Andy Reid will call offensive plays for Chiefs, run 3-4 defense
New Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday that he plans to be the offensive play-caller instead of offensive coordinator Doug Pederson.
“He's a sharp kid,” Reid said of Pederson, according to the Kansas City Star. “He was in charge of the quarterbacks. Doug is a good student. I've watched his leadership on the field. I've watched his ability to teach. I've watched the respect the players have for him. All of those things checked out. He's a creative guy. He knows this offense like the back of his hand. He knows protections, he knows situational calls.”
Pederson, who enjoyed a 12-year NFL career at quarterback, has been in the coaching ranks for only four seasons. Still, Reid thinks Pederson is prepared to be an offensive coordinator. In addition, the Chiefs are still filling out their staff, and Tony Sparano recently interviewed to be offensive line coach. That would be a lot of offensive minds on one staff.
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Reid also announced Monday that the team would continue to play a 3-4 defense, a decision driven mostly by KC's personnel.
"There's been time invested in the 3-4 here," Reid said, according to the paper. "The 3-4 gives you some flexibility. I've run both. I've been involved in both, so I understand how they work. The 4-3 is good if you have the right coaches in place and the team is invested in it. But this team here is invested in the 3-4, so let's continue to build it and get better at it."
The Chiefs' defense produced three Pro Bowl selections in S Eric Berry and LBs Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson. In addition, OLB Justin Houston and CB Brandon Flowers are first alternates, so switching the defensive set at this juncture would not be easy. Kansas City has the personnel to succeed on defense, and Reid said that he hired defensive coordinator Bob Sutton -- who spent 13 seasons with the Jets -- with the 3-4 in mind.
“[Sutton is] able to keep the integrity of the defense as far as the 3-4 goes,” Reid said, according to the paper. “Bob knows the 3-4 and he knows it well.”
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