Chiefs: Time to Let Loose the Dogs of the New Defense- Part I

Chiefs: Time to Let Loose the Dogs

of the New Defense- Part I

by David Bell

“Time to let loose the dogs of the new defense.” I mean that, I really do. Yeah, here he goes again on the linebackers.

My initial impression of weakness, if you recall the post-2017 time frame, was that the Chiefs had too many positions to fill in a single off season. However, what has happened is that the players GM Brett Veach presented to HC Andy Reid and his coaching staff go a long way towards getting things accomplished that I would not have thought possible. I was willing to just live with Dee Ford at OLB, for example.

First: does Bob Sutton and his linebacker coaches have the players with a bit of dog in them? The answer becomes apparent as I cover this ground, using the characterization the coach who scouted Tremon Smith, “He’s got dog.” I think our LB corp, inside and outside is a dog pound worth of dog. Here an appraisal of the current cadre behind the front three.

Outside Linebackers

1. Justin Houston- LOLB: Houston comes with a big price tag but is a proven commodity. His star tarnished a bit with his comeback after his 2016 injury and his play in 2017. Houston is capable of the top level, HoF type performance. It’s time for him to reassert himself. Even though he had no opposite side pressure from Hali or Ford in 2017, with the mix at OLB for 2018, we should see a dramatic and powerful Justin Houston and he has the big dog in him.

2. Dee Ford- ROLB: Ford is a different animal. Despite being in his 5th year, he did not get much of a shot to play OLB until 2016 when he had 10 sacks. The  2017 season was a dramatic disappointment. We still don’t know all the truth about how long his back was affecting his play. Essentially, his inability to put pressure on QBs, was a problem for his his opposite, who was not on his top level of legs either according to his own self-assessment. Does he have the “Dog”? I think that the answer is no and that’s a problem. If the dog is not going to be released in him, he is going to have trouble remaining on the field because OLB numbers 3 and 4 definitely do. Can he be an above average or better ILB? Yes… if he gets some “Dog in Him.”

If Ford doesn’t fend using what he should have learned from Tamba Hali. In using his hands he needs Tae Kwon Do lessons, not piano, to keep these next two players off and keep them at bay? If not, his snaps in KC will diminish and then, “Poof, he is gone”.

3. Tanoh Kpassagnon- OLB#3:  This second year pro, remains at a relatively minimal cost. Kpassagnon flashed signs that he had figured the OLB job a bit as 2017 went by. At the end of the year, I was thinking, he could quickly overtake Dee Ford in 2018 and Training Camp has been a proving ground for Kpass. He has size, speed, to a level, but he uses every asset and is learning to harness some of his undisciplined moves.

4. Breeland Speaks- OLB #4: A rookie with no NFL experience, he is new but I like his muscle and size, and yes, his speed isn’t a tenth of a second faster, but he knows how to get to where he needs to go and will go there. He demonstrates the ability to match up stopping the run and setting the edge. Add to that what he has shown for pass coverage when called upon and I think we have the man that is going to own an OLB starters job quickly. He will be a major contributor, and it is up to Sutton and his coaches to figure how to unleash that “Lot’s a Dog” that Breeland Speaks has.

5. OLB #5 & 6? It’ my view that Frank Zombo’s time in KC is reaching a conclusion. I have him on my list of releases. This has import and that means that despite his ability to sub in at OLB and even ILB, his work for Dave Toub not withstanding, it’s time for a player I have supported for five years to depart.

So, if you have Kpass and Speaks as OLB’s number 3 & 4? Who is it for #5 if there is one.? Or #6? First, rookie Ray Davison has flashed some in this Camp and he should at least have earned a spot on the Taxi Squad. Next is Tyrone Holmes, with 1 year of experience has to be a 53 man roster player. Though he has shown signs to the staff to be able to contribute on S/T right away as would Davison. Both have a bit of the dog and probably more.

Inside Linebackers

Reggie Ragland- ILB#1: Really, Ragland is a third year pro but with only one season as a player behind him, but he came into his own in 2017. Reggie Ragland is just exactly what is needed in an ILB in the 3-4 and he definitively is a run stopping ILB. After finally breaking in as a starter with the Chiefs, he emerged as a force in 2017 especially in the playoff game. He has a good future to be a well above average ILB, despite what the pundits say and he can and will drop into coverage effectively. Ragland plays this game as tough as they come. “He has it: The Big Dog is in him!”

Anthony Hitchens- ILB#2: Yes I know, there are pundits out there that don’t like this signing but they are not Chiefs fans, they do not study the team and see that he is what has been needed for 2 seasons. Anthony Hitchens is a tough customer, he filled in well for Lee at Dallas when he was knocked out for the season. Hitchens owned camp at ILB. I have no doubt that he and Ragland will form a cosmic tandem up the middle that the sportswriters and media journalists will be dealing with it by season’s end.

The bottom line about linebackers? There is indeed that cosmic wheel. It is fired by the stars and I see them as the central engine of Sutton’s defense. Watch out for this pairing.

The ILB’s, as comprised, are a huge part of Brett Veach’s vision. He was aware of what he had outside before taking the reins. We all know he wanted Hitch first and he wasn’t available. He got Rags if you allow me these nicknames. They may not like them either but Ragland proved to be the ILB that he had desired. Then DJs 2017 was a big downturn and he was released. Veach was able to acquire Hitchens and now the middle of the defense is set. In fact, I think the Chiefs ILBs will be better for the run defense than just DJ who was a wonderful player here at KC.

ILBs 3 & 4- Ukeme Eligwe and Terrance Smith: Well, these players appear to be set as well. We saw them in the first preseason game. No, it wasn’t a good outing at all for the defense over all but both players were making plays, sticking it to the opposition. Eligwe has the quickness but also toughness so what dog inspires that? He has a bit of it. Terrance Smith has a bit of pit bull.

Between this foursome, Sutton should be able to launch a top run stopping game plan and still be able to do short drops. If anything, what was proved in the pre-season game is that both of these guys had difficulty defending tight ends but as noted, all parts were not set up as the pressing defense we expect come opening day.

ILB#5- Dorian O’Daniel: D.O. is a rookie and the smallest member of the group. He is not going to be an everyday linebacker.  I can see him as the nickel, for example or dropped back to safety and in special hybrid packages. He is a very good player but I cannot say how they will use him… yet.

ILB#6- Ben Niemann: The UDFA Iowa player was an invite but he came from the same collegiate world as the Chiefs linebacker coach – good stuff. Let me tell you straight out, Niemann can play football. He is very tough and is a thumper with a willingness to hit straight on. I don’t know his future as a starter but I want him to test his “Dog Paddle” in the water in KC.

I have had my say. I am sticking with it. Part II will cover the secondary and front three.

David Bell – ArrowheadOne

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