Chiefs Babb: Chiefs' Hali is quietly racking up sacks

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-28-2010, 11:55 PM

Chiefs' Hali is quietly racking up sacks
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star

Tamba Hali doesn’t say much, but when he does speak, he tends to mean it.

“You know,” he said after the Chiefs’ win Sunday against San Francisco, “Romeo Crennel has come in here and really changed our identity.”

Hali is Kansas City’s best pass rusher, and he took a vow of silence — or mostly silence — during last year’s training camp. He has said privately that he preferred to focus on his job, rather than speak his mind. He renewed that vow this year, and that became one part of Hali’s identity that hasn’t changed.

What Crennel, the team’s first-year defensive coordinator, has done is take Hali and turn him into the Chiefs’ most effective pass-rusher since Jared Allen was traded in 2008. It didn’t take that long, either.

And Crennel did it by changing the defense around Hali. Kansas City’s top priority now is stopping the run, and when that happens, Hali can chase quarterbacks. That’s how he spent Sunday, when he sacked Alex Smith three times. The Chiefs finished with five sacks in their 31-10 win at Arrowhead Stadium. The defense looked like an elite pass-rushing unit, and Hali had one of his best games since becoming an outside linebacker last season.

“All the things we were asking him to do within the scheme of our defense,” coach Todd Haley said, “he did.”

As big as Hali’s sacks were, it was the little things that stuck in his coach’s mind. Haley and Crennel have said that there are many factors that signal a disruptive pass rush, and only the most extreme of those is a sack. If a quarterback is hurried or rattled, or if an offense has to make adjustments that could compromise its objectives, then a defense has done its job.

Haley said Hali was part of a unit that did that Sunday, and Kansas City’s defense kept San Francisco out of the end zone for four full quarters; 49ers wide receiver Josh Morgan scored his team’s only touchdown after time expired.

Haley said that was, defensively, “the most complete game” to date, and it would be hard to argue that it wasn’t the best game Kansas City has played since Haley was hired in 2009. It was shortly after then that Hali was among several defensive players who had to shift to another position to accommodate the 3-4 defensive scheme that Haley hoped to run. Hali could still rush the passer, but he was raw as a linebacker, and few knew whether it would work out.

It took him six weeks to get as many sacks as he had Sunday, and he finished the season with 8 1/2 .

The Chiefs hired Crennel in the offseason, and he puts emphasis on stopping the run. If that happens, then quarterbacks are at an immediate disadvantage.

Sometimes things just go according to plan.

After the San Francisco game, Hali praised the Chiefs’ defensive line for holding the 49ers to 43 rushing yards, and Kansas City’s offense for scoring enough points to force Smith to pass more often — and Crennel for designing a scenario that Hali could succeed in.

That gave Hali his chances, and he delivered.

“Credit those guys for allowing me to rush this week,” he said.

So modest.

Haley has said that Hali, in his fifth year, has a chance to become one of the league’s best pass rushers, and he showed Sunday that he’s capable. Hali had three sacks in a game against Denver last year, and before that, the Chiefs had gone without a three-sack performance since Allen did it against Washington in 2005.

Hali might not say much, but that doesn’t mean he’ll go unnoticed the rest of this season. If Crennel’s scheme keeps working, you can be certain of that. That much showed in one afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium.

“That is a really good day,” Haley said, “and that is good for the Chiefs.”

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-28-2010, 11:56 PM

No, he's not.

He has .5 sacks in two games and three sacks on a line that featured two rookie starters.

I'm not attempting to take anything away from Hali and his efforts, but let's see him consistently get sacks before saying that he's "quietly" doing anything.

**pr_capone** · 09-28-2010, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

No, he's not.

He has .5 sacks in two games and three sacks on a line that featured two rookie starters.

I'm not attempting to take anything away from Hali and his efforts, but let's see him consistently get sacks before saying that he's "quietly" doing anything.

GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!!

teedubya · 09-29-2010, 12:00 AM

Obligatory Shaun Smith reference. He's racking up sacks, NOT so quietly.

Hammock Parties · 09-29-2010, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I'm not attempting to take anything away from Hali and his efforts, but let's see him consistently get sacks before saying that he's "quietly" doing anything.

Sacks come in bunches.

