2008 Woodie Awards
Upon Further Review
Early Impact of Ty Law's Presence Felt in New Look Defense
Mike Jeffries/Muleskinner
Issue date: 10/5/06 Section: Sports
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Don't blink now, but the Kansas City Chiefs' defense is ranked third overall in the NFL. I know, I'm waiting for the punch line too, but it seems the Chiefs have regained a legitimate defense.
A big reason for the turnaround is cornerback Ty Law. I know Law hasn't made a ton of plays in any of the Chiefs' first three games, but he has brought with him an attitude that is uplifting a once lowly defense.
Law, a three-time Super Bowl winner, was on a defense in New England that was known for its team play. They didn't have one guy on the team who made all the plays; they had a whole bunch of guys who made a whole bunch of plays.
That kind of team play is exactly what allowed the Chiefs' defense to shutout the San Francisco 49ers.
"You always want to be able to go out there and count on everyone," Law said. "That's what we had in New England. There was always somebody making a play. It wasn't always myself or [Willie] McGinest, or [Richard] Seymore it was somebody else week in and week out. That's what we have to try to achieve here. When you get that opportunity, you've got to make that play."
And everybody on the Chiefs' defense is making plays.
The Chiefs' defensive stats have been impressive, but you will not find a Chief defender in the top 40 in league tackles.
While I am not one to hang my hat solely on stats, it does prove that the Chiefs are playing as a team. Everybody is making tackles, a point Herm Edwards and crew emphasized in the offseason.
Sunday against the 49ers, the Chiefs received great pressure from their defensive line, showed great speed at linebacker and had two interceptions from their secondary.
"In today's game, you just don't see [shutouts] happen very often," Law said. "Once you're in the NFL, everyone's good and it's just a credit to our team and our defense and how we played together. People are expecting us to play good defense, and we want to continue it."
Law's impact on the defense also comes in the way he carries himself. Law is confident. He's an NFL veteran who has reached the summit of NFL competition. That confidence is rubbing off on other players.
A big reason for the turnaround is cornerback Ty Law. I know Law hasn't made a ton of plays in any of the Chiefs' first three games, but he has brought with him an attitude that is uplifting a once lowly defense.
Law, a three-time Super Bowl winner, was on a defense in New England that was known for its team play. They didn't have one guy on the team who made all the plays; they had a whole bunch of guys who made a whole bunch of plays.
That kind of team play is exactly what allowed the Chiefs' defense to shutout the San Francisco 49ers.
"You always want to be able to go out there and count on everyone," Law said. "That's what we had in New England. There was always somebody making a play. It wasn't always myself or [Willie] McGinest, or [Richard] Seymore it was somebody else week in and week out. That's what we have to try to achieve here. When you get that opportunity, you've got to make that play."
And everybody on the Chiefs' defense is making plays.
The Chiefs' defensive stats have been impressive, but you will not find a Chief defender in the top 40 in league tackles.
While I am not one to hang my hat solely on stats, it does prove that the Chiefs are playing as a team. Everybody is making tackles, a point Herm Edwards and crew emphasized in the offseason.
Sunday against the 49ers, the Chiefs received great pressure from their defensive line, showed great speed at linebacker and had two interceptions from their secondary.
"In today's game, you just don't see [shutouts] happen very often," Law said. "Once you're in the NFL, everyone's good and it's just a credit to our team and our defense and how we played together. People are expecting us to play good defense, and we want to continue it."
Law's impact on the defense also comes in the way he carries himself. Law is confident. He's an NFL veteran who has reached the summit of NFL competition. That confidence is rubbing off on other players.
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