ArrowheadOne’s High Expectations: Linebacker Focus

ArrowheadOne’s High Expectations: Linebacker Focus

David Bell

Pumping everyone up about the Chiefs linebackers isn’t a difficult task. There is no chance the linebackers on the field won’t be among the best at any time that most of us will recall. Laddie wrote not long ago that it would be the best LB group since Willie Lanier and Bobby Bell. At any point where I must decide who my favorite of all time was, it wavers among three: Len Dawson, Bell, and Lanier. among three players. Lanier, Bell, and Dawson.

Instead, the Chiefs have Bolton and Gay.

Bolton and Gay

Aside from those two, the Chiefs have had some great players on the inside in 3-4 and now in the 4-3 defensive sets with Nick Bolton and Willie Gay, Jr. Right away, we all must consider what Elijah Lee brings to the table. When things unfold, the Chiefs will field Bolton as the MIKE, Gay as the WILL, and Lee at the SAM. Add in Darius Harris, and that is a solid crew. Add Elijah Lee and Leo Chenal; I believe we will see outstanding linebacker play in 2022. I am saving Leo Chenal for last. I am not going to hide Nick Bolton and Willie Gay. What I expect from Gay in his 3rd season is a “Break Out” Year. Nick Bolton undoubtedly makes the Pro Bowl, but I believe in him enough to think he is a 2022 All-Pro. Both players garner enough media attention and articles here at ArrowheadOne and by pundits and observers NFL-wide.

I admit it: I was not on board with Nick Bolton at the time of the 2021 draft. He definitely proved me wrong.

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As far as Willie Gay is concerned, the Chiefs broke him in slowly. He’s bound for a breakout season, or shut my mouth. Jordan Foote has an excellent article about Gay called, “Everything Is Falling Into Place for Willie Gay Jr.” in which he says:

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“This year, Gay will join forces with sophomore linebacker Nick Bolton, as well as others such as rookie Leo Chenal, to fly around the field and fix some of the issues Steve Spagnuolo’s defense had a season ago. “

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As noted, I am a firm believer in the Gay-Bolton Tandem, but allow me to cover the rest of the crew.

Darius Harris – Finally Made It

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Darius Harris had an outstanding preseason. He caught the attention of an NFL observer outside the usual Chiefs authors. The subject of an article about his play, written by Talon Graff, titled “Film Review: Darius Harris shined for the linebackers in the pre-season finale”

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The game was versus the Packers. In many ways, I was hoping to see Harris shine this year. I have followed him across three off-seasons. Coach Graff’s film study shows 4 video segments of Harris in action. I knew I had seen three. Graff is very complimentary about the Chief’s LB corps but includes Harris, stating he played as if a roster spot was on the according tote from the article (See the Graff article here). Graff wrote:

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“Bolton looks to build on a particularly successful rookie season, and Gay could finally reach the potential that has flashed over the last two seasons. Chenal, Harris, and eventually Lee round out one of the best linebacker corps the Chiefs have featured in a long time. With that statement, I agree wholeheartedly.”

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Darius Harris has made the active Roster too. In 2019 I thought Darius Harris had great promise that season. Laddie Morse had the same outlook. Laddie once wrote:

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“For Harris, it’s a matter of sharpening his instincts, fully grasping the playbook and demonstrating the ability to stack and shed at the NFL level.”

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Unfortunately, much was interrupted by the virus panic in 2020. Harris’ development was delayed and he lost meaningful prep time against other NFL talent since there were no preseason games. However, he has stuck with it and finally made his abilities known. Harris made several excellent plays in the Packers games, working solidly on the strong side. The Chiefs will be well prepared if, and when, the Chiefs defensive scheme calls for 3 LBs. Harris provides three years with the Chiefs and understands the defenses used by DC Steve Spagnuolo.

Elijah Lee:

Old Man of the LB Group (age 26)

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When you add in Elijah Lee’s NFL Experience — Vikings, Lion, 49ers, Browns — he will enter the crucible of proving himself with the Chiefs. Lee is only 26 and fits the Chiefs youth movement.

His prep school time saw him earn honors twice as an All-Metro in Kansas City area. He was a two-time recipient of the Buck Buchanan Memorial Award, given to the best lineman in the top two classes in Kansas or Missouri high school football in the Kansas City greater area. Lee played his college ball at K-State and won recognition as a defensive end in high school to outside linebacker at K-State. He was an All-Big Twelve LB for his final two years under HC Bill Snyder. Lee’s overall career numbers at Kansas State were: 209 tackles, 18.5 TFL, 11 sacks, 5 FF, and 5 INTs. It’s not as if the Chiefs were unaware of Harris. He was a graduate of Blue Springs HS.

Harris didn’t test at the Scouting Combine, but his Pro-day was good — except his timed 40 was 4.69. However, Lee showed well in the past and this offseason at being solid in pass defense.

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Leo Chenal: “Physicality and Violence!“

I really like Leo Chenal. He brings it. Every snap. Big time.

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When Leo Chenal had his introductory press conference, joining McDuffie and Cook, when asked what he brings to the table, he said: “physicality and violence”! Bryan Cook was sitting beside him and laughed and smiled. That’s precisely what Cook offers from the safety position. I love it. Cook and Chenal bring youth and an invigorating presence to the 53-man roster. Besides that? Chenal has already been through his first NFL concussion protocol. Chenal needs work in man and zone pass defenses, but he is a quick learner. Chenal is a hard-hitting LB at 6-foot-2, 250 lbs.. His 40 was 4.53 at the Combine, with a 40 1/2 inch vertical and a broad jump of 128 inches. This shows his ability to change and shift direction along with a 4.24 Short Shuttle. Chenal is powerful, pressing 38 reps at the Combine. His three-cone was under 7 seconds. Every measurement I look at tells me Leo will be an excellent NFL LB. How he lasted to the Chiefs to get drafted is a mystery to me. Our Maverick GM was blessed to be able to draft Leo Chenal.

With a bit of work, Chenal will be the SAM LB, and with Harris and Lee, the Chiefs will have a top LB crew.

Willie Gay has great sideline-to-sideline speed and Nick Bolton can reads plays heading inside, then when you add Leo Chenal and figure him to get passrush spot snaps early in the season — while he grows into the SAM role — the Chiefs LBs are going to be a tough nut!

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David Bell — ArrowheadOne

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