Post by lazarus on Jun 26, 2003 10:25:38 GMT -5
Chiefs report: Inside slant
June 23, 2003
Strategy and personnel | Notes, quotes, anecdotes
Heading into the 2002 Chiefs training camp, Trent Green could positively identify only his starting two wideouts and his Pro Bowl tight end as established targets for the upcoming season. Even then, he felt like he was barely on the same page with only one of them.
But heading into the 2003 camp, which begins for the Chiefs on July 19 in River Falls, Wis., Green will throw to a four-deep and growing group of wide receivers with whom he already feels comfortable, to say nothing of TE Tony Gonzalez and running back Priest Holmes.
Just a year ago, remember, starting split end Eddie Kennison had been with Kansas City less than a year after joining the team for the final month of the '01 season. Flanker Johnnie Morton was a proven player in Detroit, but was just beginning his first season with a new team. Gonzalez was the game's best tight end, but he wasn't around for the '02 offseason or training camp while awaiting settlement of a new contract. And still-young receivers Sylvester Morris and Snoop Minnis were not fully recovered from injuries.
It wasn't a great situation for Green as he began the process of recovering from a previous season when he led the NFL in interceptions (24) while throwing only 17 TD passes.
But Green and the Chiefs still managed nicely, thank you. Using Holmes as an attractive outlet (for a team-high 70 receptions) when his downfield opportunities didn't develop, Green completed 61 percent of his passes for 3,690 yards and an impressive 26-13 TD-to-INT ratio. He was the AFC's third-ranked passer (92.6), and fourth in the league.
These days, Green is even more optimistic -- even about improving the league's most point-productive offense -- now that he knows what he has in secondary receivers like Dante Hall (the league's Pro Bowl kick returner) and big-play youngster Marc Boerigter.
"We know a lot more about Marc Boerigter and Dante Hall," Green said. "Last year at this time we weren't sure who our receivers were going to be as far as making the team. Now, we have four or five very real weapons at the receiver position. From that standpoint we're trying to find ways to spread the ball around.
"I don't know how many catches he ended up with last year (20), but when you have a guy like Dante, you've got to find more ways for him to get the ball," Green said of the diminutive speedster who had a 75-yard TD reception and three return TDs of 90-plus yards. "Whether it's handing him the ball on reverses or giving it to him on quick passes, we have to find more ways to get the ball in his hands.
"And obviously, when you look at the touchdown-to-catch ratio (8 TDS on a mere 20 receptions in his rookie season) Marc Boerigter had, you need to find ways to get him the ball. And everyone wants Tony to have more catches. We've got to find ways to spread the ball around and keep defenses off balance and use that to our advantage."
To be sure, there could be more catches to go around in the receiving corps should the Chiefs restrict Holmes' use as he recovers slowly from a December season-ending hip injury.
Morton remains the primary target for increased production. The 29 passes he caught last year represented his lowest output since he caught only three balls in his 1994 rookie season in Detroit. To help break Morton loose, the Chiefs have been switching him and Kennison in the X and Z positions.
As is usually the case in spring, Green likes what he sees of the improving face of the Chiefs receiving corps. As deep and competitive as it's been in years -- first-round draft pick Morris and Minnis may be hard pressed to make the team -- Kansas City's receivers will have to pick up their game if Holmes isn't all he once was.
Copyright (C) 2003 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
June 23, 2003
Strategy and personnel | Notes, quotes, anecdotes
Heading into the 2002 Chiefs training camp, Trent Green could positively identify only his starting two wideouts and his Pro Bowl tight end as established targets for the upcoming season. Even then, he felt like he was barely on the same page with only one of them.
But heading into the 2003 camp, which begins for the Chiefs on July 19 in River Falls, Wis., Green will throw to a four-deep and growing group of wide receivers with whom he already feels comfortable, to say nothing of TE Tony Gonzalez and running back Priest Holmes.
Just a year ago, remember, starting split end Eddie Kennison had been with Kansas City less than a year after joining the team for the final month of the '01 season. Flanker Johnnie Morton was a proven player in Detroit, but was just beginning his first season with a new team. Gonzalez was the game's best tight end, but he wasn't around for the '02 offseason or training camp while awaiting settlement of a new contract. And still-young receivers Sylvester Morris and Snoop Minnis were not fully recovered from injuries.
It wasn't a great situation for Green as he began the process of recovering from a previous season when he led the NFL in interceptions (24) while throwing only 17 TD passes.
But Green and the Chiefs still managed nicely, thank you. Using Holmes as an attractive outlet (for a team-high 70 receptions) when his downfield opportunities didn't develop, Green completed 61 percent of his passes for 3,690 yards and an impressive 26-13 TD-to-INT ratio. He was the AFC's third-ranked passer (92.6), and fourth in the league.
These days, Green is even more optimistic -- even about improving the league's most point-productive offense -- now that he knows what he has in secondary receivers like Dante Hall (the league's Pro Bowl kick returner) and big-play youngster Marc Boerigter.
"We know a lot more about Marc Boerigter and Dante Hall," Green said. "Last year at this time we weren't sure who our receivers were going to be as far as making the team. Now, we have four or five very real weapons at the receiver position. From that standpoint we're trying to find ways to spread the ball around.
"I don't know how many catches he ended up with last year (20), but when you have a guy like Dante, you've got to find more ways for him to get the ball," Green said of the diminutive speedster who had a 75-yard TD reception and three return TDs of 90-plus yards. "Whether it's handing him the ball on reverses or giving it to him on quick passes, we have to find more ways to get the ball in his hands.
"And obviously, when you look at the touchdown-to-catch ratio (8 TDS on a mere 20 receptions in his rookie season) Marc Boerigter had, you need to find ways to get him the ball. And everyone wants Tony to have more catches. We've got to find ways to spread the ball around and keep defenses off balance and use that to our advantage."
To be sure, there could be more catches to go around in the receiving corps should the Chiefs restrict Holmes' use as he recovers slowly from a December season-ending hip injury.
Morton remains the primary target for increased production. The 29 passes he caught last year represented his lowest output since he caught only three balls in his 1994 rookie season in Detroit. To help break Morton loose, the Chiefs have been switching him and Kennison in the X and Z positions.
As is usually the case in spring, Green likes what he sees of the improving face of the Chiefs receiving corps. As deep and competitive as it's been in years -- first-round draft pick Morris and Minnis may be hard pressed to make the team -- Kansas City's receivers will have to pick up their game if Holmes isn't all he once was.
Copyright (C) 2003 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.