Pickin’ On The Nose … Thursday Cup O’Chiefs
We don’t mean to keep beating on a dead horse. Okay, maybe we do mean to harp on the Chiefs remarkably bad defense against the run during the 2009 season.
And our focus is not so much on what happened last year, but what the Chiefs have and more appropriately haven’t done to fix what was an obvious problem. Teams cannot expect to win enough games to be a contender when they can’t stop the other team’s running game.
There is little under the category of “obvious moves” that Pioli/Haley have done to address the run defense. They’ve put their defensive eggs in the basket of new coordinator Romeo Crennel and a big jump in production and performance from the players that were on the roster during the ‘09 season.
Two days ago the focus was on DE Tyson Jackson, one of those returning performers who simply must get better in the ‘10 season. If he’s not a factor in shutting down his side of the field on the run, the Chiefs will have badly misjudged his potential and wasted the third choice of the 2009 NFL Draft.
But Jackson and the team’s other starting DE Glenn Dorsey can’t do it alone. They need help from the man between them. The Chiefs need more from their nose tackles like Ron Edwards, who is hitting Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger above.
They need a lot more.
Here’s what the 13 teams that played the 3-4 defensive scheme last season got in the way of production from their primary nose tackles:
| Team | Nose Tackles |
Total Tackles |
QB Sacks |
Take Aways |
| Arizona | Alan Branch, Gabe WatsonBryan Robinson |
79 |
3 |
FR |
| Baltimore | Kelly Gregg, Kelly Talavou |
65 |
3 |
0 |
| Cleveland | Shaun Rogers, Antybu Rubin |
74 |
2 |
FF |
| Dallas | Jay Ratliff, Junior Siavii |
112 |
7 |
2FF, 4FR |
| Denver | Ronald Fields, Marcus Thomas |
52 |
0 |
0 |
| Green Bay | Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji |
83 |
1 |
0 |
| CHIEFS | Ron Edwards, Tank Tyler |
46 |
0 |
FR |
| Miami | Jason Ferguson, Paul Soliai |
48 |
0 |
FF |
| New England | Vince Wilfork, Mike Wright |
113 |
5 |
2 FF, FR |
| N.Y. Jets | Kris Jenkins, Sione Pouha |
76 |
0 |
0 |
| Pittsburgh | Casey Hampton, Chris Hoke |
46 |
2.5 |
0 |
| San Diego | Jamal Williams, Ian Scott,Ogemdi Nwagbuo |
48 |
2 |
FR |
| San Francisco | Aubrayo Franklin |
88 |
2 |
INT |
Those numbers are vivid evidence that there wasn’t a 3-4 defense that got less from their nose tackles than the Chiefs did during the ‘09 season. The team numbers reflected that with the 31st ranking in run defense and the individual numbers show that as well, with 46 tackles, no sacks and no takeaways.
Let’s put this into a different perspective. The Chiefs defense faced 1,062 plays last year. If the nose tackles made 46 tackles, that’s just four percent of the defensive plays. The Chiefs statistics for the ‘09 season had their defense making a total of 967 tackles and assisted tackles. That means the guys on the nose were part of just less than five percent of the tackles. The team had 22 total sacks; the nose tackles had zero percent. The K.C. defensive staff found 53 pressures on the passer; the nose tackles had four of those or 7.5 percent. The Chiefs forced 11 fumbles and recovered the same number; the nose tackles contributed nine percent.
So how important is the nose tackle to make the 3-4 defense successful? Check out the numbers for Dallas’ starting nose Jay Ratliff. He finished with 83 total tackles, seven sacks and was part of six fumbles forced and/or recovered. The duo of Pickett and Raji for the Packers lifted Green Bay’s defense into the league’s top 10 defenses. Every one of the 3-4 teams that finished among the NFL’s better defensive units got major production from the nose.
In baseball, the old adage has always been that a team’s defense is built up the middle, starting with the catcher, moving to shortstop and second base, finishing in centerfield. World Series teams were always strong up the middle.
