Babb: Chiefs' Hali is quietly racking up sacks

[Tribal Warfare]

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.”

[SenselessChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

How many games did Belcher start last year? Derrick Johnson?

I didn't know that they weren't on the team. Man, did we have two guys with the same name on the team last year?

The point is that the Chiefs had the majority of the talent in the front seven at the end of last year.

The point is that many said that Dorsey and Hali couldn't play in this defense, and they are two of the best players on the defense. AND that the Chiefs don't have a good enough NT. And, and and.

Heck, some said that DJ was not right for the 3-4.

But, the Chiefs added one player in the front seven. They added a backup defensive lineman. That suddenly swung the balance of the talent level apparently.

[BossChief]

From 5-24-10...before OTAs or camp or anything...I was a fan of this group as as our starting LB corps since last years camp.

Originally Posted by BossChief

I would love to see our linebackers be this set of guys (if nobody is added from this point)

Studabaker
DJ
Belcher
Hali

I just hope the DL improves (as I think they will) so that our linebackers can have a chance.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

I didn't know that they weren't on the team. Man, did we have two guys with the same name on the team last year?

The point is that the Chiefs had the majority of the talent in the front seven at the end of last year.

The point is that many said that Dorsey and Hali couldn't play in this defense, and they are two of the best players on the defense. AND that the Chiefs don't have a good enough NT. And, and and.

Heck, some said that DJ was not right for the 3-4.

But, the Chiefs added one player in the front seven. They added a backup defensive lineman. That suddenly swung the balance of the talent level apparently.

What's your point, Dip****? What the **** are you even arguing or debating?

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by BossChief

From 5-24-10...before OTAs or camp or anything...I was a fan of this group as as our starting LB corps since last years camp.

I said the same thing and was pimping Studebaker and Belcher last season.

I don't know what these dumb****s are trying say.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

I didn't know that they weren't on the team. Man, did we have two guys with the same name on the team last year?

The point is that the Chiefs had the majority of the talent in the front seven at the end of last year.

The point is that many said that Dorsey and Hali couldn't play in this defense, and they are two of the best players on the defense. AND that the Chiefs don't have a good enough NT. And, and and.

Heck, some said that DJ was not right for the 3-4.

But, the Chiefs added one player in the front seven. They added a backup defensive lineman. That suddenly swung the balance of the talent level apparently.

Wow, that's not being intellectually dishonest or anything...

I see all these posts about how Belcher is the unsung hero of the defense thus far, yet people want to claim that because he was "here" last year, that him replacing Mays as a starter has nothing to do with the resurgence. Or that DJ actually getting consistent reps over Williams has had no impact.

I see people two people arguing the poster, and not the posts.

[BossChief]

Sensible keeps digging himself deeper and deeper into this hole he has gotten into.

He is a guy that chooses to fight every battle, no matter how ill prepared he is for said battle...instead of picking and choosing his battles and preparing for them.

sad, really.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I see people two people arguing the poster, and not the posts.

This is exactly what is going on here.

They want to get a shot in on "Big Bad Dane" sooo bad that they cant see how bad their argument actually is.

[SenselessChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Wow, that's not being intellectually dishonest or anything...

I see all these posts about how Belcher is the unsung hero of the defense thus far, yet people want to claim that because he was "here" last year, that him replacing Mays as a starter has nothing to do with the resurgence. Or that DJ actually getting consistent reps over Williams has had no impact.

I see people two people arguing the poster, and not the posts.

Other than one injury replacement starter, the entire front seven was here last year. The point that I have tried to point out is that the players have gotten better. This isn't some huge talent infusion.

And, two of the guys that got crapped on by Dane McCloud are among the best players on the defense.

[BossChief]

Its too bad that I cant use the search function on my posts on DJ from all last year (because I always refer to him as DJ and that is too short to perform a search with) cause I ****ing OWNED damn near everyone with my arguments and 100% predicted his late season and into this seasons turnaround...even to the point of calling for him as a possible DMVP candidate in Romeos scheme if he puts the work in to earn his run downs back by being gap responsible and learning to take on and shed blockers better.

I bet for many of these guys, playing for Romeo is like playing for their real grandfather/father. DJ is no exception.

[SenselessChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

What's your point, Dip****? What the **** are you even arguing or debating?

The point originally was that many of the guys that were already here fit the 3-4 well, despite all the 'gm's' on here, like you, who just knew that Dorsey couldn't play the 3-4. And, that Hali was, well here is a post in your own words:



"But, he's flat-footed, not particularly quick, fleet or fast. He doesn't move his hips well and is clueless in coverage. He's not nifty enough to get past an average offensive tackles (much less an elite tackle) and he doesn't have any instincts to speak of, meaning he doesn't read and react well."


See, you invited someone to do a search on you and Dorsey and Hali. I don't have time to do a search for all the negative crap you posted about how these guys suck.

Amazing what real coaching can do with real talent.

[Mecca]

I wonder if the Chiefs will pay DJ now...

[SenselessChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Its too bad that I cant use the search function on my posts on DJ from all last year (because I always refer to him as DJ and that is too short to perform a search with) cause I ****ing OWNED damn near everyone with my arguments and 100% predicted his late season and into this seasons turnaround...even to the point of calling for him as a possible DMVP candidate in Romeos scheme if he puts the work in to earn his run downs back by being gap responsible and learning to take on and shed blockers better.

I bet for many of these guys, playing for Romeo is like playing for their real grandfather/father. DJ is no exception.

To be fair, I don't think there is anyone on here who didn't think that DJ should be starting. Well, that's not true...some felt like he needed a wake up call. And, maybe he did. But, the guy has so much talent that it was hard to see him ride the bench.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

Other than one injury replacement starter, the entire front seven was here last year. The point that I have tried to point out is that the players have gotten better. This isn't some huge talent infusion.

And, two of the guys that got crapped on by Dane McCloud are among the best players on the defense.

Nobody is arguing you about that, but after saying it sooo many times wouldnt you think to actually support your argument with some facts?

Your credibility is rock bottom, so you can make all the claims you want..but unless you back your claims its like KnowMo coming on here saying that Orton is HOF material and better than Tom Brady.

At least that guy TRIES to substantiate his ****ing BS claims...you on the other hand, just make baseless claims.

[SenselessChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Nobody is arguing you about that, but after saying it sooo many times wouldnt you think to actually support your argument with some facts?

Your credibility is rock bottom, so you can make all the claims you want..but unless you back your claims its like KnowMo coming on here saying that Orton is HOF material and better than Tom Brady.

At least that guy TRIES to substantiate his ****ing BS claims...you on the other hand, just make baseless claims.

Not true. When I posted that TJ was the better back in Cleveland, I posted the stats, the reasons, and when the balance started to go more away from Charles.

In regards to an argument with Dane, he claims that Weis and Romeo were only able to find jobs with the Chiefs. I posted links to both of them being connected with other jobs. And, in at least one of them, it was confirmed that the team talked to the coaches agent. I think it was the Giants with Crennel, but it could have been Weis.

Anyways, he refused to acknowledge the facts and resorted to name calling. Which is his thing. He is now trying to neg rep me off the board. Oh, no!

He's a self important douche that tries to bully guys on here because he hasn't the sack to do anything in real life.

[SenselessChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by Mecca

I wonder if the Chiefs will pay DJ now...

I wonder if DJ will continue to play at this high of a level in a non contract year.