Whitlock - Defense will see better now with Knight vision

Brock · 08-12-2005, 08:39 AM

Defense will see better now with Knight vision

JASON WHITLOCK

RIVER FALLS, Wis. — Here are a few training-camp thoughts to mull over as the Chiefs open their exhibition season against the Vikings tonight.

■ If what I’m hearing is true, Sammy Knight will have the biggest impact of the Chiefs’ defensive free agents. That doesn’t mean he’ll be a better player than cornerback Patrick Surtain or linebacker Kendrell Bell. It simply means Knight will make more KC defenders better than Surtain or Bell.

Knight is slower than everyone else in the secondary and might be a step slower than KC’s starting linebackers. But, according to everyone I’ve talked to, Knight will be the Chiefs’ smartest defender. He’ll rarely be caught out of position, and he’ll rarely allow fellow safety Greg Wesley to be caught out of position.

“It’s like when I had James Hasty back there,” defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham told me. “He sees things, and you just have to trust him and let him do things his way.”

Knight’s intellect will help the linebackers, the corners and Wesley. However, what I like about Knight is that he’s a sure tackler. Wesley and Jerome Woods missed too many tackles last year.

“He’s a technician,” said former Chief Jason Belser. “You play that long, and you work at your craft.”

■ My new defensive concern: What’s going to happen to Jared Allen and Eric Hicks?

Sometimes you get what you draft. Remember when Hicks shocked the world and put together a 14-sack season? Man, we thought the Chiefs developed an undrafted free agent into a legitimate pass rusher. Well, now five years later, Hicks is a solid, unspectacular defensive end.

It’s easier to rush the passer when teams don’t game-plan to stop you. What happens now after Allen’s breakthrough rookie season? Is he really a double-digit sacker?

Minnesota left tackle Bryant McKinnie is a good first test for Allen. If the Chiefs don’t get any pass rush from the edge, Cunningham will be forced to blitz Bell and rookie Derrick Johnson more often, which might not be the worst thing.

■ Thursday I upset some folks when I didn’t mention Will Shields as a candidate for the best ever at his position. Shields is definitely a Hall of Famer, but when it comes to the best guards of all time, I don’t put Shields in the same class with John Hannah and Larry Allen.

■ Brian Waters, the best guard in football last year, is terribly underpaid. The Chiefs are playing hardball and won’t renegotiate Waters’ deal, which doesn’t expire until the end of the 2006 season. Waters told me the Chiefs want proof that last year wasn’t a fluke, and they want Waters to get through this year injury-free.

Waters, the anti-Terrell Owens, is handling the situation professionally. He doesn’t even employ an agent. He’s not happy. But he’s not going to do anything to disrupt this team and what they’re trying to accomplish.

The risk the Chiefs are taking is that if they wait until next season to renegotiate, Waters might just play the situation out and test the free-agent Waters. He’ll be 29, at his physical peak and in perfect position to pull a John Tait.

With this probably being Will Shields’ last season, I suspect the Chiefs will take care of Waters. But we are talking about King Carl Peterson … stay tuned.

■ Why Trent Green is the most respected player on the roster:

This offseason the players would get together in little groups, eat and say exactly what they thought of one another. Eddie Kennison told a story about how last season during a game he loafed on a play when he was the third or fourth read on a pass play. Green went through his progression of reads, and with his primary receivers covered, he threw the ball where Kennison was supposed to be.

The pass was intercepted. Kennison thanked Green for taking the blame for the interception and promised he’d never let his QB down again by taking a play off.

I could probably tell a Trent Green story every day. These guys love Trent Green, and everyone has a story to justify the affection and respect.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**ptlyon** · 08-12-2005, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASON WHITLOCK

Eddie Kennison told a story about how last season during a game he loafed on a play when he was the third or fourth read on a pass play. Green went through his progression of reads, and with his primary receivers covered, he threw the ball where Kennison was supposed to be.

The pass was intercepted. Kennison thanked Green for taking the blame for the interception and promised he’d never let his QB down again by taking a play off.

Oh F@k - TJ "I told you so" post in 3, 2, 1...

ZootedGranny · 08-12-2005, 09:03 AM

So, Hicks "underperformance" the past 4 years is because teams have gameplanned for him?

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-12-2005, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Thursday I upset some folks when I didn’t mention Will Shields as a candidate for the best ever at his position. Shields is definitely a Hall of Famer, but when it comes to the best guards of all time, I don’t put Shields in the same class with John Hannah and Larry Allen.

Shields is a technician like Hannah, and more athletic than Allen. Yes, Will is one of the best who played the position. Whitlock is off the mark here

StcChief · 08-12-2005, 09:23 AM

Not buying the game planning for Hicks.
He's avg at best.

Tough act to follow coming in behind DT after all those years.

We'll see how Allen's sophmore year is.

