Whitlock: This defense should be among league’s best

keg in kc · 08-01-2007, 09:55 PM

WHITLOCK: This defense should be among league’s best

JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY
Posted on Wed, Aug. 01, 2007

RIVER FALLS, Wis. | You know, this Chiefs defense reminds me of the 1998 Dream Team Defense — yeah, the defense that had me loopy and fantasizing about the Chiefs finishing 16-0.

Yeah, that defense, the one with Derrick Thomas and Leslie O’Neal rushing off the ends, James Hasty and Dale Carter locking up receivers, Donnie Edwards running like a deer, Chester McGlockton anchored at the line of scrimmage and Reggie Tongue and Jerome Woods patrolling the middle of the field.

Yeah, the defense that caused Marty Schottenheimer to quit, melted down on “Monday Night Football” and made me get out of the prediction business.

Yes, sir, the 2007 Kansas City defense brings back all of those memories, but in a good way. These guys make me optimistic. They make me think the Chiefs could win 10 or 11 games and be a real threat at playoff time. I’ll never feel the way I did in 1998 again, but there’s nothing wrong with a little excitement.

“I do see similarities,” said Donnie Edwards, a member of the 1998 Dream Team Defense and the 2007 unit. “Man, we had two lock-down corners in James and Dale just like we have now with Ty (Law) and Pat (Surtain). With me, Napoleon (Harris) and Derrick (Johnson), we can all run. Jared (Allen) and Tamba (Hali) are two beasts.

“On paper, this could be a very good defense.”

On paper, the 1998 defense reminded me of the 1985 Bears. The Dream Team turned into a nightmare. It couldn’t stop the run or the pass. McGlockton, the big-ticket offseason acquisition, laid a gigantic turd. Derrick Thomas and Wayne Simmons had bad years.

“Man, I can’t remember what happened that year,” Edwards said. “It seemed like we had internal problems. I just remember the Denver game. What did we finish, 7-9?”

That would be correct. Just nine games short of my prediction.

That won’t happen this year. Not if Larry Johnson reports. This is going to be a very good defensive team. All that’s missing is a dominant superstar, an impossible matchup problem. Kansas City’s defense needs its Brian Urlacher, Deion Sanders, Derrick Thomas, Shawne Merriman, etc.

“Jared Allen is a very, very good football player,” Edwards said. “He’s definitely getting confident and getting the mindset to dominate.”

Yeah, Allen looks the part. Scared straight by the league’s substance-abuse program and looking for a Dwight Freeney-like contract, Allen appears primed to become a 15-sack game-changer at defensive end. He’s tall and lean and nasty, a bigger, stronger, half-step-slower version of Simeon Rice in his prime.

If not Allen, then Derrick Johnson might be ready to put it all together in his third season and become a Pro Bowl linebacker.

Here’s what we know for sure: Allen, Edwards, Law and Jarrad Page are going to create turnovers. Allen, Edwards and Law produce turnovers; it’s part of their football DNA. Page has the quick feet and instincts to get to the ball from his safety position.

Those four are good for four turnovers apiece. You can book that. It’s done.

If Hali and Johnson improve at all, we’re looking at a top-10 defense. If Bernard Pollard uses his massive frame to blow up receivers coming across the middle, then we’re looking at a top-eight defense.

The two rookies in the middle — Tank Tyler and Turk McBride — are going to give the Chiefs more than Ryan Sims, and they’re going to make Ron Edwards and James Reed better.

I’ll be disappointed if this isn’t a top-five defense.

“On paper, it looks like a great defense,” Donnie Edwards repeated. “But we have to play great on Sundays. You don’t become a No. 1 defense on talent alone. You have to get 11 guys to the football. You have to get on the same page. And in a 4-3, everybody has to get in their gaps and trust the other guys. If you’re not in your gap, that’s when the other team is off and running.”

I wish someone had told me that in 1998.

RustShack · 08-01-2007, 10:01 PM

I agree with him 100% I've been pretty impressed with Whitlock these last couple days.

Hammock Parties · 08-01-2007, 10:01 PM

Biggest difference between this defense and the 1998 defense - NO BULLSHIT. NO PRIMA DONNAS. NO OUT OF LINE THUGS.

Just hard work and ASS KICKING.

Simply Red · 08-01-2007, 10:02 PM

Finally he compliments the Chiefs.

Hootie · 08-01-2007, 10:04 PM

I've been saying this for months on other boards...

The Chiefs are going to have an ELITE defense...