It’s different in football. On defense, teams look to build strength on the corners. That’s why defensive ends are in such demand, along with outside linebackers and cornerbacks. Those are the positions in the NFL where a defense has to have play stoppers and play makers. Those are the sackers and the guys with the interceptions.
But if an NFL defense is going to stop the run, it must be strong up the middle and that starts on the nose. It’s hard to see where the Chiefs are going to get much improvement out of Edwards. He’s going into his 10th season, he’ll be 31 in July and he is what he is – an average NFL defensive lineman.
Give Edwards credit for being available, as he’s not missed a game in the four seasons that he’s played with the Chiefs. That’s no small feat for the big guys that play inside. In those 64 games, he’s produced 87 tackles, 6.5 sacks and two recovered fumbles. Over the last two seasons, he’s had 39 total tackles and one sack.
The only other tackle on the roster with NFL experience is Shaun Smith (left), who is going into his seventh season and will be 29 years old. Last year playing for the Bengals, he had eight tackles in three games. In six seasons, he has 152 total tackles and two sacks in 63 games. He’s never played all 16 games in a season.
First-year players Dion Gales and Derek Lokey are on the roster as well. Another undrafted college free agent Garrett Brown was signed out of the University of Minnesota.
Whether the production comes from those players stepping up their performances, or the defensive schemes of Crennel, the Chiefs must get more from the nose tackle position.
CHIEFS RELEASE ROOKIE LINEBACKER
Watching the linebackers run through some position drills during the Chiefs Rookie Camp several weeks ago, it was obvious that undrafted free agent LB Michael Johnson out of North Alabama was having a hard time.
Johnson did not have the fluidity of the other linebackers. His forte may have been tackling and hitting, but that wasn’t something he was going to be able to show in this camp. As the linebackers ran through the drills, he didn’t show the physical skills.
On Wednesday, the Chiefs released Johnson, making him the third player from the rookie camp that has been sent packing.
SUSPENDED CUSHING RETAINS DEFENSIVE ROOKIE AWARD
The Associated Press decided they wanted to have a re-vote on the 2009 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award after the winner was suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league’s policies for performance enhancing drugs.
Despite the fact the suspension was handed down last September, but was not known until the appeals process was exhausted, Houston Texans LB Brian Cushing retained the honor. Cushing did lose votes however, falling from 39 to 18 votes as more than half of those that initially voted for him decided to abandon ship.
Several of the media types that again voted for him said their decision has more to do with being against the idea of having a re-vote rather than some sort of endorsement of Cushing’s season.
On Thursday, Cushing is scheduled to speak to the media. He has said since the suspension as announced that he did not test positive for a steroid. That’s probably not the best attitude for the young man to bring to the media.
PERSONNEL FILE/WEDNESDAY, MAY 12
- BILLS – released RB Walter Mendenhall and G Kyle Mutcher.
- BUCCANEERS – signed RFA RB Carnell Williams to his tender offer; claimed G Michael Shumard on waivers.
- CHIEFS – released LB Michael Johnson.
- GIANTS – re-signed RFA WR Derek Hagan to his tender offer.
- JETS – signed C Michael Parenton.
- PACKERS – released G Stanley Daniels.
- SAINTS – signed LB Sam Maxwell, WR Montez Billings and WR Roy Hall; released LB Jason Beauchamp and WR Chris Bell.
- SEAHAWKS – claimed WR Kole Heckendorf on waivers (Lions).
Your correct Bob, and thats why I think we errored by not takeing Mt Cody in the draft when we had several chances to. Oh well.
Go Chiefs!
[...] Pickin’ On The Nose … Thursday Cup O’Chiefs-BobGretz.com [...]
The Pioli/Haley era of the Chiefs may be the poster child for trying to do something you are not prepared to do in converting from a 4-3 to a 3-4. The team was devoid of a great deal of talent from the past. Its drafting was more about missing than hitting. What the team had, did not fit a 3-4…..yet, they chose to jump into the 3-4 and damn the consequences. Convert kids, play what they had, and, other then Vrabel, bring in little experienced help. This year, with Crennel, expect more, a whole lot more. Although they have still neglected NT and MLB.
