Again fellas - Jared Allen was a HoF player.

Let’s be reasonable here.

Is Trey Hendrickson a lazy comparison?

Not at all.

Similar size and skill sets.

Like Karlaftis, Hendrickson has short arms (even shorter).

Great. That's how I've been envisioning him while watching the highlights. Would love if he can match that or be even better.

More of a Jared Allen/Lawrence Taylor/Joe Greene type.... :)

https://i.imgur.com/jyFimXi.jpg



Chiefs really leaning into the Nascar package

Rockfest better get its butthole ready

POV: you’re a can of Monster Energy and your days are numbered

I still think the closest comparison is Tamba Hali. Karlaftis is just a little better and will have better coaching than Hali had. Tim Krumrie ain’t walking through that door teaching slap fighting.

Very comparable, though.

Not the longest arms.
Not fast Hali 4.87 Karlaftis 4.75
Elite pressures, had to grow into a finisher. Hali was top 5 in pressures each year in years 2-4 but couldn’t crack around 8 sacks. Karlaftis has the third highest pressure rate of the last 3 years, but topped out at 7.5 sacks.
High motor. Both play to the whistle every down. Non stop.
Naturally strong and understands leverage

Hali 6’3” 275 at combine
Karlaftis 6’4” 266 at combine

Both were born in other countries and have a chip on their shoulder.

Karlaftis is basically Tamba Hali X1.1

I bet he has a similar career trajectory, too. Likely even accelerated because of better tools and coaching for Karlaftis. Karlaftis (if he stays healthy) will probably get 7-9 sacks as a rookie this year. Tamba had 8 as a rookie.

I bet it takes Karlaftis 2 years before he breaks out with 11-13 sacks, but it’s only a matter of time till he does. He’s going to build his strength and pass rush moves. That breakout may even come sooner.

Has anyone told George and Leo about 98.9 the Rock? They’re gonna love Johnny Dare.

tattoo artists across KC boning up on their barb wire drawing skills

Can't miss, he's surely more explosive than all of those guys.

Jared Allen was also a fourth round selection. With that said, to undervalue Big George would also be a mistake. I agree, let's be reasonable.

Big George is going to be in the HoF one day and Jared Allen is going to be at the ceremony to take pictures with him. Maybe even do a TikTok with Jackson Mahomes just for the heck of it.

I certainly admire your optimism.

Tik Tok will have gone the way of Facebook by then, nothing but old people and ads for bands

Man, I hope you're right about that. I don't like Tik Tok at all. :thumb:

Karlaftis is way, way too stiff to be compared to Hali.

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I remember that being an objection to Tamba playing standing up 12 years ago.

Big George has massive hands though, 10.25". When he gets one of those oven mits on you it's over. You're going to see T's screaming at their QB to just lay down because the freight train is coming.

(With that said JJ Watt is a freak of a human being. He has 11 1/8" hands and 34" arms. I'm dropping that comparison. Sheesh...)

All jokes aside, I will say you guys are very much under appreciating Big George's burst off the line. He's an explosive player who does not take plays off. Maybe he'll be a positive influence on Frank Clark.

I think the positive influence on Clark ship has sailed. He will probably need his Probation/Parole officer to set him straight.

Ouch! Lol

We just need a couple good years out of him. I just want to see him give the effort and put the work in. Half the time he looks and plays like he really doesn't care anymore. I detest that. But when the game is on the line he's full throttle.

Sorry to keep beating the drum guys but you gotta see this. We all know Iowa is an OL football factory. So not a bad study. Big George absolutely wrecked this game. It was so bad that by the 4th quarter Iowa was doubling him with the T and G regardless of what side Big George was on. It opened up the flood gates for other players.

For those who say he's a bit tight, he had a nice sack in this where he displayed he can bend pretty well. He's just so good a bull rushing, excellent hand fighting, that he often doesn't need to. He just goes through their face, which is the fastest path to the QB.

Also interesting is they said Big George had done MMA training in the offseason. He was making these Iowa T's look look like trash half the time.

One more thing, this dude plays straight up twitchy. He has really good burst, wins with his hands, then has a little extra with that twitchy quickness he has. It really is freaky, different, and highly effective.

Being you guys love to dial back the enthusiasm, I'll throw in my negative. There was a few times he straight up got over powered in the running game. These Iowa T's are bulls in that department. But George is so quick and is so good a disengaging that he often gets around them and makes a line to the RB. He did get out of his gap once as well. It should have been another one of his TFL. Instead it was Iowa's biggest chunk play of the game.

It's worth a peek.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7orqwtMeyK8

I think you're just flat wrong.

I may be, but I am not the only person who doesn't think he is "bendy" as I have also heard some so called evaluators say the same. I think I heard RGR and Baldinger both say he is stiff.

I want the dude to be a monster, and I want to be wrong.

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so sick of Bendy..Gumby was bendy....they say that for almost every position now

And for every one of those I'll find you 5 that love the kid. Maybe he's primarily a bull rusher. That's fine-worked for Ingram for a decade.

What would you have thought about taking McDuffie at 21, Lewis Cine at 30, and Nik Bonito/Nakobe Dean/Cameron Thomas at 62?

That would give us McDuffie, a better safety than Cook, and possibly a different edge rusher or LB.

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I'm liking a Justin Smith comparison.

You may be sick of the term, but for an edge rusher it's a good attribute to have.

Not only was Tamba bendy, but have you ever seen a DT highlight reel?

On the edge you need some sort of move to get to the QB, as bull rushing won't always work.

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Well, I mean, if ifs and buts were candy and nuts. I had different favorites but I defer to the actual scouts, Veach, and Spags. I'll say this- LDEs are a slightly different type than a RDE. George is definitely a LDE. Strong side guy. Nothing wrong with that.

Some guys win with power, some guys with speed. You may have a preference, but it doesn't discount the other.

That's a breath of fresh air. Most of our CP experts who are still upset about these picks are doing their own "in depth" analysis (based on the 2 years of High Scholl football they played) while taking calls in the time share sales office.

The post draft presser seemed to have a part where Veach indirectly talked about Ojabo. Said he is ok with projects, but with Pat, they need to make moves to be aggressive every year and the picks this year needed to have that as a big part of their process.

I understand that, but man it would have been nice if he fell to an area Veach would’ve been comfortable taking him.

Good luck in Detroit, Jameson and Ojabo.

Or maybe a different Justin, one that Spags has worked with... Justin Tuck? I could even see him turning into Ryan Kerrigan lite. Definitely has the same relentless motor as him.

Umm Ojabo got drafted by the Raves lol.

Oh lord. Nothing to see here. :)

so thats what bendy means...some sort of move to the qb? Can bendy be taught or is it a god given skill?
Tamba didnt have all his moves out of college....I saw him out hand fighting with his coach before every home game

It's more of a flexibility thing and they are right that most of the great pass rushers have it.

It is where the lower half of the body can keep the entire body moving in a forward motion even when the top half of the body is getting pushed back. Throw in long arms with this trait and you have a potential monster like DT was.

But there are many good to great players who use more power, technique and motor (Tamba Hali) to achieve near the same results. It is just harder to achieve without that natural ability to bend.

Hip and ankle flexion to get low while maintaining balance around the arc to the QB. You look for the flatten when the clear the backside of the tackle on the approach...

Nice video here I found for you of a guy that does it really well:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Christian Miller had my curiosity, but now he&#39;s got my attention. <a href="https://t.co/HMSlnBCBVE">pic.twitter.com/HMSlnBCBVE</a></p>&mdash; Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrettKollmann/status/1095016610077630464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That's a good question. I don't know if the ability to contort your body can be taught, but better techniques can be taught.

But, it seems like it's just an innate ability to elude the blocker.

Most successful pass rushers have a go to move, like the Freeney spin, the Tamba bend, the DT dip and strip, or the Deacon Jones Head Club, or the Reggie White super shove.

Not many NFL tackles get bull rushed more than once in a game. I have no statistics to back that up, but it seems true.

Some players

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I mean, they can get better but they still have to have the physical ability and that's just not something you're going to see coming from Karlaftis, but there are plenty of other ways for him to win.

I think if you want a crash course on how I forsee Karlaftis winning, here's a video of Cam Jordan from a few years back. Now, Karlaftis is smaller than Jordan at this point but the wins are probably going to come similarly...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RNH9bGnHFk8" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I think we're comparing apples to oranges here, and some are hyper focused on one specific attribute instead of looking at the player as a whole.

Is Karlaftis as 'bendy' as Derrick Thomas? Well, of course not. Hardly anyone is.

Comparing what is a big, strong, bull rusher type DE to speed rushers is apples to oranges.

You may PREFER the speed rushers, and you probably wished we'd drafted one of those, and that's totally a legit opinion.

but discounting what the kid IS because he's not what you WANTED is not fair.

This kid is 21. He's got room to physically grow, he's got loads of talent, and will continue to refine. He's got the WANT TO.

People want to knock the athleticism, and he had a damned 9.28 RAS score. I mean what the ****?

