Merrill- Edwards shakes things up - Page 2

**Tribal Warfare** · 05-22-2006, 03:19 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/14636732.htm

SURPRISES JUST PART OF CHIEFS MINICAMP

Edwards shakes things up

By ELIZABETH MERRILL

The Kansas City Star

The language was toned down to just above a G rating, the pace was fast, and as the first veteran minicamp under Herm Edwards came to a close Sunday, an unknown guy wearing a No. 79 jersey lined up with the No. 1 defense.
Say this about Kansas City’s new head football coach — he’s full of surprises.
Edwards promised changes before the Chiefs started their three-day, four-practice weekend minicamp, and changes they got. By Saturday, mild-mannered middle linebacker Kawika Mitchell was on a microphone telling Kansas City fans of a badder, better defense. Receivers and cornerbacks were debating whether a meaningless pass was inbounds or incomplete.
And Edwards made good on his plans to turn up the heat on the veterans and give rookies — even unknown, undrafted ones — a fair shot. That’s what happened Sunday afternoon when Steve Williams took reps with the No. 1 unit. Williams didn’t even have a contract a week ago and hadn’t finished the 2005 season at Northwest Missouri State because of injuries.
“That wasn’t by accident,” Edwards said. “That was one of the deals. He’s worked his tail off to the point that hey, we felt he could take reps with the first team. What I told guys around here is that everyone’s going to get an opportunity, and if you do things correctly, you’ll get a chance.
“It’s not a message. It’s just a fact. We’re asking you to do certain things, and if you can transfer them from the classroom to individually on the field … If you don’t do it, we’ll get guys who can do it. It’s that simple.”
Edwards said he wasn’t sending a message to defensive tackle Ryan Sims, whom Edwards said arrived at minicamp a little heavier. Sims, the sixth overall pick in the 2002 draft, showed progress in camp last summer before injuring a foot in the season opener against the New York Jets.
“I’m not worried about him,” Edwards said. “Some big guys in the offseason, they gain a couple of extra pounds. He’s a pro. He knows where he needs to be at, and I know where he needs to be at. And he’ll get down to where he needs to play again.”
Edwards took the Kansas City job in January, replacing Dick Vermeil, his old mentor and coach. Minutes into Edwards’ first news conference, it was clear the coaches are very different. Vermeil was big on offense and long practices; Edwards is a defensive guy who likes his workouts short, fast and sweet.
With no pads, no tackling, and several veterans sitting out because of nagging injuries, the biggest things Edwards wanted to establish over the weekend were tempo and attitude. In one quick sequence Sunday, cornerback Patrick Surtain picked off a Trent Green pass, and linebacker Kendrell Bell almost came up with another interception.
Edwards said again Sunday that the offense will run the ball more in 2006 — in part because it has one of the NFL’s hottest backs in Larry Johnson, but also because it will ultimately help the defense.
“He has a lot of passion,” Mitchell said. “He acts like he’s real young. He’s still running around and stuff. It’s good to have somebody like that. I didn’t mind Dick Vermeil, either. I’ve got a lot of love for Dick. But just to have that kind of characteristic in your head coach, that’s better for us.
“We just have to believe we’re not the stepbrothers on this team. Not to say that we are, but sometimes that happens, whenever you have a great offense like we have. You just have to get that mindset out and play defense.”
One noticeable change is the vocabulary spewed about in practice. Edwards — who told his players in New York that his priorities are God first, family, then football — isn’t big on potty mouths.
The keep-it-clean mentality has seeped onto the practice field in Kansas City, even with fiery defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham, who’s been known to provide a little four-letter motivation.
“They might say a bad word every once in a while, but for the most part, I don’t hear it,” Edwards said. “I just think they know my personality and they know I get excited and I get upset at times, and they know I don’t do it. The more you’re accustomed to being around guys like that, the more accustomed you are to watching what you say.”
■ CHIEFS NOTES : So much for Johnson’s untouchable image. He stuck around the longest after Saturday’s minicamp that was open to the fans, signing autographs for more than 30 minutes. … The veterans are off this week, and offseason workouts will start again in June. Edwards said the Chiefs will have 10 more practices before training camp.

Kerberos · 05-22-2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

I’ve got a lot of love for Dick.

Kawika sounds like he misses the DICK

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Larry Johnson is an ASSHOLE. Taco John told me so.

