Jon Baldwin, and 7 others who need to breakout.

by NigerianNightmare on Jan 2, 2012 10:54 AM CST

Anyone possibly remember this play? Though looking moderately homo-erotic, this is the play of Jon Baldwin's short career, and the reason why I think Jon will develop into something. Not a lot receivers in the league could do this. But let's not kid ourselves, Jon makes rookie mistakes. We all try to turn our heads when he drops a ball that would've been a first down, or runs out of bounds as opposed to using his 6'5, 230 pound frame to fight for some extra yards. Yes, they are ROOKIE mistakes, as are expected. But they happen so often that they're unavoidable. But I still have high hopes for Jon. He missed alot of the season due to the fight, and is just a little nervous going into the NFL. He obviously has great ability (shown by his vertical catch during the Monday Night versus San Diego game, and the picture above), I think we just need to sit back and watch him develop into something. I'd love to see him erupt into our redzone threat like Calvin Johnson, a towering receiver that you can just lob it up to and put 6 points on the board, but we'll just have to wait.

Hopeful breakout season #2, Glenn Dorsey.

Call it a hunch, but I just have a gut feeling that next season Glenn is going to show why he was the 5th overall pick in 2008. Some have been calling for him to be traded, and I think it's ridiculous. He's a 3-4 defensive end, he's not necessarily supposed to get sacks or rack up tackles. I have a feeling he's going to show us that he deserves to stay here in Kansas City next season.

Hopeful breakout season #3, Branden Albert.

Don't get me wrong, I think that Branden is a great tackle, possibly Pro Bowl material. But his potential at guard is incredible. He's already one of the best linemen in the league on the move, and at guard he wouldn't have to deal with speed rushers anymore. I think he could be a perennial All-Pro player, 2010's All-Decade team kind of guy. If we can't get Carl Nicks in the free agency, I want KC to get a franchise LT and move Albert to guard, get an RT in the free agency or draft, and possibly even move David Mims to RT. Which brings me to...

Hopeful breakout season #4, David Mims.

This one is a bit more hopeful. I've watched Mims play in college, and at his level he was incredibly dominant. He's obviously got the size we want (6'8, nearly 340 pounds), and he's a physical run-blocker and surprisingly good pass-protector. Despite his massive gait, he's also surprisingly nimble, with quick hands and feet. His straight line speed is nothing outstanding, but I think he has potential to be a guy like Donald Penn, came out of a small school, undrafted, and starts and becomes a Pro Bowler. I'm anxious to see him play at this level and see what he can provide us.

Hopeful breakout season #5, Le'Ron McClain.

I'm not necessarily hoping for a "breakout", being as he's already probably the best fullback in the league. What I want is for him to be used more, like a lot more. I would like to see a lot of two back sets with him and Jamaal, and I'd like to see him get at least 170 carries next season. I would like him to take the role of Thomas Jones and be the workhorse, getting the majority of the carries and keeping Jamaal fresh. If we use sets with both him and Jamaal in the game at the same time a lot, it would keep defenses off balance and keep us from being so predictable. Will Le'Ron take the ball and plow forward? Or will Jamaal take the ball with Le'Ron lead blocking? Or, since they both have great hands, will they just go out for a pass?

Hopeful breakout season #6, Tyson Jackson.

We all know the sad story of Tyson Jackson. Was supposed to be the next big defensive lineman, fell to us at 3rd overall in 2009 and the rest is history. Or is it? Just like Glenn Dorsey before him, he had a meaningless rookie season and follow-up season, Dorsey then had a decent season in 2010, and is improving since then. So that's 2 bad seasons, 1 good season and is improving since then. Tyson had 2 bad seasons, and had a pretty good season this year. Could that mean he is just now getting into a groove? I think he will develop into at the least, a solid lineman that we can use as a good starter or great backup to...

Hopeful breakout season #7, Allen Bailey.

Allen impressed me a LOT in his rookie season this year. He's big, fast, strong, and smart. He made tackles in the backfield, chased down running backs from behind, and for being a 3-4 defensive end is a devastating hitter. he'll develop into a Pro Bowler, mark my words. I think he could be the next Neil Smith.

Packers replay 8 (via bjsvids1)

Sorry, just had to throw that in there.

Poll

What players do you think or would like to see have a breakout season?

