Chiefs Defense scouting report

[planetdoc]

Mile High report did a masterful scouting report of the chiefs defense back in November of 2013. I've combined that with what we have learned since than along with the chiefs new draft picks.
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Base

Originally Posted by MHR

The first thing that sticks out on take when the Chiefs are in their base 3-4 defense is just how wide the OLB (Hali and Houston) line up. They are almost always in a wide 9 technique or even further out from the interior.

Originally Posted by MHR

The wide alignment helps with a couple of things. In coverage, you will see these guys drop into a shallow zone to protect the flat. Lining up here puts them closer to their assignment. When rushing the passer, they have the speed to make up that ground which puts pressure on the tackles to kick outside wide enough to pick them up. It helps them set up double moves and get folks off balance when they want to cut back inside.

Some believe that this may also be the best way to make use of Dee Ford's skillset = speed.

Originally Posted by BJ kissel

Many believe, including Jinx Allessio of KCChiefsdraft.com, that Ford could fit best in a Wide 9 technique next year, which would allow Hali and Houston to stay on the field as well.

Originally Posted by BJ kissel

Ford's bread and butter is his speed and quickness around the edge. By getting out wide he's effectively eliminating much of the engagement with defenders that isn't hand usage while he's already on the move.

Much of what you hear about Ford is his quick first step.

Here's a play diagrammed below that shows how devastating Ford's first step is for an offensive lineman.

Mile High report says this about the chiefs use of the wide-9

Originally Posted by MHR

This is a pretty standard set up for their line. Sometimes Poe will line up nose on the Center, but more often than not I see him shaded to one side or the other as 1 tech. DeVito OR Jackson can play the 5T depending on the defensive shift. Whoever that 5T is will two-gap and try to protect the B and C gap to their side of the LOS. Take a look at Derrick Johnson for a minute (red). This man is so fast at play recognition and he shoots to his assignment so quickly. On an alignment such as this, He could simultaneously be responsible for the A gap to the right and the C gap on the right (depending on whether or not Houston is going to rush or drop). He is capable of covering both.

The beauty of it for the Chiefs defense is that Poe has become such a disruptive defensive tackle that he can easily play either gap even when shaded.

Nickel or Dime?

Originally Posted by MHR

Here is something fascinating about the Chiefs use of personnel. In sub packages Eric Berry plays more like a linebacker. I've seen it play after play where he will line up next to Derrick Johnson at the same depth. Sometimes he covers man to man like that cover LB would do (Danny Trevathan), sometimes he drops into a zone and eyes the field in front of him. Whether or not you want to call this nickel or dime is irrelevant. This is the personnel they like to use in obvious passing situations.

The other DTs they like to use as a 3T opposite of Poe is either #97 Allen Bailey, #94 Jackson, #70 Mike DeVito. I saw Devito used in this defense when offenses are coming out of their endzone.

Now you will notice (look at the images) a 3 technique in both their base defense as well as in their sub packages. That is consistent with what John Dorsey says.

Originally Posted by John Dorsey

In my mind I always had a cookie cutter image of what a 3-4 defensive end is supposed to look like. But in coach Sutton's defense, he has a big 5-tech defensive end and a 3-tech defensive end. Two distinctly different players to play those positions to succeed.

This is where Walker comes in. The chiefs defensive ends weren't productive rushers last yr.

Walker was playing a 3 technique position in a 4-3 Defense and was a very productive rusher.


Coverage


In subs, the chiefs would have 6 dbs on the field!
Berry, Smith, Cooper, and Flowers role will likely remain the same. Who will replace Lewis and Demps? Likely Abdullah and Commings.

With that many dbs getting playing time its important to have depth. That is where Gaines and Owens come into the equation and play a vital role.

Together, Walker, Ford, Gaines and others will help re-tool the chiefs defense bringing with it needed speed and depth.

[ottawa_chiefs_fan]

Originally Posted by milkman

Of interest to me is the 10 yard cushion that Lewis and Cooper are giving the receivers.

The bigger the cushion, the better the pushin'