The
Kansas City Chiefs coaching staff is in Mobile, Ala. this week preparing for the 2012 Senior Bowl and eventually the NFL draft in April.
They're also down there looking for folks to add to the coaching staff. Head coach Romeo Crennel
talked with Josh Looney of KCChiefs.com and said he's been talking to people this week regarding the positions on the Chiefs coaching staff.
But what positions are actually available? Here's an updated look at the Chiefs coaching staff as I understand it.
Defense: Crennel will still have a hand in this side of the ball -- he'll continue to call the defensive plays. So we know who's really running the show on defense but the rest of the staff should remain mostly intact.
Crennel said as much a couple weeks ago. The question is whether one of those other guys is given the title of defensive coordinator. Nate Bukaty (810 WHB) said a few weeks ago he heard linebackers coach
Gary Gibbs would be named defensive coordinator so that very well could happen at some point. Other than that, there's not a ton of news surrounding the defensive side of the ball. We figure Crennel will still have plenty of influence on defense.
Offense: This is where you're likely to see more turnover. A previous report indicated that a couple of offensive assistants were leaving but that isn't the case
yet.
Bill Muir will not be the offensive coordinator next season which means the Chiefs need to find someone to run the offense. But Muir is expected to return to the team as offensive line coach, so that's one less assistant to find if it works out like that. So the Chiefs are looking for an offensive coordinator and potentially a couple more assistant coaches. And keep in mind that an offensive coordinator from the outside could result in more changes to the offensive staff.
Who were the assistants on the offensive side of the ball who were rumored to have left/been let go?
Has anyone spotted them at the Senior Bowl practices? Has there been any confirmation of that? Just curious.
cheapham - January 25, 2012
I heard that too
Wasn’t it OL and TE? Well, assistant OL maybe…
SCKSChief - January 25, 2012
As of last week they weren't dismissed
So that’s about all I got. Until it’s announced, we don’t really know.
Joel Thorman - January 25, 2012
Yeah I was pretty sure
Pat Perles (Asst OL)
Richie Anderson (WR)
Were future endeavored
But, the Chiefs don’t like to make any announcements until they are ready.
Also, Bernie Parmalee (TE) was rumored to be going to Kansas… who knows.
I’m ready to find out who the new blood is, hopefully it will all be announced on Monday, though the Chiefs might be waiting for the likes of Brian Ferentz or Pepper Johnson but I think they will finish the coaching staff before that.
Chief-blinders-on - January 25, 2012
What the Chiefs should do.
Is move Branden Albert back to his natural position… Offensive coordinator………..
Kool TA - January 25, 2012
I'm preparing myself to be underwhelmed.
Scott B. - January 25, 2012
I think Raiders fans feel a little underwhelmed...
so there is that.
Chief-blinders-on - January 25, 2012
Because they're just as used to it as we are.
Scott B. - January 25, 2012
You know, two years ago the Chiefs blew us away with their OC and DC choices...
This year, they appeased most of us with the hiring of a somewhat hot Romeo Crennel.
If anything keeps top notch coaches away from KC it will be Kent Babb’s story…we shall see what happens, but we have an opportunity to get a good staff in place.
Chief-blinders-on - January 25, 2012
True...The Chiefs are crazy if they think players don't talk to other players and coaches don't talk to other coaches.
besides the cheapness of the Hunts, this could be one of the reasons we can’t sign any impact free agents…
NFL season ticket holder - January 25, 2012
yay, our Daily Gnus!
upamtn - January 25, 2012
Gnus don't kill people unless you are in the way.
Chief-blinders-on - January 25, 2012
Gnus don't kill people, people kills people ;-)
this message brought to you by the National Elephant Gun Association
upamtn - January 25, 2012
Joel's next gig.
Tarkus - January 25, 2012
Niiiiiiice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LadyChief - January 25, 2012
Kevin Kietzman and his pre-recorded buddy...
Chief-blinders-on - January 25, 2012
Smack!
LadyChief - January 25, 2012
hey, you be nice to Joel
he’s trying … AND … we have news about the Raiders new HC! it’s a GOOD day ;-)
upamtn - January 25, 2012
Come on Hue Jackson.
m.yashi - January 25, 2012
What is going on with Brandon Carr today?
BCarr39 There’s at least 2 ways to look @ any situation. Idk about you but my glass is always half full. #thinkPOSITIVE
16 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite
BCarr39 If this makes headlines I already know what time it is…
Chief-blinders-on - January 25, 2012
Interesting
LadyChief - January 25, 2012
Straight from the (Iron) Horse's mouth:
cheapham - January 25, 2012
I may be reaching, but until Brandon Carr is re-signed
it is definitely a discussion point…mostly just wondering what is going on.
Chief-blinders-on - January 25, 2012
Glass half full?
Tarkus - January 25, 2012
Coincidentally Tarkus is half full of hot air as well
Chief-blinders-on - January 25, 2012
Technically, completely full.
Tarkus - January 25, 2012
Corrected I stand
Chief-blinders-on - January 25, 2012
SUPERNICE, Tark!
upamtn - January 25, 2012
Don't forget Special Teams
There were a lot of people calling for Steve Hoffman’s head after the Faders game. Outside of the blocked kicks, I think he did an exceptional job for the most part. ST was solid all around really. At the very least he should be retained as the kicking specialist.