Yeah, so we didn’t grab a NT. I get it, but we did get about what seems like a 200% upgrade at the defensive coaching positions. No more Krumrie and no more Pendergast. Since Krumrie had been here our Defensive Line has always been average at best. Pendergast had pretty pourus defenses in Arizona, and they only managed to step it up during the playoffs right up until the last drive of the Super Bowl. There’s a reason he didn’t end up getting another coordinator gig elsewhere in the NFL.
I loved our draft, and I’d like to think we snagged quite a few playmakers out of the bunch. Call me optimistic and drinking the Red ‘n Gold Kool-Aid, but I’m pretty sure this Front Office knows what they’re doing a heck of a lot more than what the previous one did during the last few years of its tender. Plus, it is going to take a few years to turn this thing around.
I’ll never forget what Coach Haley said during his first combine as Chiefs head coach when asked about what players he had to work with. His response: “We have a punter.” Wow, I thought. Our team must really suck. So we have a lot of work and pain to go through. There are way too many holes to fill to get the Chiefs fixed in just one or even two seasons. I honestly don’t think our team will have a chance to be a contending team until we get to year 4 in the Haley/Pioli era.
Our team still needs to develop the young players they have from last years’ draft and then this year’s and then the following year’s. We’ll get a NT along the way. Just not now.
Chiefs seem kinda heavy on Guards, I wonder if a guy like Colin Brown could make the transition to NT.But I suppose if Haley had any thing like that in the plans someone would have reported one of the O-Linemen working with the D-Line. Just wishful thinking on my part.
Mt Cody is a fat tub of lard. The Chiefs would have made a mistake selecting that player. A player like Cam Thomas would have quelled the angst of many, and he could have been had late. I really think Torrell Troup was their guy with the 2nd pick in the 2nd round, but he was obviously selected a few picks before. You can’t win ‘em all.
Sorry but can’t we stop beating to death who the Chiefs did not pick. Those players will not be available for at least 3 years,so move on. As for NT, may have to live with what we have. Waters moved from def. to OL (?)but does not usually happen. Also does Haley have any history of converting players from off. to def.? Got a feeling the Chiefs are about done “move wise” for ‘10 except caused by injury or off the street. They seem to feel much of their problems in ‘09 was coaching so they need to see what they have with better coaches. Also, my main concern, Pioli seems to feel he has “years” to fix this team so there is no urgency to fix (or try to fix) all the problems every year. While many of you bought into this, I still want upward movement with more speed. What we see is what we have for ‘10, and that is so much better than ‘09.
Lots of good points. A few of my own (but, not necessarily good ones):
-I wanted a NT in the draft, too. Obviously, we didn’t get one. They either didn’t like the guys that were there…or the player they wanted was gone at the point they wanted to pick him. I was disappointed at first…but, I’m good with it now. There MUST have been a reason.
-I really like Ron Edwards as a player. He’s not a 3-4 NT…so give him a break.
-Anyone who thinks Pioli/Haley/Crennel think our production at NT was acceptable last year? Think again. They have a plan for improvement, I guarantee you. Do we know what it is? No. Is it the same plan some of us had? Probably not. But rest assured, these guys know the problem…and will do their best to fix it. The only question is, will they be successful?
-Would I have picked differently in the draft? Yes. But…I’m not a GM, Coach, or a Scout. They went and got us some playmakers. Or, potential ones…anyway. This team has been sadly lacking in that department…so it’s hard for me to argue with that.
-Every year in the NFL, there are a couple of teams that surprise everyone…and play much better than expected. I firmly believe that the Chiefs will be one of those teams this year. If we can start the year by beating the Bolts at home on MNF…I think we win 10 games. Mark it down.
Many astute postings today. More optimism than criticism as well. There is no doubt that a whiff of resurgence is in the air. Pioli and Co. are doing something right & many of us are slowly picking up on it.
