Chiefs’ star linebacker, Derrick Johnson and starting defensive lineman Mike DeVito both shared their insight on the new vision of the defense, how the offense should be an asset to the defense, and creating the best environment at camp.
Johnson is excited at how OTAs maybe the same every year, but the vision is new. Also how the voluntary sessions just get him ready for training camp. When asked, “When does the “defensive swagger” begin, Johnson said, “It’s the potential of the defense that the swagger has just because adding an extra rusher, another athlete to the bunch, but training camp tells a lot. Right now it’s kind of hard to tell what we have because we are just running around in our shorts and helmet. You separate the men from the boys when you put on the pads. You’ll see early, in training camp what we have.”
Then Johnson spoke about his familiarity with Bob Sutton’s defense in year two. “I feel very confident, a lot more confident than last year. Last year, we were just putting this crazy system in. I call it crazy because it’s very exotic with blitzes coming from everywhere. I have a lot of responsibility in this defense. It’s fun and at the same time this year is different because I know it. It’s the first part of our install of plays. I’m not even writing anything down just because I know it already. It helps me to move out here fast on the field during this time. Of course, as we get later in to our installs and put plays I’ll have to do more notes, but at this time there are not very many notes for me because it’s the same defense as last year” said Johnson.
When asked about how to marry the concepts of same goal different vision, Johnson stated, “It’s the nature of the beast, the business. Even though we’ve got the same nucleus of players, this year’s a different team so the vision is different. Our focus is more about a family atmosphere. Just different words are thrown around differently from last year to this year, but the same goals. We’re trying to win it all. The chemistry is a lot better than it was last year obviously because the coaching staff has come back. I can’t wait and the reason is for coach. He’s going to have us ready.”
The Chiefs wants to get more hands on the ball and create more turnovers, but in practice, with their QB Alex Smith, it’s not so easy. “Right now, defensively we are pounded about getting more interceptions and more turnovers. Alex Smith isn’t having it right now. It’s one of those things where he’s making us be better. You have to get closer to the ball if you’re going to get one of Alex Smith’s balls. It’s one of those things where the whole team is looking better. There are not a lot of mistakes going on out there. We have a good group of veterans on this team that hopefully can carry us all the way”, said Johnson.
Johnson said when he speaks about vision, he talks about different words being thrown around camp, like “Family”, when asked what last year’s word was, Johnson replied, “I can’t even remember. It’s one of those things where I got hit in the head too many times so I can’t remember what happened last year, but this year it’s a family word that’s getting thrown around. That camaraderie and that chemistry that we need is making us like a family and looking out for our brothers—that’s the vision for this year.”
DeVito said his diet has helped him get into much better shape, and even though he may weigh the same, he’s not as winded and his body fat is down. When asked about how hard it is to keep himself in shape, now starting his 8th year in the league, DeVito said, “That’s a huge challenge. You know what I mean? Your body wants to start to go down so it’s always a fight about keeping yourself healthy and keeping yourself strong and fast and all of those things. You’re right because you’ve got the techniques and obviously you’re going to learn, but you’ve got that stuff pretty much on and now it’s about keeping your body in shape.”
When asked about if we’ll see anything new with Bob’s (Sutton) defensive schemes, DeVito replied, “Bob will throw in a wrinkle here and there, but I think for the most part it’s been about keeping the same stuff that we were doing from last year which is good. It gives everybody a chance to get your ‘master’s degree’ if you know what I mean. Now you can play a step faster and you can learn the minute details of the defense.” DeVito said their goal is to be an armed and dangerous defense. They want to be the team nobody wants to play and that mentality has to start now.
When asked about how 1st rd draft pick, Dee Ford, looks out there, DeVito responded, “Great. You can see his ability to get off on the ball makes me a little jealous. He can fly off that rock and is already picking up the defense which is difficult because there’s a lot to it. He’s a smart player and you can tell he loves football which is a great thing.” When asked about the veterans taking a coach’s role, DeVito said, “It does help, no question, when a lot of the starters and the other guys that have been around the defense now for a year. It’s easier for us to relay that to the younger guys and teach the younger guys because we’re not trying to pick it up as well. It does have a ripple effect to the second and third groups.”
He was also asked about the growth of fellow Italian Mike Catapano. “It’s unbelievable that jump he’s made from last year to this year. Usually you see a guy put on 10-15 pounds slow down a bit. It’s not the case. He’s more explosive and faster than ever. Mike’s going to be a dangerous weapon and I’m glad we have him on our side”, said DeVito. When asked if there is any reluctance to help him, playing the same position, DeVito responded, “I’m sure you see that some places. But I feel like I’ve never really seen it happen with the teams I’ve been with. I don’t know what kind of benefit you get from that. I think you always want to try to reach out and help guys out.”
DeVito was asked about how this locker room compared to the others he’s been in. “You know I was so impressed with it last year. Coming off a 2-14 year, to come in here and see how close guys were. You see something like that, you come in here and expect it to be shattered. But when I got here for OTAs last year, guys were so close. This is a great locker room, the best I’ve been around. And that’s a huge asset during the season when you have so many highs and so many lows, that foundation of us as a family is really important”, stated DeVito.
Finally, when asked if it was the players or coaches that create the environment, DeVito said, “I really think it’s both. I think the coaches bring a culture and a philosophy and I think the players buy into it. But I think in that locker room it’s about relationships, not just on the field, but off the field as well.”
One thing is for sure, the Chiefs are ready to attack on defense this year, and with it now being year two in Bob Sutton’s system and with some of the younger guys that they have either obtained or grown within from last year, they are feeling good and ready to make a run at the rest of the AFC. They’re definitely a team to keep an eye on.
