Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs safeties are ready to take it up a notch - Page 2

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-12-2009, 10:37 PM

Chiefs safeties are ready to take it up a notch
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

RIVER FALLS, Wis. | The play was the kind seen far too infrequently by the Chiefs in recent seasons, so it touched off a Super Bowl worthy celebration among their defenders, even if it happened during a recent training-camp practice.

Free safety Jarrad Page knocked a pass away from rookie running back Javarris Williams on a fourth-down play during a 2-minute drill, giving the Chiefs’ defense its feel-good moment.

The Chiefs are counting on Page and strong safety Bernard Pollard to deliver many similar plays when the regular season begins. The Chiefs drafted both players in 2006, Pollard in the second round and Page in the seventh, and in doing so envisioned a day when they would be pillars of a defense that was competitive or better.

They are hopeful this is the year. Page is already there, having given the Chiefs many such plays in his two seasons as a starter. The wait for Pollard has been longer and at times painful but could be over if his training-camp play is any indication.

“When we came here, we both wanted to create a certain identity about what we wanted to get done on the field,” Page said. “We’ve gotten to that point. People kind of know what to expect from us. We have identities. That’s a good thing. Now what we have to do is build on it.”

The Chiefs signed veteran safety Mike Brown shortly before camp to challenge Pollard for his starting spot. The competition hasn’t materialized and may in fact be finished.

“I’m definitely out here competing but I realize my role,” said Brown, who played nine seasons for Chicago but became a free agent when the Bears made no effort to re-sign him.

“Those are their spots. I’m just here in case something happens to them. I’ll be able to come in and play a high level. I’m here to provide some depth. If there’s any insight I can give, I’m willing to do that.

“They’re two young, extremely good safeties and I enjoy watching them play. They both bring a little something different to the table. Bernard is extremely physical and has great power. Page is the great free safety with range and incredible hands and incredible athletic ability.”

Those are the identities Page referred to, and while they are well-earned, they don’t tell the whole story. Page can at times be a sloppy tackler while Pollard’s problems in pass coverage had the Chiefs’ former administration and coaching staff occasionally wondering whether he would be better off as a linebacker.

The switch to the 3-4 system and coordinator Clancy Pendergast’s system could benefit Pollard.

“I really love it because it kind of gets me (closer) to the line of scrimmage,” Pollard said. “I won’t have to line up and play cover 2 every snap or stay back. I’m able to come up and get closer and make plays. That’s what I did in college. That’s more my game.

“I’m happy with where I am and I’m happy with the changes and the new scheme and the new system. I’m ready to play some ball.”

Page played a lot as a rookie and became a starter two seasons ago. He preserved Chiefs victories several times with late-game heroics and now appears ready to move forward in his professional development.

“Being a veteran doesn’t mean you can’t get better,” Page said. “It just means that you’ve seen some things. I feel I’ve seen a lot of things and I feel I’m a really good student of the game. I feel I understand offensive schemes and I understand why Clancy wants us to do certain things out there. It’s my job to get other guys on board with that. Sometimes the younger guys don’t understand. I need to show them.

“That’s what a veteran does.”

The play of Page and Pollard hasn’t left anything for the 31-year-old Brown, who has been strictly a second-teamer on defense. Recent injuries and advancing age scared off other safety-needy teams.

He said he’s at full strength but had a hard time convincing teams of that until the Chiefs came along in June.

“I didn’t have too many takers,” he said. “This role has obviously been an adjustment. Everything is new for me.

“Obviously, I’m older now and probably not as fast as I used to be. But I still feel I can play good football.”

Sweet Daddy Hate · 08-13-2009, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Bonecrusher?

Hell, I just hope he's a bonehugger.

As in, making some ****ing tackles for once.

Official Mascot of Chiefs Defense?

Sweet Daddy Hate · 08-13-2009, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiant

I hope it is just not more training camp buzz.. It needs to translate into the regular season..

