What's the deal with Nose Tackle?

via www.boston.com

We made a big deal about NT here on AP prior to the draft, we argued over whether Mt Cody would be good or not, we got to know players like Troup who were at the Senior Bowl.  We wanted to trade for Vince Wilfork.  But what I don't ever remember was looking at our roster and seeing what we got.  It was pretty much, well our run defense was horrible, so we must need a new Nose Tackle.  Well, let's go back and take a look at what we got.  It may be enough that it's not a huge need afterall.

 Kansas City's run defense was not something enjoyable to watch last year, to say the least.  Part of the problem was youth, Tyson Jackson seemed to get pushed around alot in his first year in the league.  While he did seem to improve as the year went on, we really need to see him step up this year.  On the other side, Glen Dorsey actually looked pretty good.  It was very noticable, that when he didn't play, the run defense suffered.

Then onto the Nose. 

Ron Edwards

Ron Edwards, 6'3" 315 lbs, has been the incumbent.  While he has done an adequate job, I think he is reaching the tail end of his career.  This play against Ben (insert pun here) (nice pick Cowher) was memorable:

via www.post-gazette.com

Unfortunately, Ron was part of a Chiefs defense that was horrible against the run last year, to shore up that defense, Pioli has brought in Shaun Smith 6'2", 325 lbs, great size for a NT!!!!

Shaun Smith

via blog.cleveland.com

Per KCChiefs.com -

Smith (6-2, 325) has played in 63 games (27 starts) with New Orleans (2004), Cincinnati (2004-06, 2009) and Cleveland (2007-08). He has produced 196 tackles (92 solo), 2.0 sacks (-20.0 yards), three passes defensed and two forced fumbles. Smith registered a career-high 63 tackles (28 solo) with Cleveland in 2007. He has also seen action in two playoff contests with Cincinnati. Smith originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with Dallas in 2003 and spent time on the Cowboys practice squad that season.

Smith had a GREAT year in 2007.  The problem is that was three years ago, and he has never played all 16 games in his career.  While he could potentially be a good rotational player with Edwards, I think we still haven't found the answer.  The news I could find on him involved a fight with Ocho Cinco, a fight with Brady Quinn, and Bengals fans not really less than not interested in having him back.  http://www.cincyjungle.com/2009/12/8/1191331/bengals-reportedly-interested-in  Maybe Romeo has his guy here, but it seems like a hope and a prayer from what I can find.

Derek Lokey

via alt.coxnewsweb.com

Speaking of a hope and a prayer, it's really hard to find news on this guy, but I really like what I can find.  Some have discussed moving Glen Dorsey to NT, even Herm Edwards said he can do it.  I believe that Dorsey is finally comfortable in a position, and we should leave him there.  Especially when we have a better option already on the roster.  Prior to the 2008 draft. Derek Lokey, 6'1" 300 lbs. was actually compared to Glenn Dorsey, (although Lokey was projected as a 7th round pick).  Here's the comparison - 

http://rootzoo.com/articles/view/NFL-Football/NFL-General/The-2008-NFL-Draft-Sleepers_3420 (Check the link, it has a great writeup of Brandon Flowers)

Here's a quick comparison (Pro Day results)

Glenn Dorsey

40 yard Dash; 5.12
20 yard Dash; 2.98
225 lb Reps; 27
Vertical Jump; 25 1/2
Broad Jump; 8' 4''
20 yard Shuttle Run; 4.80
3 Cone Drill; 7.52
--------------------------------- (The bold indicates a better time/number)
Derek Lokey

40 yard Dash; 5.18
20 yard Dash; 2.94
225 lb Reps; 38
Vertical Jump; 33 1/2
Broad Jump; 9' 4''
20 yard Shuttle Run; 4.37
3 Cone Drill; 7.57

Why am I comparing him to Dorsey? Because Dorsey is ranked as the #1 DT on ALL scout reports. I haven't been able to find a scouting report that has Dorsey ranked below #1. As you look at the comparison, Derek did much better than Dorsey at most of the events. With that said, I think it's fair to say Lokey is much more athletically gifted than Dorsey.
Derek Lokey is very, very strong. One of the strongest defensive tackles in this class. He is a reliable guy who never really gets injured. He has a little bit of Tyler Hansbrough in him, a non-stop motor that never stops. He is pretty much like every other defensive tackle when it comes to speed and quickness. NFLcountdown.com has stated that he "is not a great athlete", but I beg to differ. With his outstanding workouts, I think it's a pretty stupid thing to say. Plus, with his extreme passion and intensity, he delivers.
He is mainly a run stuffer and not a pass rusher (3 sacks in his career). At Texas, he was part of a line that allowed 99.8 yards per game. That ranked 10th in D-1 college football. He's even came and played full back in goal line situations (a little bit of Mike Vrabel in him...gotta love the versatility). Teams that need help stopping the run should look at him in the forth round because I think he could be good in the NFL. He'd be a great pickup for teams like Denver, Oakland, New York (Jets), and especially Kansas City.

 Lokey has been on and off of the practice squad and suited up for three games, maybe this year is the year for him?????

Garrett Brown

hat

That brings us to the last NT to join the Chiefs, undrafted free agent Garrett Brown, 6'2" 320 lbs.  I love this guy.  Here's a recent post http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2010/4/25/1443758/chiefs-shaky-nose-tackle-situation

ESPN has a great writeup as well

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/2484/minnesota-s-brown-adjusts-on-the-fly

My favorite part -

He grew up playing hockey and lacrosse, spending 10 years on the ice and eight on the lax field. When Brown started high school in Fairfield, Conn., he seemed intent on pursuing one of those sports in college.

"That definitely changed quickly once I found out what a cheeseburger and weights were," Brown said.

Sounds like Romeo’s kind of guy!

So what do you guys think, an outsider, say a Charger fan, would probably say we stink at NT, but as a Chiefs fan, you got to believe one of these guys, or a rotation of these guys can do the job.