Chiefs brass thinks current defense can get better

Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The top leadership of the Kansas City Chiefs indicated Tuesday that their defensive problems may mostly be solved by helping current players get better.

Essentially, that's what coach Dick Vermeil and general manager Carl Peterson decided last year. After finishing 29th overall in defense in 2003, they re-signed seven of their own players and brought in a new coordinator, Gunther Cunningham.

But this year's defense gave up even more points and finished 31st in the league, wasting a great year by the offense and leading to a disappointing 7-9 record.

''We've got some problems to solve on defense,'' Vermeil said. ''Some of it is some guys have got to play better.''

Vermeil, who spoke first at an end-of-season news conference, took responsibility for the Chiefs' failure to get back to the playoffs. Then Peterson followed and insisted that he alone bore the responsibility for all that happened.

As for improving the defense, Peterson pointed to the present players.

''Can some of these guys play better? I'm sure they can,'' Peterson said. ''One guy (safety Jerome Woods) played in the Pro Bowl a year ago. Because of injuries or whatever reason, (Woods) didn't play at the same level this year. For me, once you make a commitment to a player it's not a one-year deal.

''But I do believe we will continue coaching and these guys will get better.''

Vermeil and the rest of the coaches will take some time off to clear their emotions and their thoughts, then everyone will be back for a thorough evaluation of the players, the season and the future.

''The one thing we have learned in this business is that you are always better to retain your own players,'' said Peterson. ''When you bring in an unrestricted free agent, the only thing you can evaluate is what you see on the video. You can't evaluate how they're going to interact in the locker room, in the classroom, in the community. But you do know what you have when you draft and have someone here for a while. You know about their strengths and their weaknesses.''

Peterson also dismissed speculation that running back Priest Holmes and Pro Bowl linemen Will Shields and Willie Roaf might retire.

Peterson said Holmes received a $10 million signing bonus when he inked a new contract last year and would have to forfeit a large portion of the money if he does not come back.

''I have no idea Priest Holmes is even contemplating retirement,'' he said. ''In my discussions with Priest, he's very excited about 2005, very anxious to get to it.''

Peterson also said there will be no increase next year in ticket prices or parking fees.

''These are not fair-weather fans,''0he said. ''These are true, loyal people. I would hope they would have faith and confidence that what we've done over the course of time has been good. Have we gotten where we want to go yet? No.''

Peterson ended the news conference when asked if he felt the next season might offer the last opportunity for Kansas City to fix defensive problems and get into the Super Bowl before offensive stars such as quarterback Trent Green and Shields and Roaf begin to decline.

''Let me say this: Everybody in this organization, including the president and general manager, is in the last year of their contract,'' he said.