OLB Depth

[pugsnotdrugs19]

After reading an article this morning (which can be found at the bottom), I've grown to have some real concerns over our OLB depth going into the season. Right now, we are sitting on Houston, Ford, Hali, Nicolas and Zombo. When healthy, that is plenty good enough. The issue though, as we all know, is that the best three were not dependable in terms of health in 2016.

Houston should be fully healthy now, but it doesn't mean it will stay that way. Hali doesn't even practice anymore, and I can't see him ever being able to take a full game's worth of snaps. No one knows when Nicolas is going to be ready this year, but it is hard to imagine him being ready early.

I seriously have to wonder if/when they consider kicking the tires on an aging veteran pass rusher. I know off the top of my head that Freeney and Dumervil are free agents. Its probably unlikely, but I think they should at least be looking into the possibility of adding one of them. A veteran who has seen and done it all in the league is never a bad addition to your team, especially when they provide good depth.

Thoughts?

Article link: http://www.espn.com/blog/kansas-city...tant-positions

[jjchieffan]

Aren't Freeney and Dumerveil just as old and worn out as Hali? I don't see the point of bringing​them in.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Originally Posted by jjchieffan

Aren't Freeney and Dumerveil just as old and worn out as Hali? I don't see the point of bringing​them in.

They are as old-- maybe not as beat up. But, you aren't going to find any good young pass rushers on the market at this point.

[Bowser]

Yeah, I agree on the depth part. We are dangerously thin at the position when you consider the weight we are placing on guys coming off of serious injury. It is concerning.

I'm not necessarily against bringing in a Freeney or Dumervil, but like jj said, how much is left in THEIR tanks? Would they get the Hali treatment as well - no practice and only in on obvious passing downs?

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by jjchieffan

Aren't Freeney and Dumerveil just as old and worn out as Hali? I don't see the point of bringing​them in.

they are both old, and they cant really finish at the QB anymore cause of their age but are still really good at generating pressure which might be all we need as an insurace policy.

Falcons used Freeney as a specialist gave him about 400 snaps and he was fresh during the playoffs for their pass rush which crapped on the NFC

[Bowser]

Maybe they really feel like they've found a steal in Tanoh Kpassagnon, and think he would be just as good if not better standing up then in a three point stance?

[RunKC]

This is a big reason what Tanoh was drafted. Dorsey mentioned that he thinks the kid could be used like Justin Tuck was in NY. Tuck was a standing rush backer and a DL depending on the situation.

Tanoh did DL and LB drills at the Senior Bowl and excelled at both. I think you're going to see him scattered all over the place in the nickel on passing downs. Wide 9, 5 tech and maybe some 3 tech.

What's interesting is that Chris Jones played wide 9 a bit last year too and it worked very well. The Houston fumble/safety in Denver is a good example.

[milkman]

Frankly, we should be concerned about depth in the LB corps in general.

We really are thin at both ILB and OLB, and I am not sure that we have starter quality at ILB at all unless DJ is 100% and back to 2015 form, which is highly unlikely.

[jjchieffan]

I agree Milkman. ILB is definitely a huge concern. We are banking on some young guys stepping up. DJ Alexander, March-Lillard, and Wilson need to take their game to the next level or we're in trouble. That's a lot to ask and I'm afraid that it's not going to work out to well. Also, is Mauga still on the roster? He's not that great, but probably as good as anyone else we have at the position.

[Danguardace]

The entire front Seven is a question mark, to the point where it could go either way.

I am not concerned only because I have faith in Dorsey, Reid and Sutton. They would have paid this more attention in the off season if it were an issue for them.

[Rasputin]

Should have drafted a long snapper in the fourth round.

[Buckweath]

Talk about depth all you want but I don't see how this defense would be any worse than it was last year, maybe a bit less lucky as far as turnovers go, if you consider that luck. And I thought last year, just as the last few years, it was a borderline elite defense.

The Chiefs have the best OLB group in the AFC West and one of the best in the NFL and that is taking injury concerns into account IMO.

I think some might be underestimating Dee Ford who Dorsey says in on the rise and I agree with that.

I would just look to bring a veteran pass rusher if something goes wrong in training camp or Houston doesn't look like his old self for example.

The ILB should again be a rather weak spot but not any worse than last year again. I thought March could become a solid ILB and now not so much anymore but there is still hope that he could finally blossom.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

I think the turnovers are a true part of the defense's identity at this point. Two years in a row now they have been top 5 in takeaways.

The key this year is going to be shoring up the run defense enough to make the defense itself good in terms of allowing yardage. The defense needs to establish itself as a true top 5 group in both takeaways AND total yardage in order for the Chiefs to go deeper in the playoffs, IMO.

If they go into New England, week 1, and expect to win strictly on turnovers... forget about it. Hopefully some improved ILB play, Bennie Logan, and the return of Houston and Bailey can be the answer when defending the run. If they improve in that area, the pass defense will follow as they will see more 3rd-and-longs.

[Chiefaholic]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

Should have drafted a long snapper in the fourth round.

The last long snapper we drafted in the 4th round turned out to be one hell of a diamond in the rough.

[TigeRRUppeRRcut]

Good thing our secondary doesn't suck ass and can carry their weight