Late night bullshit: are you a defense or an offense fan? (Also, Poe.)

[Direckshun]

Let's make this a poll.

I personally have always been more partial to defense. I think a great defense is like art in motion. An offense can be powered by a great quarterback or an elite player here or there, but a great defense requires an orchestration from all parts that an offense doesn't always require. Sure it helps if the left guard cut-blocks the defensive end on the far side of the field so that Jamaal Charles can have an additional tenth-of-a-second darting towards the opposite side of the field, but a great defense requires 11 moving pieces.

In that sense, I enjoyed the 90s Chiefs more than the 2000s Chiefs, the lopsided-defense teams over the lopsided-offense teams.

I've loved the development of this defense under Pioli and Crennel. We have the best and deepest defensive line this team has had since the days of Dan Saleamua (sp?). Our passrush rivals Allen/Hali from the Herm Edwards days. And our secondary is one of the very best the NFL has to offer.

It's been a bit anticlimactic for me, however. When I watch the big-ass defensive line required by a 3-4 defense, what position holds more fascination than the nose tackle?

You're talking about a humongous brute, whose sheer size is so great he lines up directly over the center with the intention of simply pushing the guy back by being big. He exists on a very small (but crucial) part of the field, and is bigger than everybody else, stronger than everybody else, and on the best defenses, more ferocious than everybody else. We're talking about a guy so big that he creates injuries by simply falling on people.

It's like an invulnerable superhuman, and it just fascinates me to watch it. So little movement all over the field compared to everybody else. Yet the things happening between the hashes, going up against the heart of an offensive line built to punish defenders, totally outnumbered and outgunned, are among the most important on the field.

We finally got one. And he is not small, and he is immensely gifted. 6'4", 350 lbs. He's among the strongest the league has to offer. Among the fastest the league has to offer.

I wasn't thrilled about the pick, but in a way I'm glad we got him. We finally have a player who does things like this:





And you absolutely have to love the primal scream about :33 in when he's getting close to 44 reps...



You see the guys on the sidelines lighting up. It's magnetic. It's something no other position can really do for your defense. It colors the entire defense.

No particular point to this thread. Just a meditation on defense, the nose tackle, and Poe.

It's too easy to hate on this guy, folks. Let's get the positive mojo going.

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by listopencil

That kid is incredible.

He's probably the only Bronco I kind of like and respect. I guess I could include McGahee.

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by KCrockaholic

He's probably the only Bronco I kind of like and respect. I guess I could include McGahee.

Well, he does have a tie in to DT. Thomas was his hero. He wears 58 to honor him.

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by listopencil

Well, he does have a tie in to DT. Thomas was his hero. He wears 58 to honor him.

That's what worries me. Denver has their own version of DT now.

Now if we could just get our own John Elway.

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by KCrockaholic

That's what worries me. Denver has their own version of DT now.

Now if we could just get our own John Elway.

****. I hope not. KC with a franchise QB would be dangerous as hell.

[TimeForWasp]

Drew Breeze

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by listopencil

****. I hope not. KC with a franchise QB would be dangerous as hell.

Our problem will be that once we get our franchise QB the young talent right now will likely be past their prime. They'll have to continue to hit in the draft so the talent stays about the same 5 years from now. But of course, a franchise QB can make up for lack of talent in other areas.

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by KCrockaholic

Our problem will be that once we get our franchise QB the young talent right now will likely be past their prime. They'll have to continue to hit in the draft so the talent stays about the same 5 years from now. But of course, a franchise QB can make up for lack of talent in other areas.

The Broncos are actually coming back to the middle now after a long line of shitty drafts. Teams really have to hit something on their first few picks. You guys are back to the Strong D/ Weak O thing again but a franchise QB would make a huge difference.

[|Zach|]

I really love the running game.

Executing a good running game and stopping the run.

[Ultra Peanut]

Originally Posted by Fairplay

Larry Johnson scores then get a Chiefs flag and waves it around,

then runs and a player picks him up and LJ hold up his triangle sign in his hands.

Um, excuse me, but I believe it is referred to as THE ROC.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by listopencil

The Broncos are actually coming back to the middle now after a long line of shitty drafts. Teams really have to hit something on their first few picks. You guys are back to the Strong D/ Weak O thing again but a franchise QB would make a huge difference.

We have by far the most talent I've seen here since I moved to KC in 1998. I think the offensive talent is collectively not far behind Vermeil's teams, with the obvious glaring exception at QB, and the defense is just loaded with players front to back.

The offensive talent comment might seem questionable, in that there aren't (or at least aren't yet) hall of fame talent like Roaf/Shields and Gonzalez, but that team wasn't even one receiver deep, much less three, Moeaki was a poor man's Gonzalez as a rookie, and I think could do really well if he stays healthy, and the line right now, even without players on Roaf and Shields level should be very, very solid for years to come. I honestly think Trent Green with this team would throw for 5000 yards, and they'd put up comparable numbers offensively across the board, in terms of running game and scoring.

Unfortunately they don't have Green. They don't even have Todd Collins. I don't expect Cassel to throw for 3500.

[Munson]

Above all, I love a great, dominating defense with an elite pass rush. It all started with growing up watching the Chiefs in the early 90's. Watching DT come off the edge was a thing of beauty. I loved that feeling when it was 3rd and long, and everybody in the stadium, and everybody watching on tv knew that DT was about to get a sack. The opposing coach knew it, the offensive lineman knew it, the QB knew it, and there was nothing they could do about it. Those were the good ol' days.

I also love a perfectly executed running play. Watching the '01-05 Chiefs was something else. Seeing someone as big as Willie Roaf walk up to the line like an old man, and as soon as the play starts, unleash the fury of God on defenders was incredible. Priest Holmes was the perfect RB for that offensive line. He was a smart, patient runner who let the play develop, and then made his move at the perfect time. He could run a toss sweep just as well as execute a screen play to perfection. Damn I wish we had an offense half as capable as that one.

[bricks]

I love both sides of the ball but have to say offense is more exciting.

I'd rather watch a QB throw a 40 yard bomb than see an ILB stuff a guy on 3 and short or see someone on defense get a sack. I just think a TD is much more thrilling.

The only way I can compare offense and defense as equal level of excitement is when the defense scores a TD. That's very exciting because defensive touchdowns don't happen that often. But when they do, most of the time the team that scores on defense wins. Giving you more reason to believe in your team afterwards. Such a good feeling.

IMO, Defense definately has more impact than offense. It can change a game instabtly. Defense can always score, create turnovers, create good field position for the offense. It definately helps out the offense more than the offense helps out the defense.

[Blick]

Definitely defense. Grew up on the 90's teams. Liked playing defense more as a kid. Probably more knowledgeable on that side of the ball.

I really like the potential of our defense, but I also think there are going to be some growing pains with Poe. It's easy to get gashed with the run if guys aren't maintaining their gap responsibility. Hopefully we won't give up too many big plays while the big fella gets used to the position and the NFL.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by listopencil

****. I hope not. KC with a franchise QB would be dangerous as hell.

HEY SCOTT PIOLI LISTEN TOO WHAT OUR RIVAL HAS TO SAY!! HELLO YOU GET A FRANCHISE QUARTERBACK TO PLAY TO WIN THE GAME

[ChiefGator]

I gotta side with Gaz on this one and say Defense. The early 90's teams made me a Chiefs fan. Of course, during Vermiel's days I loved the offense, but I really just loved seeing our big uglies manhandle their defense and watch Priest patiently run behind that line.