I don't really expect Hali to get a sack every game if that's what you mean by "consistently." Even Jared Allen didn't do that.

Hammock Parties · 09-29-2010, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

“That is a really good day,” Haley said, “and that is good for the Chiefs.”

Channeling Herm there, sheesh.

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-29-2010, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Sacks come in bunches.

I don't really expect Hali to get a sack every game if that's what you mean by "consistently." Even Jared Allen didn't do that.

Come on.

He had eight sacks last year, which equates to .5 per game.

The most he's had in one year is 10.

He's a great dude with a nonstop motor but he is NOT James Harrison or any number of consistent, double digit OLB's.

I'm happy he's a Chief because without him, they'd have NO pass rush.

But let's Be Real here.

Hammock Parties · 09-29-2010, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Come on.

He had eight sacks last year, which equates to .5 per game.

The most he's had in one year is 10.

He's a great dude with a nonstop motor but he is NOT James Harrison or any number of consistent, double digit OLB's.

I'm happy he's a Chief because without him, they'd have NO pass rush.

But let's Be Real here.

I'd say we don't know what he'll do this year. He hasn't played on a good run defense since '06, and he was a rookie then.

He's going to have a lot more opportunities this season.

Rasputin · 09-29-2010, 12:23 AM

I like how they are moving him around and puting him on the opposite side too make plays. That's gonna make it much more difficult for the offense to account for him.

Keep it up Hali

good job.

Wait for Belcher to start wreaking havic along with Hali. Oh wait they both did on sunday **** YEA!!!!

Hoping to see Studebaker join the fun....

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-29-2010, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

I'd say we don't know what he'll do this year. He hasn't played on a good run defense since '06, and he was a rookie then.

He's going to have a lot more opportunities this season.

I voted for him to have 10-11 sacks in this defense.

IF he had a young pass rushing specialist like Orakpo, Cushing or Matthews opposite, he'd have more.

He's a gamer and a worker. It's too bad his motor and football knowledge are greater than his physical attributes.

Hog's Gone Fishin · 09-29-2010, 02:58 AM

Why haven't we seen Demarrio and Studebaker getting to the QB. They looked good in preseason.

SenselessChiefsFan · 09-29-2010, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Come on.

He had eight sacks last year, which equates to .5 per game.

The most he's had in one year is 10.

He's a great dude with a nonstop motor but he is NOT James Harrison or any number of consistent, double digit OLB's.

I'm happy he's a Chief because without him, they'd have NO pass rush.

But let's Be Real here.

We should be proud of you, I guess. I mean, in the 2009 offseason, Hali didn't have the talent to be a 3-4 OLB. Now, you are at least happy to have him.

Sacks come in bunches. Jared Allen currently has 1 sack through three games. I guess he is finished?

Sacks are a combination of having talent around you and often getting a lead. Hali has had very little of that anytime recently.

I think he will finish with double digit sacks for the first time in his career. And, if the Chiefs can continue to get leads, he could push that number up to 15.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 09-29-2010, 06:05 AM

I'm just happy to see productivity coming from another one of the many, many, many defensive draft picks we've spent the money on.

**the Talking Can** · 09-29-2010, 06:06 AM

and Smith is loudly racking sacks....[/rim shot]

beach tribe · 09-29-2010, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

No, he's not.

He has .5 sacks in two games and three sacks on a line that featured two rookie starters.

I'm not attempting to take anything away from Hali and his efforts, but let's see him consistently get sacks before saying that he's "quietly" doing anything.

I can't help but feel the same way. He's gonna have to show me more before I'm not going to want a premier pass rusher.

