AFC West v Chiefs Head-to-Head: ILBs
· John Cooney
PASS2WIN.COM and Senior Staff Writer for
That was 2005, when then-head coach Dick Vermeil set the foundation in the middle of the Chiefs defense for 13 years. Johnson racked up more tackles than any other player chosen in the 2005 draft. “DJ” will not be patrolling the middle zones this season as the Chiefs felt it was time to move on from the 35-year old veteran. Replacing Johnson will be quite the task. Kansas City GM Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid turn to a pair of young, talented go-getters drafted by other franchises to fill the Johnson void.
Before the 2017 season the Chiefs sent a 2019-4th rounder to the Bills for injured inside linebacker (ILB), Reggie Ragland, a 2nd round pick (41st overall) in 2016. Ragland missed his entire rookie season with an ACL tear, but got back on the field last season, suiting up in week 4 versus the Redskins. The 6’1, 247-pound thumper will be joined by former Dallas linebacker, Anthony Hitchens (seen above). Hitchens, 6’-240, is another sideline-2-sideline hustler with a nose for the ball-carrier. A 4th-round draft selection by Dallas out of Iowa in the 2014 draft, Hitchens played both outside ‘backer and ILB at Dallas but is best suited for the interior. Hitchens and Ragland form a young, aggressive defensive core, with the ex-Cowboy playing 2018 at age 26 while Ragland turns 25 in September. Both ILBs are revved up to show off their attacking run-stopping chops. There is one glaring, common flaw in each, especially as they line up against AFC West backfields. Reggie Ragland and Anthony Hitchens are not, at this point in their respective careers, good covering backs in pass routes. How will the new Chiefs’ interior ‘backers fare overall versus the AFC rivals? Let’s see, starting with the Denver Broncos.
Reggie Ragland played in 1 (week 8) of the 2 contests between KC and the Broncs in 2017. In the week 8 square-off Bronco backs busted for 5.4 YPC, led by CJ Anderson’s 78 ground yards and Devontae Booker’s 6.7 YPC on his 6 carries (and a TD). Both Ragland and Derrick Johnson were late getting to the Bronco RBs, getting their stops well beyond the line of scrimmage. Even ex-KC star Jamaal Charles bolted for 4.9 YPC in his 8 forays through the line. Ragland’s inexperience and rust were still evident here, while DJ’s wheels showed the wear of 13 tough NFL campaigns. Denver RBs hauled in 5 passes for just 26 yards; but the 5 catches are noteworthy looking ahead to 2018. In the 2nd tilt versus the Broncs backfield, KC ILBs got burned for 54 yards receiving and a 29-yard scoring catch on just 2 RB receptions. The starters for the Chiefs at ILB in that one were Ramik Wilson (now gone) and special teams ace Terrance Smith. KC did a better job in the week 17 contest, holding Denver RBs to just 3.7 YPC and 0 TDs rushing. The bad news was Ragland missed the 2017 finale and had no impact on the better ground performance by the D. Anthony Hitchens saw action with Dallas against the AFC West in 2017 but missed out on the Denver action in week 2. For 2018, as it now stands, Denver will send out RBs CJ Anderson, Devontae Booker and De’Angelo Henderson against the Ragland/Hitchens inside tandem. All 3 backs are above average rushers and very good receivers. KC gave up 4.7 YPC and a TD in 2 games versus this trio last season, including 7 catches for 80 yards (11.4 YPR) and a TD reception. Expect a better prepared Ragland and an upgrade over the aging Derrick Johnson in Hitchens this season as the interior duo close ranks quicker on the Bronco ball carriers. The Bronco offensive line is average-at-best blocking the run, and Ragland has the power game to shed blocks early to make timely and plentiful stops. Hitchens owns the pursuit chops to finish off enemy runs and will likely pile up tackle assists to go with similar solo numbers. Bronco running backs would do well to gain 3.7 yards a ground-pop versus the Chiefs inside ‘backers this season. But heads up on Devontae Booker as a receiver. He has been underutilized thus far as a pass-catcher, and he matches-up well against both Ragland and Hitchens in routes, especially if hooked up on Ragland. Don’t be surprised to see Booker bag 10+ receptions in his 2 contests versus the Chiefs. Anderson also poses a mismatch as a receiver out of the backfield, but there is good reason to believe he will not be on the Denver roster come week 1, most likely traded.
