Chiefs Keys to becoming an elite defense for 2016

pugsnotdrugs19 · 12:54 PM

Was thinking about this for the last week or so and I finally settled on a few things that I think need to happen in order for us to get to that championship level of defense.. please, before you say we just need to stay healthy or that we can't because of Sutton-- understand that I have shared that sentiment a time or two myself. But realistically, there are some thing that can happen by next year that can truly launch the Chiefs into being one of these all time great defensive teams. Here below are some of these things that I hope to see happen, and many could even fall in place via the domino effect. Not all HAVE to come to fruition- but if most do, we will truly have a shot to be playing in Houston next February.

1. Justin Houston uses Von Miller's playoff performance as motivation to play his best football to date.
---No, really. I think it could happen. Yeah he had 22 sacks, but it doesn't mean he can't be even better all around. I still would take a healthy Houston over Miller, that's no lie. Houston needs to use this as a driving force behind the operation to take the next step as a team, especially with game changing plays.

2. Dee Ford develops a spin move.
---Look, we all like to criticize this pick for the bust it seems to be right now, but no one can deny that first step. Right now, tackles just kick out immediately against Ford and it makes their job very easy with his predictability. Though Ford doesn't possess the strength of Houston to convert speed to power on the edge, he could still become a force by developing a spin move that would force tackles to protect their inside against his first step rush. Dorsey already said the main focus for Dee's offseason is developing more moves, so this makes sense. This is the kind of thing that could make Ford our own version of Demarcus Ware, to some extent.

3. Allen Bailey and Dontari Poe continue to emerge and improve as interior presences.
---This one is certainly realistic. Bailey was having perhaps the best year of any Chiefs defender before his calf injury mid-season. Poe got much better as the year wore on. They are both physical freaks who can consistently apply pressure. Their health is pivotal to a Chiefs defense becoming elite.

4. Marcus Peters becomes a 'shutdown' corner.
---This one too is entirely possible. As long as Peters continues to intercept pass after pass, eventually teams are going to stop throwing at him so much. I call it the Richard Sherman effect. Sherman tore up the league with interceptions so much early in his career that now most QBs won't even try to target the guy. Think about how much easier that makes defending an offense. You essentially get to focus on one side of the field while giving minimal help to Peters' side. Josh Norman also began to see this treatment late in the year. It can take a pass defense to the next level as a team in a huge way.

5. Young players step in and play fast, physical football.
---The main names coming to mind for me here are Phillip Gaines, Ramik Wilson, Steven Nelson, and other picks to come. Look, Chris Harris tore his ACL in early 2014 and came back 7 months later to have his best career year at CB for Denver. The Chiefs need Gaines to pull that off in order to take this step. Ramik Wilson needs to force himself into the starting lineup as a physical playmaking linebacker. Nelson needs to be a physical corner any time he gets on the field. The list wouldn't even end there, but we'll see come July.

Yes, health is the main key but that's never guaranteed. Sutton needs to learn from the blueprints made before him. But I think the talent is there.

What do you say? Can the Chiefs become a historical defense in 2016?

Hog's Gone Fishin · 02-08-2016, 12:52 PM

We need more edge rushers and elite cornerbacks. Then we need the next Luke Kuechley

**Baby Lee** · 02-08-2016, 12:54 PM

It's a fine line of motivation they need to walk.

They can't be discouraged by thinking the hard work the likes of Berry and DJ did to come back strong wasn't enough.

They can't be so naive as to not realize that, for all the hard work they put in this year, the Denver D worked and game planned harder.

There is absolutely no reason, outside the perpetual spectre of injury, that the D can't be even more dominant next year. We've paid them, we've stuck with them. Time to start collecting heads.

RunKC · 02-08-2016, 12:59 PM

What hurt us this year?

-Losing Gaines and having no depth.
-Muaga's lack of speed.
-injuries

Draft one of the talented CB's early from this deep class, look for a fast ILB and get another pass rusher

**Easy 6** · 02-08-2016, 01:00 PM

Mauga should be a backup

So should Abdullah

Need to draft another CB

Need to sign another out of free agency

Ford needs to take a big step into the starting role

ClevelandBronco · 02-08-2016, 01:03 PM

Don't do it. It makes your Super Bowl victories really boring for most people.

