KC defense ready to ice vanilla look - Page 4

Mr. Laz · 08-22-2006, 09:59 AM

KC defense ready to ice vanilla look

Chiefs don’t want to show too much but say they must improve.

By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Notes: No sign of Holmes

Herm Edwards wants to see the Chiefs play defense with a lot more fire than they showed in last week’s loss to the Giants.

One way to get that fire is to turn up the heat. Edwards hinted that the Chiefs, after playing mostly plain, basic defenses in their first two preseason games, might do just that in Saturday night’s game against St. Louis at Arrowhead Stadium.

“We’ll just see,” Edwards said. “Let’s wait until Saturday and see what we do.”

Edwards is conflicted about the defense, which has been a pushover in two games. The Chiefs have yielded a ton of rushing yards and have made no momentum-generating big plays.

The Chiefs haven’t forced a turnover and have just three sacks.

Edwards wants better. He also wants to keep the defenses as plain as possible to reveal as little as possible about their regular-season plans.

Something has to give, and it might be the need to hide their plans.

“This is the third game, so you might see a little bit different,” linebacker Derrick Johnson said. “Whatever we’re going to do, this is the game to do it. We won’t be as vanilla.”

Vanilla isn’t the normal way of defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. Blitzing and getting pressure on the quarterback are his favorite tactics, so sitting by idly while opponents take advantage of the Chiefs has to be killing him.

“A little bit,” Edwards said. “You want to work on fundamentals, but you’re right, we’re playing it real vanilla. People know what we’re doing. They can sit there and game-plan for us all they want because they know what kind of coverage we’re going to run.

“We’re trying to implement some things and see if players can play them. That’s very, very important. Believe me, Gunther has a bag of blitzes. We can blitz. We know how to do that. We can put pressure on the quarterback if we need to do that. But we want to get some basic defenses down first. We need to get some principles down. That’s important.”

The Chiefs worked in training camp on some exotic defensive tactics but used precious few in the exhibition losses to Houston and the Giants.

“I believe the coaches are doing the right thing right now in keeping it vanilla,” Johnson said. “They’re making sure we’ve got our base defense down. We can come with the blitzes. You know Gun. He can fire off some stuff. We know his mentality. Right now, he’s probably biting his tongue sometimes. But we’ve got those plays. We’re going to get to that.

“When you play like we’ve been playing and when teams know what you’re going to do, they’re going to get some stuff on you. That’s OK. The coaches know what they’re doing. We’re buying in.”

Safety Sammy Knight agreed.

“What we’re doing is fine,” Knight said. “We’ve just got to play better. It starts by playing with more emotion. If you do that, the plays will come no matter what we’re doing on defense.”

Despite some otherwise gloomy defensive statistics, Edwards sees one positive in the pass defense. The Chiefs have not yielded a throw of more than 15 yards despite defending 59 passes and allowing 38 completions.

“We’re getting them to throw the ball where they don’t want to throw it,” Edwards said.

As far as the largely punchless pass rush, the Chiefs are counting on the return from injury of first-round draft pick Tamba Hali to help. He will start against the Rams.

Edwards indicated he believes the Chiefs are talented enough to play good defense.

“We’ve got it,” Edwards said. “We just have to get on the same page. That’s all. That’s tough. We haven’t revamped everything, but we’re asking them to do some things differently. We’re playing a coverage that’s very disciplined coverage, a very physical coverage. They’re starting to understand that. There are some things we’re going to do to help them. We’re not going to just stay in this coverage.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To reach Adam Teicher, Chiefs reporter for The Star, call (816) 234-4875 or send e-mail to [email protected]

Mr. Laz · 08-22-2006, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

That's my point.

1) Teams CANNOT dink and dunk like you suggest they can. EVERYBODY makes a mistake at some point.

2) It has NOT been happening to us for years. Find a game and point out an instance where we gave up a touchdown WITHOUT giving up a 20+ yard play on the drive. Here's a hint - you won't find one easily.

fine ... you win

we are going to the super BOWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

go bo · 08-22-2006, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by (Zach)

Because agreeing with mods gets people sooo many benefits.

benefits? *perk*

gee, zach, i totally agree with you...

htismaqe · 08-22-2006, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

fine ... you win

we are going to the super BOWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now that's the kind of ridiculous hyperbole I come here for.

I've been around this place long enough to know what's going on. I don't expect you to admit improvement, no matter how tiny. It sets up improper expectations...

|Zach| · 08-22-2006, 11:07 AM

Weak.

Mr. Laz · 08-22-2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Now that's the kind of ridiculous hyperbole I come here for.

