Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs safeties are ready to take it up a notch - Page 4

**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, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Maybe so. But they will be two GLORIOUS plays before we are returned to our regularly schedule Pollard suckfest.

Eat me, ROR.

Why don't you worry about the "wave 'em on through" blocking style that's going to get Cassel mauled in the backfield when the OG( Original Goof-Ass )takes the field, m'kay?

Sweet Daddy Hate · 08-13-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

missin' tackles ALL ****IN DAY ****A!

And ROR posts an image from Purdue....where Pollard could actually play.

Actually that's Vanderbilt, you half a frozen turd-sandwich. With eyesight that bad, I can understand why you think LJ is so good.

Bitch.

Hammock Parties · 08-13-2009, 12:49 PM

Larry Johnson will be scoring TDs in Kansas City long after Bustard Pollard is cut.

Fish · 08-13-2009, 12:55 PM

Seriously though.... I can really see how Pollard would greatly benefit from getting away from the Cover 2. The Cover 2 is hell on young safeties.

The experience that Page and Pollard have now is going to be a huge factor in how they do this year.

And you have to admit that Mike Brown sounds like a defeated puppy dog when asked about Page & Pollard. I think it's pretty clear that P&P are firmly entrenched in their starting positions.

Fish · 08-13-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Larry Johnson will be scoring TDs in Kansas City long after Bustard Pollard is cut.

That's quite illogical.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 08-13-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Fish

That's quite illogical.

What's new?

Reerun_KC · 08-13-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Fish

That's quite illogical.

Did you see who wrote the post? actually its quite delusional, but par for the course...

**HemiEd** · 08-13-2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Bonecrusher?

Hell, I just hope he's a bonehugger.

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

Isn't it about contract year time, for both of them?

**DaneMcCloud** · 08-13-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HemiEd

Isn't it about contract year time, for both of them?

I think next year, since they were drafted in 2006.

Unless next year's an uncapped season, in which we get to keep them a year longer.

BigChiefFan · 08-13-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HemiEd

Isn't it about contract year time, for both of them?

Page signed his Restricted Free Agent contract, this off-season. He's on a one year deal.

Pollard is on his final year of an original 4 year deal.

Titty Meat · 08-13-2009, 01:29 PM

Really Pollard takes wrong angles all the time and thats something they teach you in high school. I think fans like him becuz he's a play maker on special teams. And yea lets remember how the media wrote about how good Kendrell Bell looked, how Donnie Edwards looked youthful,and LJ is a new player, ect.

Hammock Parties · 08-13-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Fish

Seriously though.... I can really see how Pollard would greatly benefit from getting away from the Cover 2. The Cover 2 is hell on young safeties.

It doesn't matter. He sucks as an in-the-box safety, too.

His weaknesses have nothing to do with scheme.

Fish · 08-13-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

It doesn't matter. He sucks as an in-the-box safety, too.

His weaknesses have nothing to do with scheme.

Minus the wizard hat, how are you coming to this conclusion?

The cover 2 is all he's known and all he's played in since he's been in the NFL. He's already mentioned several times how much better he feels in this defensive scheme compared to previous years....

Does Mike Brown have the same weaknesses?

Hammock Parties · 08-13-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Fish

Minus the wizard hat, how are you coming to this conclusion?

Pollard has not been stuck in a zone the last three years. Far from it. He's come down and played in the box quite a bit. He sucks at it. He gets abused in the open field. He had the lowest stop rate against the run of any Chiefs starter a year ago.

Quote:

Does Mike Brown have the same weaknesses?

No. He's the anti-Pollard.

Fish · 08-13-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Pollard has not been stuck in a zone the last three years. Far from it. He's come down and played in the box quite a bit. He sucks at it. He gets abused in the open field. He had the lowest stop rate against the run of any Chiefs starter a year ago.

His tackling hasn't been great. But it hasn't been bad enough for him to lose his position. And yes he has been abused in the open field, but all safeties get abused in the open field. Bob Sanders gets abused sometimes. Troy Polamalu gets abused sometimes. It's the nature of the position. And for a guy like Pollard, less responsibility gives him an advantage. For the last 3 years, he's had a lot of responsibility for his position in the Cover 2.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

No. He's the anti-Pollard.

But yet the anti-Pollard can't get on the field with the #1s?

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.”
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08-13-2009, 12:49 PM	#48
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $730478	Larry Johnson will be scoring TDs in Kansas City long after Bustard Pollard is cut. __________________ Chiefs game films
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08-13-2009, 12:55 PM	#49
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $-1511081	Seriously though.... I can really see how Pollard would greatly benefit from getting away from the Cover 2. The Cover 2 is hell on young safeties. The experience that Page and Pollard have now is going to be a huge factor in how they do this year. And you have to admit that Mike Brown sounds like a defeated puppy dog when asked about Page & Pollard. I think it's pretty clear that P&P are firmly entrenched in their starting positions. __________________
Posts: 48,903

08-13-2009, 01:29 PM	#56
Titty Meat Inmem 2.0 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: My house Casino cash: $-1242442	Really Pollard takes wrong angles all the time and thats something they teach you in high school. I think fans like him becuz he's a play maker on special teams. And yea lets remember how the media wrote about how good Kendrell Bell looked, how Donnie Edwards looked youthful,and LJ is a new player, ect.
Posts: 78,174