His arms are too short, but they're longer than Hutchinson's. Did anyone complain about Hutchinsons' arm length?

He's going to be more of a big, stout, bull rush type guy. He's not going to blow past tackles and bend out around them.

yeah, most of your record setting type DE's do that. Lots of your consistent, pain the ass DE's are of a different sort-THIS sort.

He's got heavy hands, he's strong as an ox, and he's going to shove OT's right into the QB's lap. There's plenty of video of him doing exactly that. He's going to line up right next to Chris Jones. Who you gonna double?

He's a different type of edge than say, an Ebiketie, or what have you. He's not a Derrick Thomas type. He's not a glorified OLB/rushbacker. He's a DEFENSIVE END. He's not going to bend out around and try to beat OT's on an arc. He's going to punch them in the mouth and go through them.

If you're expecting this kid to put up 15 sacks a year, yeah, you're probably going to be disappointed. That rare air is usually reserved for the speed demon rushers. He ain't that guy. But you're not getting that guy at 30.

But there's plenty of room for a 6-8 sack guys, that's relentless, that stuff the run, that shove OT's back and into the QB's face. He's THAT kind of DE.

Look at how much better KC got when Ingram showed up. Now, Ingram didn't pile up a lot of stats; but he got a lot of hurries and a lot of speeding the QB's clock up because of his bull rush. And that's all Ingram does, really-it's a straight up bull rush. Punch that OT under the shoulder pads and drive him backward.

Now imagine Ingram at 20 pounds heavier, ten years younger, and even stronger. THAT'S Karlaftis.

And at #30, that's a great pick.

Strength guys are fine. You're gonna need speed around these types of guys at some point, but Rome wasn't built in a day.

A lot of his measurables are pretty close to Trey Hendrickson when he was drafted.

He might not be a bad comp. Almost the exact same size and arm length.

Similar speed and strength scores. Hopefully, thats the kind of player we drafted.

That's a good comparison. Hopefully an NFL conditioning program can get the best out of him as I imagine from what the scouts say, he will be a tremendously hard worker.

The best pass-rusher in the NFL is Aaron Donald and he is so effective because he uses power and technique to run through people.

Not saying Karlaftis is Donald but agree it is stupid to discount how he wins as a way to get to the QB.

The 1st round is littered with guys that could run around the edge who did nothing in the NFL.

Aaron Donald plays inside. That's a completely different skillset.

He doesn't need to bend. Winning as a DE going thru a T works fine. It's not all bend. But you've gotta have some bend at some point.

He's got moves and counters. You guys are acting like we drafted Mike Danna at#30. The bend thing is much more important for the speed rusher trying to get around the OT on the outside. There are plenty of effective pass rushers that use strength, leverage, heavy hands, and drive to get it done. You're not getting Derrick Thomas at #30. Just wait and see. Kid's going to be a good player.

He's a good pick.

He'll be a good solid high floor player, which is exactly what you want in the late first.

But at some point they'll need to take some risk on a high upside guy that can play with power AND speed. Those guys go early in the draft and are expensive in free agency.

And for all of the talk about speed rushers....people get super pissed all the time when those types of DEs get taken out of the play because the OT just let's them run around the back of the QB.

They're nice to have but they can't be your entire defensive line.

Everyone wants a guy that can do both.

You know, your Nick Bosa's. Cause those guys go at 30 alot.

Not with a 1st round pick.

Exactly why people needed to temper their expectations with who we were going to get.

I would have loved to draft Jermaine Johnson but Karlaftis is 3 years younger and seems to not have any attitude issues. Not saying that it's confirmed that he does....but he fell down for a reason.

They'll have to trade up or trade for that guy likely.

We don't have to do anything. If we add a Dunlap or another vet pass-rusher our Dline is set.

Of course I would like a Thibodeaux. But neither the Bills or Bengals had one either last year.

The Bills also lost because they didn't have that guy. The Bengals were an outlier that got lucky.

Eventually, you'll have to find that guy.

I'm not talking about this year. They can patch it up together this year. But if they keep winning like they are, to get that guy, theoretically, you have to pay a shit load.

You're assuming a lot.

Number one WR is a far bigger need than elite DE. We just spent 1st round pick on a good prospect and you're already writing him off for dumb reasons.

Listen to Spags in this, it should make you feel a lot better about the pick, if you were having any reservations.


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“I was sitting there the whole night hoping we’d be able to get you.” <br><br>Karlaftis gets the call �� <a href="https://t.co/DRGBDekvnl">pic.twitter.com/DRGBDekvnl</a></p>&mdash; Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chiefs/status/1520147194367643651?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I'm not writing him off. I think it was a good pick. He'll be a good player.

