How Important Is An Interior Pass Rusher In Today's NFL?

[SeeingRed]

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/article...6-a9d552687f9e

Cool article on the KC Chiefs website on a guy I believe will the next All Pro player on our defense. The Chiefs "finally" seem to now be pushing Mike Catapano on KCChiefs.com and I'm very glad to see that because it means that we will see what he can do in 2014. I have been singing this kid's praises since pre season because i feel he is a very talented key piece for this defense but was frustrated watching him sit on the sidelines. I truly believe that having a dominant pass rushing presence on the line (whether it be from 3 technique or 5 technique...or better yet BOTH) is HUGE in making a good defense into a great defense.

People downplay QB pressure and it drives me nuts. You CANNOT stop Peyton Manning (or Philip Rivers or Andrew Luck for that matter) without knocking them off their spots. Just look at the production and the sack totals our defense had the first half of last year and the results it created in the win-loss column...thats because there IS a direct correlation! Also our dominant edge rushers will be more effective when the O Line also has an inside 3 technique rusher they have to worry about as well.

An athletic 290 lbs Catapano who can rush from inside or the outside creates versatility on passing downs. Teamed up with Houston and Hali I really believe all 3 will have double digit sacks in 2014. All today's defenses are really becoming a hybrid blend of 3-4 and 4-3 fronts and a lineman who can rush is a key part. We didn't have that last year (or had on sidelines but didn't use it). I like the addition of Walker but he isnt a true pass rusher...Catapano is. Personally I'd rather see Cat as the starting DE opposite Devito if at 290 he proves to be an effective run stopper, but either way I believe he is a key piece for us in an effective 4 man front on passing downs.

As with all KC fans I was a bit frustrated watching the NFL's most dominant defense slide and become our achilles heel ultimately costing us a playoff win. With no pressure on the QB the second half of year I was frustrated knowing we had a guy who averaged 1.2 sacks a game his senior year sitting on the sidelines. But apparently he was being groomed and making the obvious transition going from a small school to the NFL. Based on all the press coming from inside the Chiefs organization I'm encouraged that we will get to see what a 23 year old 2nd year bigger and better #77 can do.

I said it last year and still believe that Catapano and Poe rushing alongside Houston and Hali will be a VERY disruptive front on passing downs. 3 double digits sack guys = defensive success. Pressure busts pipes. If Catapano can break out and have a double digit sack season it will go a LONG way in getting back to the playoffs and NOT giving up a 4 TD lead. We need a 2013 defensive draft picks like Commings or Cat (or both) to step up and become key contributors in 2014 to build and improve on what we did last year. Since we aren't building through free agency it has to come from within. This guy stepping up would be huge.

[WhiteWhale]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I've always believed inside is more valuable than outside, you just don't see it as much because it's a lot harder to find and, I think, a lot harder to execute.

What you really want is both, of course.

Interior pressure, in my experience, causes more bad passes and interceptions because the QB can't simply step up to avoid it. It forces back foot throws and stuff like that. QB's often get rid of the ball and avoid the sack, but it often still ends up in a positive play for the defense.

Even if the guy gets 6 sacks... if he can push the pocket back into the QB it would be HUGE for the defense.

KC is hyping this guy as the next big thing and it's not like we haven't heard this shit before (Paging Jon Baldwin). At this point I'm also tired of hearing about him. If he's all the team is hyping him up to be it will be pretty easy to see it on sundays.

[Ebolapox]

What is up with the random bold words in the OP?

[beach tribe]

Interior pass rushers are a killer against any O from any era.

Great ones are probably rarer than FQBs, though.

There is nothing close to a John Randle on this roster.
Maybe Poe....one day.

[planetdoc]

The hold grail is putting consistent pressure on the qb with the minimum of players. I dont think it really matters where it comes from, as long it meets the above statement.

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

Interior pressure, in my experience, causes more bad passes and interceptions because the QB can't simply step up to avoid it. It forces back foot throws and stuff like that. QB's often get rid of the ball and avoid the sack, but it often still ends up in a positive play for the defense.

Even if the guy gets 6 sacks... if he can push the pocket back into the QB it would be HUGE for the defense.

KC is hyping this guy as the next big thing and it's not like we haven't heard this shit before (Paging Jon Baldwin). At this point I'm also tired of hearing about him. If he's all the team is hyping him up to be it will be pretty easy to see it on sundays.

These bundle of super duper, what if, hope articles come out every season.
They're greatest value come in the form of streak free squeegee rags for the entrepreneurial crack smoker.
Make some plays.
Then you can be something more than just not a huge hole in the roster.
I think he will flash.
Get some people's hopes up, but just be a solid role player. Something like T-Jack
Which isn't a..bad thing per se. T-Jacks pick was higher than Guido Von Esquire's round.