Now, the offense...

pikesome · 08-01-2007, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOATSE

Biggest difference between this defense and the 1998 defense - NO BULLSHIT. NO PRIMA DONNAS. NO OUT OF LINE THUGS.

Just hard work and ASS KICKING.

I'm not sure you've typed words I agree with more.

I'm stealing that last line for a sig BTW.

FAX · 08-01-2007, 10:06 PM

I swear, Whitless is bi-polar. However, I'm encouraged by the D, as well. Especially the interesting mix of youth and experience.

If we can hold the enemy to 3 points per half, we should be okay.

FAX

Hammock Parties · 08-01-2007, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pikesome

I'm not sure you've typed words I agree with more.

I'm stealing that last line for a sig BTW.

It really shows out there in practice. EVERYONE on this defense is a hard worker. The defensive linemen especially. They don't quit.

The linebackers are like brothers. Derrick is the little brother. Today I saw Nap, DJ and Donnie huddled together on the sideline just talking. Donnie brought over a water boy and they grabbed a backup linebacker and used them as "mock linemen."

Then they started going through their own little individual "drill" about how to attack certain blocking schemes. People were talking about how Donnie is going to teach DJ all this stuff - HE IS. The three starting linebackers are practically glued together.

Deberg_1990 · 08-01-2007, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

You know, this Chiefs defense reminds me of the 1998 Dream Team Defense — yeah, the defense that had me loopy and fantasizing about the Chiefs finishing 16-0.

.

oops, he lost me right there...

DMAC · 08-01-2007, 10:10 PM

Stop it! You are building hopes..all of you!!

Demonpenz · 08-01-2007, 10:11 PM

DJ is going to be a game changer I hope it isn't wasted on 2 or 3 bad teams hopefully he is still healtyh when we are really ready

**noa** · 08-01-2007, 10:14 PM

I'm really excited about our defense. I know people are concerned about our offense, but if Herm turns this defense into a top 5 in two years, people better start coming around to his side. That would be an incredible accomplishment, and a lot of it through the draft.

**morphius** · 08-01-2007, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noa

I'm really excited about our defense. I know people are concerned about our offense, but if Herm turns this defense into a top 5 in two years, people better start coming around to his side. That would be an incredible accomplishment, and a lot of it through the draft.

eh, if we fall to a bottom 20 offense all he did is basically flip it from one kind of suck to another kind of suck.

Deberg_1990 · 08-01-2007, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noa

I know people are concerned about our offense, but if Herm turns this defense into a top 5 in two years, people better start coming around to his side.

He better be able to build a balanced and creative offense as well or hes just another DV. Just on the flip flop...

Archie Bunker · 08-01-2007, 10:18 PM

Hard not to get excited about this group. Nice mix of youth, vets, and speed. The sky is the limit for the D.

If Brodie and the OL are half as good as the reports say, this team is gonna surprise alot of people this year.

Despite his flaws Herm has turned an aging, slow, soft team into a young, fast, tough team in a very short time.

