Chiefs LB Tamba Hali Eyeing Personal Best in Sacks
by Joel Thorman on Jan 2, 2010 9:42 AM CST
in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign
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PrintHow far has Tamba Hali come?
I took a journey through our archives and checked out a few stories over the offseason. With the Chiefs switching to the 3-4 defense, the biggest question was how Tamba Hali would make the transition. The majority of folks predicted he wouldn't take to the move to outside linebacker well.
In fact, one media outlet ranked him as the 31st LB in the league before the season while another suggested he would be trade bait.
However, that wasn't the case. While Hali hasn't put up the numbers of some of the elite outside linebackers in the NFL, he's consistently been the one opposing coaches say shows up all over the tape. In sessions with the Kansas City media, opposing players and coaches always point out "No. 91" as someone they'll have to watch out for.
Against one of the better left tackles in the NFL, Ryan Clady, he racked up three sacks. Tomorrow, he hopes to improve upon his 7.5 sacks against that same tackle.
If Hali can get one sack on Sunday, he'll set his personal best with sacks. His rookie season was his best, 8.0 sacks, followed by his second season, 7.5 sacks. He, along with the rest of the Chiefs defense, had a major dropoff in production last season with just three sacks.
Who knew he would have arguably his best season as a pro when he switched to outside linebacker?
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Good For Him
He’s stepped up this season at OLB and been an asset. Hopefully he’ll continue to improve and be a player the team can build on.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
By The Way
I think that Gary Gibbs probably deserves some of the credit for Hali’s improvement as well. Linebacker’s been a decent position for the Chiefs this season, one of the few. So I kind of hope they keep Gibbs around next year because I think he’s done a good job there.
And no, I don’t think he’s done a good enough job to deserve a promotion to defensive coordinator. He showed pretty clearly that his Peter Principle level in the NFL is position coach.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
that is a good point
and hopefully pendergast can be demoted and make that difference as well
I'd Be Okay With Him As A DB Coach
That seems to be his specialty. Don’t know if he’d accept a demotion, though. Or maybe he would…it’s not like anyone else is going to hand him a DC job.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Well Pendergast came to the Chiefs not knowing what his role would be
He didn’t get named DC until some time after he had already joined the staff. Evidently he was content coaching whatever the Chiefs told him to. I like Pendergast as DBs coach and keeping Gibbs at LBs — he is one of the best in the league in my opinion.
We do need a new DC though Romeo Crennel and Al Groh have to be the front runners.
I Don't Really Want Crennel
Honestly, he looks to me like another of Belichick’s coaching mirages.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
I knew all along...
The man is a beast and proudly wear his jersey while watching the games.
I don’t care, call me a homer.
Prediction: Tamba gets 10 sacks this year.
I admit I didn't think he'd make it as an OLB
He’s a damn hard player. I still think he would be much more of a force if we had another good pass rusher opposite him. Vrabel is a fantastic all around linebacker, but he’s not the best pass rusher.
I really didn't think he had enough top end speed to play LB
"Readin's don't never not dun nuthin' for not nobody!" ---Early Cuyler
I didn't think that he would be able to cover the pass.
One thing that I have seen this year is Tamba all over the field. I actually expected about 10-12 sacks this year from him… I know way over optimistic, but he has had a better season.
He disappears sometimes
but I think that is because there are no other threats on the field with him. They are able to double him and chip block him. Adding a few more pieces on defense will only add to his progress. He has proved that he is a force and just an all around football player. The change in positions didnt do much to hinder him. Clady couldnt hold him last time, look for them to give him some more help today. But, he breaks his own record today with 1 and a half sacks for a total of 9 on the season
Imagine how good our line would be with a guy like Wilfork
Getting pressure up the middle, not allowing teams to double Dorsey and T-Jax. Hali’s number will shoot through the roof!
I was definitely one
that felt we would have to trade him to a 4-3 team…I am so very happy that he made the transition…I am shocked not necessarily by the sacks, but by his ability to be all over the field, I thought he’d be slower, but hes actually got good speed.
It's because they are scared of him.
It needs to be called more though.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Jan 2, 2010 1:54 PM CST up reply actions
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