Jump to content

2K22: Defense


onejayhawk

Recommended Posts

This is more about the defense generally, even though it focuses on a LB. The departure of Mathieu, Ward, Reed, HItchens--all starters--creates an identity gap in the defense. Younger players, Justin Reid, Sneed, and particularly Nick Bolton are stepping up, reshaping the identity of the defense. Not to be overlooked is the raw energy That George Karlaftis is bringing. This will definitely be a new look defense.
https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2022/06/10/kansas-city-chiefs-nick-bolton-young-defenders-leadership-roles-2022-nfl-season/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/06/12/nick-bolton-its-time-for-young-chiefs-defensive-players-to-step-up/
https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/chiefs_productive_young_lb_duo_is_ready_for_takeoff_in_2022/s1_16631_37582969

Edited by onejayhawk
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here are a couple on Juan Thornhill. He famously said that he was going to be All-Pro, or at least deserve it. That was not the end of the interview. He talks about how he, the new players particularly Justin Reid, and the rookies are bonding as a unit. Both Thornhill and Reid have shown leadership in what is suddenly a stacked secondary. In defense of Thornhill's claim for All-Pro status, he the perfect deep safety for this bunch of big, press CBs.
https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2022/6/14/23167830/chiefs-s-juan-thornhill-on-2022-im-expecting-an-all-pro-season
https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2022/06/15/kansas-city-chiefs-juan-thornhill-progress-report-rookies-trent-mcduffie-bryan-cook-joshua-williams/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Chris Jones speaks. While acknowledged as one of the best DL in the NFL, Jones tends to be low profile. He talked about his injury last year and how he draws incentive from the AFC title game loss. It's worth noting that Jones seems to be mentoring rookie DE George Karlaftis. The two working together can do some damage. 
https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2022/06/15/kansas-city-chris-jones-provides-update-2022-wrist-injury-recovery/
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/06/16/chris-jones-missed-sack-in-afc-title-game-served-as-offseason-motivation/
https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2022/06/15/kansas-city-chiefs-george-karlaftis-learning-from-chris-jones-mandatory-minicamp/

Jones was asked to comment on the whole defense.
https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2022/06/16/kansas-city-chiefs-chris-jones-willie-gay-gritty-defensive-identity-2022/

Ah, gritty. Gritty if you want to sum it up in one word. You’ve got to be a gritty defense, and that’s from the coaching staff to the players on the sideline to the players are starting. There’s got to be grit. Don’t let go of the rope. We’re always fighting. And once we attain that mentality, I think we can push for it from that.

Edited by onejayhawk
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This article is a nice recap of how we reached this point regarding DEs. I then throws out names of some older veterans who might be useful--JPP, Justin Houston, Carlos Dunlap. The cherry on the sundae is Robert Quinn, for whatever that may be worth. Personally, I am looking for a significant uptick in the pass rush from a healthy Jones, a healthy Clark, more production from Danna and Wharton, and of course Karlaftis and maybe the LB. A simplified attacking scheme would suit our personnel. 
https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2022/6/22/23178655/examining-the-chiefs-remaining-options-at-defensive-end

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It appears PFF likes the work the Chiefs have done on their secondary. 
https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2022/06/27/kansas-city-chiefs-pff-ranks-secondary-14th-in-nfl/

Justin Reid says the team wants him to command the back end. I'm good with that. I'm also good with Thornhill commanding the back end. 
https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2022/7/5/23195330/justin-reid-says-chiefs-want-him-to-command-the-back-end

One on the CB as a unit.
https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2022/07/07/kansas-city-chiefs-rashad-fenton-ljarius-sneed-snubbed-touchdown-wire-top-cornerbacks-list/

Edited by onejayhawk
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
Link to comment
Share on other sites

With Training camp just a week away, we are already starting to get some of the shape of the new-look Chiefs defense. Losing Tyrann Mathieu cost us the vocal leader of the defense. We also lost our MLB Anthony Hitchens, who wore the green dot as the guy with the radio. That will be Nick Bolton this season. This article will shape the defense as he takes over at MLB. 
https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/nick_bolton_built_to_become_new_leader_on_chiefs_defense/s1_16880_37675979

Another emerging leader is Mathieu's replacement, Justin Reid. Here are takes of the team's first round draft picks. 
https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2022/07/13/kansas-city-chiefs-justin-reid-trent-mcduffie-george-karlaftis-first-impressions-nfl-network/

Edited by onejayhawk
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Clark is out with "an illness". He was on campus with someone, so the reason may not have even been physical. 

Josh Williams running with the A-team is also very good news. It's beginning to look like there are seven DB who are in the mix--Reid, Thornhill, Cook, Sneed, McDuffie, Johnson, maybe Williams.

Lee vs Carter vs Chenal is going to be interesting. 

Justin Reid is making an impact in the secondary. On the field he has been a playmaker, with another interception Wednesday. In the locker room, deeply in the process of building unit identity, he's Tyrann Mathieu's replacement, so the stakes are high. He had some comments:
https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2022/07/28/kansas-city-chiefs-justin-reid-defensive-indentity-attitude-physicality-dominant/

There’s something to be said about a fresh start. This is a new-look defense, you could say. We have a lot of new faces and a lot of guys who are gritty and have been hungry for the opportunity to prove their worth and show who they are as players. We want to be an attitude defense. We want to come out and set the tempo, we want to be physical, we want to be dominant. When it comes to the end of the game and we have a lead, we want to be the ones to finish it and not have to rely on the offense to go out and do anything. That’s the attitude that we’re building and that’s the attitude that we’re going to continue with the whole season.

Edited by onejayhawk
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, chiefs82 said:

I think it's Sneed/McDuffie/Williams come start if the season. 

Don't forget Johnson. At safety we have Thornhill, Reid, and Cook. Johnson can also play that role.

That makes seven DB. We keep at lest one more primarily for ST. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

44 minutes ago, onejayhawk said:

Don't forget Johnson. At safety we have Thornhill, Reid, and Cook. Johnson can also play that role.

That makes seven DB. We keep at lest one more primarily for ST. 

Yeah I meant that start on the field. I think Spags will have the rookies out there early and often

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...