The outlook for the Chief’s Linebacker Corp is very bright, in the light. Gone is Ben Niemann and Anthony Hitchens–both lacking side-line-to-side-line speed. Hitchens was the signal caller up front and Neimann was decent when filling the hole. Neither of them were noteworthy run-stoppers though. There are other names we can mention between DJ and now but what’s the point of wallowing in that? Even DJ’s last year, it was clear to all of us that his Achilles tendon tears had done him in. It was time to retire for perhaps the best LB of that decade. Poof. He was gone.
The Base Three (by Tweener, I Mean Upcoming Proof Needed)
In 2020, Brett Veach opted to bring Willie Gay, Jr. aboard with a 2nd round draft pick. Spagnuolo and Co., chose to bring Gay along slowly but he immediately flashed his ability to get to the edge and make a play. Gay suffered a setback with injuries and a self-proclaimed mental state that he himself said was a downside for him. Still, in his second season, Gay was a force on the defense.
Meanwhile, this would be Anthony Hitchen’s last year as the Chief’s MIKE. Bolton had surprised all the experts by his immediate immersion in the NFL game and speed of play. Clearly, he was a force, making tackles left and right and in the gaps as well as gaining significant TfL and even getting pressure on the QB. What a satisfying season Bolton turned in as a Chief.
I had not had him listed as my draft choice at LB until I got five LBs deep. It’s a good thing that Brett Veach and his scouts over-ruled my view. Bolton was an immediate force in 2021. Not only that, when Hitchens was forced to sit, Bolton took over the signal calling and performed admirably. By then, Laddie and I were ecstatic about Bolton, whereas when he was drafted, we both felt his lack of length was a detriment. That was not how it worked out. Bolton is better in pass coverage than either Hitchens or Niemann was. He is playing next to Gay who is a good coverage LB so the pairing is a winner all the way around.
In 2022, Brett Veach drafted Leo Chenal, another top level LB who has speed to get to the boundary and make plays.
I would presume at this point that Chenal will play the strong side(SILB) and Gay will man the weak side(WILB) when a three linebacker defense set is called for by the DC. Veach Aced drafting Chenal with a 3rd round selection. I hear a bit about people being negative on seeing this alignment often. I have a feeling that we may see it more than we saw in 2021 because Chenal can really get after the QB. He is also developing pass coverage skills as has been noted. We will have to wait for training camp to see the mix and how it works.
It’s clear to Me – The Base Three (+)
Caleb James Tweeted about Chenal and a play where he filled the gap(sound football), to which I tweeted the response:
“Chiefs LB Corp is going to be the sweet spot of the Chief’s Defense. It will go deeper than Gay, Bolton, & Chenal. They signed Carter& have 2 UDFAs that are good ballers(Cochrane & Rose plus Vets Lee, Harris, and Calhoun). Looking for intense competition(at training camp).
I do believe the LB corp will be Spagnuolo’s “Sweet Spot” on defense.”
- Bolton is tops at recognizing the play and filling to the point of attack.
- Willie Gay is great pursuing to the ball all across the field and back.
- Leo Chenal will hit where the ball is and do it with “Violence and Energy”.
- Like Bolton, I believe Chenal will quickly work his way into a large number of snaps.
- Chenal can also back-up Bolton as the Mike.
- I think Brendan Daly is going to work wonders with this group.
- The benefit of a top level LB Corps will be a boon to DC Steve Spagnuolo.
- The depth of the LB corps goes from the above 3 to Jermaine Carter(F/A signed).
- *Two rookie UDFA LBs are going to get their shot at making the roster in Training Camp: Mike Rose(A close to home LB, Iowa St; 6-4, 250)and Jack Cochrane(South Dakota; 6-3, 230).
The LB Story Line
I will start with Darius Harrison. Harris is entering his 3rd year in the NFL. Last year and the year before, he spent his time on the PS but he did get called up last year and didn’t embarrass himself.
Harris was a UDFA retained by the Chiefs. It’s his prove it season. Laddie and I were both favorably impressed with Harris 2 years ago in Pre-season games. We could see why he was retained in 2020 and last year, due to the Covid-19 impact, it made sense to retain him in an off-season where judging talent at Pro-Days was curtailed. Elijah Lee now in his 6th NFL Season out of KSU, is another known commodity. Carter is a solid 5-yr Vet out of Maryland. At 6-1, 225 he is a bit on the small side but he played big for the Panthers last season which is why when the opportunity to sign him, Brett Veach jumped on it.
That is a good addition of a veteran to a youthful LB group. Darius Harris is back for a 3rd try. Harris has good size at 6-2, 240.
*My imagination wanders too and fro but if indeed the Chiefs are in the midst of a youth movement, my guess is that Mike Rose and Jack Cochrane will make the roster. Cochrane has good speed and is a hard-hitting ball seeker on the inside and he did demonstrate pass coverage effectiveness.The more I looked at him the more I like the potential. What I think at this moment is that Jack Cochrane is on a prove it mission in camp and I think he gets it done.
If he does, he will be the 5th Linebacker. I have high hopes that Cochran has a “great” Training camp.
Similarly, I have a positive outlook for Mike Rose as well.
The True Hybrid for LB/Edge might well be Mike Rose. He played inside but we also know that he manned the outside(Edge) at Iowa State. Either way, both Cochrane and Rose will be retained to the active Roster or PS unless something blows up due to injury.
The Rest of the Story
it’s up to the rest of the competitors, all Veterans, to prove it out(Lee, Carter, Harris).
Who knows how this will play out but we do know when camp starts and we will find out a lot more when the are in pads and playing football. That is usually the 2nd week of camp. As you can see, the LB corps is in great shape as we maneuver through the next 30+ days waiting for Training camp which Begins on July 27th. As you can see, I am all aboard with the Youth Movement!
Outlook?
Without seeing the players in pads and action, this is my early story. I see it as Gay, Bolton, Chenal, Carter, Cochrane and Rose.
You make your call on this but I can see the mix working out well for the defense. We’ll See it unfold in Training Camp. I truly can hardly wait!
David Bell – ArrowheadOne