On Defense the Chiefs want to disrupt, force TO'S and limit points. Last year, however their 26th ranked run D was a wrench in their plans. Their built to cause chaos up front with Jones, Houston, Baily, Ford, Logan, K-Pass and RNN. These guys long, versatile and very talented. You have some pure speed, guys who try to knife through the OLine and most are very powerful as well.
Chris Jones was an enigma to some draft-niks but he proved his doubters wrong, at least in his rookie year. He was a top 34 End. My biggest concern was his stamina and snap count bc his biggest question mark was inconsistency coming out. At least imo. But he plays with great leverage and always shoots out low for the most part. This lets use His opponents momentum, particularly on down blocks. His core power and strength in his hands are legit and allow him to shed blocks easy. His length is just gravy and is another way for him to keep guys off him while getting to the QB. Likes to use club, bull/snatch and knife through gaps.
Dee Ford has been inconsistent in his short career. Had a promising rookie year, down 2015 and had a slight improvement in 2016 to his rookie year. He feeds off his first step and ability to jump the snap, esp in college. Some guys, not always a bad thing are known as snap jumpers. Some times that doesn't translate into the NFL as those guys fed off 100,000 people in stands going crazy in college. Not a speed to power guy. Ford isn't an edge setter, at least he hasn't been and can't hold against quality offensive linemen, again hes a speed guy that uses his first step and 2nd and 3rd there after to beat his man around the loop. This will cause him over run and get washed out of plays as he doesn't have a good enough counter yet. He could def use one.
Justin Houston looks like a HOF when healthy. When hes on, hes a top 15 player. Amazing this guy dropped to 70 bc of a failed marijuana test lol (only half the world smokes lol). Anyway he has a great first step and natural upper/lower body strength that allow him to convert speed to power and has strong hands to disengage from linemen. He's always played with good technique and leverage too. Instincts and awareness are top notch too.
What's really impressive is his work in the run game though. He's a monster there and it came from hard work and practice. He's always been a workout warrior.
Bennie Logan was brought in to replace Poe and from his recent play should do a serviceable job considering his recent play. At times he has the ability to be 2-gapper when he drops his dumpster ass low and dig in while extending his arms. He really doesn't have the ability today doll guys like a Jones bc his upper body isn't as strong as his lower but hes a good player. He flashes at times.
Allen Bailey is another guy who worked extremely hard on his game. Considered slow & without a true position coming out. His improved almost everywhere. From the weight room to technique/getting off his blocks on the outside etc. He's really rounded out his overall game. Improved on using his length and added much needed strength to play along the line and hold up at the poa.
K-Pass is yet another monster at 6'7/290 with long arms and pretty good burst off the los. Raw as anything but hes a piece of clay you want to work with and mold. Again perfect fit/complement for that line. He has balance issues bc he plays tall (he is 6'7) and footwork is a work in progress but very solid depth and def won't be the focus of opposing Linemen. I know a lot liked him in the draft forum. Fletch is a big fan if I remember correctly.
Rakeem Nunez Roches is decent player but pretty much a straight ahead bull rush, powerful guy. Problem is that's almost all he is and his strength can be used against him in terms of redirecting him, him over-pursuing and not having a solid counter.
And capitalize on that chaos (chaos is a ladder) they've built a talented, but def not invincible secondary. Peters and Berry are top tier guys but even Peters will give up some yards. Daniel Sorenson and Parker both will get there hands on some balls too.
The Chiefs played man almost 49% (2nd most in the league) of the time and zone almost 43%.
Marcus Peters is their #1 & hes proven to be just that so far. His "character concerns" haven't stopped his play at all. He's a legit ball hawk with great instincts and good size. He can play with his back to ball and makes the most of his short arms redirecting WR'S. Which hes pretty good at. He also will bait QBs bc he has very good instincts and tracking ability. Very smooth, fluid athlete. His footwork is sloppy at times, mostly bc he's too over aggressive looking to get his hands on the ball. Well known grabber who doesn't have long speed (*Brandin Cooks Alert* Peters ran a 4.53 at the combine and Cooks feast on guys who run 4.4 or worse)
Eric Berry might be a future HOF & I'm sure every Pat fan has dreamed of him playing with DMC at some point. Great player with tremendous instincts that are up there with Troy and Ed, ball skills and versatility. He can play man, zone. Cover MOF & Center in a pinch. Great player.
Terrance Mitchell is a guy that is on every Chiefs fan mind right now. Most don't want Gaines starting but I'm not sure Mitchell is ready for what we have coming his way if he gets the nod at #2 CB/RCB. He has some decent traits but can't stop WRS off the line and doesn't have long speed (*B.C. Match up Alert Mitchell ran a 4.63) As a #2 He's going to see Cooks, Hogan and possibly our own Mitchell on the outside. He has has dealt with some hamstring issues of late.
Phillip Gaines isn't a popular man with KC fans right now. He'll likely end up in the nickel spot where he had some success but expect Brady to target him all night. Gaines is very fast and quick but at times doesn't play up to those #'s. His a finesse corner who doesn't like physicality at all. Whether in the passing game (physical WR's or in run support). From college to the pros hes been hurt in some way. Huge year for him and the spotlight will be on him all night.
Bob Sutton overall game plan on D is to cause havoc up front, limit points, big plays and create TO's. Last year might be a familiar scene again in 2017-2018. His focus just isn't on run defense and giving up that much on the ground, only 6 teams were worse. Make it that much harder to create TO's and takes away your biggest strength which is the pass rush you've built. Bringing in New bodies like Logan, K-Pass and Miller might help but again this is much more about Suttons philosophy.
I expect a game a plan that will exploit their obvious weaknesses in the run game and CB2/Nickel and calculated shots with Cooks and Hogan matched up against their lack of depth those positions.
Expect the same looks that have been staples our offense over the years. T.B.O. with Lewis, White & Rex over the middle in a rub with another crossed behind them.
ISO our slot with Hoss Y Juke is a play we've seen a ton and will continue to see more of. We'll spilt out our RB/TE out wide to see what D is playing. If a backer follows it's man 99.9% of the time and you have mismatch with Gronk and a LB. If the backer doesn't follow you have a bigger mismatch bc the D is in some and has a LB on our slot.
We'll Mitchell and Hogan work deep comebacks and sideline routes.
We'll take shots on 9's with Cooks, Hogan and now Dorsett deep matched up against slower guys.
Overall we'll control the tempo and their pass rush with our run and quick passing game. And open up over the MOF, sidelines and eventually deep.
