How will Dee Ford, Justin Houston and Tamba Hali mesh?

When the Kansas City Chiefs drafted Dee Ford in May, I was very skeptical of the pick. Frankly, I think Ford will become a very good player in the NFL, but I sat there wondering 'How will he help the Chiefs this season?'

Granted, that is a short-sighted view of a long-term picture, but after going 11-5 last year it is hard to concede a campaign when the roster is teeming with talent. Originally, I felt that nabbing a wide receiver in the first round was of greater importance than taking the eventual replacement of Tamba Hali.

A month later, and I feel differently. I love the notion of Junior Hemingway being put into the slot by Andy Reid. Hemingway is a big body at 6'1 and 225 pounds with good hands. In other words, he is a very tough matchup for a smaller corner in tight spaces. I'm still down on Donnie Avery as our No. 2 option, but every team has weaknesses.

My massive question is whether Ford can play on the field effectively with Justin Houston and Hali. If Bob Sutton can make that work, the Chiefs are in serious business on the defensive end. During his interview after an OTA practice, Hali said that Ford has the quickest first step he has seen, reminding him of watching Derrick Thomas.

With that thought in mind, I can't fathom Ford being moved to the inside on pass downs. With his main move being a speed rush (and that he is learning the defense as a rookie) it is impossible to think Sutton would neutralize that advantage. Hali certainly can't play inside with his skill set, leaving only Houston should the three be on the field at once.

Personally, I want to see Kansas City employ a ton of overloads. Let's get a look at Houston and Ford stacking off the right tackle with Derrick Johnson lined up over the A gap. How about a look we saw occasionally last year, with Hali and Houston firing off a given tackle, but this time with Ford getting a one-on-one matchup across the way?

Hell, give me some crazy subpackages where the Chiefs do something like Houston and Johnson coming on a double A-gap blitz, with Hali and Ford coming on an overload to the right side and Eric Berry screaming off the other edge, with Vance Walker and Dontari Poe stunting. I want to see chaos. I want to see Peyton Manning signaling like a mad man, then calling timeout in confusion and disgust.

There are a lot of different ways to win in the NFL, but the Chiefs are clearly set up to be a ball-control offense (that can rack up points) with a devastating front seven. When that group consists of Poe, Hali, Houston, Johnson and the talented rookie Ford, there is no excuse not to be the best in football.