where it was.”

Perhaps the most maddening thing for the Chiefs defense is that, even without Berry, the team possesses plenty of talent. Hali led the AFC in sacks last year, linebacker Derrick Johnson has a knack for big plays, and the secondary is loaded with solid youngsters, such as cornerback Brandon Flowers and safety Kendrick Lewis. None, though, has yet shown examples of that potential in 2011. The defensive line has been unable so far to stop the run, putting pressure on the other position groups to clean up its mess.

But even with all that, Crennel has indicated to his players that it’s not time to panic. He has told them to continue doing their jobs, albeit with greater attention to the details and their assignments, and eventually good things will come.

He said he hopes they come soon.

“If we can win one game,” he said, “then that’ll help us tremendously.”

Players said they believe Crennel still trusts them, and they still trust their coordinator.

“He knows we’re capable of getting it done,” Gilberry said. “It’s just a matter of us going out and doing it. He has faith in us; he has faith in his system, and it’s up to us to just prove that it works and prove that we have the guys that can get it done.”

CHIEFS AT CHARGERS
•3:05 p.m. Sunday at San Diego (Chs. 5, 13)

**BigMeatballDave** · 09-24-2011, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gif Horse

Sac is being a ****ing moron again.

How many times do I have to post this?

Dorsey graded out as a TOP FIVE run stopper among 3-4 DEs. And he was one of the few defensive player in the league to get 40+ stops. This is elite company:

40+ stop club:

Kyle Williams
Ndakamong Suh
Kenyon Coleman
Justin Smith

DeMarcus Ware
James Harrison
Anthony Spencer
Cameron Wake

Terrell Suggs
Trent Cole
Justin Tuck
Charles Johnson

GLENN DORSEY

^

**BossChief** · 09-24-2011, 09:02 PM

We are 23rd in yardage given up but are also giving up 44.5 points per game.

We are dead last in passing.

7th in rushing

Average opponents starting field position is the 43 yardline.

Cassel is bottom 3 in the new rating system.

We have given up 11 pressures in both games combined.

What other proof can be shown that a change at qb to ANYTHING would be hard to look like a step back?

Ace Gunner · 09-24-2011, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gif Horse

Sac is being a ****ing moron again.

How many times do I have to post this?

Dorsey graded out as a TOP FIVE run stopper among 3-4 DEs. And he was one of the few defensive player in the league to get 40+ stops. This is elite company:

40+ stop club:

Kyle Williams
Ndakamong Suh
Kenyon Coleman
Justin Smith

DeMarcus Ware
James Harrison
Anthony Spencer
Cameron Wake

Terrell Suggs
Trent Cole
Justin Tuck
Charles Johnson

GLENN DORSEY

ha. how many TFL's last season? 2 sacks is better than the year before. Dorsey played better last season, he played smart at times. But this season he doesn't look like he's better. he looks worse.

**BigMeatballDave** · 09-24-2011, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefsfootballfan

ha. how many TFL's last season? 2 sacks is better than the year before. Dorsey played better last season, he played smart at times. But this season he doesn't look like he's better. he looks worse.

2 games. Such a HUGE sample size. Just admit you are wrong and move on...

Hammock Parties · 09-24-2011, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefsfootballfan

ha. how many TFL's last season? 2 sacks is better than the year before. Dorsey played better last season, he played smart at times. But this season he doesn't look like he's better. he looks worse.

He had as many sacks and TFL as other players at his position for the most part.

He isn't playing as well this year I agree. I wonder how much weight he has lost because he looked skinny in preseason.

scho63 · 11-10-2011, 06:30 AM

Once again the Chiefs are DEAD LAST in the NFL with an abysmal 9 sacks as a team. Romeo's defensive schemes and total lack of a viable pass rush are to blame for this. When your defense makes 0-7 QB Matt Moore look more like 007 Roger Moore, you are in trouble.

Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey are busts IMHO and until we find a way to put pressure on QB's, we will go no where.

