How 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?