KC native · 02-08-2016, 01:04 PM

Fire Sutton

**Bowser** · 02-08-2016, 01:04 PM

Ford is key since I sincerely doubt Tamba will be back. He absolutely needs to take the next step going into the 2016 season. Mauga needs to be relegated to backup/special teams duty. I don't hate him as an ILB'er, we just need someone more explosive there. Bringing in or drafting a corner high would help since I also sincerely doubt Sean Smith will be back.

**Bowser** · 02-08-2016, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

Don't do it. It makes your Super Bowl victories really boring for most people.

I hope our Super Bowl victory is as eye rollingly bad for you as yours was for every fan not a Bronco fan was this year.

staylor26 · 02-08-2016, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

Don't do it. It makes your Super Bowl victories really boring for most people.

Why are you even on a Chiefs board after you just won a SB. What a ****ing loser

**ptlyon** · 02-08-2016, 01:11 PM

All you need is have ESPN say that you have an elite defense. The rest will take care of itself.

pugsnotdrugs19 · 02-08-2016, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

Ford is key since I sincerely doubt Tamba will be back. He absolutely needs to take the next step going into the 2016 season. Mauga needs to be relegated to backup/special teams duty. I don't hate him as an ILB'er, we just need someone more explosive there. Bringing in or drafting a corner high would help since I also sincerely doubt Sean Smith will be back.

I think Tamba comes back, just not as a starter. And he can't be if we want to take this step cause it is Ford's time to make it happen. Wilson needs to overtake Mauga. Maybe even March if that hype is legit.

ClevelandBronco · 02-08-2016, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by staylor26

Why are you even on a Chiefs board after you just won a SB. What a ****ing loser

I'm just here to rub it in your face. Not everyone's. Definitely yours.

pugsnotdrugs19 · 02-08-2016, 01:43 PM

A guy at Arrowhead Addict suggested that since the a Eagles are close to signing Fletcher Cox to a deal in that 6 Yr/100 million range, that Poe may look to claim that much. If that's the case.... we better start talking to Jaye Howard FAST. Surely a deal with Poe wouldn't come close to that... Jesus.

**Easy 6** · 02-08-2016, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

A guy at Arrowhead Addict suggested that since the a Eagles are close to signing Fletcher Cox to a deal in that 6 Yr/100 million range, that Poe may look to claim that much. If that's the case.... we better start talking to Jaye Howard FAST. Surely a deal with Poe wouldn't come close to that... Jesus.

Nip it in the bud and tag him

02-08-2016, 12:38 PM
pugsnotdrugs19 SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2013 Casino cash: $9099447	Keys to becoming an elite defense for 2016 Was thinking about this for the last week or so and I finally settled on a few things that I think need to happen in order for us to get to that championship level of defense.. please, before you say we just need to stay healthy or that we can't because of Sutton-- understand that I have shared that sentiment a time or two myself. But realistically, there are some thing that can happen by next year that can truly launch the Chiefs into being one of these all time great defensive teams. Here below are some of these things that I hope to see happen, and many could even fall in place via the domino effect. Not all HAVE to come to fruition- but if most do, we will truly have a shot to be playing in Houston next February. 1. Justin Houston uses Von Miller's playoff performance as motivation to play his best football to date. ---No, really. I think it could happen. Yeah he had 22 sacks, but it doesn't mean he can't be even better all around. I still would take a healthy Houston over Miller, that's no lie. Houston needs to use this as a driving force behind the operation to take the next step as a team, especially with game changing plays. 2. Dee Ford develops a spin move. ---Look, we all like to criticize this pick for the bust it seems to be right now, but no one can deny that first step. Right now, tackles just kick out immediately against Ford and it makes their job very easy with his predictability. Though Ford doesn't possess the strength of Houston to convert speed to power on the edge, he could still become a force by developing a spin move that would force tackles to protect their inside against his first step rush. Dorsey already said the main focus for Dee's offseason is developing more moves, so this makes sense. This is the kind of thing that could make Ford our own version of Demarcus Ware, to some extent. 3. Allen Bailey and Dontari Poe continue to emerge and improve as interior presences. ---This one is certainly realistic. Bailey was having perhaps the best year of any Chiefs defender before his calf injury mid-season. Poe got much better as the year wore on. They are both physical freaks who can consistently apply pressure. Their health is pivotal to a Chiefs defense becoming elite. 4. Marcus Peters becomes a 'shutdown' corner. ---This one too is entirely possible. As long as Peters continues to intercept pass after pass, eventually teams are going to stop throwing at him so much. I call it the Richard Sherman effect. Sherman tore up the league with interceptions so much early in his career that now most QBs won't even try to target the guy. Think about how much easier that makes defending an offense. You essentially get to focus on one side of the field while giving minimal help to Peters' side. Josh Norman also began to see this treatment late in the year. It can take a pass defense to the next level as a team in a huge way. 5. Young players step in and play fast, physical football. ---The main names coming to mind for me here are Phillip Gaines, Ramik Wilson, Steven Nelson, and other picks to come. Look, Chris Harris tore his ACL in early 2014 and came back 7 months later to have his best career year at CB for Denver. The Chiefs need Gaines to pull that off in order to take this step. Ramik Wilson needs to force himself into the starting lineup as a physical playmaking linebacker. Nelson needs to be a physical corner any time he gets on the field. The list wouldn't even end there, but we'll see come July. Yes, health is the main key but that's never guaranteed. Sutton needs to learn from the blueprints made before him. But I think the talent is there. What do you say? Can the Chiefs become a historical defense in 2016? Last edited by pugsnotdrugs19; 02-08-2016 at 12:54 PM..
Posts: 26,381

