At least the younger guys have practiced and played. Mauga has been on the bench.

You can't make the club -sitting in the tub. Herm

The Chiefs made the mistake of not putting March next to DJ during the offseason because if they had, he might be ready to start at this point.

He'll be playing catch up the next few weeks. All we can hope is that he improves.

You know exactly what Mauga is.

Mauga opened the door with his injury but so far nobody appears to have pushed past him.

I'd give March more reps there before I slam that door shut

He's got at least a half on Saturday to take that job. He needs to make some plays and stay disciplined in the run game.

He'll get 'em.

But he needs to make the most of them because the job isn't going to be gifted to him. Mauga's expensive enough that you cut him if you have an obvious replacement but not so expensive that you cut him and hope someone fills the void.

If March doesn't force Dorsey's hand, Mauga's making this team and starting for the foreseeable future.

IMO, Mauga's so mediocre that if March fails to win the job, there's a possibility of grabbing someone off the waiver wire to fill the hole and still cut Mauga.

It seems like forever that the Chiefs have needed an average guy next to DJ.

<header class="article-header no-featured-display"> Film warning: Chiefs still lack Mike ILB
by Ryan Tracy <time datetime="2016-08-25 6:02 am">8 hours ago</time> Follow @RyanTracyNFL

</header> <section class="article-content multipage "> http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/b...nd-raiders.jpg

There’s a hole in the Chiefs defensive bucket, dear Liza. And this year, more than recent years, that could be a significant problem.

Teams in the AFC West will be more focused on their run games in 2016, especially if its a glaring weakness for the Kansas City defense. Both Oakland and Denver hope and plan on running the ball better and more Often. For Denver, it may the focus of the offense due to the quarterback situation they face.

Derrick Johnson is an elite Pro Bowl linebacker, but he can’t man the middle alone.

Two weeks into the experiment at inside linebacker, the spot next to Derrick Johnson is a clear target to be exploited. Several young players have had significant chances to bolster that ILB spot, in wake of Josh Mauga’s injury, but have been unsuccessful. The team has to hope one of them puts it all together in the remaining eight quarters of this preseason.

We’ll take a look at the film below. We went in depth on the topic today on the Locked on Chiefs podcast as well. Here’s the show:

Is there a Mike ILB on this Chiefs roster?

This is the big question. Derrick Johnson plays most like the classic WIL in the 3-4 base defense. He uses his athleticism to run the field and make plays. Johnson is particularly adept at slicing and slipping past blocks to make plays in the run game.


The linebacker opposite him, in a traditional Mike role, generally needs to be able to take on blocks and allow the Will to make the play as we see here: Thomas Davis Takes on block, Luke Kuechly makes play

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...homasDavis.gif


In modern hybrid-front defenses, the traditional roles can be blurred by lining up multiple linebackers who bring aspects of both traditional roles; attacking as well as taking on blocks. Seattle’s duo of Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright are the prime example of all-around linebackers: Flow, engage, shed and tackle

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...right_edge.gif


None of the Chiefs young inside linebackers offers the team a complete solution. The two prime options to fill in for or replacing Mauga, Ramik Wilson and Justin March, play with good athleticism with speed.
Unfortunately, neither has been able to master confrontations with blockers at the line of scrimmage. Both have made plays, but have struggled against starting-caliber offensive linemen.


http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...ch-Blocked.gif
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...sonBlocked.gif


For those of you who may feel the team just needs Josh Mauga to return, that is not the answer either. Here is a familiar look at Mauga from 2015 against the Raiders.


http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o..._Mauga2015.gif

Next: There are some positives...


http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/b...ining-camp.jpg

Positives

Both March and Wilson look to be solid in filling in Derrick Johnson’s role. Both had some athletic plays when they attacked. Against L.A. Wilson was able to apply some pressure and get behind the line of scrimmage. D.J. Alexander has been a standout special teams player, but flashed some take on skills versus the Rams, showing the most run-stopping potential (below with black neck roll).


That’s good, but not enough. Despite being the fastest linebacker according to Derrick Johnson, Alexander’s game remains too one-dimensional to be an option to start at ILB. If he can continue to progress, that could change in the future.


http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...ilson_WILB.gif
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...takesblock.gif
Don’t Rule it out

Its possible that the Chiefs’ staff prefers athletic linebackers and is willing to play defense without a run stopping ILB. I consider that a huge mistake and one that could bite them in 2016. Defending the run will likely be more important this season than any year since the Reid/Dorsey regime took over. That could make picking up an experienced linebacker a priority as final roster cuts come down on September 3rd.

Back during his time in Kansas City, Gunther Cunningham said “take away the run and you will take away their will”. This team needs to find a way to get that done.

What do you think, Addicts?

http://arrowheadaddict.com/2016/08/2...-justin-march/



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I don't see alot of difference in what March did vs what he's praising davis for doing. He didn't get off the block, but that's not really the point.

Is there an IlB on some team we could trade for? March didn't bulk up and take the position like I had hoped. This a big year for this team. I wouldn't mind seeing a trade or two to shore up positions. (ILB, Pass Rusher)

http://www.chiefs.com/media-center/v...1-bfcdf6f5a0e5

Great to have him back!!

Dude, they just moved him to the Mike position in the last week.

You can't expect miracles.

Mauga is exactly that average guy you're asking for.

I'm still not sure how he became this syrup slow plodder in everyone's eyes. As far as ILB's go, he's not that slow. I think we're just spoiled by DJ. He is responsible in run support and he's adequate in space.

He's about as average as you'll find.

Maybe a younger average guy with some upside, I suppose.

I'm pretty disappointed with March, Wilson and Alexander's progress in Year 2, especially after the glowing camp reports, which I will never trust again.

Having Berry back will improve the run defense.