[SeeingRed]

Originally Posted by MahiMike

We're from Missouri. ..

Missouri - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri‎
Wikipedia
Nickname(s): The Show Me State. Motto(s): Salus populi ... Missouri (see pronunciations) is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. Missouri is the ...


I like this

[SeeingRed]

In reading this article posted on the Chief's page about Cat I am excited to see what hes got...I really like his attitude.

The thoughts of Dorsey, as well as Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, who said Catapano is "a good, solid football player, who’s very solid, very intense and loves to play", continue to fuel his tireless work ethic.

"It’s very reassuring," Catapano said of the compliments by the Chiefs brass. "I think it’s a very unique relationship that the administration has with the players. It’s great to know that they believe in me and that’s why they wanted me here. So, I’m just ready to put it all on the line for them and for the city and to show everybody in Kansas City what I can do."

[Valiant]

Originally Posted by DTLB58

Closest Chiefs season I've found was '92
http://www.pro-football-reference.co...s/kan/1992.htm

DT 14.5
Neil Smith 14.5
Dan Saleaumua 6.0

The average age of The '84 Bears and the Chief players here are 26. Hali will turn 31 in November.
I don't think there are to many more seasons where we can just expect double digit sacks from him.

I agree with this, but if you can get a serious threat pushing sacks from the middle, the outside rushers should be able to pick up some free sacks.

A great interior pass rusher without having to blitz is gold in the nfl. Makes your CB/LB/S all a level better. Kind of like the peyton effect on WRs and RBs...

[Easy 6]

I admire your optimism Red, the older this place gets the angrier and more bitter we become, its good to have some sunny side of life takes to help even things out.

Cat did flash pretty nicely a handful of times, so theres always hope...

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Homers' pimping of Catapano makes Pravda look like a fire and brimstone sermon.

This shit is ****ing ridiculous.

[SeeingRed]

Originally Posted by scott free

I admire your optimism Red, the older this place gets the angrier and more bitter we become, its good to have some sunny side of life takes to help even things out.

Cat did flash pretty nicely a handful of times, so theres always hope...

lol...ya i guess its either half full or half empty. Its encouraging to see they are so high on him...no hopefully they play the guy so we can see what hes got.

Check out this interview i just saw on another site. Its an old interview of him during East West Shrine Game, the interviewer from College2Pro.com doesnt even say his name right. But gives some really good insight into this kid. Its VERY VERY hard NOT to like this guy when you listen to him talk. Cool interview. He actually compares himself to JJ Watt and The Terminator in the interview. I kinda like that combo! Lets see.

scroll down on the page and hit the small play button to hear interview.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...64125504,d.cWc

[SeeingRed]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Homers' pimping of Catapano makes Pravda look like a fire and brimstone sermon.

This shit is ****ing ridiculous.

not if he is as good as they are saying. that would be a very pleasant surprise

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by SeeingRed

not if he is as good as they are saying. that would be a very pleasant surprise

A guy with three ****ing career tackles. If he didn't attend Princeton, no one would give a shit about this guy.

There are 1000 Brian Johnston's for every Jared Allen.

I swear, Chiefs fans would pass up Berkshire Hathaway stock to invest in ****ing scratcher's tickets and Keno.

[SeeingRed]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

A guy with three ****ing career tackles. If he didn't attend Princeton, no one would give a shit about this guy.

There are 1000 Brian Johnston's for every Jared Allen.

I swear, Chiefs fans would pass up Berkshire Hathaway stock to invest in ****ing scratcher's tickets and Keno.

Hey anytime a 7th rounder can turn into a solid NFL player its a huge positive. When both the Head Coach and the GM come out about him and they post lots of stuff on their website about him it may be telling (or why else would they do it?). I have read alot of stuff on Catapano and I have never heard a former teammate or coach ever say anything that wasn't positive about him. I look forward to seeing what he can do. Hopefully the year of NFL experience and the added 20 lbs help him be a contributing factor on this D

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by SeeingRed

Hey anytime a 7th rounder can turn into a solid NFL player its a huge positive. When both the Head Coach and the GM come out about him and they post lots of stuff on their website about him it may be telling (or why else would they do it?). I have read alot of stuff on Catapano and I have never heard a former teammate or coach ever say anything that wasn't positive about him. I look forward to seeing what he can do. Hopefully the year of NFL experience and the added 20 lbs help him be a contributing factor on this D

The darling of Haley's first off-season was another seventh round pick: mother****er Jake O'Connell. Get a grip.