Chiefs A look at the NFL's best and worst front sevens

planetdoc · 06:14 PM

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article..._=W0Mvg#!W0Mvg
(highlights)

The Five Best Defensive Front Sevens
1. St. Louis Rams
2. Carolina Panthers
3. Buffalo Bills
4. San Francisco 49ers
5. Kansas City Chiefs

The most interesting thing about the Chiefs' front seven is that it is a front five or six. Bob Sutton used nickel or dime personnel on over 66% of defensive plays last season, a high percentage even by today's "all nickel, all the time" standards. The Chiefs used just one or two defensive lineman on almost exactly half of all defensive plays. They essentially used a 2-4-5 or 2-3-6 base defense, which is a reminder of just how silly the 3-4/4-3 distinction has become.

If you consider the Chiefs' front seven a front six, you have to be particularly impressed that two-thirds of them reached the Pro Bowl: Dontari Poe, Tamba Hali, Justin Houston and Derrick Johnson. Tyson Jackson is gone, but Dee Ford has arrived, and it is easy to stay deep on the defensive line when you only use linemen one or two at a time.

You would think that all the nickel personnel would wreak havoc on the Chiefs run defense, but they finished in the middle of the pack in most metrics. In Power Situations (goal-to-go, third-and-short) they held opponents to a 56 percent conversion rate, seventh best in the NFL. So when it's time for Mike DeVito and Allen Bailey to take the field and give the Chiefs a big, conventional front, they get the job done. But pass rush and disruption are the name of the game for this defense, and while Sutton and the defensive backs contribute to the cause, this is one nasty defensive front.

Worth Mentioning
Top Ten: Seattle Seahawks, Jets
On the Rise: Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons.

The Five Worst Front Sevens
28. Miami Dolphins
29. New York Giants
30. Cleveland Browns
31. San Diego Chargers.
32. Dallas Cowboys

RunKC · 06-10-2014, 06:12 PM

I love the Chiefs front 7, but right now I just can't put them over Seattle.

planetdoc · 06-10-2014, 06:13 PM

Red Bryant and Chris Clemmons have taken their talents to Jacksonville, and there have been some minor surgeries too.

ThaVirus · 06-10-2014, 06:21 PM

Another good write-up.

We just need a pass rush from our down linemen. If we go another season with no pass rush presence on the line aside from Poe, we'll continue to struggle putting pressure on good QBs.

It's about time we draft and start grooming DJ's replacement as well.

**The Franchise** · 06-10-2014, 06:32 PM

And that's why Walker was brought in.

Pasta Little Brioni · 06-10-2014, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

And that's why Walker was brought in.

Bingo

Dayze · 06-10-2014, 07:03 PM

one or two defensive lineman in 50% of their plays...

planetdoc · 06-10-2014, 07:04 PM

last yr the chiefs had 7 defensive lineman, 9 linebackers, and 9 defensive backs.

With the chiefs using 2 or less down lineman for the majority of snaps, I wonder if the team carries less defensive lineman in favor of more defensive backs. This would also improve special teams.

Pasta Little Brioni · 06-10-2014, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayze

one or two defensive lineman in 50% of their plays...

The game has changed

**Ragged Robin** · 06-10-2014, 07:08 PM

top 5 because they beat up on bad teams and backup quarterbacks? where were they in the 2nd half in the season?

planetdoc · 06-10-2014, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayze

one or two defensive lineman in 50% of their plays...

that is the direction the NFL is moving, thanks to rules that favor the passing game. Teams are giving up mass in favor of speed.
http://www.sbnation.com/2014/3/13/55...rs-nickel-dime

Quote:

According to Pro Football Focus' game-tracking data, there were 34,661 total snaps during the 2013 season. On 45 percent of those snaps (15,697 times), teams utilized a nickel defensive personnel package, i.e. five defensive backs on the field. It's a departure from the long-standing paradigm that featured two cornerbacks and two safeties. A further 12 percent of snaps (4,034) featured a dime package, or personnel groupings with six defensive backs.

