LNBS: Should we expect to see the defense improving?

[BossChief]

A few of us talked about it before the season started, but there was some thought that the defense would come out looking horrible and would slowly improve as the year went on. Some reasons why a few of us thought there was a good chance at this...

A few elite offenses in the first 6 games. (Pitt, NE, SD)

A lot of new pieces on defense all over the place, meaning communication is going to be a wok in progress.

I think it’s possible that this defense slowly improves from here on out and if Veach can add a piece or 2 on defense (PP or Honey Badger, etc) while also getting Berry and Sorensen back from injury that those will really help this team down the stretch and in the postseason.

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by Meatloaf

Ok, so, we've changed LBs, changed safeties, changed corners, added a couple of new DLs, and guess what.....we still suck at stopping the run. What with all of these changes in personnel, it strikes me that there's a fundamental, underlying problem with our defensive scheme! And that's entirely on Sutton.

Hey, I think the guy is a decent coach, but it appears that his tried-and-true schemes simply aren't working anymore. Time for a coaching change.....though I believe it will take the form of Sutton retiring at season's end and Andy finally being forced to find a replacement.

I said this a few weeks ago and was told I didn't understand football.

[IUsedToBeATightEnd]

Originally Posted by Meatloaf

Ok, so, we've changed LBs, changed safeties, changed corners, added a couple of new DLs, and guess what.....we still suck at stopping the run. What with all of these changes in personnel, it strikes me that there's a fundamental, underlying problem with our defensive scheme! And that's entirely on Sutton.

Hey, I think the guy is a decent coach, but it appears that his tried-and-true schemes simply aren't working anymore. Time for a coaching change.....though I believe it will take the form of Sutton retiring at season's end and Andy finally being forced to find a replacement.

Doubt its a problem with schemes alone, I see more of a problem with execution. No one making a decent tackle on this defense, and that has nothing to do with schemes.
Defensive coordinators are more about schemes and play calling than fundamentals and execution. If the whole D coaching staff (or a good part of it) goes, then the tackling will improve, otherwise...good luck to the new DC.

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by IUsedToBeATightEnd

Doubt its a problem with schemes alone, I see more of a problem with execution. No one making a decent tackle on this defense, and that has nothing to do with schemes.
Defensive coordinators are more about schemes and play calling than fundamentals and execution. If the whole D coaching staff (or a good part of it) goes, then the tackling will improve, otherwise...good luck to the new DC.

Personally, I don't think it's any ONE thing that you can just change and then presto-you have a good defense.

I do see fundamental issues, such as tackling. This clearly needs to be addressed; it's just sloppy. I also see what I perceive as scheme problems-notably not playing to players' strengths. And with all the injuries, clearly we have some talent issues.

[RealSNR]

The Chiefs were actually pretty damn good at stopping the run during the Romeo Crennel years (as DC, that is).

That was with Ron ****ing Edwards as our NT. We had a bunch of dudes like DJ, Hali, and Glenn Dorsey who were in their primes but still were only one year removed from that transition to the 3-4.

Crennel, for all his faults as a head coach, at least knew how to make the best of the personnel he had when he was a defensive coordinator.

I think Sutton is clueless in that area. He says, "Here's the defense, guys!" and doesn't really care who's running it. Yeah, we're down to some spare depth pieces in many areas, but there should be little reason why our LBs aren't in position to make some of these basic tackles that prevent a 2 yard run from turning into 6, 7, 8 yards.

[IUsedToBeATightEnd]

Position and schemes sure can affect performance of some players. If the linebackers are told to sit and wait instead of attacking the LOS, then one can't complain when they do get run over. That being said, IMHO when both the linebackers and the whole secondary gets sloppy at tackling, there's more than position issues going on.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by RealSNR

The Chiefs were actually pretty damn good at stopping the run during the Romeo Crennel years (as DC, that is).

That was with Ron ****ing Edwards as our NT. We had a bunch of dudes like DJ, Hali, and Glenn Dorsey who were in their primes but still were only one year removed from that transition to the 3-4.

