Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo sounds off on challenges without Chris Jones

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by TwistedChief

I don’t think it’s obvious the Chiefs are a top-10 defense even with CJ. They barely were in DVOA down the stretch last year when he was playing at a high level.

Without him I definitely think it’s a below average defense.

Last season the defense finished around 11th overall, iirc. With 5 rookies starting/playing significant snaps. So there was an assumption by many league analysts that they would probably break into the top-10 this season, with the consideration that most of the key starters would be returning.

Personally, I was looking forward to seeing how early they'd gel this season, and had high hopes for a unit that placed in the top-10, maybe even the top-7.

Without Jones, who accounted for 25% of the QB pressures on his own, and is the only DL that demands a double-team, I'm now concerned that our DL won't be able t consistently generate anything close to the same kind of pressure, which is a problem, considering that Spags' defense is predicated on generating pressure from the DL.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

Last season the defense finished around 11th overall, iirc. With 5 rookies starting/playing significant snaps. So there was an assumption by many league analysts that they would probably break into the top-10 this season, with the consideration that most of the key starters would be returning.

Personally, I was looking forward to seeing how early they'd gel this season, and had high hopes for a unit that placed in the top-10, maybe even the top-7.

Without Jones, who accounted for 25% of the QB pressures on his own, and is the only DL that demands a double-team, I'm now concerned that our DL won't be able t consistently generate anything close to the same kind of pressure, which is a problem, considering that Spags' defense is predicated on generating pressure from the DL.

We'll be fine , Spags loves blitz packages sending LBs,Safetys and corners