Chiefs: The New Backend of the Aerial Defense

Justin Reid Elaborates About the Defense – 2022 Chief’s OTA Presser Photo Credit

Poof – they were gone: Dan Sorensen and Tyrann Mathieu were not going to get new contracts with the Chiefs. Suddenly, the Chiefs were down for a two-count for the safety role. When it first became apparent that this was the direction the Chiefs were headed, we knew that drastic change was in order. However, many fans were not comfortable with the departure of either player. Count me among such observers.

I knew that Tyrann Mathieu’s skills had declined slightly, making it more difficult for Veach to contemplate Mathieu remaining a Chief. At least, this is how I saw Tyrann’s status. His 2021 stat totals took a dip. Age was also a factor. I did think his cheerleader and leadership were important to the Chiefs, but the Chiefs were headed in a new direction.

The Chiefs New Direction with Justin Reid

At a Presser, Reid was pleased with DC Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. He was verbal about it as well which I think is a good sign that Reid is going to be more active in a leadership role. He said: “We’ve got guys coming from all over the place. Coverage spinning in different directions. This is undoubtedly going to be the most fun defense that I’ve played in so far.”

Texan’s safety, Justin Reid – torotimes photo credit

I was surprised when Veach sought Free Agent Safety, Justin Reid. Having lived close to the Houston Texans, I was familiar with Reid. The handwriting was on the wall regarding Mathieu’s returning to the club with a new contract–it might have still been possible to sign Mathieu back at a far less expensive cost. Still, it wasn’t in the cards for whatever reasons we may never understand.

I think, but don’t know, that there was an undercurrent irritation factor involved, aside from the initial impression that Mathieu wanted to get paid. Even that may not have been a factor because we later found that Veach did not offer Tyrann a contract. Mathieu gave the Chiefs three solid years and became a fan favorite. He is going to be missed for that reason alone.

When Reid became a Chief, I dug in to see what made him tick and ascertain his fit for the Chief’s Secondary. The things that impressed me were size, speed, and physicality. I think at this point, I began to realize a shift in Spagnuolo’s defense while Veach worked to supply younger players who fit the new team persona. At least, that is how I began to look at the direction in which things were headed.

Adding Reid into the new equation appeared to be a worthy move. Juan Thornhill is the logical player opposite Reid, and we know he can play the deep ball. At the same time, Reid can work most of the roles that Mathieu had provided–especially the physicality component. When I considered the commitment of a 3-year contract, it became apparent that this was the correct type of acquisition. Reid fits the youth movement as well at age 25. The financial outlook is also a consideration: 3 years at $31.5M instead of a many more significant contract that the public and pundits thought that Mathieu was seeking for a player who would soon turn 31. Suddenly, the acquisition made a lot of sense.

More About The Safety Contingent

Above, I wrote about Justin Reid and his signing. As time passed, I grew more and more comfortable with Reid as part of a safety duo, paired with Juan Thornhill, who was 26 in 2021. His rookie year in 2019 gave Chiefs fans a lot to appreciate. The “Juan and Only” stands 6 ft tall and weighs in at just over 200 pounds. His 2019 numbers were excellent, allowing only a 46.4% completion rate. The YPC allowed was very good in front of him and 4.3 Yards. That changed after his injury, and for whatever reason, Spagnuolo favored Dan Sorensen, something I have not understood. I did appreciate Dan when used in the hybrid role, but not as a starting safety. Dirty Dan is removed from the outlook, and if Thornhill and Reid are on the field, I am comfortable with that, but there is an added factor to consider.

After his Rookie Season and the injury, Thornhill’s numbers declined considerably. He wasn’t as aggressive, and that was notable. In 2021, he was demoted and replaced by Sorensen for several games. Getting back to his former level of play is something that Thornhill must counter in 2022.

Bryan Cook

Cook breaking up as pass – Cincinnati Bearcat Photo

Brett Veach used one of the second-round draft picks to acquire Bryan Cook out of Cincinnati in the draft. Cook is 6’1″, 210 pounds of tough. Again, bringing Cook to the fold tells me that youth, speed, size, and physicality are the yardstick used in the Chief’s Youth Movement. I can’t yet predict how quickly Cook will gain the staff’s trust for a starting role. I don’t think it far-fetched to see him as one of the safeties used in defensive sets that deploy three safeties. It’s possible that Cook also represents the future and that 2022 is Thornhill’s make-it-or-break-it season.

Like Almost all Rookies, Bryan Cook will be part of Dave Toub’s special teams. I think he excels in that role. How quickly he emerges to a starter’s snaps will be what we are looking for in camp and pre-season games. I like Bryan Cook’s fit for the Chiefs.

Safety Zayne Anderson

Zayne Anderson – Chief Safety – AP Photo

Anderson is a BYU Product, 6’2″ – 206 LB Safety. His size alone is an attractive proposition to a team focused on the aforementioned “yardstick.” Anderson became a starting safety his junior season at BYU and was a 2-year starter. Obviously, Reid’s connection to BYU gave Anderson the shot at making the Chiefs as a UDFA, which he did.

His RAS was decent but probably is also the reason he went undrafted in 2021. However, he was added to the PS by the Chiefs due to his hustle and effort. That’s a good thing.

He did not make the active roster–that is, until Tyrann Mathieu was placed on the Covid list in week one. Anderson was called up briefly for that reason. He had no game snaps on defense but played on Toub’s Special Teams. After that, he returned to the PS. Later in the year, Anderson was again placed on the roster in December. Unfortunately, Anderson was involved in two penalties that hurt the Chiefs. Versus the Bengals, a kick-return TD was called back due to an illegal block in the back. Were it not for the 6-7 points taken off the board. The Chiefs would have defeated the Bengals(in all likelihood).

Then he was called for running into the kicker the following week versus Denver. Dave Toub remarked that the penalty in the Bengals game should not be held against the player when discussing the loss. Anderson is a full-bore player with an all-time motor that goes along with exuberance. I suspect he will be the #4 safety, and at this point, I think that is great for the Chiefs–of course, I am tempering any criticism of the two errors of 2021. The fact is that it’s all in Anderson’s hands for 2022. I anticipate that he will make the active roster.

The New Players Have gained my Appreciation — My Discomfort Level has Waned

It’s too early in the off-season to get too granular regarding players and their progress. So in my next appraisal, I will look at the Essential Cornerbacks. Because the shift in emphasis on safety was the first thing I wanted to cover due to two players departing a. that I worried about, I chose to look here first.

David Bell – ArrowheadOne