Crennel, for all his faults as a head coach, at least knew how to make the best of the personnel he had when he was a defensive coordinator.

I think Sutton is clueless in that area. He says, "Here's the defense, guys!" and doesn't really care who's running it. Yeah, we're down to some spare depth pieces in many areas, but there should be little reason why our LBs aren't in position to make some of these basic tackles that prevent a 2 yard run from turning into 6, 7, 8 yards.

Crennell's defenses were awful, sorry.

29th, 27th, 13th, and 32 in points allowed.

[ROYC75]

Originally Posted by dwwataz

Tackling. Being out of position. Penalties.

Until that shit gets straightened out, this lowercase d isn't improving.

The new name for this years defense!

[stevieray]

What I'm expecting is better Defensive free agents wanting to come play in KC in the future...because Showtime.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by stevieray

What I'm expecting is better Defensive free agents wanting to come play in KC in the future...because Showtime.

Not if Sutton isn't putting them in a position to succeed. All the more reason to just make a change and get it over with in the offseason.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Not if Sutton isn't putting them in a position to succeed.

Their main issue is tackling, not execution of the scheme.

Besides, you don't know that. You're just assuming the worst,

[Sofa King]

It's bound to get better with guys getting healthy and the inevitable trade for PP and Collins.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by stevieray

Their main issue is tackling, not execution of the scheme.

While true, this level of dysfunction usually points to a much larger problem. Even with Mahomes, I don't see guys lining up to play here, at least on defense, until something changes.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

While true, this level of dysfunction usually points to a much larger problem. Even with Mahomes, I don't see guys lining up to play here, at least on defense, until something changes.

Not if they think they are only a few key players away.

[ROYC75]

Come on gang, let's examine this better.....

1. Player Turnover, A Big turnover in player personnel, had to be younger, faster. These new players were targeted to fit Sutton's D when ready. Some players can, will be ready at the get go, but not all, some have to learn! They are less experienced than the released veterans, lacking the wisdom of a Ryan/Sutton type defense which takes me to point 2.

2. A new scheme or system for them to learn, keep in mind that with some players it takes time. They are out of place often, being in the wrong gap assignment so when they have to read and react...... they are screwed! Big plays happen and we can't stop anybody. This scheme has been around for years and it takes a couple of years to bring new players in and develop into a good unit. It's not the Wade Phillip scheme of 1 gap attack. Read and react is more complicated and we really have no field generals in place to keep them in line on the field before the snap. There just isn't enough time in TC to teach them everything, to point out their many mistakes. It's a live and learn or basically, on the job training, a work in progress.

3. Tackling! Tackling, have I mentioned tackling? Now this is the real BULLSHIT with this group! This is the pro level, if a guy can't tackle properly by now, can his ass! Tackling is taught at an early age and then the BIG HITS started coming along that everybody liked. It really started to get a lot of attention from fans, announcers, players are thinking damn, I'm going to be on Sport Center for that hit! Now what, most of that shit is not allowed anymore. So it's back to tackling, but keep in mind they should not have to teach them tackling skills or even any drills at this level. Weekly preparations is on whom you play, scheming the opponent, not for tackling. Start docking these assholes money on a solid missed tackle and it will get their attention or can em!

Bottom line, we have a defense unit that is younger and less experienced, they will have to go through the lumps and pains of learning the scheme. It really comes down to this and are they talented enough to be on the field. They went all D on the draft ( yet telling us they didn't set out that way) plus released some veteran leadership and when you have the injury bug hitting the remaining current veterans not on the field .... it leaves us with a rudderless ship , no captain!

So here we are, either continue with the pains of learning or shake up the unit with some past veterans ( who were deemed too old ) to right the ship.

I say, we let the kids play as originally planned, playing gains valuable experience and experience is the best teacher. IMHO, when we get the safeties back plus letting the kids play, learn each week through games and practice and by the end of the year we will see a much bigger improvement.

[Titty Meat]

If Houston and Berry on the field yes.