Linebacker is concern for Chiefs defense

Thursday, August 26, 2004

By Doug Tucker

AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs could be down to their third-team middle linebacker when they open the season Sept. 12 at Denver.

Mike Maslowski, the incumbent starter who set a team record for tackles in 2002, has been slow to recover from knee surgery that ended his season prematurely in 2003 and could cause him to miss all of this season. His backup, second-year man Kawika Mitchell, is battling an ankle injury that required an MRI on Tuesday.

''Maz -- I don't know if we'll see him at all,'' head coach Dick Vermeil said Tuesday. ''Maz has got a decision to make whether to try to play or get another operation.

''It really hurts. It hurts Maz personally and it hurts us as a football team as well.''

It was Maslowski's injury last year that signaled a defensive collapse by the Chiefs, who were 4-4 their last eight games after opening 9-0.

Mitchell was spotty at the position those final games and has been inconsistent through training camp. He was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday on his injured ankle.

''I'm gaining confidence in Kawika Mitchell,'' Vermeil said. ''I know he's going to be a good football player. He needs time.''

Even if Maslowski decides to play this season, Vermeil noted that he still needs to get ready.

''If he does make the decision to play, he knows he's behind,'' Vermeil said. ''You just can't walk in and all of a sudden play middle linebacker, especially in a new scheme. Now, he could do it faster than most because he's brighter than most. But he has to do what he thinks is best for him.''

Asked who might start at middle linebacker if Maslowski and Mitchell are both out, Vermeil said, ''I'm not sure.''

Despite the uncertainty at such an important position, Kansas City's defense has shown signs of improvement, so far. New coordinator Gunther Cunningham has been installing an attack philosophy that sharply contrasts with the read-and-read approach of his predecessor, and a 24-7 exhibition victory over St. Louis on Monday night proved a big confidence booster.

Operating against a weakened offensive line that was missing both starting tackles, the Chiefs shut out the Rams' first-team offense. They consistently pressured quarterback Marc Bulger and avoided giving up the big plays that plagued them in their exhibition opener against the Giants.

''To have this kind of success is really big,'' said defensive end Vonnie Holliday. ''I think it's going to lift morale. Overall, it's refreshing to know we've been out there working hard but it's not in vain.''

Cunningham, who returned this year after getting fired as head coach following the 2000 season, was given the game ball.

"He has to feel pretty good, and we wanted to enhance that feeling by acknowledging what's going on with defense," Vermeil said.

"They did a good job."

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: