Chiefs Coach Acknowledges Heavier Load for NT Ron Edwards

by Joel Thorman on Oct 22, 2009 3:34 PM CDT in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

Number one question following the trade of Tank Tyler to the Carolina Panthers: Who will be the Kansas City Chiefs back up nose tackle?

Well, we know the answer to that. Kenny Smith was signed off the street. However, Smith hasn't played in a regular season game in six years so it's hard for me to imagine he'll completely replace a guy like Tyler who recently had become a 10-15 snaps-per-game player.

Enter Ron Edwards. The 6'3", 315 pounder has been the starter for the last month but was usually given some breathers with Tank's presence. Today, head coach Todd Haley acknowledged that Edwards will need to have the endurance to play more.

"I think he’s so big sometimes those guys have a tendency to wear out a little bit," Haley said this afternoon. "He’s got to think of himself as a full-time player and not a part-time player."

Haley acknowledged Edwards was "up and down early on" but is generally pleased with where he is right now. In fact, he was given the defensive game ball against the Washington Redskins. Coincidentally (or not), Tyler's presence wasn't necessary a day later.

According to Haley, Edwards bought into the program early.

"Ron is a guy who bought in 100% starting in the off-season program," he said. "He changed his body; he’s a big boy and is still a big buy, but he lost a significant number of weight and weight he had been carrying for a long time in his career. He changed over a span of time. I think it’s starting to show and the last couple of weeks he’s been a pretty disruptive force in there."

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IF...

Edwards plays well and has the stamina to last I am all for it….
Like many have said, the specific players don’t matter to me as much as the results.

KC Chiefs Football Blog
Go Chiefs!

by bigknoxy on Oct 22, 2009 3:41 PM CDT reply actions

Same Here

Edwards is fine. As long as he can stay healthy.

by jk86 on Oct 22, 2009 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions

not to mention he's been getting doubled teamed alot lately

so this should open up more oppurtunities for jackson, dorsey, hali and vrabel.

by jrcnc on Oct 22, 2009 3:48 PM CDT reply actions

Probably explains the better play of Dorsey last week.

Now, if T-Jax can just step up a little bit.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Oct 22, 2009 4:21 PM CDT reply actions

any way we look at it

the 3 up front need to step it up to a notch or two. I want to see Dorsey and Jackson both record multi-sack games this year, and if Edwards can keep getting pressure and double teamed i see no reason why one of the two cant do it against SD’s line. They are battling injuries and we need to get after Rivers hit him early and often and force mistakes

by jrcnc on Oct 22, 2009 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Keep em liftin haley

Check out the gun show over here FIYA POWA

by redmedicone on Oct 22, 2009 4:34 PM CDT reply actions

If I remember right

the NT is supposed to create enough havoc to require a double team almost every play. That opens up the inside linebackers to react quicker. Sounds like hes doing just fine.

Winning begins with Attitude - Haley and Pioli will be winners in KC!

I'll forever be a Chiefs fan! Only God himself could take that away from me, but when I get to my great reward, I'll rejoin two bigger fans, my Mom and Dad.

by Lanier63 on Oct 22, 2009 4:34 PM CDT reply actions