Los Angeles Chargers sport one of the best young tailbacks in the NFL in Melvin Gordon. Gordon is a slasher who works inside the tackles and has the wheels to gain the edge as well. In 2017, Gordon rushed for 79 and 78 yards in 2 starts against the Chiefs, scoring a ground TD in each. Ragland did not face the L.A. rush machine in the first go (week 3), and Gordon gained 4.7 YPC but failed to haul in a pass. Ah, come week 15, with Ragland on the field, Gordon’s YPC dropped to 4.1 on 19 carries, but freed-up for 6 catches and 91 air yards. Again, KC’s flawed cover ability from the linebacker crew, led by DJ and Ragland, was exposed. Ragland closed out the week 15 tilt with just 1 solo tackle and a single assist. He did force a fumble as a positive. Over in Big D, Hitchens faced off with Gordon in week 12, helping to contain Gordon to 3.1 YPC on 21 handoffs. Gordon didn’t score a TD in that one but was able to haul in 3 throws for 23 yards. Hitchens also was part of the non-cover issues regarding shifty pass-catching RB Austin Ekeler, giving up 55 receiving yards on 3 Ekeler catches. Hitchens did play out of his element in the week 12 set versus L.A., lining up outside-strong. Still, Hitchens finished with 6 individual stops and 1 assist. Playing exclusively inside this year against the Chargers, Hitchens will be a heat-seeker on Gordon while Ragland holds down the middle and wrecks any cut-backs by Gordon. Like his week 15 results against KC last season, Gordon will earn every bit of the 4.0 YPC he gets this season. Hitchens is a bit better in coverage inside-than-out, but not much. Gordon, along with Ekeler, will take most of their pass routes to the flanks behind the pass-rush zones left by Justin Houston and Dee Ford. Los Angeles’ front line is always a work-in-progress, and usually disappoints against the Chiefs’ D. Despite the obvious talents of Melvin Gordon, Ragland and Hitchens match up surprisingly well and should contain the Chargers’ ground game but will give up pass plays to both Gordon and Ekeler; containment is the key word. Hitchens and Ragland won’t stop the Charger RBs from catching passes, but their pursuit chops limit the YAC.
Ah, we finally come to the most hated rival of the Chiefs, the Oakland Raiders. Black-n-silver are helmed by new/old head coach Jon Gruden. Gruden is determined (it seems) to bring back late 1990s football to Oakland. OK, that is just fine for Reggie Ragland and Anthony Hitchens. Leading the Raiders’ backfield charge is BeastMode, Marshawn Lynch. Lynch’s bullish, brutish style of running is tailor-made for Ragland’s rugged and rough tackling as-is the sluggish feet of beaten-down Doug Martin, formerly of the Buccaneers. Week 7, Lynch was checked at 9 yards on 2 carries; he was just getting back into action then. Oakland’s versatile backfield duo if DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard each had 9 totes, picking up 33 and 31 yards rushing, respectively. Washington and Richard teamed up to snare 7 passes for 52 yards. That was without Reggie Ragland playing. Week 14, Ragland and a slowing Johnson got rolled for a combined 6.4 YPC and a 22-yard TD jaunt by Lynch. The Beastmode-guy added a 27-yard run as well. Lynch’s remaining 5 carries, combined with DeAndre Washington’s 4 rushes amounted to just 21 yards, that’s 2.3 YPC. Washington, a slick pass-catcher and after-catch gainer, hauled in just 1 pass for 10 meaningless yards. Ragland wasn’t very productive, tagging on just 1 solo tackle and 2 assists. Oakland RBs rushed just 11 times, and without ample RB ground attempts, Ragland’s effectiveness is muddy. Meanwhile, in Oakland, Hitchens battled Lynch and company in week 15. Oakland RBs gained a sharp 4.4 YPC on 18 rushes and grabbed 7 passes for 53 yards. Hitchens started and filled at MLB, and was more helper than hitter in this one, finishing with 1 solo stop and 5 helpers. All 3 Raiders running backs caught passes; Lynch 3-16, Washington 2-16 and Richard 2-21. In the 4-3 alignment and facing a powerful o-line, Hitchens was overmatched. He is better suited for the 3-4 scheme of Coach Sutton, and if Oakland bossman Gruden feeds his more physical RBs Lynch and Martin, then both Hitchens and Ragland will be busy busting up run after run at the line of scrimmage or close to it. However, should Washington and Richard get an abundance of looks out of the backfield, the KC inside ‘backers will struggle to keep up.
Backing up Ragland and Hitchens are Terrance Smith and Ukeme Eligwe. Smith is an undrafted third-year athletic linebacker out of Florida State that shines on special teams. Eligwe hails from Georgia Southern via Florida State. The 6’2″-239 lb Eligwe was a 5th rounder of the Chiefs 2017 draft. He started 1 game last season (week 17), making 3 solo tackles and getting a sack. That same game, week 17 vs Denver, Smith, 6’2″-235 lbs, made 5 solo stops and picked off a pass. Both reserves can fill in when called on but would be exposed by opposing running backs with extended play, although Smith is pretty good covering backs in pass routes.
Reggie Ragland and Anthony Hitchens are high-motor inside linebackers with a nose for the ball-carrier. They can and will be darn good slowing the rushing attacks of the Broncos, Chargers and Raiders. The big concern is when those enemy offenses bring in the pass-catching packages that force the Chiefs’ new inside defenders to stick the hips of Devontae Booker, Austin Ekeler, DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard. Both ‘backers are athletic and talented enough to improve in coverage and training camp will tell the story.
I expect an exciting season of bountiful, big Reggie Ragland downhill hits, the thrill of the Anthony Hitchens chases to AFC West runners and improved pass-game work from both as the season progresses.
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