Chiefs Gretz: Chiefs LBs suck - Page 6

**RealSNR** · 08-21-2008, 01:29 PM

Check out his blob blog update for today:

If there was one position where the Chiefs may be active on the waiver wire the day after the final NFL cutdown, it will be at linebacker. In his first two seasons with the Chiefs, Herm Edwards has kept seven linebackers. Right now it’s tough to find seven backers who have performed well enough in this pre-season to deserve a roster spot.

Count on Derrick Johnson, Demorrio Williams and Pat Thomas to be there as the Chiefs starters. Williams will not play over the rest of the pre-season because of a broken bone in his hand, but the Chiefs expect him to be ready to play in the season opener.

Also count in veteran Donnie Edwards who continues to rehab his hamstring pull and should be back on the practice field next week.

That’s four; it’s a struggle to find two or three more. Among the remaining LBs, rookie Wes Dacus has the best shot at making the final 53. He’s running fifth now, moving up to the starting group in Wednesday’s practice when Williams could not go with a finger injury. Dacus may get the start this Saturday against Miami.

Oliver Hoyte, LeRue Rumph and Steve Octavien have not been consistent enough in the pre-season to warrant a spot on the final roster. Rumph and/or Octavien could end up on the practice squad. E.J. Kuale has performed primarily in the kicking game.

And that leaves veteran Napoleon Harris. This will be an interesting call for the decision makers. Harris was a disappointment last year and he lost his starting job at middle linebacker early in training camp. Since then he’s been battling a knee injury. He would provide an experienced backup, but he would not be much help on special teams and the backup linebackers have to contribute in the kicking game. If he were not an unrestricted free agent signed last year, there’s no way he would make the team.

==========================================

If we were all about a youth movement, shouldn't we have gone out and got some young, talented, but inexperienced guys instead of signing turds leftover from the draft?

**Smed1065** · 08-21-2008, 09:59 PM

Seems to me that the first QB KC has tried to develop in years, should get the benefit of the doubt if he shows signs of improvement.

Maybe CP knows the market better than we give him credit for?

Maybe he made the fans this way?

Otter · 08-21-2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

Okay, geniouses out there who know what the problem is. Tell me what we do RIGHT NOW to fix the situation.

We've got unplayable LBs backing up a starting unit that contains one pretty decent player and two other "meh".

What do we do?

Stop putting ourselves in this position?

**Buehler445** · 08-21-2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

We dont know if he can stay healthy for a whole season

We dont know if he can win a game.

We dont know if he will ever develop.

Whats your defination of reliable??

Maybe I wasn't clear. I'm agreeing with you. Nobody can say he is reliable.

**RealSNR** · 08-21-2008, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otter

Stop putting ourselves in this position?

YES! ABSOLUTELY! My vote for post of the year!!

No, I really don't think that. I've just seen that bullshit on this thread on three different occasions already, and wanted to join in.

Mecca · 08-22-2008, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

So, in your opinion, the Bears made an error in draft judgement in selecting Brian Urlacher number 9 overall?

For as good as he is I'd say to an extent yes, he has a tendency to disappear without other players around him and numerous other teams have excellent MLB play with later picks used.

Deberg_1990 · 08-22-2008, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

For as good as he is I'd say to an extent yes, he has a tendency to disappear without other players around him and numerous other teams have excellent MLB play with later picks used.

Its not that those guys like Urlacher are not talented. But for non pass rushing linebackers, theres not that big of a difference between a 1st round guy and a 3rd or 4th round guy. Not enough to make a huge difference.

But its probably a safe draft pick first round. You dont see too many linebackers bust big time unless its injury. Not nearly as many as other positions.

Mecca · 08-22-2008, 06:02 AM

Like say Brian Urlacher was a top 10 pick.....would you rather have him there or Lofa Tutupu in the 2nd?

Nightfyre · 08-22-2008, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Like say Brian Urlacher was a top 10 pick.....would you rather have him there or Lofa Tutupu in the 2nd?

Tutupu is going to be really good this year. He flies under a lot of folks' radar, but look out for seattle LB corps.

angelo · 08-22-2008, 07:54 AM

Arizona is deep at linebacker and may have to cut or slip onto the practice squad Ali Highsmith who was undrafted but has had a great camp and played really well in the preseason.

He would be one to watch.

I also think that Wes Dacus could develop into a good linebacker.

Ang

blueballs · 08-22-2008, 04:26 PM

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26290833/?GT1=43001
This dude is available

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - A Puerto Rican man has been granted his wish to remain standing — even in death.

A funeral home used a special embalming treatment to keep the corpse of 24-year-old Angel Pantoja Medina standing upright for his three-day wake.

chiefsngop · 08-23-2008, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

For as good as he is I'd say to an extent yes, he has a tendency to disappear without other players around him and numerous other teams have excellent MLB play with later picks used.

Yes sir. IMO if you're going to use your 1st rounder on a LB there has to be a HUGE discrepancy between him and the pack, he has to stand far far out. If not, it's best to use that pick trying to find the next Roaf, Peyton, Neil Smith, or Champ Bailey.

That said, I don't think people (especially Carl Peterson) give the MLB position as much credit as it deserves. That lone position can be a lynch pin of a successful defense.

Qaulity MLB's stop the run and the short pass, and those two attributes keep the chains from moving and halt drives before they begin.

Another big item that teams like us miss out on when we don't have a stellar MLB, is the punishment that a true stud at that position doles out. When you have a Ray Lewis or Urlacher up the middle, consistently laying wood on running backs, slot receivers, tight ends, gaurds, and centers, it can damn near incapacitate an offense by the 4th quarter.

I hate watching receivers catch slant routes over the middle on us, only to be slowly drug down by their jersey. A slant route over the middle should scare the sh*t out of a receiver, and his head oughta roll clear to the sidelines if he dares raise his arms to catch the ball over the middle.

If you can intimidate an opposing team, you can dictate the game to them, and right now the Chiefs aren't intimidating anyone.

Mecca · 08-23-2008, 11:18 AM

When the Chiefs lineup in as much zone as they do, they're gonna get beat by slants the route itself lends itself to kicking a zones ass.

Deberg_1990 · 08-23-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

When the Chiefs lineup in as much zone as they do, they're gonna get beat by slants the route itself lends itself to kicking a zones ass.

Doesnt the nature of a cover 2 lend itself to giving up smaller plays/longer drives?

Mecca · 08-23-2008, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Doesnt the nature of a cover 2 lend itself to giving up smaller plays/longer drives?

Basically, it was a defense designed to play the 49ers/WCO because of all if it's throws to the flats and all that.

If a team is very vertical with you in the passing game you'll have issues unless your team is full of elite players.

chiefsngop · 08-23-2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Basically, it was a defense designed to play the 49ers/WCO because of all if it's throws to the flats and all that.

If a team is very vertical with you in the passing game you'll have issues unless your team is full of elite players.

So the defensive scheme creates issues with a vertical passing game, as well as difficulty stopping shorter slants ? Your interpretation sounds bad for the Chiefs, issues with vertical passing, issues with short slants, ouch.

On the earlier note, I understand that zone D makes a slant that much more effective. IMO this actually helps my point, that we are missing the boat by not acquiring a heavy hitting scary MLB.

How you ask?

Ok, a receiver comes across the middle, and he has some room due to the zone defense, BUT if we had a monster MLB.......

1. The ball might be dropped as the receiver "hears footsteps" of the big monster coming for him.

2. The ball might be caught, but then immediately jarred loose by the big fella layin a Mega Hit on the b*stard, sending the ball to the turf and the receiver to sideline with concussion.

3. Later in the game, slot receivers may run their routes more timidly across the middle, fearing the big whammy....

4. D backs and OLBs don't bite as hard on play action, knowing that even if the ball IS handed off, Dorsey and our MLB behind him will take care of it. Creating less of a chance of a CB getting burned for a td on a play action fly route.

5. If you have a quality MLB, opposing O-lines have to honor his potential blitz, limiting all-out double teams on Dorsey.

It's just my opinion, but I really feel the Chiefs have to find a stud for the middle, or they will suffer in many different aspects of the game from the lack of this lynch pin position.

08-21-2008, 01:29 PM
RealSNR Special Teams ACE!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Where the hell is SNR Casino cash: $-1344792	Gretz: Chiefs LBs suck Check out his blob blog update for today: If there was one position where the Chiefs may be active on the waiver wire the day after the final NFL cutdown, it will be at linebacker. In his first two seasons with the Chiefs, Herm Edwards has kept seven linebackers. Right now it’s tough to find seven backers who have performed well enough in this pre-season to deserve a roster spot. Count on Derrick Johnson, Demorrio Williams and Pat Thomas to be there as the Chiefs starters. Williams will not play over the rest of the pre-season because of a broken bone in his hand, but the Chiefs expect him to be ready to play in the season opener. Also count in veteran Donnie Edwards who continues to rehab his hamstring pull and should be back on the practice field next week. That’s four; it’s a struggle to find two or three more. Among the remaining LBs, rookie Wes Dacus has the best shot at making the final 53. He’s running fifth now, moving up to the starting group in Wednesday’s practice when Williams could not go with a finger injury. Dacus may get the start this Saturday against Miami. Oliver Hoyte, LeRue Rumph and Steve Octavien have not been consistent enough in the pre-season to warrant a spot on the final roster. Rumph and/or Octavien could end up on the practice squad. E.J. Kuale has performed primarily in the kicking game. And that leaves veteran Napoleon Harris. This will be an interesting call for the decision makers. Harris was a disappointment last year and he lost his starting job at middle linebacker early in training camp. Since then he’s been battling a knee injury. He would provide an experienced backup, but he would not be much help on special teams and the backup linebackers have to contribute in the kicking game. If he were not an unrestricted free agent signed last year, there’s no way he would make the team. ========================================== If we were all about a youth movement, shouldn't we have gone out and got some young, talented, but inexperienced guys instead of signing turds leftover from the draft?
Posts: 93,298

08-21-2008, 09:59 PM	#76
Smed1065 Supporter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Returning From Hell Casino cash: $4943673	Seems to me that the first QB KC has tried to develop in years, should get the benefit of the doubt if he shows signs of improvement. Maybe CP knows the market better than we give him credit for? Maybe he made the fans this way?
Posts: 10,193

08-22-2008, 06:02 AM	#82
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-532950	Like say Brian Urlacher was a top 10 pick.....would you rather have him there or Lofa Tutupu in the 2nd?
Posts: 115,268

08-22-2008, 07:54 AM	#84
angelo Starter Join Date: Oct 2007 Casino cash: $9094965	Arizona is deep at linebacker and may have to cut or slip onto the practice squad Ali Highsmith who was undrafted but has had a great camp and played really well in the preseason. He would be one to watch. I also think that Wes Dacus could develop into a good linebacker. Ang
Posts: 775

08-22-2008, 04:26 PM	#85
blueballs Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26290833/?GT1=43001 This dude is available SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - A Puerto Rican man has been granted his wish to remain standing — even in death. A funeral home used a special embalming treatment to keep the corpse of 24-year-old Angel Pantoja Medina standing upright for his three-day wake. Attached Thumbnails
Posts: 14,233

08-23-2008, 11:18 AM	#87
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-532950	When the Chiefs lineup in as much zone as they do, they're gonna get beat by slants the route itself lends itself to kicking a zones ass.
Posts: 115,268