Well shit it's gotta be true then!

.

Hammock Parties · 05-22-2006, 11:36 AM

Herm simply has not had any major ****ups as a coach just yet. He's done a great job this offseason thus far. I am sure Whitlock will roast him as soon as he does something stupid in the regular season.

As far as the offense, change is not always for the bad. Anything we can do to put less pressure on the defense is a good thing. We barely won at a 50 percent clip during the DV era. I could give a shit about scoring averages. Winning is the only thing that matters.

Psyko Tek · 05-22-2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

I could give a shit about scoring averages. Winning is the only thing that matters.

the storm trooper is right

and the BEST defense is keeping the others teams offense on the bench

but that only works if you can get stops after our O scores

Coogs · 05-22-2006, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCChiefsfan88

Yeah because this offense, which only finished #1 in the NFL last year is in serious need of tinkering. Especially by a Head Coach who even admitted in his initial press conference back in January that he hasn't been associated with teams who have offenses who can consistently score 30 points a game

He probably hasn't been associated with to many defenses that could consistantly give up 30 points a game either. You have to start fixing the defense somewhere, and leaving them standing on the sideline might be the best place to start.

Mr. Laz · 05-22-2006, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

He probably hasn't been associated with to many defenses that could consistantly give up 30 points a game either. You have to start fixing the defense somewhere, and leaving them standing on the sideline might be the best place to start.

marty thought so too...

but then pretty the offense starting going 3 and out so fast that the defense got their worn out.

first downs matter .... not whether you run or pass.

htismaqe · 05-22-2006, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

marty thought so too...

but then pretty the offense starting going 3 and out so fast that the defense got their worn out.

first downs matter .... not whether you run or pass.

Yes, very true...

Coogs · 05-22-2006, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

first downs matter .... not whether you run or pass.

I agree. But I also think utilization of the run to set up the play-action pass will be a huge benefit for Gonzo. Probably our WR's too. I have always felt like the best offense we have is the one that went into Baltimore a couple of years back in the primetime game where we handed Ray Lewis his azz by running the ball down his throat. I love that smashmouth style of ball, and really believe that is what Herm has in mind instead of conservative to no end.

DaMook · 05-22-2006, 12:59 PM

Sims looks a little chunky, from the open practice:

Hammock Parties · 05-22-2006, 01:12 PM

Sims is a bust.

**wazu** · 05-22-2006, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaMook

Sims looks a little chunky, from the open practice:

Sims needs a "fat" nickname. Maybe we shoud just start calling him "The Blob" or "The Bulb" (for his lightbulb-shaped appearance).

Chiefs Pantalones · 05-22-2006, 01:16 PM

When will they finally cut him?

htismaqe · 05-22-2006, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanilla Thunder

When will they finally cut him?

I doubt they ever do. He'll likely play out his contract, considering how low his base is...

**Dunit35** · 05-22-2006, 01:32 PM

I was shocked at what LJ did. He started signing around us and just kept going around the stadium.

Chiefs Pantalones · 05-22-2006, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I doubt they ever do. He'll likely play out his contract, considering how low his base is...

That's sad. With our luck, when he finally leaves KC he'll be great somewhere else, lol.

Hopefully, he'll play better this year...

**Reaper16** · 05-22-2006, 02:05 PM

Steve Williams taking reps w/ the first team? Nice. Go Bearcats.

