7 Things That Went Right For The Chiefs On Saturday

Aug 23, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Jaye Howard (96) forces a fumble in the end zone by Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel (16) in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

ALLEN BAILEY, JAYE HOWARD, AND VANCE WALKER

In 2013 the Chiefs defensive line on passing downs was essentially Dontari Poe and… maybe someone else gets to play. In the game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Chiefs actually played with Poe as the only down lineman for several snaps and didn’t bother trying to get Tyson Jackson or Mike DeVito on the field on passing downs.

It would seem as if Poe is about to get some help his way. While we haven’t been able to see much of Mike Catapano this preseason because of an illness, we have seen a lot of Vance Walker, Jaye Howard, and Allen Bailey. Those three guys have each performed very will rushing the passer this preseason.

Preseason Pass Rush Grade

Howard: +3

Walker: +2.7

Bailey: +1.2

Yes, it is preseason so the downfalls are understood about these grades. But if we are going to be hyper negative about the offensive line because of their on-field performance in the preseason then logically you have to be pleased with what the defensive line is contributing to the pass rush.

Kansas City doesn’t need Howard, Walker, and Bailey to be studs or their primary pass rushers. The bulk of the pass rush burden is going to fall to Hali, Houston, and Poe. What the Chiefs need is a secondary rush. If the teams are going to double and triple team Hali, Houston, and Poe then the Chiefs need some guys who can win one-on-one match ups and still get pressure on the quarterback. Howard, Walker, Bailey, and maybe Catapano could be those guys for the Chiefs this year.