I've been around this place long enough to know what's going on. I don't expect you to admit improvement, no matter how tiny. It sets up improper expectations...

well okay then, big man.

one day you're telling everyone had pathetic they are because preseason doesn't mean a thing.

the next you're telling them what a big deal it is that the defense is stopping the big play IN PRESEASON.

so step up ..... what does this big deal/big play stopping mean?

super bowl ... top 10 defense ... what?

laz
~waiting for the backpedaling to begin~

Hog's Gone Fishin · 08-22-2006, 11:15 AM

If we can keep our opponents offense on the field long enough then eventually their running backs and wide receivers will get tired. That's when we'll kick their ass.

Hammock Parties · 08-22-2006, 11:18 AM

No one knows shit about this defense yet. Stop judging them based on preseason games. The only thing we can say for certain is that they will be playing alot of cover two, and that DOES NOT mean they will be playing 10 yards off the line on 3rd and 3.

htismaqe · 08-22-2006, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

well okay then, big man.

one day you're telling everyone had pathetic they are because preseason doesn't mean a thing.

the next you're telling them what a big deal it is that the defense is stopping the big play IN PRESEASON.

so step up ..... what does this big deal/big play stopping mean?

super bowl ... top 10 defense ... what?

laz
~waiting for the backpedaling to begin~

I'm wondering where you saw that I told anyone they were "pathetic" because the preseason "doesn't mean a thing." You sure love to talk in absolutes...

And yes, stopping the big play this PRESEASON IS a big deal. Why? Because we gave up big plays all over the place under Vermeil in preseason, and it turned out to be a portent of things to come.

What does it mean? It means that SOMETHING has changed. What is that something? I really don't know. Nor do I know if we're actually going to produce better results. I just know that it's a positive SIGN.

The above, of course, is "backpedaling".

|Zach| · 08-22-2006, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

well okay then, big man.

one day you're telling everyone had pathetic they are because preseason doesn't mean a thing.

the next you're telling them what a big deal it is that the defense is stopping the big play IN PRESEASON.

so step up ..... what does this big deal/big play stopping mean?

super bowl ... top 10 defense ... what?

laz
~waiting for the backpedaling to begin~

You can't even stand behind huge vague general statements yet you are asking the other person for a pinpoint prediction that reflects many many more variables than the one we are discussing I love it.

You were better off being a drama queen.

Quote:

fine ... you win

we are going to the super BOWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

htismaqe · 08-22-2006, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by (Zach)

You can't even stand behind huge vague general statements yet you are asking the other person for a pinpoint prediction that reflects many many more variables than the one we are discussing I love it.

You were better off being a drama queen.

Facts and accuracy are only required when DEFENDING the team.

It's not required when bashing the team, because they deserve it.

stevieray · 08-22-2006, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Facts and accuracy are only required when DEFENDING the team.

It's not required when bashing the team, because they deserve it.

Pretty much.

Mr. Laz · 08-22-2006, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I'm wondering where you saw that I told anyone they were "pathetic" because the preseason "doesn't mean a thing."

oh come now ... just because you used the word moron or idiot instead of pathetic doesn't change the basic jist.

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

What does it mean? It means that SOMETHING has changed. What is that something? I really don't know. Nor do I know if we're actually going to produce better results. I just know that it's a positive SIGN

so you're saying is, it COULD be a big deal IF they continue to improve??

interesting

Mr. Laz · 08-22-2006, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Facts and accuracy are only required when DEFENDING the team.

It's not required when bashing the team, because they deserve it.

Quote:

Now that's the kind of ridiculous hyperbole I come here for.

I've been around this place long enough to know what's going on.

btw ... who's bashing the team?

not me, i'm merely saying that stopping the big plays by itself doesn't mean much of anything.

htismaqe · 08-22-2006, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

oh come now ... just because you used the word moron or idiot instead of pathetic doesn't change the basic jist.

so you're saying is, it COULD be a big deal IF they continue to improve??

interesting

I use the words "moron" and "idiot" quite a bit in reference to many Chiefs fans because they're unfortunately deserved. As for using them in the CONTEXT of saying that preseason, unequivocally, means NOTHING, I'd ask you to point out where I said that.

If you're talking about predictions of starting out 0-8 and their ilk, you can save it. Don't denigrate yourself by trying to defend such silliness.

And no, I'm not saying it COULD be a big deal. I'm saying it IS a big deal.