05-22-2006, 03:19 AM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2747187	Merrill- Edwards shakes things up http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/14636732.htm SURPRISES JUST PART OF CHIEFS MINICAMP Edwards shakes things up By ELIZABETH MERRILL The Kansas City Star The language was toned down to just above a G rating, the pace was fast, and as the first veteran minicamp under Herm Edwards came to a close Sunday, an unknown guy wearing a No. 79 jersey lined up with the No. 1 defense. Say this about Kansas City’s new head football coach — he’s full of surprises. Edwards promised changes before the Chiefs started their three-day, four-practice weekend minicamp, and changes they got. By Saturday, mild-mannered middle linebacker Kawika Mitchell was on a microphone telling Kansas City fans of a badder, better defense. Receivers and cornerbacks were debating whether a meaningless pass was inbounds or incomplete. And Edwards made good on his plans to turn up the heat on the veterans and give rookies — even unknown, undrafted ones — a fair shot. That’s what happened Sunday afternoon when Steve Williams took reps with the No. 1 unit. Williams didn’t even have a contract a week ago and hadn’t finished the 2005 season at Northwest Missouri State because of injuries. “That wasn’t by accident,” Edwards said. “That was one of the deals. He’s worked his tail off to the point that hey, we felt he could take reps with the first team. What I told guys around here is that everyone’s going to get an opportunity, and if you do things correctly, you’ll get a chance. “It’s not a message. It’s just a fact. We’re asking you to do certain things, and if you can transfer them from the classroom to individually on the field … If you don’t do it, we’ll get guys who can do it. It’s that simple.” Edwards said he wasn’t sending a message to defensive tackle Ryan Sims, whom Edwards said arrived at minicamp a little heavier. Sims, the sixth overall pick in the 2002 draft, showed progress in camp last summer before injuring a foot in the season opener against the New York Jets. “I’m not worried about him,” Edwards said. “Some big guys in the offseason, they gain a couple of extra pounds. He’s a pro. He knows where he needs to be at, and I know where he needs to be at. And he’ll get down to where he needs to play again.” Edwards took the Kansas City job in January, replacing Dick Vermeil, his old mentor and coach. Minutes into Edwards’ first news conference, it was clear the coaches are very different. Vermeil was big on offense and long practices; Edwards is a defensive guy who likes his workouts short, fast and sweet. With no pads, no tackling, and several veterans sitting out because of nagging injuries, the biggest things Edwards wanted to establish over the weekend were tempo and attitude. In one quick sequence Sunday, cornerback Patrick Surtain picked off a Trent Green pass, and linebacker Kendrell Bell almost came up with another interception. Edwards said again Sunday that the offense will run the ball more in 2006 — in part because it has one of the NFL’s hottest backs in Larry Johnson, but also because it will ultimately help the defense. “He has a lot of passion,” Mitchell said. “He acts like he’s real young. He’s still running around and stuff. It’s good to have somebody like that. I didn’t mind Dick Vermeil, either. I’ve got a lot of love for Dick. But just to have that kind of characteristic in your head coach, that’s better for us. “We just have to believe we’re not the stepbrothers on this team. Not to say that we are, but sometimes that happens, whenever you have a great offense like we have. You just have to get that mindset out and play defense.” One noticeable change is the vocabulary spewed about in practice. Edwards — who told his players in New York that his priorities are God first, family, then football — isn’t big on potty mouths. The keep-it-clean mentality has seeped onto the practice field in Kansas City, even with fiery defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham, who’s been known to provide a little four-letter motivation. “They might say a bad word every once in a while, but for the most part, I don’t hear it,” Edwards said. “I just think they know my personality and they know I get excited and I get upset at times, and they know I don’t do it. The more you’re accustomed to being around guys like that, the more accustomed you are to watching what you say.” ■ CHIEFS NOTES : So much for Johnson’s untouchable image. He stuck around the longest after Saturday’s minicamp that was open to the fans, signing autographs for more than 30 minutes. … The veterans are off this week, and offseason workouts will start again in June. Edwards said the Chiefs will have 10 more practices before training camp.
Posts: 43,417

05-22-2006, 11:36 AM	#17
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $1050478	Herm simply has not had any major ****ups as a coach just yet. He's done a great job this offseason thus far. I am sure Whitlock will roast him as soon as he does something stupid in the regular season. As far as the offense, change is not always for the bad. Anything we can do to put less pressure on the defense is a good thing. We barely won at a 50 percent clip during the DV era. I could give a shit about scoring averages. Winning is the only thing that matters. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 296,667

05-22-2006, 12:59 PM	#23
DaMook Old School Mosrite Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: I am here Casino cash: $10004925	Sims looks a little chunky, from the open practice: Attached Thumbnails __________________ “Sure, luck means a lot in football. Not having a good quarterback is bad luck.” Don Shula
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05-22-2006, 01:12 PM	#24
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $1050478	Sims is a bust. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 296,667

05-22-2006, 01:16 PM	#26
Chiefs Pantalones GO CHIEFS!!!!!! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $6888717	When will they finally cut him? __________________ Don't be fooled by my username, I'm white.
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05-22-2006, 01:32 PM	#28
Dunit35 Keepin it Real Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Oklahoma Casino cash: $-2072955	I was shocked at what LJ did. He started signing around us and just kept going around the stadium.
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