Post by MOnarchsRule on Feb 19, 2006 1:07:08 GMT -5
(paraphrased from NFL.com)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Back to the basics.
It is a theme growing within the fleet of new coaches to arrive at the Monarchs’ practice facility in KC on both the offensive and defensive sides of the football.
But going “back to the basics” shouldn’t be taken as needing to simplify anything for this talented group of Monarchs' players. What the squad’s new coaches – particularly head coach Donnie Henderson – are looking to do is wipe the slate clean and start fresh without the burden of past mistakes looming overhead.
“The whole football team is a strength and that’s one thing that we’ve got to believe in is this football team as a whole,” said Henderson. “We’ve got to teach, that’s one thing you have to do in this league is be good teachers. And I’m glad Sean (Calliard, Monarchs owner/GM) 's here and I’m glad he brought us here; I think we’re all good teachers and that’s our strength.”
Henderson is an aggressive personality coming off a two-year stint as defensive coordinator with the New York Jets. He interviewed for head coaching positions throughout the League before receiving the call from Calliard to lead the Monarchs. Being a defensive guy, the first man up to the podium is new defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman.
“About a month or so ago I didn’t have a job,” said Thurman. “But then Donnie called me and gave me this opportunity to be the coordinator here and I’m looking forward to it. There’s a lot of tradition here in this town that I know that you would like to have come back and I’m willing to try to get that in the way that you like it.
“[Henderson and I] have a lot of history. We go back 6 years when I was a coaching assistant with the Ravens, so some of the same characteristics he grew up with I have within me; talking about toughness, what we’re trying to do fundamentally, and things of that nature.”
Thurman's aggressiveness is something fans may look at eagerly as a way to pump up the Kansas City defense. The Monarchs’ intimidating front line combined with fast linebackers and a rebuilt secondary hold the make-up of a talented XFL defense. But while Thurman is hoping his defenders will take on his personality, he knows they will develop their own style of play.
“I’ve been an aggressive person,” said Thurman. “I would like this football team, defensively, to be aggressive. I would like them to take on my personality. But let’s be honest; I would like to see us mix their defense with our schemes. Once they buy into it and it’s their defense they will take on their own personality.”
Offensive coordinator/QB coach Mike Heimerdinger has been hired to enhance and change the complexion of the Monarchs. In Heimerdinger, the Monarchs are bringing aboard a youthful, energetic coach, most importantly a coach that understands the intricacies of an explosive caliber offense. Utilizing a vertical brand of the West Coast offense, Heimerdinger’s offense will stretch the field and create match-up problems for the opposing defense in multiple receiver and zone crossing offensive sets.
Though the passing game is going through a reformation and revitalization, the Monarchs will remain a rush-first team, featuring a two-back system. The new offensive scheme should be a welcomed development for number 1 draft pick LenDale White and Darren Sproles, with the vertical approach both potentially could see less contact at the line of scrimmage, with increased room to run as the defense will not have the sole ability to cheat in the box against this offense.
Asked to describe where his offensive philosophy falls on the spectrum, Mike Heimerdinger said yesterday, "I don't think I have a wrinkle or a branch.“You just want to stay in a rhythm, you want to keep the defense running and keep it on the field.” "
"This group will get whatever we need. If we need more wide receivers, we'll go out and get wide receivers. We have money to do it. They've shown me they want to be aggressive."
The other new faces on the Monarchs' staff are:
Richie Anderson, RB coach
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Steve Walters, WR/TE coach
Irv Eatman, OL coach
Peter Bouleware, DL/LB coach
Deion Sanders, DB coach
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Back to the basics.
It is a theme growing within the fleet of new coaches to arrive at the Monarchs’ practice facility in KC on both the offensive and defensive sides of the football.
But going “back to the basics” shouldn’t be taken as needing to simplify anything for this talented group of Monarchs' players. What the squad’s new coaches – particularly head coach Donnie Henderson – are looking to do is wipe the slate clean and start fresh without the burden of past mistakes looming overhead.
“The whole football team is a strength and that’s one thing that we’ve got to believe in is this football team as a whole,” said Henderson. “We’ve got to teach, that’s one thing you have to do in this league is be good teachers. And I’m glad Sean (Calliard, Monarchs owner/GM) 's here and I’m glad he brought us here; I think we’re all good teachers and that’s our strength.”
Henderson is an aggressive personality coming off a two-year stint as defensive coordinator with the New York Jets. He interviewed for head coaching positions throughout the League before receiving the call from Calliard to lead the Monarchs. Being a defensive guy, the first man up to the podium is new defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman.
“About a month or so ago I didn’t have a job,” said Thurman. “But then Donnie called me and gave me this opportunity to be the coordinator here and I’m looking forward to it. There’s a lot of tradition here in this town that I know that you would like to have come back and I’m willing to try to get that in the way that you like it.
“[Henderson and I] have a lot of history. We go back 6 years when I was a coaching assistant with the Ravens, so some of the same characteristics he grew up with I have within me; talking about toughness, what we’re trying to do fundamentally, and things of that nature.”
Thurman's aggressiveness is something fans may look at eagerly as a way to pump up the Kansas City defense. The Monarchs’ intimidating front line combined with fast linebackers and a rebuilt secondary hold the make-up of a talented XFL defense. But while Thurman is hoping his defenders will take on his personality, he knows they will develop their own style of play.
“I’ve been an aggressive person,” said Thurman. “I would like this football team, defensively, to be aggressive. I would like them to take on my personality. But let’s be honest; I would like to see us mix their defense with our schemes. Once they buy into it and it’s their defense they will take on their own personality.”
Offensive coordinator/QB coach Mike Heimerdinger has been hired to enhance and change the complexion of the Monarchs. In Heimerdinger, the Monarchs are bringing aboard a youthful, energetic coach, most importantly a coach that understands the intricacies of an explosive caliber offense. Utilizing a vertical brand of the West Coast offense, Heimerdinger’s offense will stretch the field and create match-up problems for the opposing defense in multiple receiver and zone crossing offensive sets.
Though the passing game is going through a reformation and revitalization, the Monarchs will remain a rush-first team, featuring a two-back system. The new offensive scheme should be a welcomed development for number 1 draft pick LenDale White and Darren Sproles, with the vertical approach both potentially could see less contact at the line of scrimmage, with increased room to run as the defense will not have the sole ability to cheat in the box against this offense.
Asked to describe where his offensive philosophy falls on the spectrum, Mike Heimerdinger said yesterday, "I don't think I have a wrinkle or a branch.“You just want to stay in a rhythm, you want to keep the defense running and keep it on the field.” "
"This group will get whatever we need. If we need more wide receivers, we'll go out and get wide receivers. We have money to do it. They've shown me they want to be aggressive."
The other new faces on the Monarchs' staff are:
Richie Anderson, RB coach
Steve Walters, WR/TE coach
Irv Eatman, OL coach
Peter Bouleware, DL/LB coach
Deion Sanders, DB coach