09-28-2010, 11:55 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3047187	Babb: Chiefs' Hali is quietly racking up sacks Chiefs' Hali is quietly racking up sacks By KENT BABB The Kansas City Star Tamba Hali doesn’t say much, but when he does speak, he tends to mean it. “You know,” he said after the Chiefs’ win Sunday against San Francisco, “Romeo Crennel has come in here and really changed our identity.” Hali is Kansas City’s best pass rusher, and he took a vow of silence — or mostly silence — during last year’s training camp. He has said privately that he preferred to focus on his job, rather than speak his mind. He renewed that vow this year, and that became one part of Hali’s identity that hasn’t changed. What Crennel, the team’s first-year defensive coordinator, has done is take Hali and turn him into the Chiefs’ most effective pass-rusher since Jared Allen was traded in 2008. It didn’t take that long, either. And Crennel did it by changing the defense around Hali. Kansas City’s top priority now is stopping the run, and when that happens, Hali can chase quarterbacks. That’s how he spent Sunday, when he sacked Alex Smith three times. The Chiefs finished with five sacks in their 31-10 win at Arrowhead Stadium. The defense looked like an elite pass-rushing unit, and Hali had one of his best games since becoming an outside linebacker last season. “All the things we were asking him to do within the scheme of our defense,” coach Todd Haley said, “he did.” As big as Hali’s sacks were, it was the little things that stuck in his coach’s mind. Haley and Crennel have said that there are many factors that signal a disruptive pass rush, and only the most extreme of those is a sack. If a quarterback is hurried or rattled, or if an offense has to make adjustments that could compromise its objectives, then a defense has done its job. Haley said Hali was part of a unit that did that Sunday, and Kansas City’s defense kept San Francisco out of the end zone for four full quarters; 49ers wide receiver Josh Morgan scored his team’s only touchdown after time expired. Haley said that was, defensively, “the most complete game” to date, and it would be hard to argue that it wasn’t the best game Kansas City has played since Haley was hired in 2009. It was shortly after then that Hali was among several defensive players who had to shift to another position to accommodate the 3-4 defensive scheme that Haley hoped to run. Hali could still rush the passer, but he was raw as a linebacker, and few knew whether it would work out. It took him six weeks to get as many sacks as he had Sunday, and he finished the season with 8 1/2 . The Chiefs hired Crennel in the offseason, and he puts emphasis on stopping the run. If that happens, then quarterbacks are at an immediate disadvantage. Sometimes things just go according to plan. After the San Francisco game, Hali praised the Chiefs’ defensive line for holding the 49ers to 43 rushing yards, and Kansas City’s offense for scoring enough points to force Smith to pass more often — and Crennel for designing a scenario that Hali could succeed in. That gave Hali his chances, and he delivered. “Credit those guys for allowing me to rush this week,” he said. So modest. Haley has said that Hali, in his fifth year, has a chance to become one of the league’s best pass rushers, and he showed Sunday that he’s capable. Hali had three sacks in a game against Denver last year, and before that, the Chiefs had gone without a three-sack performance since Allen did it against Washington in 2005. Hali might not say much, but that doesn’t mean he’ll go unnoticed the rest of this season. If Crennel’s scheme keeps working, you can be certain of that. That much showed in one afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium. “That is a really good day,” Haley said, “and that is good for the Chiefs.”
Posts: 43,455

09-28-2010, 11:56 PM	#2
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	No, he's not. He has .5 sacks in two games and three sacks on a line that featured two rookie starters. I'm not attempting to take anything away from Hali and his efforts, but let's see him consistently get sacks before saying that he's "quietly" doing anything.
Posts: 88,960

09-29-2010, 12:00 AM	#4
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $8993042	Obligatory Shaun Smith reference. He's racking up sacks, NOT so quietly.
Posts: 36,832

09-29-2010, 12:23 AM	#9
Rasputin Tip of the hat LIV Champs Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: ks Casino cash: $-4579	I like how they are moving him around and puting him on the opposite side too make plays. That's gonna make it much more difficult for the offense to account for him. Keep it up Hali good job. Wait for Belcher to start wreaking havic along with Hali. Oh wait they both did on sunday **** YEA!!!! Hoping to see Studebaker join the fun....
Posts: 56,933

09-29-2010, 02:58 AM	#11
Hog's Gone Fishin Fish are scared of me Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $-1559523	Why haven't we seen Demarrio and Studebaker getting to the QB. They looked good in preseason.
Posts: 40,649

09-29-2010, 06:05 AM	#13
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	I'm just happy to see productivity coming from another one of the many, many, many defensive draft picks we've spent the money on. __________________ 1. Merciless, severe. 2. Given freely and generously. 100% refusal to overrate 20 year Head Coaches with ZERO **ing rings as a Head Coach. CP's Official Professor of 'Dem Blues for 2019/2020!**
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09-29-2010, 06:06 AM	#14
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $9122208	and Smith is loudly racking sacks....[/rim shot] __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
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