Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs rookie corners should get a test against Cardinals receivers

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-16-2008, 01:16 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/751116.html

Chiefs rookie corners should get a test against Cardinals receivers
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

* Five things to watch with Chiefs
* Construction creates changes at Arrowhead

Like most of his teammates at Grand Valley State, a Division II school in Michigan, Brandon Carr would sit in front of his television on fall Sundays and dream about competing against the NFL players on the screen.

The difference is that for Carr, a rookie Chiefs cornerback, the dream is coming true. It won’t get much more vivid than in tonight’s exhibition game against the Cardinals at Arrowhead Stadium.

Arizona features one of the NFL’s top wide-receiving tandems in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. The two will give Carr and another Chiefs rookie cornerback, Brandon Flowers, the best test of their young NFL careers.

“This is what you play for,” Carr said. “I’m a competitor, so you want to compete against the best, and those guys are some pretty talented receivers. It’s going to be a lot of fun out there. I admit that it’s hard to believe I’m playing against guys I grew up idolizing. I’m out there checking them.

“I used to watch these guys on TV, and I always wondered what it would be like to line up against that person. Pretty soon, I’m going to know.”

Fitzgerald and Boldin may only get a series or two. Boldin returned to practice only this week after missing some training camp time because of a sore hamstring.

No matter how much they play, the Chiefs will savor every snap. The mere mention of Fitzgerald and Boldin going against the rookie cornerbacks brought a smile this week to the face of Chiefs coach Herm Edwards.

“It’ll be a good test for them,” Edwards said. “Pretty soon they’ll be playing against Randy Moss and some other good receivers. Every week it will be somebody good. So let’s see how they react.

“The thing I like about them is these guys hit. All of our guys in the secondary hit people, but our corners tackle well. That’s important for us. We’ve got to have corners that can tackle.”

The Chiefs’ youth movement is vast but perhaps at its boldest in the secondary. Flowers and Carr are playing, and a third rookie, DaJuan Morgan, is pushing for time.

Flowers, a second-round draft pick, was one of the stars at training camp. He was immediately installed as a starter and not only held on to the job through camp but strengthened his grip.

“They’ve put a lot on his plate because he plays corner and he plays nickel, but he’s picked it up,” safety Jarrad Page said. “Physically, he’s got all the tools.”

Flowers is only 5 feet 9 and 187 pounds, but plays as if he’s bigger. He had some memorable battles with the much larger Dwayne Bowe at camp and won his share.

Carr isn’t as advanced as Flowers but is the third cornerback and could eventually replace Patrick Surtain as a starter sometime this season. He already takes some of the veteran Surtain’s snaps in part to save wear and tear on Surtain’s body but also to speed Carr’s developmental process.

“I’ve seen some improvement,” Carr said.

The Chiefs have much riding on Carr and Flowers not only fighting their way through but flourishing. Moss, Wes Welker and the Patriots await in just three weeks.

“I’m trying not to look too far ahead, but that’s hard because it’s Randy Moss,” Carr said. “I’ve got to focus on the Cardinals because those receivers are pretty good players, too.”

Cardinals at Chiefs
•WHEN/WHERE: 7 tonight at Arrowhead Stadium

•TV/RADIO: Chs. 5, 13, KCFX (101.1 FM)

Mecca · 08-16-2008, 01:21 AM

It's the battle of the QB's taken in the same draft.

Hammock Parties · 08-16-2008, 01:33 AM

Leinart's so awesome he's not even gonna start.

HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES, MECCA?

CROYLE > LEINART

Mecca · 08-16-2008, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

Leinart's so awesome he's not even gonna start.

HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES, MECCA?

CROYLE > LEINART

LOL.....Leinart was very good last week against the Saints...

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-16-2008, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

LOL.....Leinart was very good last week against the Saints...

He's like the Jamie Noble of CP.

Direckshun · 08-16-2008, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

LOL.....Leinart was very good last week against the Saints...

The Cards were running an actual offense against a vanilla defense full of veteran guys who didn't care.