NT has been my crutch all year. We must have someone in house that has the potential to be good. I just hope he proves it this year.
I’m with MadChief on his observation of Game 1. Defeating the Chargers will be huge. No telling what that will do for this team & this town. I do know that whatever it is, it will be a Good Thing.
Go Chiefs.
BIG SURPRISE to see that Junior Siavii is still in the NFL!
There’s a hand working behind the scenes in all the recent hires and acquisitions, or so it seems to me. The hand is moving pieces on a large personnel charting board with all squares to be filled by the start of the 2011 season.
Ever heard the old comment about, ‘Not being able to fix the team’s personnel roster in one draft’?
Or two drafts in this case but maybe in three?
The other key parts of dire need, NT and ILB, to arrive next year and with it, a positioned playoff run. Now, who has that hand? Pioli? Clark Hunt? A combination of the two?
Anyway, that’s what I’m seeing.
Those of you that think coaches are going to make the difference don’t know much about sports. The Chiefs will get better when they acquire better talent. You don’t have to research very hard to see that the coaches best at acquiring talent are the great ones. Not so much what they do scheme wise or even coaching on the field. I could give examples for 3000 characters and more but I will give just one. Shanny was great when he had great players. When those players left he was barely average right up until he was fired.
True Red & Gold,
I disagree completely. While the coaches may not make “the” difference…they will make “a” difference.
And the best coaches are the ones who get the maximum level of play out of what they have…not those best at acquiring talent (see Bill Belichick). Even your example is flawed. Shanahan, outside of Elway and Sharpe, didn’t really have “great” players. He took a lot of good players and made them LOOK great.
Mad Chief,
I agree, why did the broncos ALWAYS have a good line or ALWAYS have one of the top running back in the league year in and year out?? IMO good players, but it was the coaching in Shanny that made them a step or two better.
NO coaches cant make crappy players great, but they can make good players great. hopefully, thats where the Chiefs are. We have some good players, hopefully Crennel and Weis can make them better and hopefully get some great players out of the deal
This draft Shanny drafted an OT with his number 4 pick. Why? because he is good at putting the right kind of talent on the field. Shanny always acquired dang good linemen (they didn’t need much coaching) because that makes everybody else look good. Somebody explain to me why ever since Shanny’s Lines got old and Elway retired he hasn’t done squat, oh, except get fired.
True Red & Gold says:
“This draft Shanny drafted an OT with his number 4 pick. Why?”
Because they badly needed one? I’m missing your point, I guess. If there is one.
Would you rather have Clancy back as DC? Or Gun? Herm Edwards, maybe?
Coaching makes a difference. Period. There’s nothing anyone can say to change my mind on that one.
My first statement may have been a bit of an exaggeration, (intentionally) but I still say that to keep the same talent and just change the coaching will not make that much difference, especially at the Pro level. If we see very much improvement in the front of our D it will have more to do with the schedule and the ascension of young players than with the coaching. I have always thought that a GM must base his present draft on future drafts. Maybe there are players (DL, OL) still in college that Pioli has his eye on. That may be part of the equation when it comes to selecting players.
Mad Chief says:
Coaching makes a difference. Period. There’s nothing anyone can say to change my mind on that one.
That is probably because you have never coached!
Actually, I have. And do. I have also been coached.
The “Shanny” thing doesn’t make sense to me. After winning back-to-back SB’s…he had winning seasons 8 of 10 years. He also took his team to the playoffs 4 times in those 10 years. I would hardly call that not doing “squat”. But, that’s just me. I’d take it.
He did just enough to get himself fired. That is my point! McDaniels came in and he isn’t going to do a better job coaching than Shanny. He is going to acquire talent and hopefully better than Shanny did. And if not he won’t be there long. That is my point!
I could go on and on about great football minds that just were not good at acquiring talent and they end up fired. Gruden is another example. He could coach great talent about as well as any coach that has ever won a SB but he couldn’t assemble great talent to save he job.
