Post by number1chiefsfan on Jun 24, 2003 16:25:23 GMT -5
Any football nut will tell you that the main component of a good defense is the ability to control the line of scrimmage. Control the line of scrimmage and you contain your opponnents running game allowing you to dictate what your opponent does to some degree. Last years Super Bowl winner the Buccaneers who also happened to have the leagues best defense are a perfect example. Their D-line garnered 88% of the teams total sacks and over 26% of their total tackles. Compare that to the Chiefs D-line who combined for 68% of the sacks and 20% of the tackles, and you can begin to understand why the Chiefs had the 32nd ranked defense. Lets face it, due to youth, injury, and an under-achiever the Chiefs were simply not good enough up front last year. But that was then and this is now, and this year things look to be quite different.
Although there may be some suprises to come, the only definite pro bowl caliber player on the chiefs line as they enter 2003 is LDE Eric Hicks. Vermeil had this to say when asked about Hicks this offseason.
"I’m really pleased with what I see in Eric Hicks. I think Eric Hicks is destined to have the finest year he’s had. His strength level and body control and (the) flexibility he’s gained through working out and exercise, his stamina, his power, I see a guy really coming on...he’s becoming a more dominant player-type guy."
Hicks is a class act, his work ethic and veteran leadership should definitely be a force on the field, and in the lockeroom. Hicks had his best year in 00' racking up 14 sacks, although he did have 9 sacks and 54 tackles last year on a line that was less than stellar to say the least. This year you can expect him to compete with his 00' season. Expect 12-15 sacks and another 50+ tackles from Hicks.
In the two years where DT John Browning started every game he had 6 and 7 sacks respectively including last year when he also had 39 tackles. He is a solid veteran who has excellent strength often drawing the double team. He started his career as a DE and has successfully made the transition inside. Browning should be freed up much more often this season thanks to the return of 2nd year man Ryan Sims. He has had some injuries but should get more rest this year as the player rotation seems to have improved. Add that to the fact he could be playing on the best line that he has ever played on and you can count him in for 40+ tackles and 7-9 sacks this year.
Last years first round pick DT Ryan Sims returns after an elbow injury that occured early enough last year to allow him to be 100% going into this season. As a rookie last year he was becoming a force when he went down in his second start. According to Coach Vermeil he seems to be rebounding nicely this offseason.
"Ryan Sims...has looked awfully good...his explosive movements are outstanding... He's doing well."
Even though Sims has the desire to win it seems as though his maturity may be an issue, however playing with vets like Hicks(6 yrs), Browning(8 yrs), and Holliday(6yrs) should keep him focused and allow him to excel by mid-season. Look for him to consistently collapse the pocket on passes as well as demand the double team more and more as the season progresses thus creating more opportunites for his teammates. At 6'4" 315lbs there should be no questioning his run stopping ability. Chalk him up for somewhere between 30-45 tackles and 4-8 sacks in his first full season as a starter.
RDE Vonnie Holliday enters his first year in Kansas City by way of Green Bay, and while maybe not quite the pass rusher many felt the chiefs needed, he is a definte upgrade over the under-achieving Duane Clemons. Holliday is a mature six year veteran and a premier run-stopping end, averaging over 50 tackles in 12.6 games per year over his career. He also had a whopping 81 tackles and 7 sacks in 01' when we played all 16 games. Health is a definite issue as he has had only 2 complete seasons since he joined the leauge in 97'. Having backups like Eddie Freeman, Derrick Ransom, and a 3rd down rush specialist like Gary Stills on the line will really save some wear and tear on Vonnie this year. All offseason signs indicate that his success should continue with the Chiefs and be good for at least 50 tackles and 6-8 sacks.
This season, second year man Eddie Freeman DE becomes the first man off the bench. He is top-quality depth and while he's listed as a LDE he is versatile enough to step in virtually anywhere along the line. He totaled 4 sacks and 17 tackles in limited playing time last year as a rookie. With a year of NFL conditioning and experience under his belt coupled with the increased time on the field, his sack total could easily double. Look for 30 tackles and 6-8 sacks from Eddie this year.
Derrick Ransom gives the cheifs a solid run stopping backup at DT. He is a six year vet who has gained valuable experience due to injuries. Look for him to keep his spot in the rotation as his ability to play multiple positions has proved invaluable. He can expect to get about 15-20 tackles and 1 or 2 sacks in a supporting roll this year.
Special teams monster RDE Gary Stills is back for his 5th season with the chiefs. Not quite a linebacker and not quite an end at only 6'2" 244lbs Stills never really settled in as a defender. That was until last year when injuries along the line forced the Chiefs to get creative, giving Stills a real chance to contribute. He responded well as a pass rush specialist tallying 31 tackles and 2 sacks. With opportunity, a repeat of his performance can be expected.
Earning one of the remaining spots on the line will be tough as all remaining players will have to battle. This should make the entire line better. Eric Downing may have the inside track at DT as he got alot of playing time last year. However there are no guarantees as the Chiefs have been infused with some young talent and thingy Vermeil will make sure that the best man will win.
So go ahead add it up. With some modest goals set its resonable to say that if this years line had played last year they would have ended up with somewhere between 23% and 30% of the tackles and 80% to 87% of the sacks, definitely good enough to get them into the top ten. Of course there are way too many variables to get an exact number but you should get the picture. Thanks to some experience, some healing, a little offseason help, and record offseason attendance you can expect the Cheifs to show vast improvement up front, making the entire defense better.
:s: :s:
