Post by MizzouTiger on Dec 24, 2007 3:44:11 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/416384.html
Allen stands out again on defense
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star
DETROIT | Jared Allen keeps adding bullet points to his resume, but the Chiefs keep minimizing those plays’ value.
Allen was the cornerstone of a Chiefs defense that kept pressure on Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna on Sunday and held him to 115 yards on nine-for-16 passing. Allen had two sacks, a forced fumble and three tackles. He even caught his second touchdown of the season, a 1-yard quick out after Allen lined up as a tight end in the second quarter.
But ask Allen: None of it matters — not when the Chiefs are stuck in an eight-game losing streak.
“We lost another one, so your individual efforts kind of go by the wayside,” Allen said. “Eventually, we’re going to win one of these.”
The Chiefs’ defense was solid if not spectacular. It missed high marks by allowing Lions running back T.J. Duckett to rush for 102 yards in 15 carries. Duckett gained 53 of those yards on one play, a run in which the Chiefs defensive line appeared to have Duckett wrapped up before he burst through and into the open field. Four plays after Duckett’s long run, the Lions kicked one of three field goals in a 25-20 win.
It was the defense, though, that allowed only one touchdown. That hadn’t happened since a 13-10 loss against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 18.
Coach Herm Edwards said last week that Allen’s place among the Pro Bowl starters was the first step toward building the Chiefs’ defense into a weapon. Edwards is, after all, a former longtime defensive coordinator. The Chiefs’ defense is Edwards’ baby. He is a graduate of the Tony Dungy school. Dungy’s method is based on a strong pass rush and solid secondary play.
Edwards’ interpretation might be close. But some defenders said holes remain.
“It’s all those little things that keep going wrong for us,” backup defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson said. “As soon as we correct those little things, then we’ll win games.”
Linebacker Derrick Johnson reiterated blown defensive plays tend to center on one player’s mistake each time. To that end, Johnson said he is confident the Chiefs’ defense is on the right track.
But during the losing streak, when the defense has allowed 26.2 points per game, there is little else to be confident about.
“It’s hard to keep your confidence up when you’re losing. That’s the hard thing,” Johnson said. “But this team has a lot of character. We’re going to continue to play hard, regardless of our losses.
“This is what you do. It’s about pride. When you step on the field, regardless of whether your record is 1-15, you can’t let that team on the other side beat you.”
At least, that is the Chiefs’ mental approach, Johnson said.
Edwards said things are getting better. Others said Sunday was the closest the Chiefs have come in eight weeks to a win. But whereas Allen said one star cannot carry a team, neither can scarce bright spots — when, he said, the dark times are self-inflicted.
“We didn’t win,” Allen said. “We missed tackles right at the line of scrimmage. Those runs could have easily been negated and this would have been a different story. Again, that’s where we’re breaking down, and again, we’re hurting ourselves.”
Allen stands out again on defense
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star
DETROIT | Jared Allen keeps adding bullet points to his resume, but the Chiefs keep minimizing those plays’ value.
Allen was the cornerstone of a Chiefs defense that kept pressure on Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna on Sunday and held him to 115 yards on nine-for-16 passing. Allen had two sacks, a forced fumble and three tackles. He even caught his second touchdown of the season, a 1-yard quick out after Allen lined up as a tight end in the second quarter.
But ask Allen: None of it matters — not when the Chiefs are stuck in an eight-game losing streak.
“We lost another one, so your individual efforts kind of go by the wayside,” Allen said. “Eventually, we’re going to win one of these.”
The Chiefs’ defense was solid if not spectacular. It missed high marks by allowing Lions running back T.J. Duckett to rush for 102 yards in 15 carries. Duckett gained 53 of those yards on one play, a run in which the Chiefs defensive line appeared to have Duckett wrapped up before he burst through and into the open field. Four plays after Duckett’s long run, the Lions kicked one of three field goals in a 25-20 win.
It was the defense, though, that allowed only one touchdown. That hadn’t happened since a 13-10 loss against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 18.
Coach Herm Edwards said last week that Allen’s place among the Pro Bowl starters was the first step toward building the Chiefs’ defense into a weapon. Edwards is, after all, a former longtime defensive coordinator. The Chiefs’ defense is Edwards’ baby. He is a graduate of the Tony Dungy school. Dungy’s method is based on a strong pass rush and solid secondary play.
Edwards’ interpretation might be close. But some defenders said holes remain.
“It’s all those little things that keep going wrong for us,” backup defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson said. “As soon as we correct those little things, then we’ll win games.”
Linebacker Derrick Johnson reiterated blown defensive plays tend to center on one player’s mistake each time. To that end, Johnson said he is confident the Chiefs’ defense is on the right track.
But during the losing streak, when the defense has allowed 26.2 points per game, there is little else to be confident about.
“It’s hard to keep your confidence up when you’re losing. That’s the hard thing,” Johnson said. “But this team has a lot of character. We’re going to continue to play hard, regardless of our losses.
“This is what you do. It’s about pride. When you step on the field, regardless of whether your record is 1-15, you can’t let that team on the other side beat you.”
At least, that is the Chiefs’ mental approach, Johnson said.
Edwards said things are getting better. Others said Sunday was the closest the Chiefs have come in eight weeks to a win. But whereas Allen said one star cannot carry a team, neither can scarce bright spots — when, he said, the dark times are self-inflicted.
“We didn’t win,” Allen said. “We missed tackles right at the line of scrimmage. Those runs could have easily been negated and this would have been a different story. Again, that’s where we’re breaking down, and again, we’re hurting ourselves.”