Evaluate the Defense Game #1

[petegz28]

I thought they looked improved from several aspects. Keep in mind this was Jax and not a high-powered offense.

Tackling = Much, MUCH better

Coverage = Tighter. Few plays without a defender right on the WR

Run Defense = Stellar start, let's not get cocky

Pass Defense = Not a ton of pressure today. Missed a huge sack which ended up leading to a TD. Coverage overall was decent. Made a backup look all-world but that happens when a backup comes in mid-game.

Overall it looked like we were more sound fundamentally. Run gaps were getting filled, screens were getting blown up and not a ton of YAC. Hopefully as the season progresses our defense will as well.

Overall grade today: C+

[O.city]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Go read my posts from September of 2018.

I spent the first 6-8 weeks of last season saying "don't worry guys, these are communication problems and not talent problems, they'll work themselves out..."

I won't whistle past that graveyard ever again. Call me irrational or premature, but I banked on that shit just working itself out last year and it just never did.

I think it was the issue though, there just wasn't any accountability to change it or improve.

I hope and it seems like there is now. They're all talking about it and they seem to have the guys in place to do it atleast.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by O.city

I think it was the issue though, there just wasn't any accountability to change it or improve.

I hope and it seems like there is now. They're all talking about it and they seem to have the guys in place to do it atleast.

Well that's why this is so critical to me.

I'm pretty sure Clark reads my posts and is gonna say "shit, y'know what? Nut is right and I really should've done a club/rip to free myself. That guy knows his stuff and I'm gonna do that next time. Accountability matters - thank you, DJLN..."

I'm always thinkin' ahead, O.City. Always thinkin' ahead...

[PAChiefsGuy]

Originally Posted by O.city

Defense is so reactive and looking around at the best defenses, they've been together for quite a while. Cohesion matters.

So, i'm thinking when Spags was saying it'll take time, he's probably right.

That's true effort also plays a huge role w defense. Ray Lewis always talked about this and preached it. That's why it is important to have a strong intimidating leader to keep everyone in line on D. Hopefully Clark can play that role but he has got to play better otherwise players wont respect it

[FAX]

Originally Posted by R Clark

I must be reerun cause I sure thought Wilson , hitchens was linebackers? Had I been right about that by your calculations the linebackers would have had at least 10 tackles . In a 4-3 isn’t three linebackers on the field?

You might be, but I doubt it, Mr. R. Clark. I stated that in a confusing manner. What I attempted to say was that "other than" Hitch and Wilson, the linebackers didn't stat a solo tackle (Lee had an assist).

Digging a little deeper, the linebacker stats seem better than I originally thought (again, I still haven't seen the All-22).

Lee had something like 8 or 10 snaps (depending on which source you use ... some places have us playing 58 defensive snaps others have us at 51 ... probably due to eliminating penalty snaps ... and I didn't take the time to count them myself). Either way, Hitch is listed as the only linebacker to play 100% of the snaps. Wilson had about 80%.

As for the way they used the linebackers in the scheme, it wasn't a base 4-3 from the get-go. They mixed it up a bit. It appeared that they entered the game in a "nickle" (or something similar) with 3 corners, 2 safeties, 2 linebackers, and 4 down linemen.

FAX

[DJ's left nut]

When even the Jags are forcing you to play mostly 2 LB sets, you know the league as we grew up with it is very different.

'Base' sets are going to be even less common than they were last year. I was thinking we'd see 3 LB looks around 25% of the time and now I'm thinking it may be nearer 15%. Nobody is using 21 personnel anymore.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Here's a tweet of the sack:

Emmanuel Ogbah (@EmanOgbah) beats Jawaan Taylor with the cross chop/club/rip. Sacks the QB! #PassRush #Chiefs #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/2J7RaBJyfT

— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) September 8, 2019

I mean c'mon man...what exactly was that?

Dude, he damn near pushed the guy into the QB and he also maintained so the QB had no where to go. I'm not mad about that play at all. Not to mention the dude was probably gassed as **** playing in that heat.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by FAX

You might be, but I doubt it, Mr. R. Clark. I stated that in a confusing manner. What I attempted to say was that "other than" Hitch and Wilson, the linebackers didn't stat a solo tackle (Lee had an assist).

Digging a little deeper, the linebacker stats seem better than I originally thought (again, I still haven't seen the All-22).

Lee had something like 8 or 10 snaps (depending on which source you use ... some places have us playing 58 defensive snaps others have us at 51 ... probably due to eliminating penalty snaps ... and I didn't take the time to count them myself). Either way, Hitch is listed as the only linebacker to play 100% of the snaps. Wilson had about 80%.

