WHITLOCK - DeBerg is a quarterback guru

[dallaschiefsfan]

Originally Posted by cardken

Back in the day, I remember many a home game, DeBerg throwing a play action bomb first play. Man, those were the days. Marty, tried to bench him many times early on giving Vlasick and others opportunity but kept coming back to the cagey vetern. I remember Channel 9 doing a story on it, and DeBerg referring to himself as Marty's "Jason", that he "kept coming back." He was incredible in 1990, met him at Mission Center Mall, around Christmas one Saturday, he was taking "Santa" pictures, I stop them as they were closing and had my "Santa" picture taken with him, he was a good sport and we talked for a spell, still one of my favorite Chiefs.

The guy was pretty confident in himself...almost arrogant. But he was always a nice guy in public from what I recall. Him, Neil Smith, Derrick Thomas and several others were regulars at Red Lobster on Noland Rd. on Friday nights before the game. I was working as a server there back then. Great days. They were basically a fun bunch of guys that seemed to enjoy being out in public. Deberg was always showing up late...usually with some form of alcohol scent in his wake. Oh the early 90's...

[Chiefaholic]

Quite possible one of my top 10 favorite Chiefs. The man played the game with guts, heart, and determination. That's something 90% of the worthless rookies need a taste of because they're spoiled and overpaid befor they prove theirself on the field. I'de love to see him as a QB coach in KC.

Another overlooked favorite on mine was Greg Manusky because of a similiar drive and love for the game.

[ZootedGranny]

Originally Posted by Chiefaholic

Quite possible one of my top 10 favorite Chiefs.

Same here.

As a big fan of Romo, I wonder what he thought when Romo didn't play because of his pinky. When I think of DeBerg, I think of that giant soft cast on his finger still slinging the ball downfield.

[Manila-Chief]

Originally Posted by Chiefaholic

Quite possible one of my top 10 favorite Chiefs. The man played the game with guts, heart, and determination. That's something 90% of the worthless rookies need a taste of because they're spoiled and overpaid befor they prove theirself on the field. I'de love to see him as a QB coach in KC.

Another overlooked favorite on mine was Greg Manusky because of a similiar drive and love for the game.

Yes, I like the way the man played the game. From the article it sounds like he is an excellent QB coach and as I read I was hoping he could become our QB coach ... especially if we draft a QB. But, then I read about him just getting married and not being interested in being a coach. Therefore, I wish they could get him to do the preseason practices and/or training camp.

From what Steve said, it really illustrates that Curl was a stupid choice as a QB coach. I guess it's amazing that Thigpen/Croyle did as well as they did, having him as a coach.

[HonestChieffan]

We will so miss Dick Curl.

[Chiefnj2]

That had the makings of becoming an excellent article. We could have had his thoughts on Thiggy, Cassel, Sanchez and Stafford. Instead the article just stops. I guess Whitlock had to get back into town and try to get in the Maxim party before all the finger foods were taken.

[damaticous]

Interesting reading the comments on the article.

I thought everyone hated Deberg, I was just getting interested in the Chiefs when he was playing. didn't he play his last game or a play off game with a pin in his pinky of his throwing hand?

[cardken]

Originally Posted by damaticous

Interesting reading the comments on the article.

I thought everyone hated Deberg, I was just getting interested in the Chiefs when he was playing. didn't he play his last game or a play off game with a pin in his pinky of his throwing hand?

He was a warrior, played with that pin in his hand during 1990 playoffs with Dolphins. And while with the Dolphins in 1993, took a helmet to the chin and came back and finished the game. Gamer, you don't see that anymore.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by damaticous

Interesting reading the comments on the article.

I thought everyone hated Deberg, I was just getting interested in the Chiefs when he was playing. didn't he play his last game or a play off game with a pin in his pinky of his throwing hand?

How did you reach that conclusion?

My impression is that DeBerg is among the favorite players for many Chiefs fans because of his toughness.

[damaticous]

Originally Posted by milkman

How did you reach that conclusion?

My impression is that DeBerg is among the favorite players for many Chiefs fans because of his toughness.

Interesting. I remember a few fans that I was around at the time thought he sucked, and I thought that I remember people on here saying he sucked too. Could be mistaken.

I never understood why anyone thought that way though. I was a HS QB and thought his level of play was amazing. Had a very nice release that I strive for and paid attention to details in the basics. That's why his bootlegs and fakes were so good and what my coach wanted me to do, so I watched his movements intensely.

I love his toughness.

When I was in HS playing QB I tried to be as tough and get the basics down of the fakes and passing mechanics, but tried to be a leader like Joe Montana. I likes the look of Joe's throwing motion, but knew Steve's was the way it should be.

Got me pretty far, but turned out my body wasn't as tough as I wanted to be...

7th-8th grade - broken and sprained ankles - played all games.
9th grade - broken and bruised ribs with torn cartilage played all but 3.
10th grade - Broken collar bone - missed whole season.
11th grade - Sub for varsity QB who didn't get hurt. played in 2 games.
12th grade - 5th game of the season broke my back - out for season.

I always wondered what would have been if I was 3-4 inches taller with stronger bones.

[rockymtnchief]

Nobody's come close to selling the play action before or since Deberg. If he doesn't want to be a QB coach, at least hire him to come to mini-camps and training camp.

[Kerberos]

Originally Posted by rockymtnchief

Nobody's come close to selling the play action before or since Deberg. If he doesn't want to be a QB coach, at least hire him to come to mini-camps and training camp.

Yup his fake moves and hard count were pretty fun to watch as the teams ran for him and the ball was 10 yards downfield with the running back or watch him get D-linemen to jump offsides.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by rockymtnchief

Nobody's come close to selling the play action before or since Deberg. If he doesn't want to be a QB coach, at least hire him to come to mini-camps and training camp.

The play fake is a lost art, and yes DeBerg was the best at it in his time.

But you go back to the 60s and 70s, and guys like Unitas, Bradshaw and Staubaugh were very good at it.

And the one thing that Lenny Dawson did better than anyone else is the play fake.

Dawson was the master.

Everyone else is just a pretender.

[Extra Point]

Originally Posted by rockymtnchief

Nobody's come close to selling the play action before or since Deberg. If he doesn't want to be a QB coach, at least hire him to come to mini-camps and training camp.

Yeah.

[FringeNC]

I wonder if something is in the works to bring DeBerg in as QB coach? Romo is mentioned as his star pupil, and Haley was passing game coordinator in Dallas...