Most likely to struggle at his new position: Turk McBride The decision to move a defensive...

Most likely to struggle at his new position: Turk McBride

The decision to move a defensive end/defensive tackle ‘tweener like McBride to outside linebacker seems a rather curious call. He has no real experience at the position, isn’t particularly fast, and he seems to have the sort of body – if he bulked up a bit – that should put him more in the mix at defensive end.

Scout.com: Reading KC’s Fortune

almost 3 years ago Chris Thorman 19 comments 0 recs |

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I agree

I certainly thought that since Turk played DT and DE in college (like Magee) that he would appear in the rotation at 3-4 DE.

However, he does seem quick for his size, so maybe the thought is that he’ll be speedy if he gets down around 255 lbs.

We’ll see…

Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.

by PVChiefsfan on Jun 12, 2009 8:33 AM CDT reply actions

Well

He wasn’t really doing much at DE, so why not I suppose. I don’t give him much of a chance to make the transition, though.

And I’ve got more reservations about Haley now than ever. Looks to me like he’s trying to fit more square pegs into round holes all around the field instead of tailoring the game plan to his personnel’s talents.

Predictions for 2009

1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
2. The Lions will draft Matt Stafford, the Rams will draft Jason Smith, and the Chiefs will draft either Aaron Curry or Eugene Monroe.
3. Maurice Carthon will be the most hated man on the Chiefs' coaching staff within two years.
4. Larry Johnson has already played his last meaningful game for the Kansas City Chiefs. He's gone before the 2009 season starts.

by UCrawford on Jun 12, 2009 8:42 AM CDT reply actions

Yeah it's going to be interesting

I am hoping that Haley and staff are recognizing how the players can best fit because if not and he is forcing, is going to look bad because Hali, Dorsey, Turk, all will be labeled busts and will have to be dispossed of at the end of the year. These moves can make or break their careers as well as Haleys!

by Nelly on Jun 12, 2009 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions

I think McBride's a very good player.

Give him time. I bet he finds a place in the rotation. He’s too good a player not to earn it, imo. I’ve seen hints that he might just end up a backup/situational d-lineman, but I definitely see a lot of possibilities for him in spots at SOLB, as well as WOLB. On the strong side, especially if the Chiefs switch to more of an over formation. I like the 2-on-2 between Jackson and McBride and ’most any ROT-TE combo. McBride would definitely raise some eyebrows on the offense, and would be pretty intimidating if he adopted a 3-point stance in a 9-tech.

So I guess I feel the opposite of you, UCrawford. I’m not sure where McBride will be playing, but I expect to see his number (90, isn’t it? Neil Smith’s #?) at or near the bottom of the pile next to the ball at the whistle. That’s how he originally caught my eye. Seems like he covered a lot of ground for a d-lineman. He could be a very scary athlete at 260 lbs.

Nevertheless, we haven’t heard anything very positive about McBride at LB, as yet. In the back of my mind, I can see the Hali-McBride experiment being only half successful. If they don’t have a role for McBride, Cunningham might snap him up for his 4-3. But I really don’t think the Chiefs are going to let McBride get away. I just think he’s too good a player NOT to find a roster spot.

Help me with my history, here. Wasn’t it Alexander who pitched the changeup and lined his best guys on his left? Isn’t that what the “under” means? Loading up on the weak side? Alexander attacked across the water at that historic battle, didn’t he? Something about a cavalry charge on the weak side? My memory sucks.

by hmills110 on Jun 12, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions

+1

by jcox31mc on Jun 12, 2009 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions

How freakin' old are you

if you remember a battle fought 2000 years ago?! I can’t remember what I had for lunch!

by thejesuslizard on Jun 12, 2009 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions

I forget plenty of things that happened before I did.

by hmills110 on Jun 12, 2009 6:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Too Good A Player?

