Dee Ford. New and Improved? 4-3 Ready!

[T-post Tom]

Guess he's learning? AND playing the 4-3?

"They said I was offsides. Was I?”

These are the words that NFL Films captured from Dee Ford on the sideline after his crucial offsides penalty in the AFC championship game. Ford was in utter disbelief of the situation, as were Chiefs fans who thought the team had just punched their ticket to the Super Bowl. Instead they had to settle for the Pro Bowl, where Ford played on Sunday.

Ford explained many times during Pro Bowl week that he won’t let the costly penalty define him, and that he’s been through worse before. During the Pro Bowl, Ford had a good game, even though he was mostly playing out of position as a 4-3 outside linebacker. He had three tackles on the day and played throughout the day.

There was one moment though, in the fourth quarter of play, that brought up haunting memories of what could have been for the Chiefs. Ford nearly committed the exact penalty that nullified an interception for the Chiefs in the AFC championship game. This time, however, Ford caught himself offsides and got out of the neutral zone before the snap. Check it out:

Dee Ford literally lined up offsides in the Pro Bowl and caught himself, oh nooooo pic.twitter.com/oF2GjHxQDE

— 12up (@12upSport) January 27, 2019

You’ll notice Ford at the bottom of the screen, lined up over the broadcasts black line depicting the line of scrimmage. Ford quickly shuffles backwards before the snap and no penalty occurs. Unfortunately for Ford, live television captures everything, especially in the NFL.

Knowing the way Ford has handled the situation surrounding his AFC championship game penalty, he won’t let this moment get to him. He’ll probably laugh about it, but if he’d done this a week earlier the Chiefs would be playing in the Super Bowl on February 3rd.

https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2019/01/28/dee-ford-lined-up-in-neutral-zone-during-2019-pro-bowl/

[Red Dawg]

Originally Posted by -King-

It's not like the offense is going to stop putting the defense in those situations so we still need to have players who can get sacks.

What was your opinion on Ford before the Patriots game?

The same. He's a one trick pony. Can he actually play OLB or just rush the passer? I think only rush the passer. He's not close to being a great defensive player. In the 4-3 he will be worthless. Waste of a tag.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Red Dawg

The same. He's a one trick pony. Can he actually play OLB or just rush the passer? I think only rush the passer. He's not close to being a great defensive player. In the 4-3 he will be worthless. Waste of a tag.

Sorry, have to take exception there.

He's absolutely worth the tag. He's exactly the type of player you do tag. He had a career year. It's a down market for FA pass rushers.

We stand a good chance of getting decent picks for him if we tag him.