Just one more brief thing if I may:

If I were the rest of this fan base, I'd be hoping high and mightily that some "training camp buzz" starts coming from the other side of the football.

Yes, I know Haley has a "critical offensive eye" due to his last job, but something isn't gelling, and those mother****ers need to step it up. If they can't do better than a Thigshit offense overall for the 2009 season; somebody ****ed up in the judgment department.

Get...it...done.
(or at least get it started for ****'s sake)

Titty Meat · 08-13-2009, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Wendler? What about Billay? He's been saying that Mike Brown will be a difference maker this season.

Sorry, Bill.

Meh Pollard can be the training camp champion if he wants. All I know is when the games count Mike Brown is solid we haven't been able to say the same about Pollard thus far.

Hammock Parties · 08-13-2009, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

And once again, Wendler eats a big shite-sandwich.

Did you MISS this line, asshole?

Quote:

Page is already there, having given the Chiefs many such plays in his two seasons as a starter. The wait for Pollard has been longer and at times painful but could be over if his training-camp play is any indication.

The day Pollard nuts up and becomes a consistent playmaker on this defense is the day I have a steady girlfriend.

And he has played well in camp before. Hell, I thought he was ready to break out last year after attending camp for 2 weeks.

HE ****ING SUCKED.

Hammock Parties · 08-13-2009, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

Meh Pollard can be the training camp champion if he wants. All I know is when the games count Mike Brown is solid we haven't been able to say the same about Pollard thus far.

Mike Brown is the failsafe.

If Pollard continues to be one of the WORST goddamn run support safeties in the league, Brown will take his job in a week.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 08-13-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Did you MISS this line, asshole?

The day Pollard nuts up and becomes a consistent playmaker on this defense is the day I have a steady girlfriend.

And he has played well in camp before. Hell, I thought he was ready to break out last year after attending camp for 2 weeks.

HE ****ING SUCKED.

Nice reading FAIL.

The author is stating that Pollard has possibly turned the corner, NOT that he's ****ing up and opening a door for Mike Brown.
Now go help LJ pull Pollard's cleat out of his ass.

**DeezNutz** · 08-13-2009, 09:08 AM

Unfortunately, no amount of practice is going to improve Pollard's subpar speed and football instincts, both of which make him prone to giving up the big play.

In many ways, he was and is a typical second-round pick for the Chiefs.

Sam Hall · 08-13-2009, 09:08 AM

Taylor Mays and Eric Berry will be on the radar if they don't take it up a notch.

**DeezNutz** · 08-13-2009, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

Taylor Mays and Eric Berry will be on the radar if they don't take it up a notch.

They damn well better be, regardless.

This team desperately needs playmakers, and there isn't a single one on this defense, save Flowers (and potentially Dorsey...I'm not completely giving up on a second-year player who was as highly rated as he was).

Mr. Krab · 08-13-2009, 09:13 AM

I hope it's true but i won't believe it until i actually see it in a live game situation. I'm too used to all the BS that floats out of camp each year.

Fish · 08-13-2009, 09:18 AM

Pollard will surprise some folks this year....

Reerun_KC · 08-13-2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Unfortunately, no amount of practice is going to improve Pollard's subpar speed and football instincts, both of which make him prone to giving up the big play.

In many ways, he was and is a typical second-round pick for the Chiefs.

Good thing we had Mr Keen Eye for Talent running the show....

Hammock Parties · 08-13-2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Fish

Pollard will surprise some folks this year....

By plunging to new depths of suckitude...

Crush · 08-13-2009, 09:28 AM

Now we're going to add some spiceweasle to these safeties to take it up a notch. BAM!

**DeezNutz** · 08-13-2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Good thing we had Mr Keen Eye for Talent running the show....

How Herm was ever labeled a "a great evaluator of talent" is a ****ing unbelievable mystery.

