Chiefs Teicher:Chiefs still confident in Brandon Flowers

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-22-2010, 11:38 PM

Chiefs still confident in Brandon Flowers
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Feeling the need to make a game-changing play for a struggling defense, Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers went after one in the second quarter of Saturday night’s preseason game at Tampa Bay.

Flowers was a split-second late in going after the interception, and he paid for his failed gamble. Tampa Bay’s Micheal Spurlock instead made the catch along the sideline, and with Flowers out of position to make the tackle the Chiefs had nobody to catch Spurlock.

Spurlock easily made his way to the end zone for the 53-yard touchdown, which turned out to be the deciding play in the Chiefs’ 20-15 defeat.

Flowers was immediately pulled out of the game in favor of Maurice Leggett. But coach Todd Haley indicated Flowers was not being benched; nor was the move a sign the Chiefs are unhappy with their third-year cornerback.

“Brandon is not one of the guys right now that I’m worried about not getting it,” Haley said. “Brandon’s on board and has a chance to be a real good player for us.”

The Chiefs had the day off from practice Sunday and will return to practice today in Kansas City.

When they arrive on the practice field, Flowers will take his normal place as a starter. He had a trying offseason, having been held out of all practices after having shoulder surgery.

He’s been a consistent participant at training camp but still has had his rough spots. Haley was on Flowers last week at training camp for what amounted to a lack of hustle on a particular play.

Still, Haley said Flowers, who was drafted by former coach Herm Edwards, isn’t falling from favor.

“Brandon is another one of those guys that had a pretty difficult offseason,” Haley said. “He sucked it up last year, played really tough football, showed us all a lot about himself. He’s a tough-minded player with a bunch of skill. He can be a real good corner in the league. We’re really excited about Brandon Flowers.

“We’re trying to ease him back into it. That’s part of my job, making sure we’re not doing too much but we’re doing enough. I feel good about Brandon Flowers. I know he’s feeling bad about not making the tackle. He’s trying to make a play there.

“We had a clear-cut plan for Brandon depending on what Tampa was doing. If it was a running game, we didn’t want to just put Brandon Flowers, who I know is a tough, hard-nosed corner that will come up and support the run … I’m not just going to put one of our better players in there to beat his head against the wall. We were going to get him out there in regular (defense) and put him in in the nickel hoping we could keep him in some pass situations where he could get the work necessary to keep himself sharp.”

Flowers played well despite the shoulder injury last year. One of the things he didn’t do much of last season was make the game-changing plays.

That’s what he tried to do on his final play against the Buccaneers but got burned instead.

“I wanted to go make a play,” Flowers said. “He wanted to make a play. He made the play, and I didn’t.

“Every game our defense tries to go out there and get turnovers. That’s what we’re out there to do.”

The Chiefs have a lot invested in Flowers in the sense that he’s one of their rare defensive players with elite ability. The Chiefs showed a lot of confidence over the offseason in Flowers and fellow starter Brandon Carr when they did not add a true cornerback, but only a nickel back in Javier Arenas. The Chiefs have no legitimate starting alternatives to Flowers and Carr. They’re obviously happy with that situation.

They just want Flowers to make better decisions than the one he made Saturday night in Tampa.

08-22-2010, 11:38 PM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3097187	Teicher:Chiefs still confident in Brandon Flowers Chiefs still confident in Brandon Flowers By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Feeling the need to make a game-changing play for a struggling defense, Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers went after one in the second quarter of Saturday night’s preseason game at Tampa Bay. Flowers was a split-second late in going after the interception, and he paid for his failed gamble. Tampa Bay’s Micheal Spurlock instead made the catch along the sideline, and with Flowers out of position to make the tackle the Chiefs had nobody to catch Spurlock. Spurlock easily made his way to the end zone for the 53-yard touchdown, which turned out to be the deciding play in the Chiefs’ 20-15 defeat. Flowers was immediately pulled out of the game in favor of Maurice Leggett. But coach Todd Haley indicated Flowers was not being benched; nor was the move a sign the Chiefs are unhappy with their third-year cornerback. “Brandon is not one of the guys right now that I’m worried about not getting it,” Haley said. “Brandon’s on board and has a chance to be a real good player for us.” The Chiefs had the day off from practice Sunday and will return to practice today in Kansas City. When they arrive on the practice field, Flowers will take his normal place as a starter. He had a trying offseason, having been held out of all practices after having shoulder surgery. He’s been a consistent participant at training camp but still has had his rough spots. Haley was on Flowers last week at training camp for what amounted to a lack of hustle on a particular play. Still, Haley said Flowers, who was drafted by former coach Herm Edwards, isn’t falling from favor. “Brandon is another one of those guys that had a pretty difficult offseason,” Haley said. “He sucked it up last year, played really tough football, showed us all a lot about himself. He’s a tough-minded player with a bunch of skill. He can be a real good corner in the league. We’re really excited about Brandon Flowers. “We’re trying to ease him back into it. That’s part of my job, making sure we’re not doing too much but we’re doing enough. I feel good about Brandon Flowers. I know he’s feeling bad about not making the tackle. He’s trying to make a play there. “We had a clear-cut plan for Brandon depending on what Tampa was doing. If it was a running game, we didn’t want to just put Brandon Flowers, who I know is a tough, hard-nosed corner that will come up and support the run … I’m not just going to put one of our better players in there to beat his head against the wall. We were going to get him out there in regular (defense) and put him in in the nickel hoping we could keep him in some pass situations where he could get the work necessary to keep himself sharp.” Flowers played well despite the shoulder injury last year. One of the things he didn’t do much of last season was make the game-changing plays. That’s what he tried to do on his final play against the Buccaneers but got burned instead. “I wanted to go make a play,” Flowers said. “He wanted to make a play. He made the play, and I didn’t. “Every game our defense tries to go out there and get turnovers. That’s what we’re out there to do.” The Chiefs have a lot invested in Flowers in the sense that he’s one of their rare defensive players with elite ability. The Chiefs showed a lot of confidence over the offseason in Flowers and fellow starter Brandon Carr when they did not add a true cornerback, but only a nickel back in Javier Arenas. The Chiefs have no legitimate starting alternatives to Flowers and Carr. They’re obviously happy with that situation. They just want Flowers to make better decisions than the one he made Saturday night in Tampa.
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