Merlin's Magic: Training Camp Preview Edition

... and they're deeper, too.

Merlin: Barth is currently off the roster, but he's not out of the picture. Short-term, Succop's the better kicker, based on offseason head-to-heads. There're lots of kickers out there, and lots of NON-KICKERS to see in PADS. Barth ain't goin' anywhere. Who's gonna "steal" him?

SgtDucttape: Those are the big questions. I think Pendergast has a very very good set of players to work with, and he sends a clear message, which imo was always somewhat lacking with Cunningham. With the added SIZE they have, I'm very optimistic they can just be solid, without resorting to mirrors.

Much as people talk about how one defense or another is very good at confusing offenses, the best ones at it (imo) are fundamentally sound, and can do relatively simple things that are confounding to the opposition. Assuming KC's set in the secondary (and I have some (unpopularly held) doubts), this year's incarnation of the Chiefs is bigger, stronger and much more fit than last year's.

It seems to me that in recent history the Chiefs change their defensive scheme every few years. This has kept our defense in a learning mode. Not to mention our deficiency in getting and keeping great defenders.

So here we are again in flux with a new scheme. We have many players not ultimately suited to fill the roles of this scheme trying to get up to speed. Not everyone can just change what they do like Connor Barwin (Texans rookie with a great story).

So I am looking at the Defense. Can Pendergast make the change work? Can the players be productive while learning? Is any change going to translate into an improved squad?

We have added some veterans and some of our young guys have a season under their belts, but has the culture changed? Are the veterans buying in? Can we stop the run and pressure the QB? Thats what I want to know.

Thats like you two agreeing the sky is blue. Not much of an event.

You are dead on here even if we don't typically, or always at least, see eye to eye. The Chiefs have a lot of question marks heading into camp.

Aaah well interesting. I cant friggin WAIT until they camp in St Joe.

Randy:

Good question,hard to say with Jackson not signed. The Chiefs do need to cut before camp too. Sorry to see Barth go.

Hey Merle, is everyone showing up ?

This camp needs to put a team together. The roster is full of guys, just guys. You can make a team of that but I want some of them to step up and show they belong in the NFL, not just the Chiefs.

I want victories or hard fought games once the season starts and that starts with preseason. I want Pioli/Haley to show us they can turn this group around and have already started to do so.