Come on, come all! Gather round’ ladies and gents, I present to you the greatest article that comes out every week titled the Sunday Sum Up! This week we have some interesting story lines to dive into. So enough messing around, lets get to it!
Houston, We Have Lift Off!
Justin Houston is one of the best pass rushers in the business. Originally projected to be a first round draft pick in the 2011 NFL draft we all saw Houston’s draft stock fall significantly after a positive marijuana test at that years combine. When he was finally drafted in the third round 70th overall. He was a force to be reckoned with right from the start. In his rookie season he registered 49 tackles and 5 1/2 sacks all leading up to the Chiefs to award him the Mack Lee Hill Award. His sophomore season went well enough to be given pro bowl honors but 2014 was the best season he has ever had. Dominating offensive lineman and blowing up the quarterback became common place. To top it off he absolutely crushed the Chargers with a five tackle, four sack, and one forced fumble performance in the season finale. After recording a 22 sack season he was handsomely rewarded with a six-year contract worth $101 million. The next two years saw the prolific pass rusher mired with injuries. Chiefs fans have waited with baited breath for the oft injured Houston to return to form. Well it appears the wait is over. Justin was speaking to reporters during the mandatory mini-camp and is quoted saying there’s a “night and day difference”. This is in answer to how he feels at camp this year versus last. “I feel great now. Last year I couldn’t even run at this time. So this is a night and day difference. I feel great just to be able to get up and go without even thinking about it.” This is coming from an elite player who has only started 16 games over the past two seasons and was playing most of those games hampered by injuries. If Houston can return and have a year half as good as his 2014 year it will be a monumental boost to an already dominant Chiefs defense. With the emergence of Ford as a legitimate pass rushing threat the Kansas City Chiefs could in all reality field the best pass rushing defense in the league.
Best In The Biz
Over at NFL Spin Zone Dan Parzych has been keeping himself busy. A few days ago he went through the trouble to rank the 30 best pass-catching tight ends in the league. There are the names you would expect in the top 10 including one that is very familiar with Chiefs fans.
The top ten lines out as follows:
Parzych goes on to explain that the Chiefs sport the league’s most dangerous pass-catching tight end. Kelce is not only resilient against injury unlike the fragile Gronkowski, but he also is a selfless punishing blocker, a powerful runner, and a trustworthy pass catcher for the risk adverse Alex Smith. Leading the league with 1125 receiving yards and holding the second most receptions of 85 of tight ends in 2016 Kelce should only see his production and value rise. However where we really see Kelce shine is after he catches the ball. Travis recorded a ridiculous 653 yards after the catch in 2016. This is 3rd best in the NFL and best of all tight ends. This is just another top spot on the stat sheets for the Kansas City Chief. The 2017 season looks to be even better for the league’s best tight end. With the addition of Patrick Mahomes II, Travis Kelce could become more of a downfield threat than he already is. This would be a nightmare scenario for opposing teams. Leave him underneath and he will gash you with yards after the catch. Allow him to be in man coverage over the top and he will abuse the secondary to the tune of huge gains and touchdowns. It’s a pick your poison situation.
A New Chief In Town
The Kansas City Chiefs’ front office has been busy throughout the offseason. Bringing in new talent to backup or even compete for starting positions has become commonplace. On Thursday the powers that be at One Arrowhead Drive made a few roster moves. The biggest news on the day was the release of the former New Orleans Saints cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste. Jean-Baptiste was brought in to compete for a roster spot in the secondary but it would appear that was wishful thinking. Stanley wasn’t able to establish himself above the laundry list of cornerbacks Dorsey has brought in to compete. It would seem that JARD is still not satisfied with the current talent available to themselves and decided to bring in some more competition. Trevon Hartfield is a 6′ 195 pound cornerback out of Southwestern Oklahoma State University who showcased some exciting skills during his collegiate career. In his senior year he recorded 20 passes defended with 5 interceptions and 72 tackles, 2.5 of them for a loss. Defending against the pass is not the only skill Hartfield possesses. He was also used as a kick returner averaging 26.4 yards on 10 returns. He has spent time around the league on practice squads with the Arizona Cardinals and most recently with the Tennessee Titans.
More than likely this signing will amount to nothing or possibly a new practice squad member but it is always good news that the leadership of the Chiefs are turning over every stone looking for hidden talent. Just think to Spencer Ware as one of these additions. After bouncing around the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs practice squads he was promoted to the starting running back position. There is talent everywhere. You just have to be smart enough to look for it, and that is exactly what John Dorsey is doing.
There we have it guys. Comment below and let me know what you think. If you have any interesting news and would like it covered here let me know. As always VIVA LA JET SWEEP and GO CHIEFS!
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