NSLU: A Sunday Pair of Chiefs

Hope and Expectation

Starting out, I will observe that I am an optimist, pure and simple. Too much of my life has dealt with “negatives” which has instilled in me the joy of an active fandom of NFL football and especially the Kansas City Chiefs. I am introducing an ongoing topic at ArrowheadOne, and reference back to the Saturday’s article. As well, I have added an offsite referral to Arrowheadpride… a well researched article by Craig Stout.

Thoughts About a Pair (stirrup included) — OLBs

In the beginning of the Dorsey-Reid era, the Chiefs had two fine OLBs: Justin Houston and Tamba Hali. Half of that has run it’s course: Hali has been released and we are entering the 5th season of OLB Dee Ford. Now there are two starters and no #32 OLB. In stating this, I am indicating that Frank Zombo is not a “starter.” He fills other roles but is not a pass rush OLB. He is able to set the edge against the run. That’s it.

So, a specific reference is necessary related to an article by Ransom Hawthorne published here at Arrowheadone.com on Saturday, “The Osweiler File: An Unorthodox Solution to Dee Ford.” I’m referencing his article — and the discussion that went on most of the day about Ford and what could be done — saving $8.7M in the process.

Craig Stout is now writing again for Arrowheadpride and covered a lot of ground with observations about “Edge Setters” and for K.C. this is a 3-4 defense related topic even if a “hybrid.” The Chiefs have a top gun LOLB in the person of Justin Houston, though his 2017 season was less than his quality work. I attribute some of this to the overall foibles of the Chief’s defense in general: DJ was nothing like what he was inside, up the middle there was no Dontari Poe stacking up blockers, instead Bennie Logan did most of the duty with Rakeem Nunez-Roches (now departed) getting in some snaps. Neither had the effect of Poe. Meanwhile, RDE Allen Bailey, coming off of a torn pectoral injury rehab was not himself either and this meant that only interior player to bid that the… “Force was with him”… was Chris Jones.

At the same time, run-stopping Strong Safety Eric Berry missed it all and that proved to be problematic for HC Andy Reid and DC Bob Sutton. They tried different approaches to replacing Berry’s contribution and none worked. In trying to solve the exposure, Sutton tried using Daniel Sorensen who worked okay in the box but was not quick enough in pass defense support. Thus, Dirty Dan proved that he could not be effective starting in “Berry’s Role.” At the same time, without Berry,  Ron Parker was exposed and Eric Murray was unable to assume any major starting contribution.

This led to the “lesser Houston” on the field and exacerbated by Dee Ford’s continued struggle to set the edge and be a factor in run defense plus, his inability to extend his contribution with QB sacks had an effect on the pass rush and Houston’s play at the same time. However, it is true that both Houston and Ford caused some havoc, even without the culmination of a play ending in a “sack.” Into his fourth season, I cautioned that ramping up the, anyone-but-Ford commentary and criticism was illogical. I’ve previously highlighted John Dorsey’s statement that it took 3 to 4 seasons to become an effective edge rusher. I’ve also pointed out that Ford had gone to work with Von Miller and surely some of that would have rubbed off.

Then came 2017. Ford was a starter, again was exposed in run support. His ability to get to the opposing QB did not seem improved, though I watched him play and be a factor in the pass rush in hurrying QB throws. It’s not enough though. Then what happened? He was out for the season with “his aching back”. I gotta tell ya’ that it’s my aching back as well. Dorsey extended Ford’s contract to the 5th year so now the 2018 season has an under-performer at one OLB position. Ransom Hawthorne’s piece yesterday discussed a way out — but I can’t see this happening. At least Ford has experience and I think it would be hasty to get rid of him in the 2018 season — we just don’t have the horses, and even with Ford, we know that Frank Zombo is a spot player for situational relief and not a starter. Yes, we drafted Breeland Speaks, but again, he will have the NFL learning curve to contend with and even if Speaks quickly gets up to NFL play speed we have Dorsey’s observation to consider in the outlook as well.

Berttheclock added that former HC, Bill Cowher, had the same view of how long it took most players to be effective OLBs. This was apparent to the Saints organization in that they traded up in round one to get Marcus Davenport to help the front seven set the edge against the run and to be a force as much as possible in the pass rush.

Overall though, with the difficulties facing the front seven, the pressure was brought to bear on the Chiefs secondary. Marcus Peters became a rambling, gambling CB and less effective, meanwhile disturbing the bench with his antics on and off the field (now departed, thankfully).

The poor performance of the defense reflected to the losing streak and another one-and-done play-off game. Fans were irate at the players, Bob Sutton (the DC), and at the Commissioner, not necessarily in that order. Who can blame the fans? The problem wasn’t fixed in the off-season with signings or the draft because the GM chose to go after a QBoF. Okay. I am on board with that but… this was the first of 2 seasons in a row where the secondary struggled and with Poe having departed, the struggles of stopping the run or the pass escalated.

Two years ago, I attended the regular season game at Arrowhead vs. the Titans (December 18, 2016), met Clark Hunt, entered the stadium at below zero temps and saw a lackluster defense unable to stop the Titans who came from behind to win on a closing Ryan Succop FG with little time on the clock. It was awful… and besides, my feet were awfully cold and my heart was growing colder about the Chiefs problem-defense.

Then it flashed hot: 2017 was a continuation.

Keeping in Context the OLB Challenge

Keep in perspective, the Chiefs first pick, Breeland Speaks. He is a tough customer, wants to play every down and is a meat and potatoes kind of player — he’s just what K.C. has been lacking at the edge. However, we all must consider as well that the outside linebacking position is difficult to master and few players ever live up to the the likes of Von Miller and Justin Houston.

So, take a look at Craig Stout’s article here:

“What to Expect Out of the Chiefs Young Edge Rushers”

I believe the Chiefs have a plan to counter the weakness in the pass rush — at least this is something I’ve seen intimated by both GM Brett Veach and HC Andy Reid. How this sets up and what type of look the 3-4/4-3 hybrid we’ll have remains to be seen, but I am sure they have been working on it all offseason, ever since the playoff loss.

It is my view that first off, HC Reid will try to pressure Ford with the play of Breeland Speaks. At the same time, on third and surefire passing down situations, we may see a hybrid with Speaks-and-Ford rushing from one side, and Houston and Jones the other with newcomers Derrick Nnadi, backed up by Xavier Williams, creating a fortress of bodies stacked in the middle.

If what they plan to do is even moderately effective and with Eric Berry back to play his role, I can see the Chiefs defense will be much improved.

David Bell — No Stone Left Unturned — NSLU

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