C'mon Mecca, why the double standard?

kcxiv · 08-16-2008, 03:03 AM

For some reason i just laughed when Herm said they are going to be playing against Randy Moss. lol Damn that game is going to be ugly.

CupidStunt · 08-16-2008, 03:05 AM

Because he's a tool.

Can't wait to see Flowers jack someone the f**k up.

Mecca · 08-16-2008, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

The Cards were running an actual offense against a vanilla defense full of veteran guys who didn't care.

C'mon Mecca, why the double standard?

I don't really have one, they're both in a situation where they need to play well. I personally like Matt Leinart so I hope he does well that at the same time doesn't mean I hate Croyle or hope he sucks I'm just honest about what the odds of him being the guy are.

CupidStunt · 08-16-2008, 03:48 AM

Of course it's a double-standard. Leinart has sucked wang his entire NFL career, and he's got as much to prove as Croyle.

Don't kid yourself about honesty. I'll give you honesty.

Mecca · 08-16-2008, 03:49 AM

Croyle has a better arm yet is much more injury prone..Leinart was a better college player and a much higher pick...what's not honest about that?

KCJohnny · 08-16-2008, 06:33 AM

I expect Carr and Flowers to get torched early and often. Not that I am hoping for that - I'd love to see them make some great plays.

The article doesn't mention 2 time MVP Kurt Warner. That's a steep hill to climb for any CBs, let alone rookies.
Didn't AZ burn us on a deep ball last year in the reg season?

tmax63 · 08-16-2008, 07:08 AM

I hope they get beat a couple times, it'll keep the fire burning and teach them something else before the actual season starts. That's why I liked the Chicago game. It showed some weaknesses that gave them something to specifically to work on instead of a generic "we just got to get better" approach. Tonight will show if they learned anything the last 10 days.

CoMoChief · 08-16-2008, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCJohnny

I expect Carr and Flowers to get torched early and often. Not that I am hoping for that - I'd love to see them make some great plays.

The article doesn't mention 2 time MVP Kurt Warner. That's a steep hill to climb for any CBs, let alone rookies.
Didn't AZ burn us on a deep ball last year in the reg season?

Kurt Warner doesn't scare anyone anymore, the guy holds on to the football longer than any other QB in the NFL.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 08-16-2008, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Kurt Warner doesn't scare anyone anymore, the guy holds on to the football longer than any other QB in the NFL.

With the lack of pressure from our DL, he'll be allowed to hold it even longer tonight, I'd guess.