I haven’t seen any of that in the last two years unless you count preseason (which shouldn’t count). One sack in two years tells me he’s probably fringe and not anyone we should be looking to keep around past his current contract. Moving him to linebacker reinforces that.

Predictions for 2009

by UCrawford on Jun 12, 2009 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Other than

McBride (who I feel should be bulking up to play DE instead of slimming down to play OLB) & Hali, what square pegs is Haley trying to put in round holes?

by KansasCityShuffle on Jun 12, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Dorsey To DE

Hali to LB. Frankly, I’m thinking that the entire switch to 3-4 hybrid defense is probably going to end up being a disastrously bad idea…especially with Clancy Pendergast running it. The dude got fired by Arizona because he couldn’t put a good D together there and he actually had personnel that fit that system.

Predictions for 2009

by UCrawford on Jun 12, 2009 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Could be

a situational player. He does not have to be Mike Vrabel. If he can come in and be a good rusher from the spot from time to time he would be okay. Find what he can do well and put him in a situation where he can do that, even if it’s a few plays a game.

by Nelly on Jun 12, 2009 10:00 AM CDT reply actions

So you're thinking what I'm thinking, Nelly.

And that is McBride being behind Vrabel on the strong side.

by hmills110 on Jun 12, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions

I think that's a likely spot for him

if he ends up around 260 lbs.

Let him learn from Vrabel and see if we can make a 3-4 Sam out of him…

Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.

by PVChiefsfan on Jun 12, 2009 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions

To be honest, I think Turk will back-up Hali. The WLB in a 3-4, 4-3 under is a pure pass rusher who may drop back in to coverage every once in a while and these 2 guys are pass rushers! On the other side, I see Darrell Robertson as Vrabel’s back-up. Before he came here, he was learning under Vrabel in New England! Dj will be WILB with Biesel as his back-up and Zach at SILB with Corey Mays as his. Thats 8 LB’s!! If they decide to carry 1 more, it will probably be Demorrio Williams because of his speed & experience or Jovan Belcher for special teams. The rest, Weston Dacus/Corey Smith/Andy Studebaker/Pierre Walters will either be practice squad or cut!!

by T MO 5 on Jun 12, 2009 11:20 AM CDT reply actions

That's not what I read about Robertson.

Says here that he played at Ga. Tech last year. What’s the scoop, there? Anyway, I thought he scouted as SOLB, primarily. Was ranked 16 in one place and 25 in another amongst college DEs. Not sure which side he’ll end up being, assuming he makes the team. But he’s definitely in the OLB mix.

by hmills110 on Jun 12, 2009 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions

Robertson's pro career - wiki

Dallas Cowboys

Robertson was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2008. He was waived by the team on August 30 during final cuts.

Edmonton Eskimos

Robertson was signed to the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos’ practice roster on September 10, 2008. He was then signed to the active roster on September 17th. He was released by the team on September 29.

New England Patriots

Robertson was signed to the practice squad of the New England Patriots on November 17, 2008 when tight end Tyson DeVree was promoted to the active roster. He was waived by the team on February 27, 2009.

Kansas City Chiefs

Robertson was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs on March 6, 2009.

by Kane on Jun 12, 2009 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, he's got a year under his belt.

Maybe I looked at a Combine page from ‘08? I’ll take your word on it, Kane. Thx.

by hmills110 on Jun 12, 2009 6:48 PM CDT up reply actions

I don’t think Turk will make the team, and I hope we can wrangle a late rounder for him. He was a bad choice from day 1, a DE/DT tweener with no real strengths. He was drafted a few rounds too high. Now he’s a DE/OLB tweener, again in no mans land.

by dablueguy on Jun 12, 2009 6:42 PM CDT reply actions

Agreed

I was hoping he’d pan out and he seems like a nice kid, but frankly he’s never demonstrated on the field that he really belongs in the NFL. He’s a tweener with marginal skills…jack of all trades, proficient at none.

Predictions for 2009

by UCrawford on Jun 12, 2009 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions