NFL  > Kansas City Chiefs  > Chiefs assistant coaches
February 18, 2009, 04:41 PM
Todd Haley and the Chiefs have announced their new assistants, but have not announced what their titles will be. Here are the coaches... What do we know about these guys? Should Chief fans be pleased? Two of these guys (Pendergast and Gibbs) have experience as a defensive coordinator, so we don't know which one will get that job. Will the Chiefs switch to the 3-4 D? Chan Gailey stays with the team. Will he call the plays or will Haley? Your thoughts???

(The information below is from the KC Star)
The returnees:
Bob Bicknell, Joe D???Alessandris, Chan Gailey, Tim Krumrie.

The newcomers:
Joel Collier, Gary Gibbs, Steve Hoffman, Bill Muir, Clancy Pendergast, Pat Perles, Dedric Ward.

Gary Gibbs, the likely defensive coordinator. Gibbs, 56, spent the last three seasons as the defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints.

Clancy Pendergast, who was the defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals for the last five years.

Bill Muir, a 31-year NFL coaching veteran. Muir most recently spent seven seasons as Tampa Bay???s offensive coordinator and line coach, though he didn???t call the plays.

Steve Hoffman, a 19-year NFL coaching veteran. Hoffman spent 16 seasons as the kicking coach for the Cowboys before moving on to special teams duties with Miami and Atlanta.

Joel Collier, who has 17 seasons of NFL coaching experience. Collier most recently was the secondary coach for New England during 2005-07.

Pat Perles, who has spent most of his coaching career in college other than two seasons with the Rams in the early 1990s. Perles spent the last four seasons as the offensive coordinator at North Dakota State and recently was hired as offensive line coach at Ball State.

Dedric Ward, who played wide receiver for eight NFL seasons. He started his coaching career at Missouri State in 2006 and was an offensive assistant for the Cardinals for the last two years.

They retained Chan Gailey, who presumably will continue as offensive coordinator, and three other assistants from the staff of former coach Herm Edwards: Bob Bicknell, Joe D???Alessandris and Tim Krumrie.
February 18, 2009  05:46 PM ET

You must really be bored.All this info is on the front page of SI for everyone to read.You didnt give us any of YOUR thoughts on all of these hirings you just regurgitated a bunch of info we already knew.Tell us what you think.You seem very well informed.
Nobody will know how this coaching staff will do.Its going to be a wait and see process.
If we switch to a 3-4 will Dorsey be a nosetackle?I dont think he is big enough to anchor a D-line.Can he play an outside position?So many questions.
Sounds like Peppers is passing around his "bucket list"of teams he would like to play for.Last time I checked teams pick YOU.You dont pick your team.Dallas is at the top of that list.If he signs with Dallas I hope he breaks his leg.What a arrogant ass.

February 18, 2009  09:22 PM ET

I like throwing out the topics for others to bounce around. I enjoy seeing what people think and can weigh the general fan perception that way. I'm ready to jump on a limb and go opposite from what people at the KC Star and others are reporting. I think Pendergast will be the Defensive Coordinator with Gibbs as the linebackers coach. I see the Chiefs switching to the 3-4 and focusing on a couple of free agents to direct their changes. I think that the Chiefs will be moving in the right direction if they can sign one of the two following players.

1. NT - Albert Haynesworth (6'6, 320 lbs, 27 years old) - Normally, I would say to stay away from him, but he's big and brings a nasty streak to a team that is in dire need of an attitude adjustment. The Chiefs would be an attractive place for him to play because they could design their defensive scheme around him, while offering him big bucks. He also gets to be a mentor for guys like Tamba Hali and Glenn Dorsey. I honestly believe that Dorsey is too undersized to play the nose, but could trim down and work on his speed to become more of an agressive defensive end. He would do fine on the end because he's stronger than most ends and can pinch on the tackles and guards, allowing the linebackers to come free in blitzing schemes.

2. Bart Scott - Give Scott an opportunity to run the middle and prove what he can do. (I had a big section of this saved for Terrell Suggs, but he just got franchised by Baltimore.)

3. Channing Crowder - a 25 year old who can be a steal. He's had injuries in the past, but shows the potential to be a star. You may be able to get him cheaper than most and he could start immediately.

Those three players can make the impact needed to bring the defense to the next level. The price tags will be high, but the Chiefs have cap room and possible opportunities to cut more payroll if needed (Surtain, D. Edwards, Larry Johnson trade, Tony Gonzalez trade, Damon Huard & Brody Croyle). They're not too far away from being a decent D and these moves would allow the Chiefs to focus on Offense in the draft.

Offense - I think Chan Gailey will be named the offensive coordinator and assistant coach. Apparently Chan can work with Haley and that makes me believe that Gailey would call the plays with the overall direction coming from Haley. This will allow Haley to focus most of his efforts towards working with the individual players and also gives him at least one season to become comfortable with the head coach responsibilities seperate from the play calling responsibilities.

I expect the Chiefs to begin building a foundation for a balanced offense with a special ability to throw the ball. That dream is a long ways from becoming a reality. This is an offensive line heavy draft and I think the Chiefs would be smart to focus on this glaring weakness.

