onejayhawk Posted June 16, 2021 Author Share Posted June 16, 2021 (edited) Linebacker is a continuing headache for a number of posters in this forum. It was not that long ago that we had one of the best LB corps in the NFL, headed by Justin Houston and Derrick Johnson. More recently, the unit has been a patchwork of late round and replacement level players and Anthony Hitchens, who has not shone very brightly. That said, his play was better last season and we have two 2nd round picks to Bolster the unit. Here is a look out how our LB may play out this season. Up front, I will disagree on dime LB. That will be Neimann again this year, at least initially. Generally, you will also get Sorensen in the box. What will be interesting to watch is how the roles evolve through camp and into the season.https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2021/6/16/22532386/identifying-who-starts-at-linebacker-for-the-chiefs-in-2021 On the DL, one of the dynamics is reuniting Frank Clark and Jarren Reed, who had great success together in Seattle. Clark has a few comments on his old teammate.https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2021/06/16/kansas-city-chiefs-seattle-seahawks-frank-clark-jarran-reed-repeat-success/ Reed has had a few comments of his own, during OTA and posted above in this thread. Integral to the success of the DL is defining the position opposite Clark, widely expected to be filled by Chris Jones. Reed has pointed out that the unspoken hero of all this is Turk Wharton, who brings enough inside presence that Jones can move outside. Edited June 16, 2021 by onejayhawk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onejayhawk Posted June 19, 2021 Author Share Posted June 19, 2021 (edited) Mini-camp ends with the Chris Jones to DE theme increasing. It was his college position and it appears he wants to play it again.https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2021/6/16/22537252/chris-jones-on-defensive-end-switch-thank-god-it-finally-happened-for-me There were comments form HC Reid to slow things down, mostly that moving Jones to DE means we lose him at DT. However, Jarran Reed has been complementary about Turk Wharton, which makes me think the prospect of losing Jones as DT does not scare the staff. A rotation of Jones, Charlton, Clark, Danna, perhaps Kaindoh and Ward works for DE, as does a rotation of Nnadi, Reed, Wharton and spots of Jones at DT. The team did draft a DE, Joshua Kaindoh. Physically, JK has it all--length, strength, quickness, athleticism. Chris Jones had a few words. https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2021/06/19/kansas-city-chiefs-chris-jones-joshua-kaindoh-first-impressions/ Josh Kaindoh reminds me a lot of Tanoh Kpassagnon. He’s very long, very, very good athletic ability, he’s versatile. I think that’s a guy that in the future we’ll be able to move around along this line once he gets his fundamentals down. He’s a very good listener. He’s a student of the game. What Jones did not mention is that TK never developed a pass rush and JK might. Taking him literally, Jones is saying Kaindoh can slide inside, something Spagnuolo is known to ask of his DEs. Here is an article on Mike Hughes, former 1st round pick acquired in a trade. He seems to be coming along well.https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2021/06/21/kansas-city-chiefs-tyrann-mathieu-mike-hughes-first-impressions/ J Edited June 21, 2021 by onejayhawk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onejayhawk Posted June 22, 2021 Author Share Posted June 22, 2021 It has been normal for the Chiefs to have players on the Under-25 All Star team. Most have graduated to age 25, but we still have L'Jarius Sneed. This follows having five players on the best team money can buy.https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2021/6/22/22545871/one-chiefs-player-selected-in-new-nfl-under-25-all-star-team Even outside of Kansas City, Sneed — who was selected in the fourth round (138th overall) — is widely seen as one of the steals of the 2020 NFL Draft. So his appearance on this particular all-star team isn’t that surprising. And in the coming season — in which the Chiefs are expected to move Sneed from slot cornerback to outside cornerback at least some of the time — he will have a greater challenge than he faced in 2020. J 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onejayhawk Posted June 23, 2021 Author Share Posted June 23, 2021 (edited) With the Frank Clark situation remaining unsettled, this is an article on who they can throw into the breach. The usual names are listed--Jones, Danna, Charlton, Kaindoh--but also Turk Wharton, Tim Ward, Demone Harris, Austin Edwards. Wharton is expected to see extensive time at DT, but he has the build of a DE. Ward, Harris and Edwards were considered longshots to make the team.https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/lists/kansas-city-chiefs-defensive-end-position-review-following-frank-clarks-arrest/ Here's some more on Turk Wharton. If the Shark is suspended for any length of time, Wharton may get some serious snap counts.https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/what_to_expect_from_tershawn_wharton_and_tommy_townsend_in_year_2/s1_16631_35248628 