Pass rush
by pleaseblock on Jan 3, 2009 10:16 AM CST
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PrintI am thinking about changing my screen name to pleasepassrush. Seriously. "Bas's" post got me thinking more about this problem. Improving the pass rush is the single biggest problem we face going into the offseason. We just set the record for fewest sacks in a season. Moreover, there is litle hope on the horizon. There are few premium pass rushers in the draft or in free agency, and Turk, Tank, and Dorsey look like secondary-type rushers at best.
Our other problems seem much more tractable. For example, as Bas points out, there are some solid free agent linebackers available. I am particularly interested in Karlos Dansby (ARZ), Michael Boley (ATL), or Angelo Crowell (BUF). The draft has some good linebacking as well (e.g., Aaron Curry or James Laurinaitis in Round 1, others later on). Likewise, we can take a top offensive tackle prospect with the third overall pick and a second-tier QB prospect later in the draft (i.e., Rounds 2 through 5).
As far as pass rushers go, I think we are in a difficult position. My guess is that Carolina resigns Julius Peppers (who grew up in North Carolina, attended the University of North Carolina, and has played for the Panthers his whole career) and the other free agents appear to be a poor fit (e.g., Suggs is a 3-4 OLB) or not that good. In the draft, Brian Orapko is not good value at third overall and there really isn't anyone else at defensive end that we might consider at third overall. I suppose Aaron Maybin (Penn State) is an exception, but he is pretty small (6'4, 236lbs) so he would seem to be just be a situational pass rusher as a rookie for the Chiefs (a better fit would be an OLB in a 3-4) and he is a sophomore who may not come out in the draft.
What should the Chiefs do about the pass rush problem? Are we two years away from even beginning to solve this problem?
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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i think
glen dorsey will be better when he is playing to his abilities and not just made to do something on the line. a pass rushing DE needs to be addressed. i say try to pick one.up in free agency and then one in the draft. if not try to get a LB (hopefully Bart Scott) and draft a DE like brian orakpo. but i think that DE is a top priorty for the defense to get pressure on the QB and take pressure off the LB’s
New Hired Defensive coaches alone will improve the line play
With that and the addition of a solid pass rushing DE and Linebackers who can play the position, we could be on the way to a good defense. I am in agreement with another post here, that we need that one defensive individual who will get in your face and make you want to play better. A true leader on the field.
We need a future defensive leader, his name is James Laurinaitis and he can be selected in round 1 of the upcoming Draft.
"But what do I know, I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"
Pass rush issues
I too have really thought about this. I was listening to a podcast of Len Dawson on 810, and he noted how Hali really looked small for a DE this year. The 3-4 produces a better pass rush because the LBs can be lighter and faster, since they do not have to work in the trenches. 3-4 DEs are basically the oversized, slow DEs that we complain about.
A great 4-3 DE is hard to get, because they need to have a truly special size/speed combination to beat really athletic tackles. Even several decent teams do not have great DEs.
But I think Suggs is a different breed. He plays with his hand in the ground quite a bit. Baltimore’s 3-4 is actually more like a 5-2: they always seem to send a couple of linebackers in different places. He could be a really good DE, but it is a guess.
As for Orakpo, Len’s comments lead me to believe he is the best shot of the high-profile DEs. He is like 300 pounds and very strong. If he has a good 10 and 20, then I see no reason why he cannot dominate at the next level.
It is still possible that we have our next rusher on the roster. We have some developmental guys that have the numbers, but have just not played a lot. It is hard for any rookie, no matter the physical abilities, to make an impact in the first year (see Mario Williams). Another year in the weight room and learning technique, and we might find a guy or two that can play really well.
That’s the great thing about youth: you always have untapped potential to look forward to. For a 2-14 team, I feel pretty good about the Chiefs next year.
not to mention
that babin came in at the end of the season and had most of the teams sacks (not quite but you know what i mean)
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