One more thing Crennel was a laughing stock at Cleveland and Weis was bust at Noter Dame. I sure hope Pioli and Haley can find them some talent to coach!
Good news fellow Chief crazies
The Baltimore Ravens are neck deep in their roster with nose tackles and linebackers.
Reports that I am hearing is they cant carry them all and will try and sneak some of them on the practice squad. (I wouldn’t be surprised if Pioli pulled a Kraft and “snaked” a couple of these guys.)
Kelly Gregg is their starter right now. He rotates with Kelly Talavou who is 6′2″ 350lbs their back up is Lamar Divens who is definitely high in character from everything I hear he would fit the right 53 and sits at a healthy 6′3″ 338lbs.
Sounds like the right amount of depth right not too many, but where it comes in at an overload is in the second round they added Terrance Cody. 6′4″ 360lbs.
(Come on now Chief fans you don’t draft a guy in the second round, pay him all that money and let him ride the pine all year do you?)
Is it any wonder Ray Lewis is that good with all that weight in front of him? I mean Haloti Nada at defensive end sits at 340lbs.
Maybe Scotty can work out a deal and get one of those guys over here at K.C. and then get Gaither in the trade as well.(dreaming of coarse) I would give a second round pick for Kelly Talavou and Jared Gaither in a heart beat. If they don’t want to lose the pick and I wouldn’t blame them they say next years draft is deeper than this years then they still may snag one off waivers.
Hey I’m a homer all day long I post on Bobs beautiful site daily but when there is a problem you fix it. Coaches can only do so much it takes talent and dedication with out it there is no making it in the NFL. It’s why I prefer it to college ball.
True Red & Gold says:
“One more thing Crennel was a laughing stock at Cleveland and Weis was bust at Noter Dame. I sure hope Pioli and Haley can find them some talent to coach!”
Yes, they both had limited success as Head Coach. But, I’d say they both did okay as coordinators…considering the Super Bowl rings they wear.
The Chiefs will predictably suffer through another year of underperformance from this defensive unit. Next year, they will actually draft some players to address the holes, but the excuse then will be that new players take at least two years to develop, which will take us through the 2012 season as far as excuses go.
Danny, now that is the kind of thinking that is going to make this team better!
Mad Chief says:
Yes, they both had limited success as Head Coach. But, I’d say they both did okay as coordinators…considering the Super Bowl rings they wear.
There, you just made the point that I am trying to get across but am too homer to accomplish.
A Super Bowl Ring does not a Great Coach Make. Or something like that
True Red & Gold says:
“There, you just made the point that I am trying to get across but am too homer to accomplish.
A Super Bowl Ring does not a Great Coach Make. Or something like that”
Ummm…okay. 9 Super Bowl wins between the two of them…but Crennel and Weis are not great coaches?
I quit. You win.
Our NT are nothing more than speed bumps to the second level.
“As for NT, may have to live with what we have.”
Regardless of whether we feel Romeo will help this line step up, do we all feel comfortable enough that the NT position has sufficient depth (no more free agent adds needed) should Ron Edwards go down to say we don’t need another vet FA (or ten) on this roster to compete for a spot?
SG,
I’m just comfortable knowing that our concerns at NT are not something our coaches are oblivious to. I’m sure they have a plan. Unfortunately, I’m also pretty sure it will be awhile before we have any idea what that plan might be. Meanwhile, we can all speculate/piss/moan/cringe/hope/pray/etc.
Some of these comments about coaching being or not being a factor for success is borderline laughable. Coaches are just like players, they learn, study & practice and as they get older, hoping to be one of the best in their particular trade.
High school, college & the pros are always looking for better quality coaches to replace those that have been hired for a better job or better opportunity. Some coaches are just bad at coaching & go nowhere. Coaches that can motivate, inspire & train players to be the best they can be are the successful coaches.
I’m not going to write a novel about why there is fair, good & great coaches. I simply want to say that the quality of coaches does reflect directly on the quality of any teams performance. Great teams achieve great success with both a combination of talented players & coaches. To think otherwise is asinine.
