****Chris Jones appreciation thread****

[BossChief]

It's about time we started one of these for Chris.

He's gonna be a huge part of our playoff run.

Also, here's an article written about him today thats getting a lot of run...


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The moment Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones first made a statement to the NFL, and certainly to AFC West rival Oakland, came in the second quarter of their matchup earlier this season.

Up to that point, he was merely a goofy, affable second-round draft pick from Mississippi State rotating among the defensive linemen. He hadn't stood out like fellow rookie Tyreek Hill, and had yet to break into the starting lineup the way he now forces his way into the backfield.

It started with the Raiders' Jalen Richard taking a handoff. It ended with the massive Jones hitting him so hard it was surprising the running back's helmet stayed buckled.

Oh, and it came after Jones screwed up.

''I spiked the gap. I was supposed to contain,'' he said a few days later, while chatting with a small group of reporters. ''Thank God, I was blessed enough to make the play.''

That brutal, hilarious bit of honesty coupled with that brutal, efficient play pretty much sums up Jones, who has become one of the league's standout rookies and a big reason why Kansas City (12-4) has won its first division title since 2010 and earned a first-round playoff bye.

He is witty. He is enthusiastic. And he's become an unstoppable force on the defensive line.

Everything seems to come back to his infamous ''mistake'' in Oakland, too.

His performance that day against the Raiders earned him a starting assignment for the first time the following week against New Orleans. The week after that, the 22-year-old Jones brought down the Colts' Andrew Luck for his first career sack. A couple weeks later, he corralled Panthers quarterback Cam Newton - one of the toughest in the league to bring down - for his second career sack.

Suddenly, he had become a burgeoning star.

''Chris is really starting to come along,'' Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton said. ''He's doing a great job of pushing the pocket - that's huge. Some of those don't go as sacks, but when you put a guard right back into the quarterback, hopefully that effects them a little bit.''

In selecting Jones, the Chiefs made a calculated gamble during the draft.

They were high on him throughout the scouting process, even though some teams questioned his desire to compete every play. But they also lost a draft pick to tampering charges, so to recoup that pick and address other needs, they wound up trading their lone first-round selection.

Their hope was Jones would still be available on Day 2.

When he was still sitting there, the Chiefs snapped him up with the 37th overall selection - and he promptly told the world that he was deserving of not only that pick but one much higher. Asked for a self-scout, he replied on draft day: ''A very dominant player. Has the ability to be a Pro Bowler. Needs to work on a few things. Could be one of the best of all time. It's up to him.''

That assessment has turned out to be fairly accurate.

Jones has wreaked havoc in offensive backfields throughout the back half of the season, and has played at a Pro Bowl level even if he didn't receive the recognition. He has also spent extra time working on his footwork, hands and all the other nuances that come with playing the position.

In other words, Jones is doing everything that is ''up to him.''

''I like what he's done. He spends a lot of time in the building studying,'' Chiefs coach Andy Reid said this week. ''He does everything right - not right now - but he's sure getting there.''

It helps that the Chiefs have a group of veterans.

Defensive tackle Dontari Poe has become one of his closest friends, and Allen Bailey and others have provided pointers. Even longtime outside linebacker Tamba Hali has been impressed, saying recently, ''We've never had such a dominant player at the three-technique.''

''He kind of stays in Poe's hip pocket there and makes sure he's not missing anything from that standpoint,'' Reid said. ''He watches a ton of tape. He's getting better as he goes.''

That's a scary thought for whomever the Chiefs play in the divisional round of the playoffs.

For everyone they face farther down the road, too.

''He's one of the leaders of quarterback hits, negative plays, in the league right now,'' Reid said, ''as a rookie. So he's got production there and he's gotten better every week, and that's a tribute to him and the hard work that he's put in.''

[Sandy Vagina]

^ looks right to me, jj.. least I hope it's right.

Mebane set to average 5 mil per for the next 2 years.
Oldman Wilfork pulled in 5.5. mil last season.
Next guys up were/are pulling in 3+ mil per yr.

