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Kansas City Chiefs DE Tyson Jackson hasn’t yet lived up to his draft stock but defensive coordinator Bob Sutton says he is impressed with the former LSU Tiger so far.

“That’s in some people’s view,” said Sutton in comments released by the Chiefs. “I think Tyson has had a great camp. We think Tyson is a really, really good football player. I know a lot of times, when you’re picked that high or when you’re a d-lineman, you’re judged on sacks. There is a lot more to football than sacks. A lot of it is simply affecting the quarterback as opposed to sacking the quarterback. There are other things that have to happen first.”

Despite what Sutton says, Jackson clearly hasn’t performed at the level former GM Scott Pioli expected when he drafted the DE. In situations like this, it is always important to look at what the team does and not what it says. The coaches may say that Jackson has been playing well over the last few years but the Chiefs just restructured Jackson’s contract for the second-straight season. If Jackson was an All-Pro player, he likely wouldn’t have had to settle for less money.

Still, the fact that Jackson hasn’t earned the right to be paid like a top player doesn’t mean that he doesn’t belong in the NFL. Jackson did some things well in Romeo Crennel’s system and did show some flashes as a pass rusher down the stretch in 2012.

If Jackson can get after the QB in 2013, he could finally begin to silence his critics. The DE has been one of the starts of the early OTA period, much like WR Jonathan Baldwin was creating a lot of buzz in training camp last offseason. Unfortunately, strong camp and practice performances don’t always translate into successful seasons, as Baldwin displayed in 2012.

Thought it may be a stretch to say that Jackson will suddenly turn into a dominant player in Sutton’s system, the coordinator thinks Tyson has a chance to have a very strong season in 2013.

“A lot of the dirty work has to happen on those first and second downs in there to get you that position where you can go after the quarterback, but overall, I think he’s done a great job,” said Sutton. “I think if he stays on course of what he’s doing, he’s got chance to have a really good football season.”

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Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton says the Chiefs plan to use multiple fronts in 2013, along with their base 3-4 defensive set.

The Chiefs have an abundance of young talent on defense but there it seemed the unit never really lived up to expectations under former defensive coordinator, Romeo Crennel. Crennel’s defense was more of a bend but don’t break style of play but Sutton plans to run more of an attack-style unity that might do a better job of taking advantage of the athleticism and speed of his players.

“We’ve got a real good group of guys,” said Sutton to the media yesterday at OTA practices. “It’s kind of a mix of young and experienced guys. I think we’re blessed with some really good talent on the edges there which really makes any defense much more difficult to handle. I’ve been really pleased with the way everybody has gotten involved in the system and tried to take it on. One of the things that we’ve really tried to get everybody to understand is that we’re trying to develop a culture here, not only how we do something but the way we do it. To me, that’s just as critical learning the X’s and O’s, the blitzes, the coverages, etc., because I think that’s the one element that allows you to sustain through all parts of the season.”

When asked to describe his defense, Sutton said that the Chiefs will run a base 3-4 but that the team will present multiple fronts.

“It’s based out of 3-4,” said Sutton. “That’s the personnel that we select off. We’re more multiple than just 3-4 without much imagination. We try to do a lot of different things that encompass the same kind of techniques and adjustments, particularly for the up-front guys. It goes on as we get into the sub and the third down we have some more multiple things, pressures, etc. that we try to do. I would guess you’d say it’s multiple in nature, but it’s based out of a 3-4 personnel.”

It will be interesting to see if the Chiefs are able to take the next step as a defense under Sutton.

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The Kansas City Chiefs will continue to run the 3-4 defense, according to new head coach Andy Reid.

This has been a big question from fans who are well aware that Reid’s Philadelphia Eagles ran the 4-3 defense. But Reid says the Chiefs are already invested in the 3-4.

“There’s been time invested in the 3-4 here,” Reid said. “The 3-4 gives you some flexibility. I’ve run both (defensive systems). I’ve been involved in both so I understand how they were. The 4-3 is good if you have the right coaches in place and the team is invested in it. But this team here is invested in the 3-4, so let’s continue to build it and get better at it.”

The Chiefs recently hired former New York Jets linebackers coach, Bob Sutton. Sutton also served as defensive coordinator for three years with the Jets. New York runs the 3-4.

Reid says Sutton’s experience with the defense was a big factor in his hire.

“(Sutton is) able to keep the keep the integrity of the defense as far as the 3-4 goes,” Reid said. “Bob knows the 3-4 and he knows it well.”

I am thrilled with this decision and I think it shows that the Chiefs have a smart coach on their hands. One thing that has always bothered me with new coaches/general managers is that they often try to cram their own system down the throat of the organization. While that is understandable, to a point, I think a wise coach also knows how to adapt and adjust his system to fit the personnel he already has.

The Chiefs defense, while not perfect, has a number of talented players. Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson, while they have both played in the 4-3, have had their best years as professionals in the 3-4. Justin Houston, who will be entering his third season in 2013, has played in the 3-4 defense since his last year of college. Houston is already a very good player and could be on the verge of developing into a superstar. Switching defenses on him now could really damage Houston’s progress.

Sutton’s defense figures to be different than Crennel’s system but the learning curve won’t be nearly as steep as if the Chiefs were changing their base set all together.

What do you think, Addicts? Is Reid making the right call by keeping the 3-4?