In the past 5 or so preseason, we've given up a ton of big plays in preseason and gone on to give up RECORD NUMBERS of big plays in the regular season. Elementary historical analysis says that giving up NO big plays this preseason is a GOOD change. Does that mean the trend will hold up and we'll give up no big plays in the regular season? Of course not. But then again, I'm not pretending to say that either.

htismaqe · 08-22-2006, 11:32 AM

Illustrating absurdity with absurdity is called "irony".

08-22-2006, 09:59 AM
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	KC defense ready to ice vanilla look KC defense ready to ice vanilla look Chiefs don’t want to show too much but say they must improve. By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Notes: No sign of Holmes Herm Edwards wants to see the Chiefs play defense with a lot more fire than they showed in last week’s loss to the Giants. One way to get that fire is to turn up the heat. Edwards hinted that the Chiefs, after playing mostly plain, basic defenses in their first two preseason games, might do just that in Saturday night’s game against St. Louis at Arrowhead Stadium. “We’ll just see,” Edwards said. “Let’s wait until Saturday and see what we do.” Edwards is conflicted about the defense, which has been a pushover in two games. The Chiefs have yielded a ton of rushing yards and have made no momentum-generating big plays. The Chiefs haven’t forced a turnover and have just three sacks. Edwards wants better. He also wants to keep the defenses as plain as possible to reveal as little as possible about their regular-season plans. Something has to give, and it might be the need to hide their plans. “This is the third game, so you might see a little bit different,” linebacker Derrick Johnson said. “Whatever we’re going to do, this is the game to do it. We won’t be as vanilla.” Vanilla isn’t the normal way of defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. Blitzing and getting pressure on the quarterback are his favorite tactics, so sitting by idly while opponents take advantage of the Chiefs has to be killing him. “A little bit,” Edwards said. “You want to work on fundamentals, but you’re right, we’re playing it real vanilla. People know what we’re doing. They can sit there and game-plan for us all they want because they know what kind of coverage we’re going to run. “We’re trying to implement some things and see if players can play them. That’s very, very important. Believe me, Gunther has a bag of blitzes. We can blitz. We know how to do that. We can put pressure on the quarterback if we need to do that. But we want to get some basic defenses down first. We need to get some principles down. That’s important.” The Chiefs worked in training camp on some exotic defensive tactics but used precious few in the exhibition losses to Houston and the Giants. “I believe the coaches are doing the right thing right now in keeping it vanilla,” Johnson said. “They’re making sure we’ve got our base defense down. We can come with the blitzes. You know Gun. He can fire off some stuff. We know his mentality. Right now, he’s probably biting his tongue sometimes. But we’ve got those plays. We’re going to get to that. “When you play like we’ve been playing and when teams know what you’re going to do, they’re going to get some stuff on you. That’s OK. The coaches know what they’re doing. We’re buying in.” Safety Sammy Knight agreed. “What we’re doing is fine,” Knight said. “We’ve just got to play better. It starts by playing with more emotion. If you do that, the plays will come no matter what we’re doing on defense.” Despite some otherwise gloomy defensive statistics, Edwards sees one positive in the pass defense. The Chiefs have not yielded a throw of more than 15 yards despite defending 59 passes and allowing 38 completions. “We’re getting them to throw the ball where they don’t want to throw it,” Edwards said. As far as the largely punchless pass rush, the Chiefs are counting on the return from injury of first-round draft pick Tamba Hali to help. He will start against the Rams. Edwards indicated he believes the Chiefs are talented enough to play good defense. “We’ve got it,” Edwards said. “We just have to get on the same page. That’s all. That’s tough. We haven’t revamped everything, but we’re asking them to do some things differently. We’re playing a coverage that’s very disciplined coverage, a very physical coverage. They’re starting to understand that. There are some things we’re going to do to help them. We’re not going to just stay in this coverage.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To reach Adam Teicher, Chiefs reporter for The Star, call (816) 234-4875 or send e-mail to [email protected]
Posts: 95,626

08-22-2006, 11:07 AM	#49
\|Zach\| For The Glory Of The City Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $3016768	Weak.
Posts: 54,737

08-22-2006, 11:15 AM	#51
Hog's Gone Fishin Fish are scared of me Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $-1539523	If we can keep our opponents offense on the field long enough then eventually their running backs and wide receivers will get tired. That's when we'll kick their ass.
Posts: 40,649

08-22-2006, 11:18 AM	#52
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $800478	No one knows shit about this defense yet. Stop judging them based on preseason games. The only thing we can say for certain is that they will be playing alot of cover two, and that DOES NOT mean they will be playing 10 yards off the line on 3rd and 3. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 297,443

08-22-2006, 11:32 AM	#60
htismaqe 'Tis my eye! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $8099900	Illustrating absurdity with absurdity is called "irony".
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