Glenn Dorsey

3 votes

Jon Baldwin

122 votes

Branden Albert

3 votes

Le'Ron McClain

3 votes

David Mims

29 votes

Tyson Jackson

9 votes

Allen Bailey

63 votes

Other? (please specify)

3 votes

235 votes | Poll has closed

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.

Tweet Comment 49 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I agree

Tyson and Dorsey have played more like 5th round picks, not top 5 overall picks. In both of their whole careers, they racked up only 5 sacks. With Baldwin, Ithink that he will develop into a great receiver, by sitting behind Bowe and Baldwin who have both been through a lot. He has the potential to be a star and a big deep threat. I think he’ll break out. Le’ron McClain will be much better than he was this year, and he still played pretty well. When he will be able to block for Jamaal Charles, I think we’ll see the McClain we saw in Baltimore, and better. We will soon realize how big of a part of the team he is if he gets re-signed. David Mims, I don’t expect much of, because I’ve never seen him play, but you never know. Brandon Albert has been playing very well his whole career and I think that he is what he is, which is a starting LT who would be able to start on any team and maybe even a pro bowl team. Lastly, Allen Bailey Showed a lot of potential this year considering he had a very limited chance to shine. He had 2 sacks, both in big spots vs the packers and broncos, and he may be able to have a breakout year, and he might be able to start if they make a decision to trade Glenn Dorsey or Tyson Jackson since they have not showed anything to make the coaches think they should start any longer. I like your post a lot and agree with everything. I also think That Dexter McCluster will have a breakout year next year. Last year, Jamaal Charles had a huge game, on the last game of the year, vs Denver, at Denver. Since then, Charles was dominant. McCluster possibly just had the breakout game of his career right in front of our eyes yesterday. I don’t expect McCluster to be as good as Jamaal, but if he’s used right, he could be one of the most explosive players in the NFL.

by AaronMannicci on Jan 2, 2012 11:10 AM CST via mobile reply actions

TJax isn't supposed to get a lot of sacks in our scheme ... he's doing what he's supposed to do, eating up blockers and opening holes for guys like Houston

McClain is FullBack, main duties are blocking … not going to get a lot of carries unless we become a “Ground and Pound” type of offense (though I wouldn’t mind him getting more up the middle in the Red Zone, but that only AFTER we draft David DeCastro in improve the interior of the OLine)

just bear in mind that DE’s in a 3-4 do NOT rack up a lot of sacks … the sacks are generated by pressures from the OLB’s when the DE’s eat up multiple blockers in their gaps

Twisted Lord of AP Color Commentary (H/T - Loco)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!

by upamtn on Jan 2, 2012 11:23 AM CST up reply actions

ups, do you ever feel like you have to repat yourself too often on this topic?

you and I are onthe same page…. Jackson and Dorsey are doing exactly what they should be doing… if you doubt it, ask Hali, DJ and Houston… they feasted at the table set by the front 3 all year.

Bailey and Gilberry did pretty well in their roles…rushing the passer in sub-packages.

all in all, DE is one position I think KC is SET

by stagdsp on Jan 2, 2012 2:17 PM CST via Android app up reply actions

I'd agree about DE

There’s also Bair, who I think might turn out to be a pretty good player.

I won’t be too surprised if some fresh faces are brought in to compete, but I doubt we’ll see a lot of movement at DE this offseason.

by bh13 on Jan 2, 2012 2:34 PM CST up reply actions

why stag, you know I never repeat myself!

by upamtn on Jan 2, 2012 3:53 PM CST up reply actions

you must work in...

The department of redundancy department

by stagdsp on Jan 2, 2012 4:19 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

two wrongs don't make a right ...

… but three lefts do :-)

by upamtn on Jan 2, 2012 4:48 PM CST up reply actions

TJAX was the most improved player on the Chiefs Roster

KC still doesn’t really love/understand/appreciate the 3-4 Defense. But Jackson’s play hit that 3 year stride that we were hoping for.

2011 =55 Total Tackles, 1 Sack
2010 = 31 Total Tackles

TOP NFL LEs in 3-4

Ziggy Hood, Pitt, 31 Tackles
Ray McDonald , 39 Tackles
Corey Redding, 43 Tackles
Ryan Pickett , 33 Tackles

Also… the Chiefs played 125 fewer downs on Defense this year compared to last and TJax was taken out on most Sub-Pass downs.

by Shackett on Jan 3, 2012 2:01 AM CST up reply actions

Good information.