08-01-2007, 09:55 PM
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	Whitlock: This defense should be among league’s best WHITLOCK: This defense should be among league’s best JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY Posted on Wed, Aug. 01, 2007 RIVER FALLS, Wis. \| You know, this Chiefs defense reminds me of the 1998 Dream Team Defense — yeah, the defense that had me loopy and fantasizing about the Chiefs finishing 16-0. Yeah, that defense, the one with Derrick Thomas and Leslie O’Neal rushing off the ends, James Hasty and Dale Carter locking up receivers, Donnie Edwards running like a deer, Chester McGlockton anchored at the line of scrimmage and Reggie Tongue and Jerome Woods patrolling the middle of the field. Yeah, the defense that caused Marty Schottenheimer to quit, melted down on “Monday Night Football” and made me get out of the prediction business. Yes, sir, the 2007 Kansas City defense brings back all of those memories, but in a good way. These guys make me optimistic. They make me think the Chiefs could win 10 or 11 games and be a real threat at playoff time. I’ll never feel the way I did in 1998 again, but there’s nothing wrong with a little excitement. “I do see similarities,” said Donnie Edwards, a member of the 1998 Dream Team Defense and the 2007 unit. “Man, we had two lock-down corners in James and Dale just like we have now with Ty (Law) and Pat (Surtain). With me, Napoleon (Harris) and Derrick (Johnson), we can all run. Jared (Allen) and Tamba (Hali) are two beasts. “On paper, this could be a very good defense.” On paper, the 1998 defense reminded me of the 1985 Bears. The Dream Team turned into a nightmare. It couldn’t stop the run or the pass. McGlockton, the big-ticket offseason acquisition, laid a gigantic turd. Derrick Thomas and Wayne Simmons had bad years. “Man, I can’t remember what happened that year,” Edwards said. “It seemed like we had internal problems. I just remember the Denver game. What did we finish, 7-9?” That would be correct. Just nine games short of my prediction. That won’t happen this year. Not if Larry Johnson reports. This is going to be a very good defensive team. All that’s missing is a dominant superstar, an impossible matchup problem. Kansas City’s defense needs its Brian Urlacher, Deion Sanders, Derrick Thomas, Shawne Merriman, etc. “Jared Allen is a very, very good football player,” Edwards said. “He’s definitely getting confident and getting the mindset to dominate.” Yeah, Allen looks the part. Scared straight by the league’s substance-abuse program and looking for a Dwight Freeney-like contract, Allen appears primed to become a 15-sack game-changer at defensive end. He’s tall and lean and nasty, a bigger, stronger, half-step-slower version of Simeon Rice in his prime. If not Allen, then Derrick Johnson might be ready to put it all together in his third season and become a Pro Bowl linebacker. Here’s what we know for sure: Allen, Edwards, Law and Jarrad Page are going to create turnovers. Allen, Edwards and Law produce turnovers; it’s part of their football DNA. Page has the quick feet and instincts to get to the ball from his safety position. Those four are good for four turnovers apiece. You can book that. It’s done. If Hali and Johnson improve at all, we’re looking at a top-10 defense. If Bernard Pollard uses his massive frame to blow up receivers coming across the middle, then we’re looking at a top-eight defense. The two rookies in the middle — Tank Tyler and Turk McBride — are going to give the Chiefs more than Ryan Sims, and they’re going to make Ron Edwards and James Reed better. I’ll be disappointed if this isn’t a top-five defense. “On paper, it looks like a great defense,” Donnie Edwards repeated. “But we have to play great on Sundays. You don’t become a No. 1 defense on talent alone. You have to get 11 guys to the football. You have to get on the same page. And in a 4-3, everybody has to get in their gaps and trust the other guys. If you’re not in your gap, that’s when the other team is off and running.” I wish someone had told me that in 1998.
Posts: 58,682

08-01-2007, 10:01 PM	#2
RustShack **** That Noise Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Jack Trice Casino cash: $4706954	I agree with him 100% I've been pretty impressed with Whitlock these last couple days. __________________
Posts: 15,048

08-01-2007, 10:01 PM	#3
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4720478	Biggest difference between this defense and the 1998 defense - NO BULLSHIT. NO PRIMA DONNAS. NO OUT OF LINE THUGS. Just hard work and ASS KICKING. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,840

08-01-2007, 10:02 PM	#4
Simply Red You Sweetie! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2021206219 VARSITY	Finally he compliments the Chiefs.
Posts: 71,691

08-01-2007, 10:04 PM	#5
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	I've been saying this for months on other boards... The Chiefs are going to have an ELITE defense... Now, the offense...
Posts: 56,356

08-01-2007, 10:06 PM	#7
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	I swear, Whitless is bi-polar. However, I'm encouraged by the D, as well. Especially the interesting mix of youth and experience. If we can hold the enemy to 3 points per half, we should be okay. FAX
Posts: 44,492

08-01-2007, 10:10 PM	#10
DMAC MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Springfield, MO Casino cash: $10008735	Stop it! You are building hopes..all of you!!
Posts: 11,651

08-01-2007, 10:11 PM	#11
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3132136	DJ is going to be a game changer I hope it isn't wasted on 2 or 3 bad teams hopefully he is still healtyh when we are really ready __________________
Posts: 54,272

08-01-2007, 10:14 PM	#12
noa Band Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $1605453	I'm really excited about our defense. I know people are concerned about our offense, but if Herm turns this defense into a top 5 in two years, people better start coming around to his side. That would be an incredible accomplishment, and a lot of it through the draft. __________________ Sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes, well, he eats you.
Posts: 8,302

08-01-2007, 10:18 PM	#15
Archie Bunker The Wait Is Over Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Random Small Town Casino cash: $2028978	Hard not to get excited about this group. Nice mix of youth, vets, and speed. The sky is the limit for the D. If Brodie and the OL are half as good as the reports say, this team is gonna surprise alot of people this year. Despite his flaws Herm has turned an aging, slow, soft team into a young, fast, tough team in a very short time.
Posts: 6,191