08-12-2009, 10:37 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3067187	Teicher: Chiefs safeties are ready to take it up a notch Chiefs safeties are ready to take it up a notch By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star RIVER FALLS, Wis. \| The play was the kind seen far too infrequently by the Chiefs in recent seasons, so it touched off a Super Bowl worthy celebration among their defenders, even if it happened during a recent training-camp practice. Free safety Jarrad Page knocked a pass away from rookie running back Javarris Williams on a fourth-down play during a 2-minute drill, giving the Chiefs’ defense its feel-good moment. The Chiefs are counting on Page and strong safety Bernard Pollard to deliver many similar plays when the regular season begins. The Chiefs drafted both players in 2006, Pollard in the second round and Page in the seventh, and in doing so envisioned a day when they would be pillars of a defense that was competitive or better. They are hopeful this is the year. Page is already there, having given the Chiefs many such plays in his two seasons as a starter. The wait for Pollard has been longer and at times painful but could be over if his training-camp play is any indication. “When we came here, we both wanted to create a certain identity about what we wanted to get done on the field,” Page said. “We’ve gotten to that point. People kind of know what to expect from us. We have identities. That’s a good thing. Now what we have to do is build on it.” The Chiefs signed veteran safety Mike Brown shortly before camp to challenge Pollard for his starting spot. The competition hasn’t materialized and may in fact be finished. “I’m definitely out here competing but I realize my role,” said Brown, who played nine seasons for Chicago but became a free agent when the Bears made no effort to re-sign him. “Those are their spots. I’m just here in case something happens to them. I’ll be able to come in and play a high level. I’m here to provide some depth. If there’s any insight I can give, I’m willing to do that. “They’re two young, extremely good safeties and I enjoy watching them play. They both bring a little something different to the table. Bernard is extremely physical and has great power. Page is the great free safety with range and incredible hands and incredible athletic ability.” Those are the identities Page referred to, and while they are well-earned, they don’t tell the whole story. Page can at times be a sloppy tackler while Pollard’s problems in pass coverage had the Chiefs’ former administration and coaching staff occasionally wondering whether he would be better off as a linebacker. The switch to the 3-4 system and coordinator Clancy Pendergast’s system could benefit Pollard. “I really love it because it kind of gets me (closer) to the line of scrimmage,” Pollard said. “I won’t have to line up and play cover 2 every snap or stay back. I’m able to come up and get closer and make plays. That’s what I did in college. That’s more my game. “I’m happy with where I am and I’m happy with the changes and the new scheme and the new system. I’m ready to play some ball.” Page played a lot as a rookie and became a starter two seasons ago. He preserved Chiefs victories several times with late-game heroics and now appears ready to move forward in his professional development. “Being a veteran doesn’t mean you can’t get better,” Page said. “It just means that you’ve seen some things. I feel I’ve seen a lot of things and I feel I’m a really good student of the game. I feel I understand offensive schemes and I understand why Clancy wants us to do certain things out there. It’s my job to get other guys on board with that. Sometimes the younger guys don’t understand. I need to show them. “That’s what a veteran does.” The play of Page and Pollard hasn’t left anything for the 31-year-old Brown, who has been strictly a second-teamer on defense. Recent injuries and advancing age scared off other safety-needy teams. He said he’s at full strength but had a hard time convincing teams of that until the Chiefs came along in June. “I didn’t have too many takers,” he said. “This role has obviously been an adjustment. Everything is new for me. “Obviously, I’m older now and probably not as fast as I used to be. But I still feel I can play good football.”
Posts: 43,460

08-13-2009, 09:08 AM	#23
Sam Hall UNSTOPPABLE Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KC area Casino cash: $9895185	Taylor Mays and Eric Berry will be on the radar if they don't take it up a notch. __________________
Posts: 8,137

08-13-2009, 09:18 AM	#26
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $-1511081	Pollard will surprise some folks this year.... __________________
Posts: 48,903

08-13-2009, 09:28 AM	#29
Crush Amateur Poster Join Date: Mar 2004 Casino cash: $2207091	Now we're going to add some spiceweasle to these safeties to take it up a notch. BAM!
Posts: 15,298