That's only because the Chiefs linebackers can't cover. You put a guy like Eric Kendricks in there and it all stops.

Look at Denver in the Super Bowl against the Seahawks. Their ILBers can cover and disrupt crossing and wheel routes, which resulted in shutting down Denver's offense.

It's all about the ILBers, IMO.

I guess the answer is Ron Parker.

Sure, we're a little slower at CB than most but Parker's much faster than what most teams have at S. Most teams only have one true burner on the field so Parker could shade towards a guy like Hilton and if he's running a stop and go, Parker needs to be there over the top.

As for the crossing routes, well those are a pain in the ass for anyone. Ultimately I think your LBs are going to have a fair amount of responsibility to contain the short crosses and long-crossing routes should be dealt with by the pass-rush; they just take awhile to develop.

And again - timing. The Chiefs utilize the press-man with the idea that they don't really have to run with these guys on the crossing routes, they just have to get their hands on them and knock them off their routes.

DJ, I think the problem with drafting corners isn't so much due to measurable s but more so with technique.

Stopping a cross or post or shutting down a good route runner is more so about technique paired with said measurables. These guys have relied on athleticism in college and there generally aren't great route runners in college or dumbed down route trees make it easier.

So while I do love measurables, I'd me Leary to draft based on them without any or much technique and/or instincts.

Apparently, based on last seasons success, we have great secondary coaching so maybe take the high athlete and train him. I dunno

And rarely is that very long due to Hali/Poe/Houston. Our pass rush murders most O lines.

Only rare QB's like Manning or a sloppy $3itty field @ Oakland really had any answer for it...

Option routes are so damn hard to cover. A lot of that has to be recognition due to tendencies.

It's why I'm coming around to the Dorset at 18 hype

but that's just it, we need to figure out how to beat those QB's if we are going to win a playoff game

You get a QB that throws quick or can move around a little be to avoid our rush for a few seconds and we are shredded if our corners can't keep up on crossing routes.

Manning was the only QB that had any answer for our rush.

Brady didn't. Wilson didn't. Kap didn't. The second Raider game showed just how much the field condition slowed our rush and not the talent/scheme.

Manning is really the only guy who's proven he can consistently best this pass rush. I'd argue Rodgers can as well, but that's it.

manning = 2 losses this year and a kick from the playoffs if we reach them

seems like Colts figured it out too in the 2nd half

The first game we held them to 7 pts in the 2nd half.
The second game we held them to 9 pts in the 2nd half.

Our offense wasted opportunities in both games and didn't score. We also started slowly and allowed them to score in the first half.

We need to start fast. I don't know how many games last year we just didn't do much of anything for the first half on offense. Our offense didn't move the chains and didn't sustain drives. We had ZERO big play ability at the WR position and couldn't hang in a shoot out...

I'm afraid if KC stays put in 2nd round there will be a run on ILBs and they will miss out on a top guy.

If you're talking about a replacement for DJ in this draft I don't see it. There are guys that can run and cover but they're undersized or unimpressive in other areas.

If you're just talking about a run stuffing Belcher-backer there are later round options...

There are only two ILBer's worthy of top 49 picks for the Chiefs system, IMO: Kendricks and Anthony. It's likely that a plug & play receiver will be available at #49, so an ILBer at #18 wouldn't be shocking in the least.

Reid drafted his brother, who's been an outstanding pro, and Kendricks has all of the measurable and qualities to be a very good ILB in the NFL.

Trade for Mychal Kendricks. Problem solved.

I think Kendrick and Anthony will both be better, immediately, than any version of DJ from 2005-2009.

The Chiefs don't need a "Thumper". They need two athletic, smart ILBer's like the Seahawks have in Smith and Wagner.

For our 3-4 we definitely do need a thumper...