Post by MizzouTiger on Dec 8, 2007 11:47:01 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/sports/story/394871.html
Chiefs tackle Svitek prepared for first start
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star
Offensive tackle Damion McIntosh has given Will Svitek some advice. Tight end Tony Gonzalez has given him some books on positive thinking.
And coach Herm Edwards has given Svitek the starting offensive left tackle job for Sunday’s game at Denver.
Svitek, in his third season with the Chiefs, will make his first NFL start in place of McIntosh, who is doubtful because of a knee injury.
All Svitek has to do is keep Denver defensive end Elvis Dumervil, who is tied for sixth in the AFC with eight sacks, off quarterback Brodie Croyle’s back. Svitek’s backup — as well as the understudy for right tackle Chris Perry — will be rookie Herb Taylor, who suited up for the first time last week against San Diego.
“You’ve got to start somewhere,” Herm Edwards said Friday. “It’s something we need to see. There’s been some time invested in (Svitek) to find out if he has a chance to play.”
Indeed, Svitek has traveled a circuitous path to his first pro start. A defensive lineman for most of his career at Stanford, he was a sixth-round pick by the Chiefs in 2005 and was converted to offensive tackle.
Svitek played 2006 with the Frankfurt Galaxy, helping that club win the league championship, but finished the NFL season on injured reserve because of a knee injury.
Svitek was the starting left tackle during the preseason when McIntosh was out because of a knee injury and has appeared in nine games this season.
“It’s always nice to have a week to prepare and get focused and know when you’re going in,” said Svitek, who also missed three games last month because of a right foot sprain.
“When you come in the fourth quarter, down 14, that’s always a tough situation. It will be nice to start the game and play full.”
That’s what happened last week against San Diego after McIntosh injured his knee when the turf gave way early in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs, trailing 24-10, surrendered four sacks after McIntosh’s departure, and Svitek was schooled by Shawne Merriman, the NFL’s 2006 sack leader.
Dumervil, the NCAA sack leader with 20 in 2005 at Louisville, had a sack and forced fumble in the Broncos’ 27-11 win over the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 11.
“Elvis is a great player,” Svitek said. “He’s a good speed rusher, but every week, everyone out there is going to bring it. Everyone is a good player in the NFL. You jump in the fire, and you have to learn. I learned last week … if you make one little mistake, they’ll hurt you.”
The Chiefs have allowed 42 sacks this season and rank 29th in sacks per pass play after permitting eight against San Diego.
McIntosh’s words of wisdom for Svitek were to have a short memory.
“I told him to go in there and be confident and be consistent,” said McIntosh, an eight-year veteran. “If something does go wrong, shake it off and go to the next play. Keep it simple. He wouldn’t be here if he didn’t have the potential. It’s for him to regain some confidence and find his game, his comfort level.
“There’s always an opportunity for everybody. That’s how I got mine. You’ve got to take advantage of your opportunities.”
Gonzalez, an avid reader of self-help books, gave Svitek a copy of The Mental Edge, a book that emphasizes visualizing good performances before an athlete takes the field.
“He has all the tools to be a good player in the NFL,” Gonzalez said. “It’s all mental, it’s all between his ears. If he can handle that pressure, he’ll go out there and play well.
“Will has been preparing himself and prepares hard. If I were him, I would look at it as an opportunity, as a way to start my legacy.”
With Svitek — and possibly Taylor — in the game, Edwards said, “there are some things you do a little different. You’ve got to stay out of the known (passing) downs.”
Croyle, who is returning to the lineup after missing one game because of a bruised back, is confident Svitek can sufficiently protect him.
“He’s had a good week of practice,” Croyle said. “He’s just got to go out there and do his job, the same thing all of us do. It’s the last thing I’m going to worry about.”
Chiefs tackle Svitek prepared for first start
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star
Offensive tackle Damion McIntosh has given Will Svitek some advice. Tight end Tony Gonzalez has given him some books on positive thinking.
And coach Herm Edwards has given Svitek the starting offensive left tackle job for Sunday’s game at Denver.
Svitek, in his third season with the Chiefs, will make his first NFL start in place of McIntosh, who is doubtful because of a knee injury.
All Svitek has to do is keep Denver defensive end Elvis Dumervil, who is tied for sixth in the AFC with eight sacks, off quarterback Brodie Croyle’s back. Svitek’s backup — as well as the understudy for right tackle Chris Perry — will be rookie Herb Taylor, who suited up for the first time last week against San Diego.
“You’ve got to start somewhere,” Herm Edwards said Friday. “It’s something we need to see. There’s been some time invested in (Svitek) to find out if he has a chance to play.”
Indeed, Svitek has traveled a circuitous path to his first pro start. A defensive lineman for most of his career at Stanford, he was a sixth-round pick by the Chiefs in 2005 and was converted to offensive tackle.
Svitek played 2006 with the Frankfurt Galaxy, helping that club win the league championship, but finished the NFL season on injured reserve because of a knee injury.
Svitek was the starting left tackle during the preseason when McIntosh was out because of a knee injury and has appeared in nine games this season.
“It’s always nice to have a week to prepare and get focused and know when you’re going in,” said Svitek, who also missed three games last month because of a right foot sprain.
“When you come in the fourth quarter, down 14, that’s always a tough situation. It will be nice to start the game and play full.”
That’s what happened last week against San Diego after McIntosh injured his knee when the turf gave way early in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs, trailing 24-10, surrendered four sacks after McIntosh’s departure, and Svitek was schooled by Shawne Merriman, the NFL’s 2006 sack leader.
Dumervil, the NCAA sack leader with 20 in 2005 at Louisville, had a sack and forced fumble in the Broncos’ 27-11 win over the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 11.
“Elvis is a great player,” Svitek said. “He’s a good speed rusher, but every week, everyone out there is going to bring it. Everyone is a good player in the NFL. You jump in the fire, and you have to learn. I learned last week … if you make one little mistake, they’ll hurt you.”
The Chiefs have allowed 42 sacks this season and rank 29th in sacks per pass play after permitting eight against San Diego.
McIntosh’s words of wisdom for Svitek were to have a short memory.
“I told him to go in there and be confident and be consistent,” said McIntosh, an eight-year veteran. “If something does go wrong, shake it off and go to the next play. Keep it simple. He wouldn’t be here if he didn’t have the potential. It’s for him to regain some confidence and find his game, his comfort level.
“There’s always an opportunity for everybody. That’s how I got mine. You’ve got to take advantage of your opportunities.”
Gonzalez, an avid reader of self-help books, gave Svitek a copy of The Mental Edge, a book that emphasizes visualizing good performances before an athlete takes the field.
“He has all the tools to be a good player in the NFL,” Gonzalez said. “It’s all mental, it’s all between his ears. If he can handle that pressure, he’ll go out there and play well.
“Will has been preparing himself and prepares hard. If I were him, I would look at it as an opportunity, as a way to start my legacy.”
With Svitek — and possibly Taylor — in the game, Edwards said, “there are some things you do a little different. You’ve got to stay out of the known (passing) downs.”
Croyle, who is returning to the lineup after missing one game because of a bruised back, is confident Svitek can sufficiently protect him.
“He’s had a good week of practice,” Croyle said. “He’s just got to go out there and do his job, the same thing all of us do. It’s the last thing I’m going to worry about.”