Chiefs Babb: Chiefs' Hali is quietly racking up sacks - Page 3

**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.”

**Shogun** · 09-29-2010, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Arrowhead

Shaun Smith is a sack superstar.

QFT

johnny961 · 09-29-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Arrowhead

Shaun Smith is a sack superstar.

he's already got 2 sacks that I can think of.

Demonpenz · 09-29-2010, 09:17 AM

Hali is a solid player and has played for awhile.

Skyy God · 09-29-2010, 09:39 AM

Hali's issue has always been finishing. Tons of QB pressures but relatively few sacks. As an OLB, he's playing at a lighter weight, which should help him finish off plays.

I expect, given this is his 2nd year at OLB, him to have a 12-14 sack year.

Chiefnj2 · 09-29-2010, 09:43 AM

What'll help Hali, or any other OLB, the most is a front 3 that demand double teams. Hali had pressures but not as many sacks as possible last year because opposing QB's could move up, back or to the side and not have any other pressure.

**Rausch** · 09-29-2010, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Prior to that, the 49ers line gave up 2 sacks all year.

He slapped around Joe Staley too, who's in his 4th year.

I think having a coordinator who can effectively use him, and improved position coaches really can make a difference for Tamba.

This.

Plus, sacks ALWAYS come in bunches.

The best pass rusher KC has ever seen, DT, would get shut out for 2 weeks and then explode with 3 or 4 the next week.

Just look at Oakland and Seattle alone. He beat those mother****ers like they promised to pay his child support...

Coach · 09-29-2010, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Prior to that, the 49ers line gave up 2 sacks all year.

He slapped around Joe Staley too, who's in his 4th year.

I think having a coordinator who can effectively use him, and improved position coaches really can make a difference for Tamba.

Not to mention that there were some CP members that wanted Staley, IIRC.

TheGuardian · 09-29-2010, 11:49 AM

I've said it all along, Hali could have 14 sacks this season and dipshits like Dane will still rag on him. All the while having their lips fastened to Jared Allen's pubic bone, who is Casper in big games.

Mecca · 09-29-2010, 01:32 PM

He's done a good job of proving people wrong showing he can actually play standing..I still think his best spot is as the complimentary rusher and not the main rusher though.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 09-29-2010, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach

Not to mention that there were some CP members that wanted Staley, IIRC.

I could be mis-remembering, but the only person I remember wanting Staley was findthedr.

The rest of us saw him for what he is.

A 2nd or 3rd round talent.

Mecca · 09-29-2010, 01:36 PM

I think Frankie wanted Staley...but it was generally the handful of OL backers that it usually is.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 09-29-2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

I think Frankie wanted Staley...but it was generally the handful of OL backers that it usually is.

That's possible.

Point being, I don't recall many people pining for Staley.

IIRC, most were looking at Okoye, Bowe and Meachem.

**DaneMcCloud** · 09-29-2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

I've said it all along, Hali could have 14 sacks this season and dipshits like Dane will still rag on him. All the while having their lips fastened to Jared Allen's pubic bone, who is Casper in big games.

Were did I "rag" on him?

You need to work on your reading comprehension, reerunian.

beach tribe · 09-29-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

He's done a good job of proving people wrong showing he can actually play standing..I still think his best spot is as the complimentary rusher and not the main rusher though.

I love what Hali has done, and he has exceeded my expectations but I agree, and think his best work has come at the expense of RTs. A premier pass rusher at ROLB would turn Hali, and our defense in general in a monster IMHO.

**the Talking Can** · 09-29-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

That's possible.

Point being, I don't recall many people pining for Staley.

IIRC, most were looking at Okoye, Bowe and Meachem.

the only thing i remember about staley is people laughing at the trade made to acquire him...

no idea where then notion comes from that people wanted him

09-28-2010, 11:55 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $592813	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: 42,161

09-29-2010, 09:17 AM	#33
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $2912136	Hali is a solid player and has played for awhile. __________________
Posts: 54,302

09-29-2010, 09:39 AM	#34
Skyy God 11-5, baby Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Livin the dream Casino cash: $2191557	Hali's issue has always been finishing. Tons of QB pressures but relatively few sacks. As an OLB, he's playing at a lighter weight, which should help him finish off plays. I expect, given this is his 2nd year at OLB, him to have a 12-14 sack year.
Posts: 22,416

09-29-2010, 09:43 AM	#35
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $7813688	What'll help Hali, or any other OLB, the most is a front 3 that demand double teams. Hali had pressures but not as many sacks as possible last year because opposing QB's could move up, back or to the side and not have any other pressure. __________________ Mismanaging the clock.
Posts: 22,396

09-29-2010, 11:49 AM	#38
TheGuardian MVP Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $8245299	I've said it all along, Hali could have 14 sacks this season and dipshits like Dane will still rag on him. All the while having their lips fastened to Jared Allen's pubic bone, who is Casper in big games.
Posts: 7,850

09-29-2010, 01:32 PM	#39
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2297050	He's done a good job of proving people wrong showing he can actually play standing..I still think his best spot is as the complimentary rusher and not the main rusher though.
Posts: 111,141

09-29-2010, 01:36 PM	#41
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2297050	I think Frankie wanted Staley...but it was generally the handful of OL backers that it usually is.
Posts: 111,141