FEATURE STORIES

CHIEFS DEFENSE LOOKS TO IMPROVE

By Renee Thony
University Communications

After another disappointing season in 2008, the Kansas City Chiefs look to their newly appointed staff to help pick them up in 2009.

The Chiefs defense finished the 2008 season 31st overall, one place above the Detroit Lions who didn’t win a game. The Chiefs went 2-10 in the AFC West and 2-14 overall.

With Head Coach Todd Haley behind the wheel this season, the Chiefs may turn to their experienced and stable defense to bring the team to life in 2009. Haley pairs with the Chiefs newly named General Manager Scott Pioli to give the Chiefs the leadership they feel is necessary to turn the Kansas City franchise into one that can compete in a tough league.

Haley spent the 2007-08 season with the Arizona Cardinals as offensive coordinator. The man opposite him as the Cardinal’s defensive coordinator was Clancy Pendergast. Haley and Pendergast worked together to orchestrate one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent NFL history when the Cardinals made the Super Bowl last season. Lucky for the Chiefs franchise, Haley is bringing Pendergast with him to Kansas City as defensive coordinator.

The 2009 season will mark Pendergast’s 15th year in the NFL; his first season with the Chiefs. Prior to coming to Kansas City, Pendergast, an Arizona native, spent a handful of years in the college football circuit before becoming defensive assistant to the Houston Oilers in 1995. From 1996-2002, Pendergast worked with the Dallas Cowboys. He tackled numerous positions such as defensive assistant, quality control, defensive nickel package and defensive backs coach. In 2003, Pendergast worked as linebackers coach for the Cleveland Browns. He held the title as Arizona’s defensive coordinator from 2004-08.

Pendergast takes the spot as Chiefs defensive coordinator from Gunther Cunningham who gave the franchise several solid seasons. In addition to working as defensive coordinator, Pendergast has also said he will work closely with the defensive backs.

During Arizona’s run to the Super Bowl, Pendergast helped shape the defense that forced an NFL-best 13 turnovers and managed 10 sacks in the playoffs. The impressive defense also allowed just 72.5 rushing yards per game in postseason play.

During the regular season, the Cardinals recovered 17 fumbles, leading the league, and tied for fifth in the league with 30 total takeaways. At the end of the 2008 season, the Cardinal defense ranked third in the league with opponents facing an average of 8.16 yards to go on second down, and ranked sixth in the league permitting 4.97 yards per play on first down.

In Pendergast’s five seasons with the Cardinals, his defense racked up 148 total takeaways (77 interceptions and 71 fumble recoveries) and 180 sacks (2.25 per game).

Pendergast is known for getting the most out of defensive backs, which will be beneficial to the Chiefs and their young group of backs. Pendergast’s experience and track record in the league also gives the Chief’s defense hope for a renewed 2009 season.

In addition to the newly stacked staff, the Chiefs also find themselves with four new defensive players acquired through trades and the 2009 NFL Draft. Defensive end Tyson Jackson, linebacker Mike Vrabel, defensive tackle Alex Magee and cornerback Donald Washington all join the Chiefs, looking to make a difference defensively.

Jackson became the third consecutive player from LSU drafted in the first round by the Chiefs. In 2007, wide receiver Dwayne Bowe was scooped in the first round and in 2008, defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey was also called by the Chiefs. Jackson went in the first round to Kansas City, third overall in the draft.

Jackson is a talented defensive end, standing 6-4, weighing in at 296 pounds. He’s proved to be a capable pass rusher and has made flushing the quarterback out of the pocket his forte. In his career at LSU, Jackson produced 122 tackles (55 solo), 27 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks for -92 yards, 33 quarterback pressures, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and 18 defended passes. Because of his solid run containment skills, Jackson ranks 11th in LSU history with 27 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

In his senior season as a Tiger, Jackson started all 13 games, had 36 tackles (17 solo), 10.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks for -27 yards, seven quarterback pressures, four defended passes and a fumble recovery.

As the club’s third-round selection (67th overall), defensive end Magee joins the Chiefs. Magee is 6-3 and 298 pounds. He hails from Purdue where he showed his team-first mentality during his senior season when he volunteered to move to the defensive end position from his natural defensive tackle spot after injuries depleted the lineup. In addition, he agreed to switch sides, moving from right tackle to left end. Magee is said to have the versatility to play a variety of positions as well as use a lot of techniques along the defensive front.

He finished his career at Purdue with 117 tackles (68 solo), 14 tackles for loss, six sacks for -36 yards, an interception, two defended passes, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and three blocked kicks.

During his senior season, Magee recorded 28 tackles (14 solo), six tackles for loss, a career-high 3.5 sacks for -18 yards, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a quarterback pressure that resulted in a red zone interception.

Magee was chosen as a Super Sleeper selection by The NFL Draft Report, and the Chiefs will turn to him to add bulk to their defensive roster.

Washington, 6-1, 197 pounds, is a cornerback from Ohio State. The Chiefs scooped Washington up in the fourth round (102nd overall). Washington is an athletically gifted individual, entering the draft with a year of eligibility remaining, who is adept at working against slot receivers and could contribute in nickel and dime situations. In addition, he could work on special teams if needed.

Through his career at Ohio State, Washington tallied 102 tackles (75 solo), three tackles for loss, a sack for -3 yards, two interceptions for 104 yards with a touchdown and six defended passes. He forced two fumbles and recovered three that he returned for a total of 100 yards.

In his final season at OSU, Washington had 22 tackles (18 solo), an interception, two passes deflected and one fumble recovery. Versus Minnesota, he had a 34-yard interception return and during a game against Michigan State, he recovered a fumble for a 44-yard return.

It is Washington’s athleticism that the Chiefs will count on to help them rebuild and strengthen their defense.

The Chiefs traded their pick 34th overall draft choice to New England in exchange for quarterback Matt Cassel and Vrabel.

Vrabel is a 13-year NFL veteran, hailing from Ohio State. In the 1997 NFL Draft, Vrabel was picked up in the third round (91st overall) by Pittsburgh. In 2001, he signed with New England as an unrestricted free agent.

Vrabel has played in four Super Bowls and was part of the winning Patriots squad three times. He is viewed as a veteran defender who makes his teammates better. He is versatile and hard working and has the ability to work at either inside or outside linebacker as well as playing in both 4-3 and 3-4 alignments.

In his 12-year NFL career, Vrabel has recorded 681 tackles (453 solo), 55 sacks for -335.5 yards, 11 interceptions for 73 yards with one touchdown return, 35 passes defended, 16 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and 10 quarterback pressures. Vrabel has seen 19 postseason contests, which is by far the highest total of any current Chiefs player.

In the 2008 season, Vrabel had 67 tackles (36 solo), four sacks for -23 yards, 10 quarterback pressures, an interception, four passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one special teams tackle.

Vrabel’s experience as a linebacker in the NFL will help the Chiefs fill the spots left by Donnie Edwards and Napolean Harris. Kansas City will turn to Vrabel to expand and make better their already impressive linebacking corps.

It will be in the hands of several new people in the Chiefs franchise to shape the team into a better one than in past seasons. By taking strides defensively, the team can look forward to a rebuilding year in 2009.