Go Chiefs.
jimbo, my point exactly. To improve the quality of coaching without improve the quality of player will not accomplish much. It takes both!
Mad Chief says
I’m just comfortable knowing that our concerns at NT are not something our coaches are oblivious to
Nobody said they are oblivious to it. It is just our number 1 biggest weakness and it has not been addressed so far this offseason. So we all know the problem there is just a lot of concern as to why it is not being addressed to this point.
Good stuff, Jimbo.
Your “point exactly”, True Red & Gold? I didn’t see anything you said that even remotely resembled what Jimbo said.
True Red & Gold says:
“It is just our number 1 biggest weakness and it has not been addressed so far this offseason.”
It may not have been the #1 “biggest weakness” in Crennel’s eyes. They may very well be right on top of the NT deal. So we don’t know that it’s “not being addressed to this point”. Maybe they want to put Dorsey there. Who knows?
Come on, I was making multiple points. Bob said that they must be counting on the coaching changes to make a difference and some guys jumped all over that. I just disagree. If Pioli is counting on the coaching to make up for our lack of talent then he is not so smart after all. I personally don’t think that is what Pioli is thinking at all. They (the coaches) are just pieces that he is putting in place. The players will follow. He can’t do it all at once. I have been saying all along we are not there yet and I am OK with a 6 to 8 win season as long as we are getting better.
No coach has ever one a superbowl with two different teams. Im not sure if that holds true with coordinators.
If we all had the attitude of “who knows” then there would be nothing to talk about.
I think everybody that knows anything about football knows that the Chiefs were terrible at stopping the run. Many teams that we played have a lot of highlight film from their game with the Chiefs. And NO the Chiefs have not made any visible improvements to their run defense. Luckily none of us can read minds because that person would be no fun at all to debate with.
I think it is humorous when a rookie coach takes a not so good team (the year prior) to the playoffs and everybody hails him as a genius. Then the next year they don’t even finish .500. What happened did the coach lose his wits or did he suddenly become a poor coach. His staff didn’t change at least not much so what is the difference. Well 10 times out of 10 it had something to do with the players on the field.
True Red & Gold,
I understand that. But, maybe our guys think the problem was not “lack of talent”…but how the talent that we have was being used. And that our new coaches can get better production out of the players we have than the previous coaches did.
If they thought NT and LB were our absolute biggest needs, then it would have been addressed. I mean…why would it NOT have been? So, I’m guessing, that what Pioli/Haley/Crennel are thinking is that the talent at those positions is not as bad as some of us may see it as. And I’m not 100% sure I agree. But, I’m trusting their judgement over my own.
Mad Chief, point taken and I understand. However, based on what we can see with our own eyes everything you are saying is pure speculation. I prefer to think that they have identified the problem but the solution is another year away. And for reasons that we will only know once the season is underway they chose to wait that extra year. I can tell you this with a fair amount of certainty, our opponents will not have to test Berry very often.
oh, berry will be tested, because he will be the leading tackler on the team when the running back blows right by our line into the secondary every game!!! ha!! just kidding……I hope
I agree with you both. I think Crennel watched video, ect, and told them that he wants a year to work with these guys before you shit can them becasue they have some talent that he thinks he can work with. Go draft playmakers if you will and lets see our our D does this year. If I can not make production better with this talent, than lets make a change, but not before I can test the waters for myself.
Did this happen? probably not, Pioli wouldnt base a draft on an new D coordinator’s opinion, but it could have influenced it anyway
I’ll just agree to disagree, then.
There’s no way I see Pioli taking a “F*ck it…we’ll fix that next year” approach.
“…why would it NOT have been?”
And we all anticipate the conclusion is they haven’t addressed it…yet. I think any conclusion saying that this is all they’re going to do would be incomplete. Much like last season – all the way through training camp, they likely will make decisions attempting to upgrade the roster.