J Edited June 26, 2021 by onejayhawk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onejayhawk Posted June 25, 2021 Author Share Posted June 25, 2021 A Ron Kopp film article on blitzing/ The Chiefs blitzed a fair amount last year, 35.7% of opponents dropbacks, whether they passed or ran. That's top 1/3 but not top 1/4.https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2021/6/25/22550003/review-to-preview-how-the-chiefs-can-improve-ability-to-blitz-in-2021 Neimann was our dime LB (only LB with 4 DL and 6 DB). In these situations, Sorensen is a S who often functions as a second LB. L'Jarius Sneed was a major addition late in the season. It's one more reason Sneed is considered one of the steals of the draft. This meant that Niemann and Sorensen were constantly being sent after the quarterback. Between them, they earned one sack and nine quarterback hits. As a blitzer, Sorensen has always had a knack for getting downhill fast and powering through blockers. The momentum he carries is often hard for stationary running backs to stop. On top of that, his length allows him to get into passing lanes — and also shed blocks effectively. Niemann can execute a blitz scheme, but there isn’t as much upside in him beating blocks with strength or flying through gaps as quickly. He hasn’t played the dime role because of his blitzing ability — but he has been asked to do it frequently. Down the stretch of the season, rookie cornerback L’Jarius Sneed became the secondary’s most effective blitzer from the slot, with sacks in Weeks 15 and 16 — along with the Divisional and the AFC Championship games. J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onejayhawk Posted June 30, 2021 Author Share Posted June 30, 2021 (edited) Wire does an annual run of articles on UDFA prior to camp. At the bottom of the article are links to the others so far. Of the UDFA, by far the biggest impact has been Devon Key, S Western Kentucky. He has taken snaps with the first team in OTA and mini-camp. With Dan Sorensen over 30 and on a one year deal, there is a position to shoot for. It does not hurt that Key excelled at ST in college.https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/lists/kansas-city-chiefs-rookie-db-devon-key-western-kentucky-stats-highlights-outlook/ Key was an aggressive box safety at Western Kentucky, boasting a great downhill trigger and a good feel for zone coverage drops. It looks like he’ll be in the mix for a more versatile role in Kansas City, though. His athleticism seems to make him a candidate to play anywhere from a traditional safety role, to dime package linebacker and overhang. I wouldn’t be surprised if he earned some playing time in the slot given his foot speed, but he needs some work mirroring receivers in man coverage. The Chiefs seem to really like these versatile, do-it-all defensive backs. They’ve already got a pair on the roster in Daniel Sorensen and Tyrann Mathieu, who both happen to be free agents following the 2021 NFL season. It makes sense to bring in a player like Key who can learn from them and potentially replace one of them were they to leave in free agency. Speaking of versatile safeties, the team has shown interest in re-signing Tyrann Mathieu. Several weeks ago, Mathieu tweeted that he did not expect to get an extension from the Chiefs. The tweet was taken down, but ripples remain. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10006847-report-chiefs-made-it-clear-to-tyrann-mathieu-they-want-to-agree-to-new-contract Elsewhere in the secondary, Mathieu has taken note of Mike Hughes, acquired in a trade from Minnesota. Hughes was a 2018 first round pick, but has only played 24 games in three seasons. With Charvarius Ward set at one outside CB, it is often assumed that L'Jarius Sneed will move to the other side, which he played for two games early last season. Hughes gives them another option, particularly in press coverage situations. https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/07/01/tyrann-mathieu-mike-hughes-has-shown-why-he-was-a-first-round-pick/ J Edited July 1, 2021 by onejayhawk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onejayhawk Posted July 6, 2021 Author Share Posted July 6, 2021 There is going to be a lot of focus on the defense in the coming weeks. Here is an article on how the DL is stacking up. Jones, Reed and Clark are all name players, but Wharton, Danna, Taco and Nnadi are nice depth.https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2021/7/6/22565361/the-chiefs-defensive-line-could-be-better-than-we-think-in-2021 We also have nice depth in the secondary, where Mike Hughes seems to be settling in well. Ward, Sneed, Hughes, Thornhill, Mathieu, and Sorensen are a nice way to start a secondary. The real story will be between the line and the coverage. How will the LB shape up? J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onejayhawk Posted July 7, 2021 Author Share Posted July 7, 2021 He won't be ready for 2021, but there is hope for next year. UDFA Malik Herring is a draftable DE, most likely 4thor 5th round, with a serious injury. He will get a redshirt year, much like Tim Ward