Barbershopman
TMF Master
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2006
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Gunther Cunningham, former defensive coordinator and head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs has passed away.
Under Cunningham, the Chiefs defense was as dominant a defense as there was in the NFL. With players such as Derrick Thomas, Neil Smith, Dan Saleaumua, Dale Carter, the Chiefs defense excelled. As an coordinator, Cunningham was ruthless because he had the horses. There was a game at Arrowhead where the defense was taxed with needing a goal line stand to protect a lead, first and goal from the 1 yard line. Cunningham calls four straight all out blitzes and preserves the win.
When Schottenheimer stepped down after the 1998 season, Cunningham was promoted to head coach. But they had an anemic offense and their defense took a step back under Kurt Schottenheimer. How bad was the offense? Jimmy Raye was the offensive coordinator and the offensive philosophy was to run the ball up the middle on first and second down and the throw either a short crossing route or a swing pass and expect to pick up 8-10 yards. The offense was so bad that the first offensive series of Cunningham's second season, Raye called three straight running plays and the Arrowhead crowd went nuts, booing with all that they were worth. The Chiefs missed the playoffs in each of Cunningham's two seasons, went 16-16 as head coach and was fired after the 2000 season.
RIP Gunther, you were one of the greatest.
Barbershopman
Under Cunningham, the Chiefs defense was as dominant a defense as there was in the NFL. With players such as Derrick Thomas, Neil Smith, Dan Saleaumua, Dale Carter, the Chiefs defense excelled. As an coordinator, Cunningham was ruthless because he had the horses. There was a game at Arrowhead where the defense was taxed with needing a goal line stand to protect a lead, first and goal from the 1 yard line. Cunningham calls four straight all out blitzes and preserves the win.
When Schottenheimer stepped down after the 1998 season, Cunningham was promoted to head coach. But they had an anemic offense and their defense took a step back under Kurt Schottenheimer. How bad was the offense? Jimmy Raye was the offensive coordinator and the offensive philosophy was to run the ball up the middle on first and second down and the throw either a short crossing route or a swing pass and expect to pick up 8-10 yards. The offense was so bad that the first offensive series of Cunningham's second season, Raye called three straight running plays and the Arrowhead crowd went nuts, booing with all that they were worth. The Chiefs missed the playoffs in each of Cunningham's two seasons, went 16-16 as head coach and was fired after the 2000 season.
RIP Gunther, you were one of the greatest.
Barbershopman