If I were the Chiefs, I would sign Free Agents Jeff Garcia (one year deal) and Shaun McDonald (WR). Garcia would provide competition, a veteran pressence and a safety blanket for Thigpin. He would also buy the Chiefs time, while they wait for the premier senior QBs to come out next year. McDonald could become a #2 or #3 wide receiver depending upon the draft. Both players are affordable options that are looking for an opportunity to start (the Chiefs could fit that need).

February 18, 2009  09:23 PM ET

1st round draft pick rankings: (This is how I believe the Chiefs will rank the players.)

1. Eugene Monroe - OT Virgina (6'6, 315 lbs) - Perhaps the best tackle in the draft, Monroe can play Left Tackle and has a good chemistry with next year's RT Brandon Albert. He's a senior leader that comes from a program that has produced some great linemen.

2. Andre Smith - OT Alabama (6'5, 338 lbs) A big mauler up front. This guy is tough and nasty up front. He's more of a run blocker, but how do you pass on this guy if Monroe is off the board?

3. Michael Crabtree - WR Texas Tech (6'3, 210 lbs) - Haley is always looking for playmakers. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he went with Crabtree and gave next year's QB a WR tandem of Crabtree / Bowe with Tony G. at TE.

4. Trading down - Chiefs could get an extra 1st rounder for next year that will allow them to go after a guy like Bradford or Tebow.

2nd Round:
1. Duke Robinson - G Oklahoma (6'5, 330 pounds) This would be next year's starting LG. Robinson is the best guard in the draft and should still be available when the Chiefs pick at #2. This guy will be a great run blocker and can pull really well. He also shows the ability to bend at the knee and pass block pretty well. He will learn a lot under Brian Waters' guidance. Waters would move to Center if Robinson is picked.

2. Alex Mack - C California (6'4, 312 lbs) Should be off the board at this point, but could fall due to a lack of demand at the position. I would still take Robinson over Mack. I just feel that Waters would be a better fit at Center and could still serve as a good mentor. Mack should be a great player and is another guy that can be balanced both as a run blocker and pass blocker.

3. Max Unger - C Oregon (6'5, 300 lbs) He's a tough guy that brings leadership and an attitude. He may be too tall for center, but is flexible to play other positions like Logan Mankins did when he was drafted by New England. Waters would stay at LG with this pick

3rd Round - Best Guard on the board (Andy Levitre G University of Oregon) - 6'2, 306 lbs - His size might knock him down to the third round, but he's one of the best guards in this draft and would really bring a lot to the right side. He would give the Chiefs an offensive line they could actually build upon.

4th Round - Best LB

This is what the team would look like based upon my thoughts and observations:
QB - Jeff Garcia, Tyler Thigpin
HB - Jamaal Charles, Kolby Smith (LJ ?)
FB - Mike Cox ?
TE - Tony Gonzalez,
LT - Eugene Monroe
LG - Duke Robinson
C - Brian Waters
RG - Andy Levitre
RT - Brandon Albert
WR 1 - Dwayne Bowe
WR 2 - Shaun McDonald
--

DE - Tamba Hali
NT - Albert Haynesworth
DE - Glenn Dorsey

OLB - Derrick Johnson
MLB - Bart Scott
MLB - Channing Crowder
OLB - Demorrio Williams / Rocky Boiman / 4th round pick

CB - Brandon Flowers
CB - Brandon Carr
FS - Jarrod Page
SS - Bernard Pollard

February 19, 2009  12:03 AM ET

KC GUY, I usually agree with a lot of your points... But this one is just off center I feel. You want to sell out for offense too much. The Chiefs must get a defensive force with their 1st pick. Someone like (MY choice) A-SACK -PO!! Brian Arakpo out of Texas...also, Arron Mabin or Everret Brown look good (at the moment). Defense wins games AND championships. Haley got to see it 1st hand... His D started playing in Arizona for the first time since Dan Dierdorf was in cleats, and they made it to the title game. 1st pick has to be the best defensive guy on the board.

February 19, 2009  08:17 AM ET

I agree that defense wins championships, but the Chiefs only have two starters on the offensive line. I don't think anyone in that front office believes that this will be a quick process and I think you have to take advantage of what's available in the draft. The fact is that you can find young, talented free agents on defense and you can't do that on offense this year. So, build the core of your offense through the draft this year and give them one year's experience before the QB of the future is drafted next season.

February 19, 2009  06:06 PM ET

Looks like all the top free agents thus far have been franchised.Peppers.Suggs,Sproles,Dansby.What to do now?Will the Chiefs give up 2 first round picks for any of these guys?Probably not.We all know how Pioli covets his draft picks.If anything I can see them possibly trading down for more picks.Is Haynesworth really coming into his prime or is just a case of contract year motivation?With no pass rush whatsoever and Peppers and Suggs franchised the Chiefs may not have much of an option but to throw a bunch of cash at him.

 
February 19, 2009  06:17 PM ET

Yes if the Chiefs can land B.Scott and Haynesworth I will be a happy camper.Haynesworth(if he is truly coming into his prime)would make everyone around him better by drawing double teams.I would move Derrick Johnson back to ROLB to rush the passer and sign Ray Lewis to be an on the field coach for 2 years.

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