TEST, TEST, 1 2 3…I CANT POST
Don’t worry about it, gorillafan. We don’t care anyway.
Ha! Just bustin’ your balls, buddy. Yeah, I hate it when that happens. Especially when you think and type out something long…and then it won’t go. Very, very annoying.
Bad thing is I typed it again and didnt go again.
IN short, Good posting today and seeing you guys go at it, fun to read
What if Crennel liked some of our players and wanted a year to work with them before they shit can them and send them down the road to be PRODUCTIVE somewhere else. Would Pioli and Haley actually listen and draft other players??? Prob not, but I wonder if Crennel did make that point to them..
AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH–CHECK
What if Crennel liked some of our players and wanted a year to work with them before they shit can them and send them down the road to be PRODUCTIVE somewhere else. Would Pioli and Haley actually listen and draft other players??? Prob not, but I wonder if Crennel did make that point to them???
SCREW IT!!!!!!!
Calm down, everyone. Got to tell you, the regulars are slipping into the edge of craziness.
I believe Weis and Crennel will make a difference. Could there have been a worse DC than Pendergast, maybe Dave Robinson? DL coach never got anything out of his players as long as he was here.
I also believe that Pioli has the attitude that he has “years” to fix this team. Expecially based on his drafts (something he says he is an expert in and loves). That is why he ignorred NT and ILB in 2010, coaching will not fix either position for a year.
As for the rest, you all are probably correct. So….. take your hands off your laptop and step back, do not kick your dog, or sneer at your wife. I do not always agree but think there is a future in 2010, something I doubted in 09. I just do not want to wait until 2011 for it to arrive.
I hope Shaun Smith comes in and shuts us all up with some nastyness like we havent seen since the likes of John Alt or Dan Saleamuea. It’s obvious there is some real tension over the state of the Chiefs right now. Nobody I know is used to our Tomatoe Cans losing games let alone every year. One thing I know for sure is Hunt wont waste his money on purpose. He wants us in those seats again. If he isn’t aware of the needs we have with our run defense then he will be sooner than later once the season hits full stride if things start to crack again. I’m nervous too we all are or atleast all of us who watched those hard fought games get blown up through the middle. Scotty will be held accountable for his goods and bads and I dought he will get a pass this year. I dont think this Hunt is as near as patient as Clark was.
I never really faulted Pioli/Haley for dumping the 4-3 to go to the 3-4. If that’s what they believe in and think will be most successful, better to do it right away and get on with it.
Oviously, player talent, coaching talent and scheme are all important to varying degrees, and it all depends on time and circumstance.
I have no doubt Crennel and Weiss can get better results than were had last year. I also believe the young guys on D will continue to improve, which will result in the entire team getting better.
As for the DL. I think they have too much money tied up there in young talent to have done much more, although a third or fourth round NT wouldn’t have cost that much. Still, they pretty much have to find out if Dorsey, Jackson and Magee can be the players they need them to be. Dorsey likely will see at least some time at NT, which I think will be good as long as it’s part of a decent rotation (Edwards, S. Smith, Gales?).
Of course, I think if they thought those guys were just not going to cut it at all, they would bite the bullet and ship them off. But,they must have a cetain level of confidence about it. Otherwise, they would have drafted a couple guys and/or signed a couple free agents. They had plenty of ammunition to move around in the draft if they really wanted to get a certain guy and plenty of money to spend on free agents.
They still may sign a guys like J.Henderson and A. Thomas, but only if their asking price is what they want to pay. I don’t think the Chiefs approach has anything do to with Pioli thinking he has all the time in the world to build. I think he simply felt we have to find out about the guys we have there already, and build up other roster positions in the meantime.
The same probably goes for the linebacker position, but to a lesser extent. I know they really like Hali, DJ, Belcher, Studebaker and Walters. Haley defended D Willims last year; he must like him some. Mays, I don’t know; guess they like his attitude and effort.