Carlos Hall my get more time than he thinks.

greg63 · 08-12-2005, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

■ Brian Waters, the best guard in football last year, is terribly underpaid. The Chiefs are playing hardball and won’t renegotiate Waters’ deal, which doesn’t expire until the end of the 2006 season. Waters told me the Chiefs want proof that last year wasn’t a fluke, and they want Waters to get through this year injury-free.

Waters, the anti-Terrell Owens, is handling the situation professionally. He doesn’t even employ an agent. He’s not happy. But he’s not going to do anything to disrupt this team and what they’re trying to accomplish.

The risk the Chiefs are taking is that if they wait until next season to renegotiate, Waters might just play the situation out and test the free-agent Waters. He’ll be 29, at his physical peak and in perfect position to pull a John Tait.

With this probably being Will Shields’ last season, I suspect the Chiefs will take care of Waters. But we are talking about King Carl Peterson … stay tuned.

Like Will Shields, Waters is a true class act!

jidar1 · 08-12-2005, 09:35 AM

Nice to see Whitlock trying to write good stuff about the team. I get sick of all his negativity. I don't know enough to know if Shields is the best at his position, but what about Gonzalez? Tony G is going to break every receiving record by a tight end at the rate he's going. Doesn't he get a nod?

Also, Whitlock should come out and say he was wrong about Trent Green. I seem to recall that he was the bus driver on the anti-Green bandwagon back when Green's receivers weren't getting the job done.

Soupnazi · 08-12-2005, 09:44 AM

The Chiefs need to get a deal done with Waters. Players that handle themselves professionally and work for the team's success deserve to be treated well. The guy has already proven that he's more than a one-season wonder.

In the Drew Rosenhaus era of sports agents, a class guy like this needs to be treated equitably by his team.

ZootedGranny · 08-12-2005, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soupnazi

The guy has already proven that he's more than a one-season wonder.

Exactly. I thought he should have made the Pro Bowl two years ago, but I guess it took a domination of the Falcons and Ray Lewis for the league to take notice.

I think it'll be taken care of, especially if Roaf and others retire after this year.

Kyle401 · 08-12-2005, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZootedGranny

I think it'll be taken care of, especially if Roaf and others retire after this year.

If they don't do it after this year, Waters would be wise to wait it out and head to FA. As long as the salary cap room is there, I think that Waters will be rewarded for staying quiet and waiting for his money.

**RealSNR** · 08-12-2005, 10:30 AM

I don't understand why Carl just doesn't add a contract extension to Waters's current deal and avoid this mess coming up next year.

bringbackmarty · 08-12-2005, 10:48 AM

whitlock is a fat piece of shit, larry allen better than will shields, get off the crack The cowboys had ****ing emmit smith, who the hell did we have before priest? old ass marcus allen, and
greg "goaheadanffukmybitchwhydontchamarty" hill. whitlock is so wack sometimes I think he's got a brian tumor that grew into and causes that blubber down below. If he didn't have such a fat head I would swear thats what is going on.
Sorry if that's over the top, I'm not feeling very well today.

Mr. Laz · 08-12-2005, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZootedGranny

So, Hicks "underperformance" the past 4 years is because teams have gameplanned for him?

noooooooooooooooooooo

i have yet to see any kind of plan against him ... heck, half the time they can just leave a tightend on him, 1 on 1.

he can't beat them with speed ... he can't beat them with power and his "super motor" slowed down years ago.

**Saul Good** · 08-12-2005, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

noooooooooooooooooooo

i have yet to see any kind of plan against him ... heck, half the time they can just leave a tightend on him, 1 on 1.

he can't beat them with speed ... he can't beat them with power and his "super motor" slowed down years ago.

I'm probably crazy, but I've got a feeling Hicks is going to have a big year. I think Allen may take a step back.

ZootedGranny · 08-12-2005, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

noooooooooooooooooooo

i have yet to see any kind of plan against him ... heck, half the time they can just leave a tightend on him, 1 on 1.

he can't beat them with speed ... he can't beat them with power and his "super motor" slowed down years ago.

That was my point (though sarcasm doesn't translate well to the internet, and I refuse to use the rolleyes smiley). I'd chalk up Hicks past 4 years to him being hot garbage.

I wish Vermeil would have a video session with the press showing how great Hicks has played, like Shannahan did last year about the cut blocks. There's no way in hell Hicks has pressured the QB 43 times in the past 4 years, let alone last season.