He helped Succop get out of his early season slump by changing his technique and Colquitt has been continued to produce (though he was before Hoffman even showed up).
I wouldn’t mind seeing some kind of new assistant position created for a return specialist. Someone that concentrates solely on returns and blocking schemes to put Dex/Javi to good use. It seems like we’ve got a couple of home run hitters but can’t effectively get them into space.
TheScootness - January 25, 2012
I want a ST's coach that can teach blocking on kick/punt returns. The Chiefs lack in this area.
Hoffman is great with Colquitt and Succop, but how much of that is Colquitt and Succop?
It may be time to move on.
Chief-blinders-on - January 25, 2012
Don't forget Arenas
We’re quite strong at the ST skill positions….it’s just that everything else has been suspect. I imagine the excellent skill position play has less to do with coaching and more to do with individual talent. Good ST coaching would nip the blocking and coverage problems in the bud.
cheapham - January 25, 2012
Arenas is a great player...
I’m interested in seeing how the new coaches utilize him or if Romeo has him focus more on defense.
Personally, I think he should be used in blitzing situations only on defense and the Chiefs should draft another corner this season around the third round. Javy is too talented to waste all of his energy trying to cover all day IMO, though I’m not completely against it. I just think he would be more productive in a more minimal role.
If we get him some better blockers in FA/Draft/UDFA and hire a new ST coach or add a dedicated new Assistant, I think the Chiefs will be on to something.
Scheme is huge in football and I believe the Chiefs haven’t been utilizing the best methods in special teams the last couple seasons and I would like them to bring on an expert that contrasts Steve Hoffman’s style.
Chief-blinders-on - January 25, 2012
On using Arenas
His coverage skills have really improved, so he’s an asset to the defense and needs to be available as the full time nickel back. We run a lot of nickel so he’s a valuable piece there.
Also, he’s never really shown a flash and dropoff in return production because of playing too many snaps like Dante Hall. When Dante played too much WR you could see a big change in his return game.
I never notice a difference from when Javi is fresh at the beginning of the game or later on when he’s been playing defense for a while. It’s not like he’s really produced anything and we’re taking away from him by using him too much. I’d actually commit him to defense and not waste energy on returns.
Finally, we have a solution already – Dexter McCluster. His role will be more limited next season with the return of Charles. He doesn’t play the slot WR really so he MAY get a handful of touches per game, if they can figure out how to use him. Got to put him to use somehow, so give him the full time return duties and call it good. He’s noticeably faster than Javi anyway. His cuts aren’t as good, but if you can get him into open space with blocking he’ll burn everyone on the field.
TheScootness - January 25, 2012
McCluster puts the ball on the ground too much.
When you watch Javy return punts late in the game he fair catches the ball a lot more. This may have nothing to do with energy but it also may.
If the Chiefs keep Carr, Brown and Flowers… that should be your starting unit with Arenas dedicating time to the return game. Brown has some solid potential and better size to line up on opponents bigger receivers.
It goes hand in hand with the blocking schemes, with better blocking Javy becomes a threat to score every time and I don’t feel the same way about McCluster. Just a mild improvement in blocking would help, right now it is terrible.
I think Arenas should be used as a third pass rusher opposite of Hali and Houston in base nickel defenses. he has showed the skill and could excel with the rise of Houston.
None of this will matter if the Chiefs don’t improve their blocking schemes in the kicking game and sign some better, faster, smarter depth.
Chief-blinders-on - January 25, 2012
Yeah I'll agree that Arenas has more sure hands than Dex
And you’re absolutely right. Either way it all boils down to this
TheScootness - January 25, 2012
That's the question
How much is the players and how much is the coach? If we got rid of him I’d fear that their production (especially Succop’s) would drop. Kickers are known to usually have an odd mentality and need the right coaching to keep them going in the right direction. You really couldn’t ask much more of those two so I’d guess that a new coach would be a turn for the worse.
I absolutely agree that they need better blocking on returns though. I think I read something about how the team finished in the top 10 in return yards, so they were consistently above average, but it can get significantly better with the talent we have.
Maybe Hoffman’s only real strong suit is the kicking itself. I’d be OK with a new ST coordinator as long as we retain him. Hell, Muir dropped back to o-line coach.
TheScootness - January 25, 2012
The fact that the Chiefs were ranked high was almost exclusively due
to McCluster and Arenas’s speed and not due to Chiefs blocking. Also, to many good retruns were flagged because of blocks in the back, that is another coaching issue.
I think Colquitt would be good with a monkey coaching him… Succop, I’m not so sure about.
The Chiefs don’t have to fire Hoffman, but they at least need to look into Special Teams block coaching specialist to add on to the organization.
I agree with most of your points… Hoffman’s strong suits were always in the kicking game and it is time to either separate ties or add to his arsenal.
With all of these coaching changes there is a chance Hoffman would leave on his own.
Chief-blinders-on - January 25, 2012
Agreed on all points.
TheScootness - January 25, 2012
And blocking in the back is something I forgot all about
It was a big problem this year. The return teams lack discipline. If Hoffman can’t teach that to them then let someone else take over that facet of the game.
TheScootness - January 25, 2012
Get the best OC available now!!
Get a old school OC, fix the O-Line, put Thomas ‘minus yardage’ Jones in charge of conditionning, putting the emphasis on the legs (knee area…) and we’re back on top!
GO CHIEFS!!!!!
Beefcakess - January 25, 2012
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