I got to say this area is a head-scratcher to me. Sure DJ and Hali were high picks, but none of the rest were. I just don’t see it. But, it looks like they believe Hali, DJ, Studebaker, Vrable and whoever can be effective behind an improved defensive line.
It’s no secret that both Pioli/Haley greatly admire the Pittsburgh Steelers way of building and operating their team and organization at least as much as they admire the Patriots, perhaps even more. Both clubs do a great job of developing young talent, from college free agents to hight draft picks. To me Pittsburgh does it better than anyone, and I think Pioli/Haley want to model the Chiefs on them. The Steeelers have a system and stick with it. They know exactly what kind of players fit their schemes and which roles to put them in. They don’t sign a lot of veteran free agents, or trade for them either. They grow Pittsburgh Steelers.
I think where Pioli/Haley lean a little more towards the Patriots way is in that they are more willing to bring in veteran free agents, even those towards the end of their careers, from the start of spring all the way through the season if they need to fill a hole, or feel it would be an upgrade. But, that too may lessen as the team gets more built up and the needs lessen.
No fan is close enough to the situation to say if it’s a better bet to handle personnel the way they’ve done so far, or to have drafted or signed more DL and linebackers. Personally, just based on the the play last year and not figuring how much players could or will improve, I would have acquired, at minimum, a NT and ILB. In fact, I have a list of players in those positions and more that I’m still curious to see if the Chiefs aqcuire yet.
It’s definitely going to be intersting to see how this all comes out this year. I have a much more positive outlook about it this year than last, but at this point I wouldn’t even hazard a guess on what the Chiefs record might be in 2010. I like the looks of it, but there’s still too much left to unfold.
I know one thing for sure, though, we definitely need some more tight ends!
Sorry about the booklength ramble, but I was reading all your comments at work today and couldn’t comment on anything one by one.
Micheal
I know one thing for sure though we definitely need some more tight ends!
Thats sarcasim right? I just want to make sure I am reading you properly.
It seems that the chiefs need 1-2 key players to get them beyond 8&8, especially considering the schedule we have this year. With a NT, inside LB or OL, or two of the three of these we would reallly in my opinion would would contend for the AFC West. Are the chiefs finished looking at Free Ag? Or would they pull the trigger if two of these needs (just put out the money) became free? This is what’s frustrating to me I don’t think they would, I think they feel they have what they need and don’t need to be in the playoffs to prove that they have improved. Pull the trigger, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!
LOL…yes, that one was for el cid.
“I know one thing for sure, though, we definitely need some more tight ends!”
Great thoughts in your reply Michael.
Agreed Michael. Good Post.
I think there is alot of truth in the fact that Pioli/Haley (through your excellent observation) are mimicking the Steeler way… The Chiefs are (need) to Grow Chiefs via the Draft. The top flite coaching staff that Pioli addressed is a critical piece to the future success & maturity level of our young guys.
Pioli & Haley are way ahead of us. I am starting to get a grasp of what they are up to. The more we fans are figuring out their decisions, motives & methods the more we can make sense of it all.
I’m really starting to like it, almost like a mystery novel. It’s like we are at Chapter 6 & they are at Chapter 12. We just can’t read fast enough to catch up with them. The novel will not be completed until the last chapter is written & beautifully titled… you guessed it… “Dynasty”
Speaking of which. Go Chiefs.
Please or please if we could just sign 4 more TEs. After all we had Tony G, one of the best ever, and how many playoff games did we win?
Seriously, we are still missing parts and how Haley hides those parts will go a long way in determining the wins in 2010. As far a the roster with minor changes (injuries), what you see is what you got.
Coaching Making a difference —-
Sean Payton was last year !!!!
I think the Chiefs have the KEYS to open those doors this year , and there MAY be results Soon …
There is a lot of talent here , and ready to be put to good use .
If we are going to cry about Tony , then should we sob about Fall down Larry that proably set new records that will never be matched on wasting downs over and over .
Punter got a lot of pratice , made him the best in the west !!
They refused to draft NT when they were available, obviously Romeo is expected to be an alchemist.