08-12-2005, 08:39 AM
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	Whitlock - Defense will see better now with Knight vision Defense will see better now with Knight vision JASON WHITLOCK RIVER FALLS, Wis. — Here are a few training-camp thoughts to mull over as the Chiefs open their exhibition season against the Vikings tonight. ■ If what I’m hearing is true, Sammy Knight will have the biggest impact of the Chiefs’ defensive free agents. That doesn’t mean he’ll be a better player than cornerback Patrick Surtain or linebacker Kendrell Bell. It simply means Knight will make more KC defenders better than Surtain or Bell. Knight is slower than everyone else in the secondary and might be a step slower than KC’s starting linebackers. But, according to everyone I’ve talked to, Knight will be the Chiefs’ smartest defender. He’ll rarely be caught out of position, and he’ll rarely allow fellow safety Greg Wesley to be caught out of position. “It’s like when I had James Hasty back there,” defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham told me. “He sees things, and you just have to trust him and let him do things his way.” Knight’s intellect will help the linebackers, the corners and Wesley. However, what I like about Knight is that he’s a sure tackler. Wesley and Jerome Woods missed too many tackles last year. “He’s a technician,” said former Chief Jason Belser. “You play that long, and you work at your craft.” ■ My new defensive concern: What’s going to happen to Jared Allen and Eric Hicks? Sometimes you get what you draft. Remember when Hicks shocked the world and put together a 14-sack season? Man, we thought the Chiefs developed an undrafted free agent into a legitimate pass rusher. Well, now five years later, Hicks is a solid, unspectacular defensive end. It’s easier to rush the passer when teams don’t game-plan to stop you. What happens now after Allen’s breakthrough rookie season? Is he really a double-digit sacker? Minnesota left tackle Bryant McKinnie is a good first test for Allen. If the Chiefs don’t get any pass rush from the edge, Cunningham will be forced to blitz Bell and rookie Derrick Johnson more often, which might not be the worst thing. ■ Thursday I upset some folks when I didn’t mention Will Shields as a candidate for the best ever at his position. Shields is definitely a Hall of Famer, but when it comes to the best guards of all time, I don’t put Shields in the same class with John Hannah and Larry Allen. ■ Brian Waters, the best guard in football last year, is terribly underpaid. The Chiefs are playing hardball and won’t renegotiate Waters’ deal, which doesn’t expire until the end of the 2006 season. Waters told me the Chiefs want proof that last year wasn’t a fluke, and they want Waters to get through this year injury-free. Waters, the anti-Terrell Owens, is handling the situation professionally. He doesn’t even employ an agent. He’s not happy. But he’s not going to do anything to disrupt this team and what they’re trying to accomplish. The risk the Chiefs are taking is that if they wait until next season to renegotiate, Waters might just play the situation out and test the free-agent Waters. He’ll be 29, at his physical peak and in perfect position to pull a John Tait. With this probably being Will Shields’ last season, I suspect the Chiefs will take care of Waters. But we are talking about King Carl Peterson … stay tuned. ■ Why Trent Green is the most respected player on the roster: This offseason the players would get together in little groups, eat and say exactly what they thought of one another. Eddie Kennison told a story about how last season during a game he loafed on a play when he was the third or fourth read on a pass play. Green went through his progression of reads, and with his primary receivers covered, he threw the ball where Kennison was supposed to be. The pass was intercepted. Kennison thanked Green for taking the blame for the interception and promised he’d never let his QB down again by taking a play off. I could probably tell a Trent Green story every day. These guys love Trent Green, and everyone has a story to justify the affection and respect. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 47,314

08-12-2005, 09:03 AM	#3
ZootedGranny Chump Steamroller Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: . Casino cash: $10015042	So, Hicks "underperformance" the past 4 years is because teams have gameplanned for him?
Posts: 3,974

08-12-2005, 09:23 AM	#5
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $10004900	Not buying the game planning for Hicks. He's avg at best. Tough act to follow coming in behind DT after all those years. We'll see how Allen's sophmore year is. Carlos Hall my get more time than he thinks. __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,901

08-12-2005, 09:35 AM	#7
jidar1 Starter Join Date: May 2005 Casino cash: $10004900	Nice to see Whitlock trying to write good stuff about the team. I get sick of all his negativity. I don't know enough to know if Shields is the best at his position, but what about Gonzalez? Tony G is going to break every receiving record by a tight end at the rate he's going. Doesn't he get a nod? Also, Whitlock should come out and say he was wrong about Trent Green. I seem to recall that he was the bus driver on the anti-Green bandwagon back when Green's receivers weren't getting the job done.
Posts: 150

08-12-2005, 09:44 AM	#8
Soupnazi Totally yummy Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: The kitchen @ River Falls Casino cash: $10006400	The Chiefs need to get a deal done with Waters. Players that handle themselves professionally and work for the team's success deserve to be treated well. The guy has already proven that he's more than a one-season wonder. In the Drew Rosenhaus era of sports agents, a class guy like this needs to be treated equitably by his team.
Posts: 1,212

08-12-2005, 10:48 AM	#12
bringbackmarty Gonna go back in time.... Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $2955510	whitlock is a fat piece of shit, larry allen better than will shields, get off the crack The cowboys had ****ing emmit smith, who the hell did we have before priest? old ass marcus allen, and greg "goaheadanffukmybitchwhydontchamarty" hill. whitlock is so wack sometimes I think he's got a brian tumor that grew into and causes that blubber down below. If he didn't have such a fat head I would swear thats what is going on. Sorry if that's over the top, I'm not feeling very well today. __________________ https://www.facebook.com/The-Pheasan...6018120266009/
Posts: 3,036