Chiefs: It’s a Balance Thing
by David Bell
What I want to say about the pass rush, is–grumble, Grumble–David? Get Real, real Quick
I can say that the pass rush is not good enough. This is not something that Bob Sutton doesn’t know. It certainly is something we can all see as we watch the games, swear at the TV, maybe even throw juvenile temper tantrums and take a half-time oath never to watch the Kansas City Chiefs football again.
A list of things we are seeing is somewhat misleading. Our opposition has shown us two things: The Chargers used the running game far more than the Steeler’s but in the end they were forced to go aerial. They were more balanced in their attack than the Steeler’s.
In the game versus the Steeler’s, the KC Offense scored 21 unanswered points and put the Steeler’s in catch up mode. They went aerial the rest of the way though they closed the 2nd quarter with 21 points scored and tied the game. In the second half, things were different. KC scored and scored and the Chiefs stopped Steeler Drives twice. Later, Ben Roethlisberger miracles were absent and the Chiefs won, scoring 42 points.
Like the Chargers game, the Steeler’s game saw them trying to get the run game going but they fell 21 points down and needed to go tot he air. They then went one-dimensional, but the Chief’s defense was unable to put the breaks on in the 2nd quarter and 21 points later things were knotted up.
In the second half, Bob Sutton made some adjustment and the defense actually made 3 significant stops in that half and the result was a win for the Chiefs. What happened in the game with Pittsburgh? The Chiefs finally stopped the shootout enough to win. The Secondary had it’s moments but snap after snap they were on the defensive.
Why the Pass Rush Intermixed
with Coverage is Crucial
I always end up trying to balance things when I see one component suffering. In the Chief’s case, there are a few givens. We are missing a key player in Eric Berry. He is not likely to appear in a game this week, nor the following weekend, so I am anticipating week 6 for his return at this moment. In the now #2 FS position, we are dealing with Eric Murray and that has not been a solution. Ron Parker takes on the the primary Safety role. Armani Watts finally got some time on defense and that, for me, is a good thing.
At the same time, at cornerback, there has been a lot of changeover. Nelson is playing well enough, Fuller was added and this was a very good trade off for Alex Smith. Losing Peters hurt when takeaways are considered. Adding Orlando Scandrick was to be a counter to the weakness at the corner. This move appeared to be awful in week one but a significant turnaround happened in week 2. Night and Day. Scandrick played very, very well.
The depth at this moment is missing at corner but Scandrick was the #2 cornerback in ranking for week 2. I wrote in Wednesday’s piece that this moved deliberation about Veach bringing him on board a wait and see how he does in week three. Or later. It is still a learning process for both Fuller and Scandrick. If the Chiefs can get above journeyman play from Scandrick and Nelson then the corner back situation is far stronger. Fuller has already proven to be a quick study! Depth here is also a question but Tremon Smith also had defensive snaps and that is going to help as we roll down through the season schedule. I am clearly upbeat about Smith, as you might gather.
Ron Parker is an advantage gained when released by the Dolphins and signed by Veach – Parker knows Sutton, knows the scheme and played well thus far. He was also acquired at the Veteran League minimum, not the $5-7M that he was aiming for. This was a good addition to the safety to get depth and experience where it was missing in centerfield. When we can add Eric Berry back to the equation, the secondary strength is greatly enhanced. This is, in other words, a work in progress.
What we didn’t see in the 2nd Quarter?
The Pass rush was absent most of the game. We didn’t see Houston provide any pressure on the QB. We didn’t see Ford get a sack but he did get 3 pressures. The Interior linemen were not getting the job done either but Sutton went with the 2-5 defense type most of the game and as I have written I am not a great admirer of this defense.
What we did see that was horrible
The Steelers reeled off 21 unanswered points and Bob Sutton did not make an adjustment on the fly.
What did Help the Pass Rush?
There is one simple solution used by Sutton in the second half: There were 3 ILB blitz’s using Anthony Hitchens. Two were highly successful snaps and one of those Big Ben ended up on his butt. The third wasn’t nearly as effective but still caused Roethlisberger to pass more quickly than he wanted. Later, a cornerback rushed from the edge but this was handled with a block and a quick pass.
What Would Help Now?
1. Don’t drop OLBs into coverage – rush two of them and use the 3 down linemen in a 34 Front. What had worked for the defense in prior seasons was having Dontari Poe Occupy the offensive front – he could push the center back into the pocket forcing the offense to use a double team. Even when Poe was merely fighting the center or a guard, the players straddling the Poe Gaps both had to pay attention to him, regardless of whether he went straight up or shaded to a gap on either side of the Center.
2. The Chiefs have not effectively rotated the number 3 and 4 OLBs. Or used a hybrid which substituted Speaks as one of three down linemen, or, if he was in a standing position used him in a 3 man front set – in other words, using Houston, Speaks, Nnadi, Jones and Ford.
3. From the defense sets called by Bob Sutton, the blitz appears to be effective. It must be hidden, and should b used so that it is occurring on a 2nd down a long situation. If the defense forces the QB to hurry or make a mistake, 3 and out is far more likely to result.
4. Design in the use of a cornerback blitz as well. This was not an alternative used, save one occasion.
Jimmy Garoppolo is not a seasoned QB but he has shown he could play as a starter. The 49’ers are improved. They can threaten with the run or aerial game intermixed.
For the Chiefs? Having the offense to balance with the defense really helps but the defense needs to uphold it’s end of the deal. On the defensive side of the ball, the run game defense needs to stop the run and force the opposition to be one dimensional–force Garoppolo to be an aerial QB. This somewhat depends on the offense, of course. When the defense is doing it’s job, then the pass rush has put pressure on the opposing QB. If that means use the blitz, then by all means, use the Blitz. I would welcome the employment of this tool on a more regular, intermixed basis.
My over view is based on how I see all the components of the game working at the same time at an effective level of Performance. The offense scoring in the red zone is crucial — not three but six Points. The S/T’s comes to it’s focus on kickoffs and hopefully few Punts or Field Goals.
When looking at the defense? A pass rush has to be mounted so the opposing QB is not every in a highly comfortable an really help as well. Long drives that result in points are important. Scoring first or early helps as well, especially if Mahomes and Company can put pressure on the opposing OC to use the pass and not the run.
On Defense — the secondary ability to defend the pass is dependent upon the pass rush making things nasty for the QB. They don’t have to get a sack. They must make sure that they have someone in the QB’s face every time he throws the ball to the greatest extent possible.
It’s a balance thing.
David Bell – ArrowheadOne
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