We just spent a 2nd on a WR as well, so yeah, I don't think that's coming up soon again.

If you want an elite DE that can bend and play with power, you're trading up for one or trading for one.

We have an elite pass rusher. His name is Chris Jones. We don't have an elite WR.

Last year's Superbowl featured a team with Ja'marr Chase against a team with Cooper Kupp and OBJ.

We need to add a top WR to maximize Mahomes. It might not happen this year but next year that's more important than finding another top pass-rusher.

BTW, if you want a DE that can run around the edge , Jerry Hughes is still out there. We can offer him a few million a year and there you go.

Bills lost because Mahomes did GOAT things. Nothing the Bills could do to stop it.

I wonder who the "really good pass rusher on the other side" is? :hmmm:

I do like that he's already thinking about the damage he can do not having to face double teams.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;I&#39;ve never been on a private jet before. I think it&#39;s gonna be the coolest thing ever.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/jK9VwqorxZ">pic.twitter.com/jK9VwqorxZ</a></p>&mdash; Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chiefs/status/1521856092992643072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Well, cut him. He's clearly not very football smart if he thinks we have a good pass rusher on the other side.

His anticipation is so elite that he knew we were going to UFA Melvin and eventually bring him back.

All you have to do is remember how frustrating watching Dee Ford play was most of the time.

I love Karlaftis as a piece. Like you said - your whole line can't be speed guys. And finding someone who can rush the passer with strength/technique is actually DAMN hard to do.

It's what Veach thought we were getting with Clark. And it's hugely important. I just wish we'd have complemented him elsewhere and I don't really see anyone left in FA that does that.

There are lesser versions of the same style of player available, but I don't see anyone that is likely to give a much different look than Karlaftis will.

I guess I'll just have to be patient and hope someone surfaces next season. I mean even someone like Herring, should he blow up somehow, isn't a twitchy player. Nor is Kaindoh. There just isn't anyone on this roster or likely to be added to this roster who brings that style of play.

Eh. I never had a problem with his pass rush. It was always his run defense and ya know....him being brain dead.

Maybe someone will get cut. Or Veach can find a Charvarious Ward on the defensive line. I’m still not sure they’re done.

He specifically mentioned the defensive line and then went out and brought in 5-6 DBs. There were probably a couple of passrushers that got taken before he could get them so I’ll wait and see what he does before Week 1.

Well, don't post about trying to trade for that guy you'll get yelled at by.........



wait.

On a serious note, if you want a real twitchy guy at the other DE, you're probably gonna have to expound some resources for him.

Or you get lucky and Frank Clark goes back to the guy he was in Seattle.

Yeah, but I think since he relied so much on speed his long wide angles to the QB took him out of a lot of plays and made the tackles' job easier. I think the Franchise was just pointing this out as a weakness many speed rushers have.

I’d be interested to see what Cullen thinks of Chaisson in Jacksonville. He was a first round pick that hasn’t done a ton in the league. Reports during the draft was that he was raw.

Chaisson isn't good though.

Kaindoh isn't twitchy, and I'm not sure there's loads he does well so obviously there's a good chance he doesn't make it. But his length and bend do offer something different. What we don't have is a speed rusher. But half the time someone like Bonitto was mentioned everyone complained about his ability against the run.

Jerry Hughes could probably be had for a few million a year.


[IMG]<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jerry Hughes ranks among Edge Rushers this season<br><br>💪 81.2 pass rush grade (15th)<br>💪 46 hurries (10th)<br>💪 19.1% pass rush win rate (13th) <a href="https://t.co/ZnmG4pMVEu">pic.twitter.com/ZnmG4pMVEu</a></p>&mdash; PFF BUF Bills (@PFF_Bills) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF_Bills/status/1491824619854118914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>[/IMG]

The Texans made a couple nice little moves with the Green and Addison signings.

So yeah, I would think you turn your attention to Hughes and Hicks. Both of those guys in rotational roles can be awfully productive, IMO.

DE: 5

Karlaftis, Clark, Danna, Ingram, Hughes; Kaindoh competes w/ Danna for the last spot

DT: 5

Jones, Nnadi, Hicks, Stallworth, Wharton; Saunders is the last man out

They could only carry 9 but if you're able to add Hicks and Hughes, I think you can justify carrying 10. Would probably put you at 9 DBs though (I think that's fine).

That's pretty nice although I doubt they do Hughes AND Ingram right?

Yeah, I would assume that they’re going to go with one vet…and keep both Danna and Kaindoh.

I think that’s correct but I think it’s the wrong approach.