For those of you who might have possibly taken up refuge
under a rock after that crushing AFC Championship loss and dull as dish water
super bowl, your BQB is here fill you in on the goings on around the Chiefs
organization.
In the 2018 off season, Andy Reid stated there would be a
defensive overhaul to come which amounted to cutting/trading a few players,
adding a few others and selecting almost entirely defensive players in the 2018
draft. The 2019 off season seems to demand, not only a defensive overhaul, but
what might even constitute as a complete gutting of the Chiefs defense -
starting at the top.
Chiefs Defensive Coordinator (DC) Bob Sutton was released in
February 2019 after serving 5 years. New Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo replace him
and an all new defensive staff was hired for him. Spagnuolo is somewhat of a
journeymen in the NFL, with stints at the Saints, Giants, Ravens – among
others. Spagnuolo is employing several changes to the Chiefs defensive scheme,
but the most notable is changing the Chiefs basic defensive formation from a
3-4 to a 4-3.
The Chiefs have always ran a 3-4 defense, which simply put,
means that there is 3 defensive linemen up front and 4 linebackers directly
behind them. Spagnuolo has simply reversed that order, placing 4 defensive
linemen up front with 3 linebackers behind them. I believe this will play
into one of the Chiefs few defensive strengths in what was definitely a sea of
weaknesses last season. What the Chiefs did better than anyone is rush the
opposing quarterback and make him rather uncomfortable. They played it out with
the likes of Chris Jones and Allen Bailey -
two mainstays on the defensive line. The defensive line will now have an
extra man on it.
The Chiefs defense has had its stars throughout the years,
but in most recent history, those stars included linebackers, Justin Houston
and Dee Ford and most of all, safety Eric Berry. None of these 3 fan favorite players
will be on the Chiefs’ active roster come September.
Houston’s release was expected but still disappointing. Houston
had a career year in 2014, racking up 22 sacks, coming a half a sack away from
the league record, but sadly since then his production has declined. Last
season he still showed himself as a force to be reckoned with, sometimes wreaking
havoc in an opponent’s back field. But with a history of injuries, a
significant $14 million cap hit in 2019 and his age, the 3 time pro-bowler and
all-pro was released in early March. You will be missed #50, and your
autographed jersey will always have a place of honor in my man cave.
In early March, the Chiefs placed the franchise tag on
linebacker Dee Ford, giving Chiefs fans the impression that we would retain the
linebacker’s strong services for at least another year while we made another
Super Bowl run, however, roughly a week later, Ford was traded to the 49ers.
When I saw this notification, I thought to myself, “surely we got some good
compensation for him, a bevy of draft picks in 2019 perhaps, or perhaps even a
player for a player trade?” Ford had a great year last season being an integral
part to the Chiefs’ defense. Defying my expectations, the Chiefs received one
single 2nd round draft pick for Ford… in 2020. While I understand
the reasoning behind these moves and have heard all the words said in the
pressers, I remain uncertain, and like other Chiefs fans, will be uncertain
until the finished product is on the field.
For weeks people have been asking me what I thought the
Chiefs would do with Berry, and I take no joy at all in saying, that I called
it. His last season in Kansas City was marred with uncertainty and questioning
of if he would even play. He eventually played, but was largely ineffective. He
has of course always been an emotional presence for the team, and one of its
leaders. But how long can the Chiefs afford to keep $16 million emotional
presence on the payroll? I know I sound like a mercenary, and I promise I don’t
mean to, I am just trying to say that while there has been a bit of outcry from
fans, let me just say, I get it, I understand, and I am certain that Eric does
to.
That isn’t to say we haven’t gained a few good players in
this off-season.
Just days after the Justin Houston release, Chiefs acquired
safety Tyrann Mathieu AKA “The Honey Badger” from the Texans, with a 3-year,
$42 million contract - coming out to 14 million a year (the exact amount that
was saved by cutting Houston, coincidence? I think not). Mathieu played college
ball at LSU, where he was given the nick name “Honey Badger”, for his
propensity for creating big, disruptive plays and collecting interceptions.
The Chiefs also signed free agent defensive end, Alex
Okafor. After having spent the last two seasons with the New Orleans Saints,
Okafor will add some depth to that new four-man defensive line.
Damien Wilson from the Dallas Cowboys was also signed in
free agency, adding to their "linebacking" core.
Packers’ corner back, Bashaud Breeland is the latest free
agent to sign with the Chiefs to a 1 year contract.
The Chiefs have made an offensive addition with the signing
of running back Carlos Hyde, less than 24 hours after he was released from the
Jaguars. While Hyde will likely not be the premier back in Kansas City, he has
logged two seasons in which he nearly reached 1,000 yards rushing. He has spent
time with the 49ers, Browns and Jaguars before coming to the Chiefs.
There has been a flurry of movement in the Chiefs’
organization this off season and the draft is still a month away, so stay tuned.
Things are heating up again and your BQB is back.
Also, the BQB now sports a baseball cap and Royals’ jersey,
for many times this baseball season I will turn into the Blind Pitcher, to give
you blogs on the Royals and other things in the world of MLB.
Stay tuned, Sports Fans!
