Chiefs Babb: Chiefs defensive coordinator Crennel not going into panic mode

**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)

Hammock Parties · 09-24-2011, 12:44 AM

Crennel is rapidly approaching fraud status like the rest of these New England castoffs.

Did jack shit in Cleveland, one mediocre year here, and now sucking hard.

Hammock Parties · 09-24-2011, 12:45 AM

Looks like an awesome coaching career

**BigMeatballDave** · 09-24-2011, 12:45 AM

Certainly some issues on D. Not nearly as bad as these scores indicate.

**BigMeatballDave** · 09-24-2011, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gif Horse

Crennel is rapidly approaching fraud status like the rest of these New England castoffs.

Did jack shit in Cleveland, one mediocre year here, and now sucking hard.

Come on, man. 6 turnovers. Thats rough on any D. Its was still 7-3 with 5 min left in the 1st half. Then Cassel started to give it away.

**Ming the Merciless** · 09-24-2011, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

Not nearly as bad as these scores indicate.

**BossChief** · 09-24-2011, 01:25 AM

Opponents average starting field position is the 43 yard line.

We are 23rd in yardage given up, but give up 44.5 points per game.

If that doesn't say Cassel sucks, I don't know what does.

**BigMeatballDave** · 09-24-2011, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

reerun

**kysirsoze** · 09-24-2011, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

reerun

He's just lubing up for when the conversation turns to how the Cassel-led offense can't stay on the field and that's why the defense gets blown out late. He loves that shit.

xfactor · 09-24-2011, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gif Horse

Crennel is rapidly approaching fraud status like the rest of these New England castoffs.

Did jack shit in Cleveland, one mediocre year here, and now sucking hard.

giants? 5 Superbowl ring with 2 teams means u know something,yes he wasn't head coach material but really?.....

Hammock Parties · 09-24-2011, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xfactor

giants? 5 Superbowl ring with 2 teams means u know something,yes he wasn't head coach material but really?.....

His ass is out the door with Haley.

Red Dawg · 09-24-2011, 04:26 AM

If Crennel had a good QB he would have suceeded in Cleveland. Teams need a QB or forget it. No coach can over come shitty play from that position.

xfactor · 09-24-2011, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gif Horse

Crennel is rapidly approaching fraud status like the rest of these New England castoffs.

Did jack shit in Cleveland, one mediocre year here, and now sucking hard.

[QUOTE=Gif Horse;7936360]His ass is out the door with Haley.[/QUOT
Seriously,who u want Greg Robinson to replace him???

Hammock Parties · 09-24-2011, 04:31 AM

[QUOTE=xfactor;7936365]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gif Horse

His ass is out the door with Haley.[/QUOT
Seriously,who u want Greg Robinson to replace him???

Whoever the new head coach chooses...

xfactor · 09-24-2011, 04:39 AM

[QUOTE=Gif Horse;7936366]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xfactor

Whoever the new head coach chooses...

U crack me up haley aint getting replaced and i guen****ingtee best d coordinator aint, not till he finally retires, please step away from crackpipe, it aint healthy

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, 12:44 AM	#2
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $790478	Crennel is rapidly approaching fraud status like the rest of these New England castoffs. Did jack shit in Cleveland, one mediocre year here, and now sucking hard. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 297,458

09-24-2011, 12:45 AM	#3
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $790478	Looks like an awesome coaching career __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 297,458

09-24-2011, 12:45 AM	#4
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	Certainly some issues on D. Not nearly as bad as these scores indicate. __________________ 2015 Adopt-a-Chief: Tamba Hali
Posts: 59,997

09-24-2011, 01:25 AM	#7
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $-1755912	Opponents average starting field position is the 43 yard line. We are 23rd in yardage given up, but give up 44.5 points per game. If that doesn't say Cassel sucks, I don't know what does. __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,903

09-24-2011, 04:26 AM	#12
Red Dawg Going home eventually Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $1222858	If Crennel had a good QB he would have suceeded in Cleveland. Teams need a QB or forget it. No coach can over come shitty play from that position. __________________ If you're not first you're last!
Posts: 33,173