As for the way they used the linebackers in the scheme, it wasn't a base 4-3 from the get-go. They mixed it up a bit. It appeared that they entered the game in a "nickle" (or something similar) with 3 corners, 2 safeties, 2 linebackers, and 4 down linemen.

FAX

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

When even the Jags are forcing you to play mostly 2 LB sets, you know the league as we grew up with it is very different.

'Base' sets are going to be even less common than they were last year. I was thinking we'd see 3 LB looks around 25% of the time and now I'm thinking it may be nearer 15%. Nobody is using 21 personnel anymore.

I think we'll see a lot more of Lee as we play teams that are gonna throw it more.

I also think we worry to much about people running the ball on us. Sure, don't get mauled, but as long as the offense is just blasting people, it won't really be a worry.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Go read my posts from September of 2018.

I spent the first 6-8 weeks of last season saying "don't worry guys, these are communication problems and not talent problems, they'll work themselves out..."

I won't whistle past that graveyard ever again. Call me irrational or premature, but I banked on that shit just working itself out last year and it just never did.

Gonna have to disagree with ya here and I dont think anyone would confuse me for a homer. I thought Ward was garbage and it's also pretty clear Thornhill still doesnt get it but were going to roll with him til it clicks. Thornhill is still more talented than any of the shit we played at safety and we got Claiborne coming off the bench after week 4. Another guy more talented than anything we had last year sans maybe Fuller.

Overall it was a C- performance at best but they still did come up big at a critical juncture of the game and it was never really in doubt.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Not gonna flip through all these posts right now but if it hasn’t been said, I’ll add that the defense seemed extremely vanilla yesterday.

[IUsedToBeATightEnd]

Much MUCH better on fundamentals, tackling and overall "attitude".
Middle of the pack D is what we asked for, middle of the pack D is what we probably got - and we may improve as the season progress.

Originally Posted by Hog's Gone Fishin

Patriots will destroy our defense

They won't be able to run the clock as they did last year, so who knows...

[WhiteWhale]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Go read my posts from September of 2018.

I spent the first 6-8 weeks of last season saying "don't worry guys, these are communication problems and not talent problems, they'll work themselves out..."

I won't whistle past that graveyard ever again. Call me irrational or premature, but I banked on that shit just working itself out last year and it just never did.

**** man, at least you learn.

I've been bitching about the lack of back 7 talent for what seems like 3 years now.

They're mostly made up of training camp cuts and guys other teams didn't want to pay. KC has had one first round pick in 4 years, and spent it all on offense (and, you know... what an awesome Pick. Super A+ for that one first rounder.).

KC's last 4 years of defensive back 7 draft picks: Thornhill (cross your fingers), Rashad Fenton, Dorian Odaniel, Armani Watts, Tremon Smith, Keivarie russell, Ukeme Eligwe, Eric Murray, and DJ White.

Jesus. We need someone in our scouting department that can spot this talent, because we clearly don't have one.

[Hammock Parties]

Thornhill and Damien Wilson making plays. Don't listen to that negative nancy Direckshun.

Damien Wilson played the majority of the nickel snaps and showcased a high motor. Blitz from slot & the A gap forces the QB to go to his hot route in the flat. Wilson not only does well to track the RB and stop him short on third and 2, he punches the ball out for a big turnover. pic.twitter.com/TrckVpigjs

— Craig Stout (@barleyhop) September 10, 2019

[O.city]

First Okafor great job assisting on the WR coming across to slow down before pressuring QB on boot. Ward a little late in deciphering his coverage. Now watch Thornhill opposite side and just chases the play down. Full display of his athletic ability. #JacobsEyeInTheSky pic.twitter.com/Pq2ODW1xS2

— Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) September 10, 2019

One positive with the defense I thought was the tackling. They always seemed to have multiple guys flying towards the ball.

Thornhill can run too.

[Mecca]

So basically what I got from everything I've seen is.....Frank Clark needs to be a superstar and Ward is a pile of shit that killed us.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

The defense held them to 13 points until the outcome was pretty much decided. It created 2 turnovers and held their stud rusher to 66 yards and under 100 with a fumble. The Jags piled up some garbage yards but were never a threat to win.

I am not being a homer- just stating positive things they did, but I know that goes against the narrative that the D. still sucks.

I guess my expectations were much lower since it was the First game with several new players, playing in a new system under a New coordinator- on the road in the heat.

I highly doubt this is the High Watermark for this defense and they are only going to get worse.

It reminds me of what Marty S. used to say. Something like "it never is as good as it looked and it never is as bad as it seems". I think with some changes, it could look like an adequte defense. I have a hard time believing that by the end of the year that this defense won't be better than last year.