02-08-2016, 12:52 PM	#2
Hog's Gone Fishin Fish are scared of me Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1330477	We need more edge rushers and elite cornerbacks. Then we need the next Luke Kuechley
Posts: 40,439

02-08-2016, 12:54 PM	#3
Baby Lee Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $6838598	It's a fine line of motivation they need to walk. They can't be discouraged by thinking the hard work the likes of Berry and DJ did to come back strong wasn't enough. They can't be so naive as to not realize that, for all the hard work they put in this year, the Denver D worked and game planned harder. There is absolutely no reason, outside the perpetual spectre of injury, that the D can't be even more dominant next year. We've paid them, we've stuck with them. Time to start collecting heads. __________________ We need the kind of courage that can withstand the subtle corruption of the cynics - E.W.
Posts: 95,642

02-08-2016, 12:59 PM	#4
RunKC Andy Reid Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $1869611	What hurt us this year? -Losing Gaines and having no depth. -Muaga's lack of speed. -injuries Draft one of the talented CB's early from this deep class, look for a fast ILB and get another pass rusher
Posts: 46,369

02-08-2016, 01:00 PM	#5
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $3337775	Mauga should be a backup So should Abdullah Need to draft another CB Need to sign another out of free agency Ford needs to take a big step into the starting role
Posts: 92,106

02-08-2016, 01:03 PM	#6
ClevelandBronco I'm with the banned. Join Date: Sep 2006 Casino cash: $5658955	Don't do it. It makes your Super Bowl victories really boring for most people. __________________ "Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth ..." – Pope Saint John Paul II
Posts: 28,113

02-08-2016, 01:04 PM	#7
KC native Banned Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Casino cash: $10049239	Fire Sutton
Posts: 24,946

02-08-2016, 01:04 PM	#8
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3091616	Ford is key since I sincerely doubt Tamba will be back. He absolutely needs to take the next step going into the 2016 season. Mauga needs to be relegated to backup/special teams duty. I don't hate him as an ILB'er, we just need someone more explosive there. Bringing in or drafting a corner high would help since I also sincerely doubt Sean Smith will be back.
Posts: 101,199

02-08-2016, 01:11 PM	#11
ptlyon Bono & Grbac wasn't enough Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sioux City, IA Casino cash: $12713829	All you need is have ESPN say that you have an elite defense. The rest will take care of itself. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Advertise here: $19.99 a month
Posts: 34,050

02-08-2016, 01:43 PM	#14
pugsnotdrugs19 SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2013 Casino cash: $9099447	A guy at Arrowhead Addict suggested that since the a Eagles are close to signing Fletcher Cox to a deal in that 6 Yr/100 million range, that Poe may look to claim that much. If that's the case.... we better start talking to Jaye Howard FAST. Surely a deal with Poe wouldn't come close to that... Jesus.
Posts: 26,381