Tamba Hali: signs of life?

by Offense of the 70s on Dec 15, 2008 3:56 PM CST

2 sacks yesterday for Hali, and he was in the backfield a lot on passes in the previous couple weeks, though with nothing to show for it.

He's looked much better since moving to the left side. He was invisible on the right. He's also struggled with injuries this year, that might well have affected his production.

I think he's making progress, and though I doubt he'll ever be a big time pass rusher, he could be a solid, useful player. Not what you want from a first round pick, but the pick has been made, there's no going back, so we need to determine what Hali is going to do going forward.

We still need a couple big pass rushers though. And it wouldn't hurt to blitz once in a while either. We're not going to get many sacks even if Hali continues to get penetration, but he is the only one who does. The QB will just step to the side and have plenty of time to get the ball away.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.

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Comments

As stupid as it may sound

I believe Hali is a franchise LE. I’ve watched him extensively throughout the season and his performance yesterday was really no different than any other weeks. The difference being Rivers isn’t all that mobile in the pocket and likes to stand in there to make his throws. Tamba consistently plays on the opposite of side the line and is always creating pressure which is more than can be said for anyone else on our front line….

Certainly he isn’t putting up the #‘s we expect and he absolutely was a stretch for a R1 pick, but make no bones about it – Tamba is good. With potentail to be real good. I think Babin & him are developing chemistry and I’d like to see what they would have accomplished this season if they both started at their respective positions Week 1. Regardless, I think we need to draft a powerful RE which history has shown it improves Tamba’s play.

by KansasCityShuffle on Dec 15, 2008 4:14 PM CST reply actions

I like the idea of a powerful RE

I’m really starting to like Babin though. It seems like he is improving every game. How long has he been out? I just think it may have taken some time for him to get into game shape and develop some chemistry with our defensive schemes. I know he was a 1st rd pick and one of my Texans buddies is still very high on him. I’d like to see him become an equal with Hali and then have Johnston come into his own as a good rotator.

That leaves us with a picks avaliable for O-Line and LB, our two greatest needs….IF Babin can step up and play with the quality expected of him. I hope so.

by TXChiefan on Dec 15, 2008 5:35 PM CST reply actions

Babin looks good but

I would def. bring in a FA and/or draft abother developmental guy. At best Babin’s emergence will enable us to take a DE in a later round (maybe a Jared Allen type) who isn’t getting all the hype or who is more of a developmental guy. I wouldn’t mind getting a situational pass rusher either, Babin and Hali are pretty solid at the point of attack on runs plays. Bring in somebody to throw in on 3rd downs, kind of like the giants do.

"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week."

by bigbe on Dec 16, 2008 8:09 AM CST up reply actions

Babin HAS played fairly well

the past couple of weeks… But I think we can get better. We still only have 9 sacks. Hali is a LE. And I never doubted his ability. I think he’s a good football player and would be a starter anywhere else. He (like Dorsey) needs help on that line, particularly on the RE.

by R2J_24 on Dec 16, 2008 11:24 AM CST up reply actions