The 4-3 Under and Current Personnel

[O.city]

The thing is, you can clear up so much money by letting Houston and berry go and not tagging ford

The berry thing probably can’t happen but the other two maybe

[bowener]

Originally Posted by The Franchise

Restructure Houston.
Tag and trade Ford.
Sign Trey Flowers.

Speaks - Nnadi - Jones - Flowers

Houston - Hitchens - DOD

Whether we stayed in a 3-4 or switched to a 4-3.....we'd still need CBs and safeties.

I'm wondering if Landon Collins wants to play for Spags again.

Originally Posted by O.city

The thing is, you can clear up so much money by letting Houston and berry go and not tagging ford

The berry thing probably can’t happen but the other two maybe

Why would you let any of them go? Berry costs a fortune to cut loose, and you could easily trade both Houston and Ford to avoid the dead money.

BUT why the **** would you trade Houston or Ford if you don't have a respectable replacement ready to go? Unless the Chiefs can get a first-round pick in the top 15 for each player, there is no reason to send them packing. You won't find a replacement for either of them on the cheap with as much ability and experience.

I'm calling bullshit on all these major concerns with who lines up where and if they can. Yes, there will be pains as they all learn different responsibilities, but the defense is going to be running in a 2 or 4 front nickel most of the time like they already did. Ford and Houston will be DEs or upright LBs at the line, and Nnadi and Jones will be the DL.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by bowener

I'm wondering if Landon Collins wants to play for Spags again.



Why would you let any of them go? Berry costs a fortune to cut loose, and you could easily trade both Houston and Ford to avoid the dead money.

BUT why the **** would you trade Houston or Ford if you don't have a respectable replacement ready to go? Unless the Chiefs can get a first-round pick in the top 15 for each player, there is no reason to send them packing. You won't find a replacement for either of them on the cheap with as much ability and experience.

I'm calling bullshit on all these major concerns with who lines up where and if they can. Yes, there will be pains as they all learn different responsibilities, but the defense is going to be running in a 2 or 4 front nickel most of the time like they already did. Ford and Houston will be DEs or upright LBs at the line, and Nnadi and Jones will be the DL.

Because the money would allow you to go get someone else or multiple other guys that may fit more what you want

[JakeF]

You move Houston back to LB again and offensive will just start running RB/TEs at him over and over again. He's not fast enough to turn and run with anyone. Houston should be a DE now. He is strong enough to set the edge and quick enough to rush the passer.

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by JakeF

You move Houston back to LB again and offensive will just start running RB/TEs at him over and over again. He's not fast enough to turn and run with anyone. Houston should be a DE now. He is strong enough to set the edge and quick enough to rush the passer.

I like him better at DE as well. He's our best player at sealing the edge, strong at the Point of attack and a good pass rusher/disrupter. Speaks can continue being a rotational guy unless we get a semi-surprise cut by releasing one of Ford or Houston. Find a SLB in F/A or the draft.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by JakeF

You move Houston back to LB again and offensive will just start running RB/TEs at him over and over again. He's not fast enough to turn and run with anyone. Houston should be a DE now. He is strong enough to set the edge and quick enough to rush the passer.

If Vernon can play SLB in this scheme than Houston can. His coverage responsibilities won’t be that much different than they have been.

[JakeF]

Originally Posted by staylor26

If Vernon can play SLB in this scheme than Houston can. His coverage responsibilities won’t be that much different than they have been.

Why would you put Houston at any other position when DE fits him so well? Houston provides a pass rush without blitzing, something that every Defense needs. Houston and Jones bring a constant pass rush with no need to expose passing lanes by blitzing someone from the backend.

I would like to say the same about Dee Ford but he isn't physical enough to set the edge and play the run.

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by JakeF

Why would you put Houston at any other position when DE fits him so well? Houston provides a pass rush without blitzing, something that every Defense needs. Houston and Jones bring a constant pass rush with no need to expose passing lanes by blitzing someone from the backend.

I would like to say the same about Dee Ford but he isn't physical enough to set the edge and play the run.

I agree with all this.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

I agree with all this.

