SPARQ, RAS and the Chiefs – Part 3/3 – last time we looked at the offense and their statistical athletic scores. We saw with our own eyes, why certain players are on the roster. We also witnessed, that athletic scores can be misleading, and cannot measure the intangibles with Mitch Schwartz being the offense’s poster child. You can visually digest the numbers and know why Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are so difficult to cover. They are quick and fast for their position.
Note: Sparq and RAS scores are based upon either combine or Pro Day testing. Neither can take into NFL weight rooms and position-specific muscle training.
What I illustrate in the following tables is a conglomeration of 10, 20, and 40-yard times, short shuttle, 3 cone, bench and vertical scores, followed by SPARQ, Z-scores and RAS scores. This is not an attempt to go in-depth into each player, but to provide a comparative basis between players on the roster, and certain past players.
Kansas City Chiefs Defense
The Bigs
CJ95 wreaks havoc because of his quickness (short shuttle and cone) and for a big man can move. Compare his 10 and 20-yard times to the entire offensive line and TE’s. CJ reminds us of early-Poe for a reason, and early-Poe was an incredible athlete. Allen Bailey (the Hulk) could also move but did not fit the Spags system.
Saunders displays that back-flipping ability and quickness. Nnadi and Pennel have strength and each needed time to hit the weight room and simmer in the crock pot. Cameron Malveaux is our project player — compare his numbers to Saunders — so it will be interesting to watch him in training camp.
The Ends and Edge
I can’t believe Frank Clark is less athletic than Justin Houston, but he is. I say again motor, determination, effort, again cannot be measured, and Frank is making the best of his NFL opportunity. Too bad Ogbah got away, dang it. Look at KPass, and you see what a specimen he is and why he was drafted. It took time for him to cook, but we have a gem. He doesn’t carry the weight CJ does, but he has some boogity-woogity in his shoes
Questions about Speaks? He is a smidgeon off being an “A” athlete. Hopefully this past year in the weight room transforms his body. Ward is a project after spending last season on IR. Demone Harris shined when given the chance, so let’s see how he progresses.
Dee Ford never measured up, athletically and on the field. I threw in Suggs, so everyone can see that hard work and determination can turn one into the HOF player that he is.
The Backers
We were spoiled with Derrick Johnson. I don’t know when we will ever see another like him, he was unique. His 3.87 short shuttle is the fastest on these tables – 5% faster than Tyreek Hill! Alex Smith has the 3rd fastest short shuttle at 3.96!! Let me repeat that. Alex Smith has a faster short shuttle time than Tyreek Hill.
Why do our linebackers look slow? Easy, compared to DJ56 they are slow, because DJ was that fast! If DJ had a SPARQ score it would exceed Houston’s score of 142!
You can see why there was hope for Darron Lee and… there is hope for Dorian O’Daniel. They are both athletic. Maybe Emmanuel Smith can turn into a player. Hitch, Wilson and Ragland are not the most athletic ‘backers, but you have to have smarts and muscle as well at LB. We will see with Darius Harris.
At the Corners
Talking about a hodgepodge of numbers not matching production, it is at corner. Marcus Peters was a great corner, but not a great athlete. Ward and Breeland are even less athletic, but both were shut-down corners down the stretch. Technique and smarts can win the day at corner. This is why Veach does not HAVE to take a corner in the 1st round.
Fenton has promise, look at this short shuttle cone compared to the others. Same with Alex Brown and Chris Lammons (say it with me now – all 3 simmering in the crock pot – thanks Mitch).
Tremon Smith was drafted for his athletic abilities, but just could not translate that to the field. Now you know why he was tried at WR and RB last year in training camp… a 4.38 will keep you around… for awhile.
The Safeties
Coming out of college, Tyrann Mathieu couldn’t lift a bale of hay. His sheer will and determination made him the player he is today. He is the poster child of the defense, similar to Mitch Schwartz on offense. Thornhill is a TOTAL STUD and I wish he had his Super Bowl chance. Lucas is a ST beast. Watts and Dirty Dan need smarts and instincts to win, and they prove that on the field.
Special note on Dirty Dan: look at his short shuttle – 2nd best on the tables behind DJ56 and 0.01 faster than Alex Smith and even faster than Tyreek Hill. Let me repeat that: Dirty Dan had a faster short shuttle than Tyreek Hill.
Murray was a corner in college with some safety experience – but not great athleticism for a CB in the NFL. Dorsey drafted him for his athletic ability and then moved him to safety. Makes sense now doesn’t it? It just couldn’t fully translate to the field.
Berry deserves honorable mention as well. He was a beast in the… Justin Houston, Tyreek Hill, Chris Conley, Derrick Johnson… mold. Each of those guys has a SPARQ exceeding 140, total freaks!
Shout out to 3sigmathlete and RAS for compiling this data. It’s a lot of work to cover 300 to 400 players. We are better fans for their dedication to their craft.
Abundance overflows when we let it!
David Perkins — ArrowheadOne
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