Tyson Jackson goes from underachiever to newfound force

[Deberg_1990]

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/12/06...rachiever.html


Maybe, just maybe, in his fourth season, Chiefs defensive end Tyson Jackson is turning into the impact player the club envisioned when he was the third overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft.

No longer does Jackson head for the sidelines when the Chiefs go in to their nickel defense. In the last two games, against Denver and Carolina, he teamed with rookie tackle Dontari Poe as the two interior linemen on passing downs.

And Jackson responded with two of the most productive games of what has otherwise been considered an underachieving career.

In Sunday's 27-21 win over Carolina, Jackson matched his season's best with five tackles, recorded his second sack of the season and batted down a third-down pass by Cam Newton on the most crucial fourth-quarter defensive series of the game.

A week earlier, Jackson had three tackles and took down Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who was attempting a pass - but because Manning was credited with a 1-yard rush, statistically it was not ruled a sack.

"Tyson has been good all year," Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel said. "A lot of times people are watching the ball, and they don't always watch what goes on in the trenches. Tyson has always been a consistent player for us, and every time he goes out there, he does what we ask him to do, and he competes very well.

"We're just asking him to do a little bit more, and he's doing more."
Crennel said he decided to utilize Jackson instead of Allen Bailey on passing downs because teams started running the ball successfully against the nickel defense.

Consequently, Jackson participated in a season-most 55 snaps - or 86 percent of the Chiefs' defensive plays against Denver. In fact, Jackson has seen his most action of the season in the last two weeks. He was in on 73 percent of the team's plays against Carolina. Twice this year, he had been on the field for less than 50 percent of the plays.
"It's awesome, getting sacks and getting quarterback pressures," said Jackson, whose two sacks this season matched the total for his first three seasons. "It's definitely a different feeling than just holding those offensive linemen up so our linebackers can make plays.
"But to be quite honest, I'm a team player. Whatever I can to help our team out, I'm all for it."

In the base 3-4 front, Jackson's primary responsibility is to do the dirty work and occupy blockers so inside linebackers are free to make tackles. But as a down lineman in the nickel, Jackson is free to go after the passer, even if he doesn't get the sack.

Jackson's pressure up the middle against the Broncos, when he mauled Denver center Dan Koppen, kept Manning from stepping up in the pocket and allowed Justin Houston to pick up a sack.

"I understood my role in the defense," Jackson said. "They had guys on the team who could affect the quarterback better than I could at particular times on third down. I know for sure I was a first- and second-down type of guy who could go out there and stop the run. I'm trying to embrace whatever the coaches throw my way right now to help our defense get some three-and-outs and some stops to get our offense the ball.
"The sacks are nice, but I'd trade those to get a win."

The win over Carolina came in the aftermath of last Saturday's murder-suicide by linebacker Jovan Belcher, and now the Chiefs have the difficult task of coping with their grief while preparing for this Sunday's trip to Cleveland.

"I think the win means a lot more than just a win for us," Jackson said after the Carolina game. "Emotionally, it is helping us a little more. . . . It was enough to help us ease our minds. Everybody relied on the man next to him, and that's how we were able to get the job done."

It's uncertain if the Chiefs will be relying on Jackson, 26, much longer. They restructured his contract in the offseason, and his base salary for 2013 would be $14.72 million, with $3.22 guaranteed. So unless the two sides work out another new deal, Jackson may not be in Kansas City next year.

"I'll leave that up to the front office and my agent and let them take care of the business part of the deal," said Jackson. "I would love to be back. I really love the Chiefs, I love the organization, I love the fans.

"This year has been a rough year, but we still have a few games to go to get some wins under our belt and finish our season on a bright note."

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I like the PFF stuff, but I'll point out that if Jackson isn't playing in passing situations where he knows it's a rush situation, it seems to me that his rushing rating will be lower.

Put another way, who's going to have a better pass rush rating?

Player A - plays mostly on rushing downs and has to read a pass play on the fly.

Player B - plays mostly on passing downs and rushes the passer unless he reads a run on the fly.

My hope is that playing Jackson on passing downs will give him more opportunities to pin his ears back and actually rush, thereby improving his pass rush effectiveness (and PFF scores).

He's never been a good pass rusher, even at LSU. He doesn't have the speed for it. If he was in a 4-3 as a DE he'd be lucky to have 5 sacks a year.

[Cheater5]

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

It's accurate, you dumbshit. Take a look. The only reason Jackson gets this sack is because Cam is flushed his way.



It's nothing special at all. Any slapdick off the street can get a sack this way.

Huh. Pituitoa actually looks like he gets good pressure up the middle - if anyone on the DL deserves credit on this play it's him.

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

It didn't really seem like there was a dropoff when Ropati came in.

Dorsey just didn't make much of an impact. He was just a guy. But was used in the wrong system. I still think if he went to a 4-3 team he would be a solid player. I hope he does.

[Branden Albert's Huge Balls]

Originally Posted by Cheater5

Huh. Pituitoa actually looks like he gets good pressure up the middle - if anyone on the DL deserves credit on this play it's him.

That play is 90 percent Rapetitty and Siler and 10 percent Jackson.

It's ****ing bullshit anyone is praising Jackson in the media these last two weeks.

Thank CHRIST I don't have to listen to anyone say anything good about Scott Pioli or Tyson Jackson after four more games.

[KCrockaholic]

I agree with Clay. I can't wait for the off-season. I've seriously never been so excited for a year to end.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by KCrockaholic

I agree with Clay. I can't wait for the off-season. I've seriously never been so excited for a year to end.

ONLY if PIOLI is gone...

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by KCrockaholic

I agree with Clay. I can't wait for the off-season. I've seriously never been so excited for a year to end.

excited... or thankful?

[Branden Albert's Huge Balls]

Originally Posted by Zeke

excited... or thankful?

Both.

This offseason is gonna be FUN.

[unnecessary drama]

I was going to say...both of his "sacks" were coverage sacks where the QB ran right into him...

whooopdeedoo

Poe actually gets legit push and pressure. He's our only DL worth a shit and he still sucks asshole if you ask me.

[mcaj22]

the problem with that is Ratboy Pissitua and Dontari Poe are essentially taking on FOUR BLOCKERS in that .gif. Three oline and the blocking HB comes up to help. 4 on 2. So Tyson Jackson is left alone to BEAT ONE ****ING GUY 1 on 1 and he cant even do that.

Thats where you GOT TO make a play. if you are left 1 on 1 like that, you got to have some sort of push, pass rush, anything. That's the difference between a good and bad d-line right there.

Essentially other good teams have that, when Justin Smith gets doubled, Ray McDonald can usually beat his guy 1 on 1 on the other side, JJ Watt doubled, Antonio Smith gets a good 1 on 1 push, Haolit Ngata gets doubled either Arthur Jones or Pharnell McPhee have a 1 on 1 chance.... etc. Watch any other 34 d-line.

[bricks]

This article should be talking about Poe.

Poe has been making progress throughout the year IMO.

[KC Tattoo]

He loves us, we don't love him. Is that an example of ironic?

[Branden Albert's Huge Balls]

Originally Posted by bricks

This article should be talking about Poe.

Poe has been making progress throughout the year IMO.

Poe needs to get some bullshit sacks.

THEN the KC media will blow him.

[notorious]

"Newfound Force"


...

[TrueFanDave]

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

This offseason is gonna be FUN.

Only if Pioli is gone.