and Darius Harris, both of whom will be in camp.https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/lists/kansas-city-chiefs-rookie-de-malik-herring-georgia-stats-highlights-outlook/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiefs82 Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 I’m really excited to see how Bolton absorbs Spags Defense. With Reed and Jones up front and Mathieu behind him, he could have a huge year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onejayhawk Posted July 13, 2021 Author Share Posted July 13, 2021 Ron Kopp did a video article on how Turk Wharton and Mike Danna figure in the new DL scheme. Danna was good for a rookie last season and Wharton was better. Either or both may wind up with start snaps this season, depending how off field factors fall.https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2021/7/13/22574934/review-to-preview-how-two-chiefs-reserve-defensive-linemen-contribute-in-2021 Mike Danna Danna’s highlights mostly came in running plays, but he did make occasionally have an impact as a pass rusher. His powerful hands translate to the art of slapping away a blocker’s arms — and his above-average burst in short areas make him hard to avoid. In 2021, Danna should be the first defensive end off the bench on early-downs — in relief for either Frank Clark or Chris Jones. On third down or passing situations, Taco Charlton — or possibly rookie Joshua Kaindoh — might be trusted more to get pressure off the edge and disrupt the quarterback. Tershawn "Turk" Wharton On third downs later in the season, the interior duo was mainly Jones and Wharton. The attention that centers paid to Jones — combined with the tackles having their hands full on the edge — resulted in one-on-one opportunities for Wharton against guards. He took advantage of those open spaces with a very effective jab step. He’ll take a hard step towards one shoulder of the guard, getting him to bring his feet that direction — and then explode off that jab to slip back around his other shoulder. It’s hard for an offensive lineman to quickly shift all of that weight back the other way, leaving them off balance and unable to slide back in front of Wharton. Danna is the best Run DE after Clark. How well his pass rush comes along will indicate how much he gets used. While Kopp sees Wharton as behind Nnadi, I think that relation is reversed. Except for short yardage, Reed will play the 1T and Wharton the 3T. Turk also has the potential to slide outside, so stunts with Clark or Jones are a possibility. J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onejayhawk Posted July 16, 2021 Author Share Posted July 16, 2021 (edited) Taco Charlton was going to have an expanded roll this year regardless. If Frank Clark must miss substantial time, that role may be greatly expanded. He is by far the best pass rushing DE on the roster, but has been a liability against the run his whole career. Taco is tweeting that 2020 was a tease. https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2021/07/16/kansas-city-chiefs-taco-charlton-twitter-improvement-tease/ As we move toward training camp, L'Jarius Sneed continues to draw attention. In a redraft of 2020's first round, Sneed went #9 and was the first CB taken. Will Sneed make the Pro Bowl this season? All it would take is 17 games of what we have already seen.https://draftwire.usatoday.com/gallery/nfl-draft-2020-redraft-joe-burrow-justin-herbert-tua-tagovailoa/ J Edited July 17, 2021 by onejayhawk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onejayhawk Posted July 20, 2021 Author Share Posted July 20, 2021 (edited) It appears Okafor will be back. It's not big news, but it gives us some depth at DE. Danna is solid against the Run. Okafor provides some pass rush.https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/chiefs_reportedly_re_sign_deolb_alex_okafor_to_one_year_deal/s1_14819_35415401 Here is another article on Okafor, who is experienced and offers at least something against both run and pass. That said, it is important to remember that Okafor could not take snaps from Tanoh Kpassagnon, who has zero pass rush. https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2021/7/21/22586110/3-ways-bringing-back-alex-okafor-will-benefit-the-chiefs J Edited July 21, 2021 by onejayhawk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onejayhawk Posted August 16, 2021 Author Share Posted August 16, 2021 I posted this in the game thread. It's a film study focusing on the DL depth players--Danna, Wharton, Saunders, Ward. Ward and Wharton came away with the stats, but Danna impressed with run defense and consistency.https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2021/8/16/22626200/film-review-chiefs-defensive-line-depth-shines-in-san-francisco Jones is on a trajectory that could make him a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. At full strength, the Chiefs’ current defensive line is bigger, stronger, smarter — and perhaps deeper — than it has been in quite some time. Both now and moving forward, attrition will be their biggest opponent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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