Thanks for posting this.

by etp_stl on Jan 3, 2012 12:40 PM CST up reply actions

Dorsey and Jackson

Dorsey was #7 league wide in tackles by a DL and Jackson tied for #15. We would all like for them to be beasts but they are doing what they are supposed to be. More tackles than wilfork seymour etc. Not HOF but pretty good.

by 50Miles2Arrowhead on Jan 2, 2012 7:03 PM CST up reply actions

I'm really liking the Jackson-Houston pairing.

I’m a little on-again, off-again with Dorsey and Hali, when it comes to all-around game. Hali’s elite in getting to the QB, but he’s not an elite tackler and it’s already tougher to run the ball past Houston than past Hali.

I thought coming into the season that Houston would be the one-trick pony to Hali’s better all-around, but it’s tougher to run strong-side against Jax and Houston than it is to run weakside against Dorsey and Hali.

I think the biggest weakness is in the middle. Gregg and Belcher don’t always seem to team-up all that well. It sort of looks like it’s Gregg’s fault, but you see him basically being a part of the “RAC Wall” and then Belcher will attack a blocker, rather than just filling the hole. This isn’t a call for a 1st-round ILB, but I do think a more aware ILB would do them some real good. Nothin’ to do with elite speed or anything. The ILB has pretty short distances to travel, for the most part. It’s about choosing the right angle and the right gap.

would of ≠ would've

by hmills110 on Jan 2, 2012 9:19 PM CST up reply actions

Wow great connection

I agree it is harder to run against tJax and Houston. and I think we need improvements over Gregg and Belcher

Dexter McCluster

by DrewPorter on Jan 2, 2012 11:41 PM CST up reply actions

I noticed in the Denver game, Hali was getting held as much as ever, even on running plays.

If it wasn’t for the accursed paycheck, would I really imprison myself in this dungeon of the human soul?

by electriclight on Jan 3, 2012 12:45 PM CST up reply actions

so the question becomes: can Siiler or Sheff fix THAT issue?

by upamtn on Jan 3, 2012 5:15 PM CST up reply actions

I've watched Dorsey alot...

He plays hard and has played very well the last 20 games or so,

since63

by since63 on Jan 2, 2012 11:05 PM CST up reply actions

I'm an "Other"

I think you should have had an “All of the Above” option in the poll. LOL

But, seriously, all of them to show a considerable improvement to get to where we want to be. Brandon Albert is an above average LT and we could see some improvement but I think he is what he is.

by cowboyChief on Jan 2, 2012 11:16 AM CST reply actions

NNm ... not sure what your definition of a "breakout season" is but I wonder if you have some unrealistic expectations here

on Allen Bailey …

I think he could be the next Neil Smith

… our scheme isn’t ever going to allow Bailey or TJax to rack up a lot of sacks … indeed, TJax is already doing what he’s being asked to do, so no “breakout” is needed there

Baldwin would be nice, see if he gets his head together AND the team has a capable QB to get him the ball … Mims is a project, who knows, BEEEEEEEG Boy but needs a lot of work on his footwork (there’s a reason he was undrafted)

breakout season by everyone as a team would be fine with me :-)

by upamtn on Jan 2, 2012 11:18 AM CST reply actions

That expectation is not too unrealistic

I agree completely with Nigeriannightmare here. There was a reason that Scott Pioli took Allen Bailey in the 3rd round. I was pissed when I first saw that he was drafted because we already have TJax and Dorsey and Gilberry backing them up. Now I see that Pioli wasnt really thinking this guy is going to be our future DE. Rather this is a versitile football player. Pioli knew that Bailey has the size the play any position in the front 7 and has the athleticism as well. Now seeing that he has the size and athleticism to bust through the line at NT and sack Aaron Rodgers and Tim Tebow give me faith that he is out franchise NT

Dexter McCluster

by DrewPorter on Jan 2, 2012 11:59 AM CST up reply actions

He's a little small for a nose tackle.

