Diner Morning News: Chiefs Defense

Love the column, as always. I was perplexed by the hiring of Pendergast, too. I thought going after someone like Romeo Crennel made more sense, but I guess Haley wanted to bring someone in he was familiar with. Reading all the stories about the Chiefs defense this off-season, it seems they're banking on a lot of things going right (i.e.- Tamba Hali and others transitioning smoothly to linebacker, Derrick Johnson becoming the play-maker he's supposed to be, Glenn Dorsey playing better, Tyson Jackson getting in the backfield, etc, etc). A lot of it sounds nice on paper, but whether it actually translates to the field is a different matter.

If the Chiefs were switching to the 3-4 and they knew they were plugging Dorsey at end---why didnt they draft Raji? I don't see anyone on the roster that can play the NT for the chiefs.

If Pioli feels he needs to dictate strategy to his coaches he will have already have failed IMO.

Isn't he heard on style of play when he hires his coaching staff?

After that his area of excellence is finding players to fit the scheme.

Dead on this week Lombardi.

I kept a note you wrote a long time ago about "Copycat Coordinators":

"The scheme teams I refer to all the time are teams that put in 20 new plays each week offensively and defensively. They are teams that don’t have a foundation, they just try and install what worked the week before around the NFL."

I think that sounds like Pendergrast to a tee and, unlike you, I will freely add I think that is a big negative against him.

If I'm a KC fan, I am very concerned. I don't think Cassell will be signed long term and still think there is a back room understanding between Cassell and McDaniels that he will end up in Denver (unless tagged/overpaid again). I think the defensive transition from Edwards Tampa-2 roots to Pendegrast/Pioli 3-4 is a lot further away than people realize.

If this was anyone other than Pioli (and his name), I think the moves being made in Kansas City would be treated with a lot more criticism.

I agree with KC_Cisco wholeheartedly.

Raji + Dorsey creates a formidable front for years to come. Bill Belichick drafted Defensive lineman the first few drafts and we all know how well its paid off.

Great column and great point KC Cisco.. you cannot have a good 3-4 without a solid nose, a.k.a. Wilfork, to draw double teams.

One way or another this coming season will be interesting.

Are you sure that every person that ever worked with Belichick will implement every part of the Patriots' organization that makes them successful?

Or is it possible that not everyone who worked with Belichick agrees with him on every aspect, or that maybe some parts of the Patriots' organization that you see as integral to their success are not viewed as integral by every person who ever worked there?

If we're making Patriot comps I would say the Pats won without Wilfork.
They haven't won without a Seymour type.

Wilfork plugs up the middle. Seymour is the guy who nails Ritchie(was that who it was?) for a loss on 4th and 1 during the snow bowl at their own 40 in the closing moments.

Clearly Pioli felt that getting his Seymour was more important than getting his Wilfork.

You can argue the players; but it's hard to argue the point IMO?

Its gotta be the Pioli connection. Some thing has to explain why KC gets the free pass for two monumental draft day reaches in Jackson and McGee, and why pundits say stuff like "The Chiefs are in a transitional state, so there aren’t many expectations for overall improvement on defense, which is a good thing." when it comes to Pioli. Yet when it comes to another team in transition-- namely the Denver Broncos-- you'd think Josh McDaniels, Brian Xanders and Pat Bowlen are meth-addled lunatics for having the temerity to put together their own football team. It seems like Denver is the only team in the NFL that is expected to have enough magic fairy dust on hand to fix everything yesterday.

I like this article. I think its fair and insightful. I just don't understand why the same logic isn't applied to all teams.

Pioli is another Belichick castoff who will prove to be much less successful than the original. The Chiefs at least added a QB rather than drive a franchise one away. McDaniels, Xanders and Bowlen are so far in over their heads that the Bronco's moves are being compared to a expansion organization's. The Chiefs' moves at least add up to something on paper.

Broncos were on the cusp of winning the AFC West. Everyone thought that a defensive overhaul/tweeks would get them in the playoffs. Instead they trade their franchise QB. They neglect their defense w/their first 1st round pick for a RB when they have shown they can plug in almost any guy and get production. Chiefs were below average in scoring and couldnt pressure anyone--much less stop them. Its all about expectations.

The broncos had a top 5 offense and a bottom 5 defense. You would expect a new guy to come in and fix the defense, while trying to maintain the offense (caveat cap situation, which wasn't critical there), not try to rebuild the whole thing from scratch.
The Chiefs, on the other hand, were miserable in all phases. A QB who couldn't take snaps under center. A RB who got old quickly from too many attempts. A HOF O-line that retired all at once. A miserable, miserable defense, starting with a line that couldn't pressure, through backers who couldn't run, to a secondary that couldn't cover. Yeah, I'd say they're in rebuilding mode.
The best comparison here is the Lions. And that's exactly the leeway we're giving them, especially now with Schwartz as HC, and Millen out of the picture. So yeah, I think the pundrity is being fair to your broncos....