David Bell
I wanted to call up the Chiefs Complaint hotline today, no answer to my call though. However, it’s probably unsurprising to Chiefs Kingdom, and ArrowheadOne faithful, that I would write about the defense.
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Review of Appraisal of the Defense
Camp and Preseason
If we go back and review the outlook for the Chiefs Defense in the offseason, camp and preseason games, it certainly appeared that the Chiefs were in good position to field a very good defense in 2021. In two of the preseason games, we were all encouraged because the defense held the 49’ers and Cardinals offenses to under my “old” breakpoint margin number of 17 points.
You may recall that two years ago, due to the focus of the NFL on offense and scoring, that I shifted that breakpoint mark to 20 points. In other words, if the Chiefs defense held the opposing offense 20 points or under, they would surely win those games.
In the CHiefs 3rd outing of preseason, the defense gave up 25 points to the Vikings yet won by 3. In all my conversations about the outlook for the defense or in exchanges with other sports writers, I still found the outlook to be “rosy” at that point, even after giving up 25.
In Week One however, the Chiefs were greeted by a very good Browns offense. The contest was in question most of the game, which the Chiefs won on home ground, 33-29. By this time, we knew that Willie Gay was going to be out for at least 4 weeks if not more which put a damper on things, and we also didn’t know that DE Frank Clark would miss 3 of the first 4 games of the season.
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Whoa Nellie!
After winning the season opener, the Chiefs suffered quite a shock, losing to both the Ravens and Chargers in subsequent weeks before getting their record back to .500 when they beat the Eagles last Sunday. As I deliberated about what I was seeing, I asked myself two questions:
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- How could I misjudge this Defense and how could they perform so badly?
- Was the absence of Frank Clark and Willie Gay the reason for this downturn?
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I am still thinking on that. At that point, I had a great disbelief at what I was witnessing, and not only me, but others here at ArrowheadOne, as well as my friends at other sites such as RGR and Chiefs of the North.
It is a truly depressing outlook.
For the first time in the Mahomes’ era, the Chiefs were under .500 and not only that, they were last in the AFC West. I went over my notes and observed that I regretted the Chiefs releasing Tim Ward (DE) and Omari Cobb (LB) in the roster cuts. I devoted some thoughts as to whom it was that we might have added or kept or who it was that would have been a clear F/A signing that would make a difference, such as returning Emmanuel Ogbah to the defense’s cadre, a year ago.
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No Pass Rush, No Run Defense
This offseason, we know that Brett Veach focused every attention and effort to rebuilding the Offensive Line. That had to be the total effort by Veach and his staff. By the time we got to the draft, I applauded the addition of Missouri LB Nick Bolton along with Humphrey and Smith. Also, I was ecstatic when Veach had signed DT Jarran Reed. Adding back DE Alex Okafor was the right move.
Even looking at preseason with Stone Cold Jones moved outside seemed to be the right move. When I first heard about Jones moving outside, I wrote that it was a mistake. I questioned Jones being permanently on the edge, saying it lacked wisdom since Jones was so dominant on the IDL. However, in preseason games Jones looked darned good. CJ had one good game, but has had nondescript play otherwise. Then, against the Eagles he played more snaps inside, but did nothing that shined.
At the same time, Alex Okafor has not had an impact. Spagnuolo even used Josh Kaindoh on several snaps. He ended up with an ankle sprain and is now on the short-term IR. Thus far, our DL has been, well… abysmal!
Let me go back to Chris Jones, a dominant player inside. He lost weight in order to play the outside, but there have been plays where he failed to set the edge. There have also been plays where it appeared he was uncertain of what his duty was.
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Frank Clark Plays This Sunday
That’s a step in the right direction. All jeering aside, Frank Clark is at the very least, a top notch DE who sets the edge and defends against the run. When he is at his best, he is a threat to get to the QB. Monday, October 2nd, Clark Pleaded ‘Not Guilty’ in his court case in California. Next court date is in January. At least for the season, Clark is clear of that concern.
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Linebacker Poor
The Chiefs LB crew is back to it’s old foibles:
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- they don’t get to the hole in their flow along the LoS,
- they are rubbed off of pursuit by the fight of the linemen at the LOS or,
- they are blocked by the opposing OL getting to the second level,
- plus, misreads abound
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I do believe that we can get better with Willie Gay back on the field. He is now cleared for return from the IR. I don’t know how long it will be before he is ready to play(21 day window), but Wednesday’s practice found Willie going at it which is a good sign for him being ready to go on Sunday.
LBs Missing in Pass Coverage
Pass coverage has been poor as well. I can see them setting up in the zone drops, but they are not able to make plays. When the opposing RB’s flood to the flat, our LBs are not close enough to prevent the play. The zone coverage plan for the LBs was failing for the short to intermediate zone. the LB’s are a day late and a dollar short of success though I do like what I am seeing from Nick Bolton.
I want Willie back in the mix, but he is still on the IR as I write this article for later this week. Anthony Hitchens, who lost a few pounds and looked great in preseason, hasn’t filled the bill for me. Neither has Ben Niemann, and Omari Cobb is gone.
There is one possible addition to the LB Group that I would jump on: Jaylon Smith is available. Laddie tweeted on Wednesday – Sign him up! I tweeted back that I agree, recalling Smith’s draft and I wanted KC to get him despite knowing he would be out his first full season after the draft.
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One positive that may arrive this week against the Bills is having LB Willie Gay return. Last week Andy Reid indicated that Gay was making progress. This week Reid indicated that was back at practice. Gay must return in the week after this or be placed on the IR for the rest of the season.
Man, If we could get both Smith and/or Gilmore (who was traded to the Panthers), I would breath a big sigh of relief.
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What’s Hit the News?
Stephon Gilmore, Patriot CB is being let go. This immediately garnered attention from Chiefs followers and pundits. As it turns out, Gilmore was traded to Carolina…
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Tomorrow we’ll get into the Chiefs coverage DBs plus Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme and use (misuse?) of players.
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David Bell — ArrowheadOne
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