08-16-2008, 01:16 AM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2957187	Teicher: Chiefs rookie corners should get a test against Cardinals receivers http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/751116.html Chiefs rookie corners should get a test against Cardinals receivers By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star * Five things to watch with Chiefs * Construction creates changes at Arrowhead Like most of his teammates at Grand Valley State, a Division II school in Michigan, Brandon Carr would sit in front of his television on fall Sundays and dream about competing against the NFL players on the screen. The difference is that for Carr, a rookie Chiefs cornerback, the dream is coming true. It won’t get much more vivid than in tonight’s exhibition game against the Cardinals at Arrowhead Stadium. Arizona features one of the NFL’s top wide-receiving tandems in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. The two will give Carr and another Chiefs rookie cornerback, Brandon Flowers, the best test of their young NFL careers. “This is what you play for,” Carr said. “I’m a competitor, so you want to compete against the best, and those guys are some pretty talented receivers. It’s going to be a lot of fun out there. I admit that it’s hard to believe I’m playing against guys I grew up idolizing. I’m out there checking them. “I used to watch these guys on TV, and I always wondered what it would be like to line up against that person. Pretty soon, I’m going to know.” Fitzgerald and Boldin may only get a series or two. Boldin returned to practice only this week after missing some training camp time because of a sore hamstring. No matter how much they play, the Chiefs will savor every snap. The mere mention of Fitzgerald and Boldin going against the rookie cornerbacks brought a smile this week to the face of Chiefs coach Herm Edwards. “It’ll be a good test for them,” Edwards said. “Pretty soon they’ll be playing against Randy Moss and some other good receivers. Every week it will be somebody good. So let’s see how they react. “The thing I like about them is these guys hit. All of our guys in the secondary hit people, but our corners tackle well. That’s important for us. We’ve got to have corners that can tackle.” The Chiefs’ youth movement is vast but perhaps at its boldest in the secondary. Flowers and Carr are playing, and a third rookie, DaJuan Morgan, is pushing for time. Flowers, a second-round draft pick, was one of the stars at training camp. He was immediately installed as a starter and not only held on to the job through camp but strengthened his grip. “They’ve put a lot on his plate because he plays corner and he plays nickel, but he’s picked it up,” safety Jarrad Page said. “Physically, he’s got all the tools.” Flowers is only 5 feet 9 and 187 pounds, but plays as if he’s bigger. He had some memorable battles with the much larger Dwayne Bowe at camp and won his share. Carr isn’t as advanced as Flowers but is the third cornerback and could eventually replace Patrick Surtain as a starter sometime this season. He already takes some of the veteran Surtain’s snaps in part to save wear and tear on Surtain’s body but also to speed Carr’s developmental process. “I’ve seen some improvement,” Carr said. The Chiefs have much riding on Carr and Flowers not only fighting their way through but flourishing. Moss, Wes Welker and the Patriots await in just three weeks. “I’m trying not to look too far ahead, but that’s hard because it’s Randy Moss,” Carr said. “I’ve got to focus on the Cardinals because those receivers are pretty good players, too.” Cardinals at Chiefs •WHEN/WHERE: 7 tonight at Arrowhead Stadium •TV/RADIO: Chs. 5, 13, KCFX (101.1 FM)
Posts: 43,451

08-16-2008, 01:21 AM	#2
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-672950	It's the battle of the QB's taken in the same draft.
Posts: 115,353

08-16-2008, 01:33 AM	#3
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $840478	Leinart's so awesome he's not even gonna start. HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES, MECCA? CROYLE > LEINART __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 297,348

08-16-2008, 03:03 AM	#7
kcxiv In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Valley, Cali Casino cash: $8697996	For some reason i just laughed when Herm said they are going to be playing against Randy Moss. lol Damn that game is going to be ugly.
Posts: 29,111

08-16-2008, 03:05 AM	#8
CupidStunt offense > defense Join Date: Jul 2005 Casino cash: $-716668	Because he's a tool. Can't wait to see Flowers jack someone the f**k up.
Posts: 9,016

08-16-2008, 03:48 AM	#10
CupidStunt offense > defense Join Date: Jul 2005 Casino cash: $-716668	Of course it's a double-standard. Leinart has sucked wang his entire NFL career, and he's got as much to prove as Croyle. Don't kid yourself about honesty. I'll give you honesty.
Posts: 9,016

08-16-2008, 03:49 AM	#11
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-672950	Croyle has a better arm yet is much more injury prone..Leinart was a better college player and a much higher pick...what's not honest about that?
Posts: 115,353

08-16-2008, 06:33 AM	#12
KCJohnny Blind, deceived homer Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Maryland, USA Casino cash: $10004900	I expect Carr and Flowers to get torched early and often. Not that I am hoping for that - I'd love to see them make some great plays. The article doesn't mention 2 time MVP Kurt Warner. That's a steep hill to climb for any CBs, let alone rookies. Didn't AZ burn us on a deep ball last year in the reg season? __________________
Posts: 6,347

08-16-2008, 07:08 AM	#13
tmax63 Veteran Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Colorado Casino cash: $453600	I hope they get beat a couple times, it'll keep the fire burning and teach them something else before the actual season starts. That's why I liked the Chicago game. It showed some weaknesses that gave them something to specifically to work on instead of a generic "we just got to get better" approach. Tonight will show if they learned anything the last 10 days. __________________ An armed member of society is a citizen, an unarmed member is a subject.
Posts: 3,994