If Poe really wants to stay in KC, 5-6 mil per seems very reasonable. Have to wonder, would KC or all teams have a "games started" incentive built into the deal, since Poe has had back issues? and would Poe get offended at such?

[Halfcan]

Jones has been dominating this year-flat out throwing guys on their asses. Great pick and we traded down-best move in the draft.

[Mr. Laz]

goodbye Poe

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

^ looks right to me, jj.. least I hope it's right.

Mebane set to average 5 mil per for the next 2 years.
Oldman Wilfork pulled in 5.5. mil last season.
Next guys up were/are pulling in 3+ mil per yr.

If Poe really wants to stay in KC, 5-6 mil per seems very reasonable. Have to wonder, would KC or all teams have a "games started" incentive built into the deal, since Poe has had back issues? and would Poe get offended at such?

Maybe Poe will get some incentives for how many TD's he throws next year?

[Ken Bone]

Chris Jones is a stud. He's been the Chiefs best defensive lineman this season and it's not even close. However Poe's been the Chiefs best defensive lineman on offense this year and it's not even close. What I'm trying to say is Chris Jones seems nice..

[Chief Northman]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

goodbye Poe

More nonsense.

[ThaVirus]

We're not getting Poe at $5m per year

[O.city]

Jones is good, could be great in a year or two.

But he gets alot of 1 on 1 matchups because of poe. Take poe out and let Jones get doubled alot, I don't think that works out well.

They need to keep poe

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

We're not getting Poe at $5m per year

I would estimate that Poe's salary would average around $8 million, and that's completely fair IMO

[BoneKrusher]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Well after Dak at least.

Dak has four first round picks playing on the O-Line, doesn't he?

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by RunKC

I would estimate that Poe's salary would average around $8 million, and that's completely fair IMO

Sounds much more reasonable, which means someone out there will probably be willing to offer him upwards of $10m per year.

[ChiefAshhole1056]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

Sounds much more reasonable, which means someone out there will probably be willing to offer him upwards of $10m per year.

Which is very possible and what I'm sure his agent will be saying, but at the end of the day I think Poe realizes how important his role in KC is and will end up putting loyalty over cash.

He's come out recently speaking about how Andy is the biggest weapon KC has for the playoffs, and I think that speaks to how much respect he has for the man and that will end up being huge in him returning. You've seen it with many players in Andy's past, guys want to play for him, and I think we are seeing that being manifested in Poe. It also probably helps that Andy has thrown him on the goalline for the "Hungry Pig" formations, how many other coaches/teams are going to be able to offer that?

It may sound silly, but at the end of the day I think when he is deciding on a $2 mil difference between KC and a completely different role/team/coach/scheme, it's things like that and his experiences with Andy/KC that will win him over.

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by ChiefAshhole1056

Which is very possible and what I'm sure his agent will be saying, but at the end of the day I think Poe realizes how important his role in KC is and will end up putting loyalty over cash.



He's come out recently speaking about how Andy is the biggest weapon KC has for the playoffs, and I think that speaks to how much respect he has for the man and that will end up being huge in him returning. You've seen it with many players in Andy's past, guys want to play for him, and I think we are seeing that being manifested in Poe. It also probably helps that Andy has thrown him on the goalline for the "Hungry Pig" formations, how many other coaches/teams are going to be able to offer that?



It may sound silly, but at the end of the day I think when he is deciding on a $2 mil difference between KC and a completely different role/team/coach/scheme, it's things like that and his experiences with Andy/KC that will win him over.

You have a lot of faith. I can't help but think it's entirely unfounded.

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Well after Dak at least.

I agree with you on Dorsey. He's an elite scout through and through and he's ours. What a time to be a fan

I don't know what it is maybe just Cowboy hate but I think Dak is going to come back to earth.....Krapernick style.

I know they are different kinds of players....I just have a feeling.

[ChiefAshhole1056]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

You have a lot of faith. I can't help but think it's entirely unfounded.

Also, Dorsey has performed some offseason magic before (the unforeseen Maclin/Schwartz signings when we were perceived to have very little money to begin with come to mind). I think this regime has earned some faith