Which direction will KC go on offense and defense?

By Doug Tucker

AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- With the hiring of defensive-minded Herman Edwards as head coach, the Kansas City Chiefs could be headed for significant changes in the way they play both defense and offense.

On the case of defense, this might not be bad. Only in the second half of Dick Vermeil's final season did the Chiefs seem to be rounding into form on that side of the ball.

But if anything should happen to slow a race horse offense that's led the league the past five years in touchdowns and total yards, players and fans are certain to be displeased.

That's why quarterback Trent Green felt so relieved after listening to Edwards talk about his coaching philosophy at a packed news conference on Monday.

''This offense has been prolific in the last three or four seasons. They can score points,'' he said. ''I'm not dumb. You don't change things just to change things.''

Green and other players had told Peterson they would prefer to maintain the same direction of the offense.

''Based on what his comments were, he doesn't really want to change anything,'' Green said. ''I don't know a lot about what their offense did, but it was different from ours. I'd like to stay in the same thing.''

The Dick Vermeil era from 2001-05 will be remembered as a time of wonderful offense and defensive ineptitude. Behind a line that this year sent three starters to the Pro Bowl, Green, tight end Tony Gonzalez and running backs Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson ran one of the league's most productive attacks.

In that time, they ranked No. 1 in total net yards (30,470), touchdowns (262), rushing touchdowns (131) and first downs (1,760). They were No. 2 behind Indianapolis with 2,170 total points and passing yards per attempt (7.84).

''My philosophy is what can your players do well,'' Edwards said. ''You play with the players you have. Your ability as a coach is to make your players play up to their talent level.''

Green would also like to see Al Saunders remain as offensive coordinator. But Saunders interviewed for the Chiefs job and has also interviewed for several other of the current openings.

''I'd love to have him back, yeah. As long as Al's comfortable with it,'' he said. ''Any time you're interviewing for the head job and it goes to somebody else, it doesn't make you feel very good.''

So far in Carl Peterson's 17 years in charge of the Chiefs, Kansas City has never been able to find a winning blend of both offense and defense. Marty Schottenheimer's best KC teams in the mid-90s were defensive terrors, twice going 13-3 and claiming home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

But they consistently failed in the postseason because their anemic offense could not eke out enough points. Typical was the 10-7 loss to wild-card Indianapolis.

When Vermeil and Saunders got to town in 2001, things quickly turned all the way around. They produced one of the league's greatest offenses, but failed to compete because the defense dropped into the basement. In their only playoff game, a 38-31 loss to the Colts, they failed to force a single punt.

So perhaps even bigger changes will come on defense. Under defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham, the Chiefs played a gambling, blitzing, aggressive scheme. Edwards, a star defensive back with the Eagles, prefers more zone coverage and ''cover 2'' style where the cornerbacks hand off pass coverage down field to the safeties.

But after four years of completely inept defense, the Chiefs made some strides in 2005. With rookie first-round pick Derrick Johnson at linebacker and veteran newcomers such as cornerback Patrick Surtain, the defense finished 25th in yards allowed per game (328.1) and 16th in points allowed (20.3).

About the only aspect of defense Edwards talked about on Monday was attitude.

''For me, defense is a mindset,'' he said. ''It's what you believe. You've got to really believe that as players and coaches. You've got to have passion. You get 11 guys and you run as fast as you can and you try to take the ball and knock that guy down.''