In other words, the term "base defense" has become a misnomer, as coordinators league-wide have taken to running some version of their nickel/dime looks over 57% of the time. The term 'starter' is becoming archaic at some positions. The slot cornerback is its own position. The "3-down" front-seven player is becoming more rare.

It's a subpackage world.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/po...-dime-approach

Quote:

The Saints' defense leads the NFL in percentage of snaps played in nickel and dime -- 83 percent, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The Denver Broncos are second at 77.3 percent (in part because so many teams have been playing catch-up against them).

Cowboys, Broncos, Bengals, and Packers also had a defense that featured 5 dbs over 70% of defensive snaps as of 10/10/2013 (date of article)

06-10-2014, 05:59 PM
planetdoc Veteran Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $9995865	A look at the NFL's best and worst front sevens http://www.sportsonearth.com/article..._=W0Mvg#!W0Mvg (highlights) The Five Best Defensive Front Sevens 1. St. Louis Rams 2. Carolina Panthers 3. Buffalo Bills 4. San Francisco 49ers 5. Kansas City Chiefs The most interesting thing about the Chiefs' front seven is that it is a front five or six. Bob Sutton used nickel or dime personnel on over 66% of defensive plays last season, a high percentage even by today's "all nickel, all the time" standards. The Chiefs used just one or two defensive lineman on almost exactly half of all defensive plays. They essentially used a 2-4-5 or 2-3-6 base defense, which is a reminder of just how silly the 3-4/4-3 distinction has become. If you consider the Chiefs' front seven a front six, you have to be particularly impressed that two-thirds of them reached the Pro Bowl: Dontari Poe, Tamba Hali, Justin Houston and Derrick Johnson. Tyson Jackson is gone, but Dee Ford has arrived, and it is easy to stay deep on the defensive line when you only use linemen one or two at a time. You would think that all the nickel personnel would wreak havoc on the Chiefs run defense, but they finished in the middle of the pack in most metrics. In Power Situations (goal-to-go, third-and-short) they held opponents to a 56 percent conversion rate, seventh best in the NFL. So when it's time for Mike DeVito and Allen Bailey to take the field and give the Chiefs a big, conventional front, they get the job done. But pass rush and disruption are the name of the game for this defense, and while Sutton and the defensive backs contribute to the cause, this is one nasty defensive front. Worth Mentioning Top Ten: Seattle Seahawks, Jets On the Rise: Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons. The Five Worst Front Sevens 28. Miami Dolphins 29. New York Giants 30. Cleveland Browns 31. San Diego Chargers. 32. Dallas Cowboys Last edited by planetdoc; 06-10-2014 at 06:14 PM..
Posts: 2,174

06-10-2014, 06:12 PM	#2
RunKC Andy Reid Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $2299611	I love the Chiefs front 7, but right now I just can't put them over Seattle. __________________ Mike Greenberg@Espngreeny I can’t fathom what it must be like to be a fan of the #Chiefs. Adopt a Chief: Noah Gray
Posts: 45,882

06-10-2014, 06:13 PM	#3
planetdoc Veteran Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $9995865	Red Bryant and Chris Clemmons have taken their talents to Jacksonville, and there have been some minor surgeries too.
Posts: 2,174

06-10-2014, 06:21 PM	#4
ThaVirus Settle this once and forever Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $2132369	Another good write-up. We just need a pass rush from our down linemen. If we go another season with no pass rush presence on the line aside from Poe, we'll continue to struggle putting pressure on good QBs. It's about time we draft and start grooming DJ's replacement as well.
Posts: 44,225

06-10-2014, 06:32 PM	#5
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $3155047	And that's why Walker was brought in.
Posts: 91,967

06-10-2014, 07:03 PM	#7
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $5219358	one or two defensive lineman in 50% of their plays... __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed: Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed Fire Me Boy
Posts: 37,358

06-10-2014, 07:04 PM	#8
planetdoc Veteran Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $9995865	last yr the chiefs had 7 defensive lineman, 9 linebackers, and 9 defensive backs. With the chiefs using 2 or less down lineman for the majority of snaps, I wonder if the team carries less defensive lineman in favor of more defensive backs. This would also improve special teams. Last edited by planetdoc; 06-10-2014 at 07:14 PM..
Posts: 2,174