09-24-2011, 12:40 AM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3007187	Babb: Chiefs defensive coordinator Crennel not going into panic mode Chiefs defensive coordinator Crennel not going into panic mode By KENT BABB The Kansas City Star After 89 points allowed, two losses and a bleak outlook, there seems to be plenty of reasons for the Chiefs defense to panic. Yet, coordinator Romeo Crennel has remained unruffled. “He’s been calm,” Chiefs cornerback Brandon Carr said. “With a resume like Romeo’s, he’s seen it all, for the most part.” Crennel has coached good defenses and poor ones, been the coach of a Cleveland Browns team that seemed to have little chance of turning the corner, and now he’s the leader of a defense that seems to possess talent but clearly lacks answers. The Chiefs have one sack, two interceptions — though Jon McGraw fumbled shortly after his pick last week — and one missing rising star at safety, Eric Berry, who tore the ACL in his left knee during the first game. That has resulted in a group of stunned players and reason to think the Chiefs have little chance of stopping some of the league’s better offenses. They couldn’t do that the past two weeks, in blowout losses to Buffalo and Detroit, and it’s difficult to point toward ways the Chiefs might slow the Chargers’ powerful, multi-dimensional attack Sunday in San Diego. But instead of appearing rattled, players said Crennel has been the picture of serenity. He’s still pointed in meetings, energetic during practices. This is the same old Romeo, even if his defense lacks the confidence it had in 2010, when it produced a pair of Pro Bowlers in Berry and linebacker Tamba Hali. “I haven’t seen a change in him,” defensive lineman Wallace Gilberry said. “He still demands the best out of us, expects the best out of us, and we’re not giving it to him right now.” For his part, Crennel said he has avoided the temptation to make drastic changes to the defense because doing so could further set back the Chiefs. That might sound impossible, considering the way they have lost, but many defenders believe that improving communication and fundamental play can prevent those two blowout defeats from being repeated. “You have to look at what you’re doing and then try to figure out why you’re not doing as well,” Crennel said. “To change completely, there’s a learning curve that goes along with change. “It might help you, and it might not help you. I think your best chance is to work on your foundations, and if you can identify something that’s definitely hurting you, then you make a change at that point or you change your technique or something there. But wholesale change, I don’t know if wholesale change is the answer.” Crennel said the Chiefs’ top priority is to keep opposing offenses out of the end zone, something the defense struggled with against the Bills and the Lions. Big yards and field goals are tolerable. Touchdowns are not. Crennel and head coach Todd Haley have, in recent days, pointed to near-misses by the defense. Crennel said that’s a sign his players have continued to play hard, even amid large deficits, but becoming effective is a matter of taking those final steps in getting a sack, or holding onto the ball when it hits a defender in the hands, or simply a player being in the spot he’s assigned. “Once we get all that stuff cleaned up and taken care of,” Gilberry said, “it’ll be back to where it was.” Perhaps the most maddening thing for the Chiefs defense is that, even without Berry, the team possesses plenty of talent. Hali led the AFC in sacks last year, linebacker Derrick Johnson has a knack for big plays, and the secondary is loaded with solid youngsters, such as cornerback Brandon Flowers and safety Kendrick Lewis. None, though, has yet shown examples of that potential in 2011. The defensive line has been unable so far to stop the run, putting pressure on the other position groups to clean up its mess. But even with all that, Crennel has indicated to his players that it’s not time to panic. He has told them to continue doing their jobs, albeit with greater attention to the details and their assignments, and eventually good things will come. He said he hopes they come soon. “If we can win one game,” he said, “then that’ll help us tremendously.” Players said they believe Crennel still trusts them, and they still trust their coordinator. “He knows we’re capable of getting it done,” Gilberry said. “It’s just a matter of us going out and doing it. He has faith in us; he has faith in his system, and it’s up to us to just prove that it works and prove that we have the guys that can get it done.” CHIEFS AT CHARGERS •3:05 p.m. Sunday at San Diego (Chs. 5, 13)
Posts: 43,454

09-24-2011, 09:02 PM	#62
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $-1755912	We are 23rd in yardage given up but are also giving up 44.5 points per game. We are dead last in passing. 7th in rushing Average opponents starting field position is the 43 yardline. Cassel is bottom 3 in the new rating system. We have given up 11 pressures in both games combined. What other proof can be shown that a change at qb to ANYTHING would be hard to look like a step back? __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,903

11-10-2011, 06:30 AM	#66
scho63 Politically Incorrect Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Casino cash: $-950000	Once again the Chiefs are DEAD LAST in the NFL with an abysmal 9 sacks as a team. Romeo's defensive schemes and total lack of a viable pass rush are to blame for this. When your defense makes 0-7 QB Matt Moore look more like 007 Roger Moore, you are in trouble. Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey are busts IMHO and until we find a way to put pressure on QB's, we will go no where. __________________ *"The only difference between sex for free and sex for money is that sex for free costs you a WHOLE LOT more!"* ~Redd Foxx~ ~~2018 2019 2020 20212022 2023~~ 2024 Adopt a Chief - Clark Hunt and Brett Veach "The men who drafted Patrick Mahomes"
Posts: 55,117