Exactly how many 285 pound nose tackles do you see this day and age? Grab Solai from free agency, and Bailey is the perfect size and fit for 3-4 defensive end, and is actually athletic enough to maybe play outside linebacker in our scheme.

by NigerianNightmare on Jan 2, 2012 1:07 PM CST up reply actions

exactly

paul solari of the miami dolphins is the perfect fit for us at nose tackle. he will be be pricey, but the chiefs have cap room. bailey should split time between center/guard and DE

by michaelaglover on Jan 2, 2012 1:11 PM CST up reply actions

A NT does not necessarily have to be huge

Pioli and Crennel are proving that. If Bailey can bust through the line at his size and pressure the QB then why not keep him where he is at

Dexter McCluster

by DrewPorter on Jan 2, 2012 2:16 PM CST up reply actions

bailey has never been a NT, and won't be

but, he is likely to “stay where he’s at”

which is a sub_package DE who can get after the QB on passing downs

by stagdsp on Jan 2, 2012 2:20 PM CST via Android app up reply actions

More like a DT/DE hybrid

Me and Matt Cassel just - you up, dog!

by ChiefWarPaint on Jan 2, 2012 5:52 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

YES!!!! ^^^^^^

Dexter McCluster

by DrewPorter on Jan 2, 2012 5:55 PM CST up reply actions

He's more of a Dorsey-type then he is a BJ Raji-type though

Good fit for a 34 DE I reckon

Me and Matt Cassel just - you up, dog!

by ChiefWarPaint on Jan 2, 2012 6:20 PM CST up reply actions

Longer frame than Dorsey. Covers ground more quickly.

Has as good or better push as a pass rusher, but he’s more likely to run himself out of the play than Dorsey, who at least keeps it honest. More of a Leslie O’Neal rush DT than anything else, and that was what he was expected to do right out of the gate. Break-out for HIM would be filling in for Jackson or Dorsey in the base D, and creating this big knot on running plays.

It was very encouraging to see him get that sack against Tebow. Exactly what you want from NT (Yes, NT) on passing downs: push pocket, then get off your block and swallow up the QB like a large-mouth bass swallows a frog. The first few weeks of the season, Bailey doesn’t get off that block, and Tebow escapes the pocket. Not sure how much that had to do with Chris Kuper’s replacement not quite understanding the proper technique for holding.

would of ≠ would've

by hmills110 on Jan 2, 2012 9:28 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd for largmouth bass simile.

swallow up the QB like a large-mouth bass swallows a frog.

If it wasn’t for the accursed paycheck, would I really imprison myself in this dungeon of the human soul?

by electriclight on Jan 3, 2012 12:49 PM CST up reply actions

bailey and jackson

allen bailey already has equaled jackson’s career sack total at two while playing in much fewer snaps. that doesnt say much for jackson, considering he was No. 3 overall pick. I think bailey should be our starter at DE next year and end this tyson jackson experiment that has FAILED!!

by michaelaglover on Jan 2, 2012 12:54 PM CST up reply actions

It's not really a fair comparison

Bailey comes on mostly in passing situations.

Jackson generally gets pulled in passing situations, previously for a Dorsey Gilberry line, this year for a Bailey Gilberry line. Not to mention Jackson missed time last year to injury and clearly wasn’t fully back from it until towards the end of the year, when he had some great games.

by bh13 on Jan 2, 2012 1:46 PM CST up reply actions

TJax is doing well ... Bailey is learning

just ask Kalo :-)

with ya on this, bh13 … I got yer back, bro

by upamtn on Jan 2, 2012 2:06 PM CST up reply actions

Tyson Jackson has not failed yet

Jackson has had a strong year this year. He has started living up to expectations of a dominant run stuffer. Did you see him last week vs. Oakland. He has been dominant this year

Dexter McCluster

by DrewPorter on Jan 2, 2012 2:12 PM CST up reply actions

agreed

he wasnt an experiment and he has NOT failed… he’s a building block foundation type player

by stagdsp on Jan 2, 2012 2:21 PM CST via Android app up reply actions

Dorsey...

has recieved too much hate this year, and while improving, TJ has recieved too much praise. There is a reason they run at him on a regular basis. Can’t complain all that much with a D playing as well as they have lately. I hope our qb has a break-out season…whomever that is.

by 12t on Jan 2, 2012 11:50 AM CST reply actions

Wow. I have exactly the opposite impression. And I have never seen a team send less than 2 blockers at him.

would of ≠ would've

by hmills110 on Jan 2, 2012 9:30 PM CST up reply actions

yes...

but, just seems that to many times he ends up 5 yards back. I think he’s ok, don’t get me wrong, and both guys would improve with a beast of a NT. I’m just not big on the 3-4 unless you have one.

