Disturbing News About Clark, For Sure
Frank Clark, our idiot in house DE on the right side was arrested in LA for a stupidity that astounds most… but I am not really writing about that incident. It will play out in California, Frank won’t be making Chiefs appearances or pressers, we don’t know what the legal outcome will be nor if the NFL will take an action related to the ‘now’ two arrests for the same violation.
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What I do want to observe is that the Chiefs are a better football team when he is on the field despite having a poor showing last year. The opponents still must contend with him. What I wish for all the fans, followers and observers to think about is… how the Chiefs will field the front four in 2021 if Clark is not available. My major emphasis is that all is not lost and as for the “Chiefs: The Cupboard is Not Bare.” I even offer an option with a 1-year free agent signing. 😁
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Roster Options
It has been my basic belief that the Chiefs Defense boasts considerable talent and it’s possible that the in-house solutions will be sufficent to get the team over any early hurdles faced by the defense, sans Clark.
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Taco Charlton
Charlton should be one of the starting edge defenders — but — he’s got to prove that he can play a complete season. Starter? No time like the present to make it so.
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The reason that I think this is… he was a round one talent in the draft. His numbers with limited snaps in 2020 — 90 — showed very well until his season ended with a severe ankle injury. Add to that outlook by fleshing out that he was spotted in at DE over 6+ games and had these type of numbers: Tackles – 8, TFL – 1, QB Pressures – 12, Sacks – 2, FF – 1.
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I am not here to tell you that these numbers were outstanding. I am saying that those numbers are quite good for spot duty (snaps) in 7 games, especially when he’s tasked with getting after the opposing Quarterback. His injury occurred in week 7, cutting short what appeared to be a great addition by Brett Veach. Taco Charlton’s prove-it-year has arrived.
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Chris “Stone Cold” Jones
There is a consistent public enamored with starting Chris Jones at DE. My view of this is that it would remove his great talent as an inside player who was recently called the #3 DT in the NFL. So, does moving him to the outside make sense?
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CJ had about 10% of his snaps in 2020 from the DE position, but his work inside has been efficiently one of the highest impact contributions in the NFL. I like mixing players inside and outside, but now that DT Jarran Reed has been added to the mix, Steve Spagnuolo might have a top 5 pairing of DT’s in the game.
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🔥🔥🔥 Don’t mess with that success is my hot take. 🔥🔥🔥
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I can see upping the percentage of his use as a DE, but I am not one to support the idea of moving him outside as a starter nor do I wish to see him used for 20% of his snaps. I can see upping it a bit depending on the opposition. Just not 1 in 5 snaps and as noted, I really can’t see him moved outside as a starter.
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Combo Platter: Tim Ward and Mike Danna
Also in the mix this upcoming season are two players that I think can give us consistency outside. It is a fact that Mike Danna surprised me last year, but essentially I do not see him as a starter. First things first: Mike is a good run-stopping DE. Not only that, Spagnuolo does not need to worry about runs to the outside –> Danna did a very good job of setting the edge and forcing plays inside. He is not however, a pass-rush type of player though he did record 2.5 sacks in 2020. He also had 25 total tackles, four tackles for loss and 15 pressures on the QB, so he has established himself both in defense against the run and making things happen in the pass rush. For this reason, I can see Brendan Daly utilizing these two players in a scenario of mix and match.
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Tim Ward who was a UDFA addition two years ago, in 2019. The coaches liked what they saw from his scouting report and the Old Dominion game tape. Ward was promoted from the PS in 2020 when Charlton went down with his injury in week 7. However he didn’t get any opportunity until week 17 in a game where the Chargers used their starters and the Chiefs didn’t. In that single game Ward had: Tackles-5, Sacks-1, QB Hit-1, QB Hurry-1. That says a lot about what his outlook might portend in 2021. I thought that was an admirable performance and a reason to project him for a hard look at DE in 2020. Back up to 2019 preseason and there was something there because he caught my eye in games played. Unfortunately for him, the Covid-19 Virus interrupted NFL activities in 2020 and he didn’t get a look in preseason games… because they were canceled. Heavens. He may indeed be the real deal.
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Josh Kaindoh
He is 6-foot-5″, 258 lbs. of talent out of FSU. I looked at what I could find, video wise, and the basic take was he has the right physical traits, but limited time at the position his senior year, starting only 10 games in his NCAA career.
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He was viewed as a “raw” talent that needed player development from any coaching staff and this is where my trust comes in: Brendan Daly has his work cut out to develop Josh, but I think he will get spot snaps to aid in that development probably starting later in the year. For example, Josh goes in on first or second down, sets the edge, makes a tackle, forces the offense to avoid his “square.” I don’t think he can be considered a viable man for the rotation, yet. I do want to see what’s what in the preseason. After my earlier review of him, I came away thinking that Kaindoh is a late round draft pick and has all the physical traits to be an NFL DE. Now, we need to train him up and Daly can work him up as well as any DL coach in the NFL.
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Demone Harris
Harris, out of the University of Buffalo, is another unknown factor for the DE role. Between he and Ward, I am really looking forward to when they put on the pads and start hitting it. Harris was added to the roster as a UDFA out of Tampa Bay in 2018, spent time with Baltimore and then signed with the Chiefs in 2019. This is his 3rd year with the Chiefs. I do recall watching him in at least one preseason game and maybe more. As I recall, about 2019, I was at least favorably impressed. He is 6-foot-4″, 272 lbs. and would add that “Stout” edge player to the mix. This is his 3rd year, and had no action in the 2020 season. The Chiefs must be keeping him around for reason and I think his size and speed are part of that reason — so I went to try to find his UB Pro Day numbers and the result was a 4.77-second 40-yard dash. He’s one to keep an eye on.
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Austin Edwards, UDFA 2020
DE Austin Edwards is an unknown factor. Like Kaindoh, Edwards will be an “unfinished” player to mold to form. I just cannot see him as other than a PS player, but he might surprise us. This is another wait and see situation.
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Last Option: Sign a Free Agent?
There are pundits and observers who think Tershawn Wharton may be a possibility. That is not how I see it. So, I am thinking the ball is back to Brett Veach’s court.
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Melvin Ingram
I think at this point, to protect the “force” of the DE role for the Chiefs, it behooves Brett Veach to consider revisiting signing F/A Melvin Ingram whose credentials stand ready to produce immediately. Also, yesterday K.C. Kingdom posted this article: The Chiefs should still sign free agent defensive end Melvin Ingram, with which I am in agreement.
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I am not seeing Ingram as a starter, but we do know that he came and went from KC on a visit in March. We have played against him in past seasons and he was always a tough out. Given the situation related to Frank Clark, it is my view that Brett Veach should invite him back to Arrowhead and see if he can iron out a one-year deal with Melvin. Yes, I am keeping in mind the cap monies available and want to get Tyrann Mathieu’s contract nailed down — for example on a 4 year deal — however, adding Ingram to the mix of players for the pass rush game could seal the deal in my mind, utilizing him effectively in long-yardage or 4th down situations. I can see that being a solid fit for Ingram and some benefit would be added for him as well. Playing for a contending team and getting to the Super Bowl and getting a ring in the process, I hope. Yes, it’s true, he is 32. We don’t need him for a starter, but a pass-rush specialist would be ideal.
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I am not a fan of thinking about Justin Houston nor do I think there are good feelings between the Chiefs, the coaching staff and the player. There are other options. I think Ingram is, hands down the right one.
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David Bell — ArrowheadOne
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