I don't think they can keep Ford and Houston. If they put Houston at DE....then the other DE is going to be Speaks.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by JakeF

Why would you put Houston at any other position when DE fits him so well? Houston provides a pass rush without blitzing, something that every Defense needs. Houston and Jones bring a constant pass rush with no need to expose passing lanes by blitzing someone from the backend.

I would like to say the same about Dee Ford but he isn't physical enough to set the edge and play the run.

Strong-side defensive end - Lined up to the strong side of the offense, this defensive end will be between the tight end and the tackle, and their primary responsibility is as a run stuffer with a minimal amount of pass rush ability. This is actually a perfect fit to try to maximize last year’s second-round pick Breeland Speaks. Speaks is solid against the run, but looks uncomfortable in space, something he won’t have to contend with often lined up in this spot. With some wanting to kick Speaks inside to 5-tech in the Chiefs 3-4 defense, this situation presents a better opportunity for Speaks to develop as a starting player for the Chiefs.

[bowener]

Originally Posted by staylor26

Strong-side defensive end - Lined up to the strong side of the offense, this defensive end will be between the tight end and the tackle, and their primary responsibility is as a run stuffer with a minimal amount of pass rush ability. This is actually a perfect fit to try to maximize last year’s second-round pick Breeland Speaks. Speaks is solid against the run, but looks uncomfortable in space, something he won’t have to contend with often lined up in this spot. With some wanting to kick Speaks inside to 5-tech in the Chiefs 3-4 defense, this situation presents a better opportunity for Speaks to develop as a starting player for the Chiefs.

This is an even better fit for Justin Houston than it is for Speaks. Just because that says "this defensive end will be between the tight end and the tackle, and their primary responsibility is as a run stuffer with a minimal amount of pass rush ability" doesn't mean they can't or won't have pass rush ability. Instead this means that Houston gets to be the primary stud on the field that will be fully utilized. He won't drop into coverage. Instead, he will stop the run, contain, string out the play, or pass rush. This is a much better position for Houston. Speaks can rotate when Houston needs a breather or when Houston kicks over to the other DE when Ford needs a breather.

A 4-3 with two legitimate pass rushing DEs would be incredibly dangerous for any team that falls behind by 10 or more points.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by staylor26

Strong-side defensive end - Lined up to the strong side of the offense, this defensive end will be between the tight end and the tackle, and their primary responsibility is as a run stuffer with a minimal amount of pass rush ability. This is actually a perfect fit to try to maximize last year’s second-round pick Breeland Speaks. Speaks is solid against the run, but looks uncomfortable in space, something he won’t have to contend with often lined up in this spot. With some wanting to kick Speaks inside to 5-tech in the Chiefs 3-4 defense, this situation presents a better opportunity for Speaks to develop as a starting player for the Chiefs.

Man, I feel the vast majority of commenters didn't read the article. There is no way you put Speaks at LEO. You need someone fast who can rush the passer. Go back and watch the Seahawks in their LOB years. Chris Clemons and Bruce Irvin played the LEO for them and were similar in size to Dee Ford.

https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/1...e-leo-position

Since the Leo plays from a looser alignment and operates in space, he doesn't need to have great size. Chris Clemons is listed at only 6'3 and 254 pounds. Bruce Irvin is an even smaller 6'3, 248.

If they don't want to pay Ford, the Chiefs will need a FA or draft pick for this spot. I really don't see KPass or Speaks being able to play it. I think KPass will be released or traded as he doesn't really have a spot in this defense.

EDIT: Ok, I could see Houston playing at LEO but then that leaves a hole at SAM. If they could get Wright from the Seahwaks, that would be perfect because that is where he played frequently.

[ModSocks]

My line would be Ford-Jones-Nnadi-Houston.

[The Franchise]

With as much as this team runs out of the nickle and dime looks.....running a 3-4 puts you at a disadvantage because of the type of linemen that you have for your base defense.

[tmax63]

I disagree. I think you take off the coverage responsibilities from Ford and let him be a true DE he could do well. Only real problem I have with Ford is his injury history and him finally showing up, in a contract year. I think you end up keeping him or Houston but not both. DE's in FA aren't sexy pickups but good ones can be usually found.