Chiefs notebook | Defense wants to stop big plays

[Tribal Warfare]

Chiefs notebook | Defense wants to stop big plays

Team wants to halt big plays

The Chiefs made a superstar, if only for a day, of Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin during Sunday’s loss, and Kansas City did it, coach Todd Haley said, because the team’s defensive backs ignored technique and what they had been coached.

Miles had 250 receiving yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime, in the Cowboys’ 26-20 win at Arrowhead Stadium. On two of Miles’ long plays, nickelback Maurice Leggett and strong safety Mike Brown failed to wrap up Miles and hold him to short or intermediate gains.

Haley said the Chiefs couldn’t stand for those kinds of lapses in the future.

“We’ve just got to be better,” he said. “We’ve got to be better as coaches in putting the right guys on the right players. That’s a tough situation. Miles Austin was Dallas’ fourth receiver, probably, going into this year.

“We just have to do the little things right techniquewise that we’re working really hard at, DBs included. You see them out there after practice every day. They stay and work technique. You’ve got to do the little things at that position.”

Chiefs prepare for Haynesworth

Washington defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, the prize of last offseason’s free-agent signing class, has been bothered this week by an ankle injury and was limited in Thursday’s practice.

But whether Washington’s $100 million man is healthy for Sunday’s game, the Chiefs are preparing for him. Haynesworth, a former Pro Bowl run stopper, has 12 tackles and a sack in five games this season. He has Kansas City’s attention — and could be an extra roadblock for the Chiefs’ discouraging rush offense. The Chiefs don’t have a rushing touchdown in five games.

Chiefs practice for the cold

Kansas City hasn’t scampered into its practice facility this week despite the cold and wet conditions on the Chiefs’ exterior field.

Haley said he’s preparing players for what could be challenging weather Sunday in Landover, Md., the site of Washington’s FedEx Field. Sunday’s forecast calls for a chance of rain and a near certainty of cold.

Injury report

Chiefs left tackle Branden Albert (ankle) and free safety Jarrad Page (shoulder) did not participate in Thursday’s practice. During the portion that reporters were permitted to attend, Page jogged around a secondary practice field, and Albert walked the perimeter of the field while wearing a walking boot on his left leg. Haley said that Albert and Page had each made progress. Offensive lineman Andy Alleman (shoulder) was limited during Wednesday’s workout.

For Washington, defensive end Phillip Daniels (biceps), tackle Chris Samuels (neck) and punter Hunter Smith (groin) did not participate. Samuels will reportedly miss Sunday’s game. In addition to Haynesworth, defensive tackles Cornelius Griffin (elbow) and Anthony Montgomery (knee) and running back Clinton Portis (calf) were limited.