NSLU Sunday: OLB’s, or, “May the Ford Be With You”

NSLU Sunday: OLB’s or,

“May the Ford Be With You”

by David Bell

I wasn’t as sure about any other title possibility. So, the title fits since we desperately need Dee Ford to fulfill all the promise of his draft pick position in the 1st round. The best thing to happen is that Dee Ford gets over his tender back, plays lights out for the first time since late 2016. Dee? If you would do that for me, it would be really good.

A 2016 Redux?

For Review: Houston went out with injury. Ford had 5 of 6 starts at the end of the season and ended up with 10 sacks. In the season finale he had a pass defense that sealed the win at the end of the game. That is the player we need. Not a FORD.

2017 Houston? We have a problem here?

The problem? Houston’s recovery from his own late season injury in 2016 appeared to be slow. Meanwhile, Ford, starting back on the right was a non-factor. Then his back kicked in. Houston’s form returned to his very early time, or rather, he just plain was not himself. Nor did Houston have a “Hali” opposite of him.

Fix Or Repair Daily (FORD)

That is about what we can observe about Ford’s play in to17. Then he was in and out. Then gone for the season.

The Rest of the Story

So we are at the point when the GM doesn’t kick in a 5th year deal with Ford. Ford isn’t released June 1. We enter 2018’s season with Houston who did not have much of a year in 2017 and Ford who was a non-factor and then an injured non-factor. On the Roster is Frank Zombo who is great at being spotted in for a snap or two. He won’t get caught out of position. He won’t fail to set the edge. He also won’t sack the QB or mount a terrific pass rush. Houston, Ford and Zombo are the standard fare to begin with. Already in House players plus Tanoh Kpassagnon have been covered previously, and with abundant scrutiny.

Breeland Speaks

In 2018’s draft, we see GM Brett Veach set the tone with players drafted with a specific mindset — stop the run, stay tough, never give an inch type players. For the outside? Veach Select Breeland Speaks as his round two pick in the draft. Keep in mind that the Chiefs did not have a round one pick(the Mahomes factor). Pick 2 for the draft was where the decision was made and it was Speaks, who was not on my radar. I didn’t think that Veach would give up several picks in the draft to move up into the first round and that proved to be the case. Besides that, it was not a deep draft for OLBs — there were picks but no sure bets, or at least, investments in players in the first round that would be a reason to give up multiple picks.

So if we go back to post-draft time? Andy Reid was down with the selection of Speaks. Here is what he had to say, from ArrowheadPride: “… The thing that amazes me about him and you guys will go through and look at the tape yourself and have a chance to see him play, he was never on the ground. The way he used his hands, that combination of things. I thought was really something. Brett did all the studies on it, comparisons to people. So similar to Tamba (Hali) in his measurements, testing, all of these things. (Terrell) Suggs, (Calvin) Pace – these are guys that either Bob (Sutton) or Mike (Smith) have coached. He kind of fits right into that mold right there.”

This tells us that Brett and his scouting staff did all the work. Andy reviewed game film and came away with high positives. Outside of the Kingdom finds some high positives as well. Here is what Mike Mayock’s (NFL.com) view of the Chiefs choice of Speaks at pick 46. Keep in mind that this is a pretty high pick itself, but of course, Speaks was being viewed as a defensive Tackle(outside): “Good football player. Undervalued until tonight. Teams value his inside-out versatility. I think he can play base end but kick inside on interior sub-packages. He’s got some juice. He’s physical, he’s tough, he’s relentless.”

A basic take from Adam Teicher of ESPN revealed the following: “Speaks can play defensive end or outside linebacker, and coach Andy Reid said the Chiefs would look at him immediately at the latter position. In terms of size and position, Speaks is a lot like Tanoh Kpassagnon, the Chiefs’ second-round pick from 2017. This choice doesn’t bode well for Kpassagnon, who played little last season as a rookie. “What we think we’re getting here is a high-motor, very intense player … we love his ability to play [against] the run and the pass,” Reid said. “He’s kind of done a little bit of everything for Mississippi.”

Note the emphasis on “tough.” Note the emphasis on “High Motor.” Note Versatility. Note the adjective “Relentless.” That’s exactly what is called for when Brett Veach talks about the players he is looking for: the mindset shift.

Note that Mayock uses the term “juice.” This made me think of Paylor’s All-Juice teams and I like the term.

At the same time, it’s going to be a pick of a player whose physique is similar that of Kpass as Teicher Observed. I like what was written about Mr. Speaks. I like that he came from the Ole Miss Program which has great coaching and good teams. All the positives and game film indicates that this was a good pick by Veach.

So, look at this video of Ole Miss v. Razorbacks (8:08):

Ryan Tracy’s view of Speaks can be found here (7:33):

The above referenced media has important views of Speaks so last but not least I refer to his Ole Miss highlight video for your perusal (3:10):

After the Veach selection and watching video, I have come to be a believer that Speaks has the Juice that will make him successful. I like what he does with his hands — he is one tough hombre.

I You’re Wondering, Here’s My View

From what I see, Speaks is going to be a “fit” for the Chiefs defense. Perhaps the best question should be, how soon?

I now like this pick but it took me a bit of looking to figure why. I know that Speaks has a high gear motor. I like his toughness and willingness to mix it up. From what I can see, he has the “Juice”. Take a look at the game film. He played with his hand in the dirt but on the edge and won’t be the first DT to move to OLB. His play does indeed provide memories of Tamba Hali at his best with this hands–a work of art. I am not judging this as an immediate situation. It will take Speaks time to adjust to standing up outside. He will need to adjust to NFL speed and the defensive play-calling. On the other hand? He’s a toughy and that bodes well for his future with Brett Veach’s vision for the team.

On Wednesday, I will add a view of three additional players: Ray Davison,  Rob McCray and Tyrone Holmes.

We need to see him in pads and we need to se him in game situations. That means waiting and Hoping that the “Ford is with us and not again’ us.”

David Bell – “No Stone Left Unturned”