Kawika gone? Don't celebrate too soon
 

Signing Napoleon Harris might be good but you guys seem to be forgetting this football team has a history of letting good linebackers go. I wouldn't expect an immediate upgrade at the MLB position simply due to the fact that if nothing else Kawika was the emotional leader of this defense. It took plenty of effort on Guns part to get him into that role and I doubt Gun is very happy about losing him.

I don't consider yelling at other defenders being a team leader. The problem with Mitchell, is that he isn't a playmaker. MLB's have to be a difference maker...A playmaker. Whether Harris is or not, who knows. All I know is, I was tired of Mitchell missing routine tackles, and whiffing on almost every sack opportunity he had.

The emotional leader? Ha ha, yeah right.

I never saw any evidence that Kawika was the "emotional leader." IMO that was probably Law.

I did see evidence that Kawika didn't fit the system and had either regressed or plateaued.

It's almost as if we have a thread about this already...

we really don't need kaweaka p.m.s.'ing all over the field for another year. If he keeps it up, we'll see the red pants at home too.

You back up the yelling bs by making plays, that is how you are respected.

I couldn't agree more.... Harris fits the system alot better....Atleast he was once familar with the AFC West and the Cover 2 / Tampa 2.

An emotional leader that few followed due to a lack of leading by example.

To be a leader on defense you have to back it up with your play. Kawika never did that he wasn't a game changer. He would just wave his hands in the air smack himself in the helmet and make some tackles sometimes. The bad thing is, when he really screwed up, it would totally outweigh anything good he ever did on the field.

You guys need to go back and look at tape. It's amazing how rumors get started around here and before you know it some off the wall belief is being taken as fact. (The rumor that Wiegmann sucks and doesn't fit Herms system is another prime example).

Kawika has been SOLID the last 2 years. He's been more consistent than any player on this defense. Not spectacular no....but solid nonetheless.

Kawika isn't an Emotional leader. He was TRYING to be an emotional leader, but it appeared more like the stuttering kid trying to bb bb bb bbbe a lll lladies mm mmman.

I think he's an effective Mike in a system that lets him play forward and doesn't mind whiffing on wide open shots at the QB on a blitz.

Kawika was "solid" 2 years ago....and pfffffffffft last year in Herm's scheme that Gunther attempted to run.

He's been workman-like. Nobody said Kawika wasn't a decent player. I'm just saying that Mitchell is a good run stuffer, and that's about all. He doesn't make the big plays at MLB. He doesn't come up with the critical tackle, or the big INT returned for a TD.

Mitchell will go to another team, and be productive. But he will never be a playmaker. If you put him on a team with other playmakers, than he would be great. However, KC doesn't have a consistent playmaker at LB. DJ is too young yet, and Bell never panned out. Nap Harris may not be that guy either. But we will have to wait and see.

nope, that would make this a repost. We don't allow those:)

maybe a change of scenery.... Detroit blah good luck.

Everybody knows that Eric Hicks is the emotional leader of the defense. duh.

I think Kawika gets a bad wrap around here....he has been a good player for us. With decent DTs I think he could eb a great player for us.

KAWIKA FEVA KAWIKA FEVA KAWIKA FEVA HE WENT THROUGH A WINDSHIELD BAH GAWD

It would be nice if he re-signs and plays OLB.

That would be horrible....we would need more of what he isn't good at.

Maybe Jared Allen.

Excellent point. Not too many MLBs flourish with 2 sub-par DTs. I suspect that this is more about Mitchell's agent asking for WAY too much $. Harris is NOT a great MLB but knows the system. I'm guessing it's about a 'wash' in regards to talent. HOWEVER, if we get a decent DT or two, he'll play 'better' by default and it'll be trumpeted as a "great signing" by Peterson and the brain trust at 1 arrowhead dr.

Personally I don't give a rat's ass if Gunt isn't happy about losing Kawika.

The sooner Gunt is shown the door, the better.

And what good LBs have we let get away, exactly?

Yes, Kawika does get a bad wrap, which is why he whiffs on so many tackles.

Edwards and..... Fujita?

I hope Gun is happy with Sims, based on these comments.

Emotional leader? I'll drink to that.

I know Allen has, several times.

Kawika was fair in the middle but I never saw him make a play on the QB when blitzing. (I did have my eyes closed twice) But money needs to be spent on DT positions and I don't think Harris will be worse in the areas tha Kawika has been satisfactory.

I don't give a flying fuck if Gun is happy, the sooner Gun is Gun the better.

I could care less that Kawika is gone.....to me he was practically invisible.

I dont get why someone would be upset about losing him? I can almost guarantee he wont be missed. Its not like we just lost Ray Lewis or Mike Singletary.

Even if I agreed with these two, that would still only be two examples of a "history".

Hell, even Maslowski.

Edwards was missed perhaps but Fujita?? He was a starter for the Saints this year but their defense sucked overall. He was nothing special..

Thats just stupid...Kawika played good ball here. Maz couldn't touch some of the things he did.

Kawika had more raw talent and athleticism, and was faster.
But Maz didn't whiff on tackles.

They're (hopefully) both gone, and I don't/won't miss either.

Dude, who stole your account. Usually your football takes are top notch.

When you're slow, you don't make the number of tackles that Maz did unless you're a sure tackler.

Jared Allen

KM is a good LB..but not against the run or blitzing skills..he is a good cover LB..to play the MLB spot you have to do all three well..as far as a leader he's not..Allen on the field..Law in the locker-room...

I can't argue with that.

Quoted for truth.

And for humor.

Emotion f'ing leader. ROFL