by 12t on Jan 3, 2012 1:02 PM CST up reply actions

Both dorsey and tjax showed improvement this year

but both lack the consistency that you need from a 3 man front. Tyson has more upside then dorsey in this scheme and I really like what ive seen from allen bailey. I really wish they wouldve played powe a little more so we could know what we have there. Also, i went to camp this year and was watchin the oline drills and ever since i saw david mims pancake dorsey TWICE ive been sold. i think he has a lot of work still but i think he may be in their plans for the future of the line whether its at RT or LG

by tyson_jackson who? on Jan 2, 2012 11:58 AM CST reply actions

The thing I worry about with Mims, and why I'd train him up for a year, the way they did,

is his feet are slow enough for him to get those long legs trapped and snapped. He’s very good at using long arms and strength to keep people off him, but in the melee, you can’t always control that stuff.

would of ≠ would've

by hmills110 on Jan 2, 2012 9:32 PM CST up reply actions

BTW that picture at the top was a bull**** call on Baldwin

Dexter McCluster

by DrewPorter on Jan 2, 2012 2:24 PM CST reply actions

Baldwin wasn't penalized

I think it was an illegal formation or one of those dumb penalties (on Pope?)

by ichirix on Jan 2, 2012 3:31 PM CST up reply actions

Oh thats right

I forgot but still that should not have happened. This is a profesional sport. There is no reason to have screw up such as an illegal formation

Dexter McCluster

by DrewPorter on Jan 2, 2012 5:01 PM CST up reply actions

Dorsey took a step back this year

He got a lot of single looks on a guard or a tackle and wasn’t dominating, in fact he would get dominated Or just stone wall. Huge regression don’t know what was up with him this year, I think his knees are starting to finally give out.

Me and Matt Cassel just - you up, dog!

by ChiefWarPaint on Jan 2, 2012 5:51 PM CST reply actions

He's been single-blocked quite a bit in the base 3-4 on passing downs.

And he has never gotten a whole lot of push in those situations. He’s just kept doing his 2-gap thing, waiting for somebody to try to get past him, so he can pounce. Bailey just might take some snaps away from him in the base D, next year, if he can hold up in the running game. I didn’t really see any regression in Dorsey’s game. Just the same semi-unsatisfying feeling on passing downs.

would of ≠ would've

by hmills110 on Jan 2, 2012 9:35 PM CST up reply actions

WR is underdeveloped

Im pretty disappointed with Baldwin and MCClusters progress in technical ability since they’ve been here. I haven’t even played organized football and I feel like I could teach these guys how to run up on a thrown ball, catch at the apex, control your body before a cut. I see some sloppy stuff going on that a technique coach could solve.

by MichaelMantastic on Jan 2, 2012 6:28 PM CST reply actions

mcC is used as a RB or a bubble screen. Rarely have we seen him in the slot or screen

that’s on play calling. Not McC

by Chiefshero on Jan 2, 2012 6:40 PM CST up reply actions

Exactly why Muir should not be an OC

Dexter McCluster

by DrewPorter on Jan 2, 2012 7:12 PM CST up reply actions

McCluster is technically unsound.

take the WR part of out. Look how much footwork is wasted when he has the ball. How often does he have two feet in front of him when he’s behind the line of scrimmage. Unless you’re Barry Sanders, you should never have both feet infront of you.

I’m not bashing McCluster, I’m just looking at him and Baldwin playing and thinking ‘why isn’t someone teaching these guys’. Baldwin is just plain sloppy looking with technique. This guy is a freak (in a different way McC is too) and the problem with freaks, is you depend on your ability over your technique and this game is too sharp to have sloppy playing great athletes.

by MichaelMantastic on Jan 2, 2012 7:21 PM CST reply actions

And then you see McCluster stop quicker than the laws of physics allow, and the penetrating linebacker whiffs.

I’m not sure what you mean by 2 feet in front of him.

would of ≠ would've

by hmills110 on Jan 2, 2012 9:37 PM CST up reply actions

Moving your best offensive linemen seems pointless

Albert is in the top 8 in pass blocking effciency.. Why throw a rook out there who we’ ve never seen at the nfl level. I agree oline needs an upgrade here or there, but moving Albert is doesn’t make much sense when you can just fill RT and LG. He’s proven enough i think to stay put.. If it aint broke then dont fix it.

poop

by Kuhmmish on Jan 2, 2012 8:32 PM CST via mobile reply actions