Chiefs Need To Take Studebaker For A Spin

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KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 29: Andy Studebaker #96 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after he sacked quarterback Seneca Wallace #15 of the Seattle Seahawks during their preseason game at Arrowhead Stadium on August 29, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Source: Yardbarker.com

I have been raving about Andy Studebaker since least season.

It wasn’t just his interceptions against the Steelers that impressed me. It was the fact that 17 of his 28 tackles last season came in the same 3 game span he was covering for the injured Mike Vrabel.

Small sample size? Sure. Yet if you take Studie’s numbers in those 3 games and project them over the course of a season, this is what you get:

91 tackles and 10 interceptions.

Ok, so Studebaker is probably not likely to ever get 10 interceptions playing OLB but you get my point.

When the kid was in the game, he got to the ball carrier and made plays. I remember one instance last season where he blew through 3 blockers to get to the ball carrier and knock him out of bounds. I just believed the kid could be special.

Studebaker seems to be generating more and more buzz and it appears the Chiefs are catching on. Studebaker recorded a tackle for no game on his very first snap in the Falcons game. He had played very well all preseason and the team is giving him snaps with the first team defense, bringing him in during nickel situations and moving Mike Vrabel to MLB.

If Studebaker continues to impress this preseason, the Chiefs need to seriously consider making Vrabel’s move to MLB permanent. Even with all his experience Vrabel is not getting any better. I understand the Chiefs desire to keep him on the field but they face a conundrum if their loyalty to Vrabel keeps Studebaker in the garage.

If the Chiefs think Studbaker is ready to take the field without being a liability, they have to find a way to get him out there.

It might be time for the Chiefs to take the Studebaker for a spin.

Tags: Andy Studebaker, kansas city chiefs

merlin

I would love to see Stude start. He is the reason why I didn't have OLB as high of a need as others did.

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Patrick Allen

Studie and Belcher baby. If those two can make the leap they can greatly speed up the evolution of this defense.

calchiefsfan

I swear Patrick you write what I'm thinking almost every time. We had a discussion about stop gap players a few weeks ago. To me this is a perfect example of getting a young guy with potential in there now and get some experience so we can make a serious run at the playoffs next year. Improvement, competitive this year, playoffs next year. Vrabel is a stop gap guy with great leadership qualities but he's not the permanent answer at OLB. Patrick, what is the possibility of moving Vrabel inside for the rest of the season in place of Mays? Is that viable or is he replacing Williams/Johnson?

I don't see the Chiefs moving Vrabel inside permanently unless Andy really forces their hand with outstanding play.

I think they are going to give Vrabel frequent rests to get Studie more time on the field but Vrabel will still be the "starter." If Andy can make the most of his chances on the field we may see less and less Vrabel as the season goes on.

Moving Vrabel inside would likely mean displacing Jovan Belcher, who is probably the surest tackler on the entire defense, so I don't like that.

What I could envision happening is that Vrabel gets hurt (very possible given his age)and Studebaker wrestles the job from him.

So that begs the next question. When does Belcher replace Mays or would he be after Williams job?

The Centaur

i'm with you on this, patrick. i thought he had a great game last week and i haven't heard many people talk about it. i started a siskel and ebert rating system for players during the preseason, and he got two thumbs up from this chiefs nerd. it was also relieving to see kendrick lewis play well. perhaps it's with good reason, but the play of some of these guys seemed to be overshadowed with the excitement surrounding charles and the dex factor.

another guy that may have been overlooked was pierre walters. he made it into the one thumb up category. didn't really see much of him last year and i'm curious if he can play.

here's to hoping this coaching staff finds the best players and puts them on the field. (sigh) if only it could be that simple.

Good call on Walters.

I don't know if he will ever be a stud but he was also an undrafted free agent long shot that made the team. He is a pretty good special teams player so if he can keep it up, he could have a Jon McGraw type of career. Though he is young so the sky is the limit.

Kscelt

Take him out for a spin, keep him in the garage? Oey, LOL! Let's hope this Studebaker fares better than the car. Have to admit, I've been rooting for him since last year as well, Everytime I have seen him get time in a game he has done well. Seems like a level headed good kid as well.