Kansas City Chiefs: Who’s Making The Grade?
Aug 23, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel (16) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali (91) in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Linebackers
Making the Grade
Tamba Hali: +6.7 overall grade
One would think that the KC OLB that is younger and trying to earn a major contract extension would be the one dominating the preseason, but it’s not. That honor goes to Tamba Hali. Hali has the second highest grade amongst 3-4 OLBs through three preseason games. His pass rush grade is one of the best and he grades out well in run defense too. It makes you wonder, if Hali has a fantastic season again and Houston is demanding a ridiculous contract, would KC consider keeping Hali and Ford next season?
Joe Mays: +2.1 overall grade
This one is a little depressing. Mays has the second highest grade amongst KC’s LBs despite not playing at all in the third preseason game. Mays was doing a good job of replacing Akeem Jordan at ILB before he got injured. With Mays expected to miss a fair amount of time KC is going to have to scramble to replace him. None of the other ILBs have graded out very well. Side note: Akeem Jordan has continued to play well in Washington, where his +4.5 grade is the third best for an ILB thus far.
Missing the Mark
Dee Ford: -2.0 overall grade
Ford actually is tied for the fifth best pass rushing grade for a 3-4 OLB thus far with a +3.2 grade in that area. However, it is completely neutralized by his -3.2 grade against the run. Then when you add in his negative coverage grade it tips the scales in the wrong direction. It looks like Ford may be able to help KC as a rookie in situational pass rushing situations, but if Hali or Houston go down it doesn’t look like Ford is ready to be an every down player. In fact, Josh Martin (+0.9 overall grade) has put up much more well rounded numbers this preseason.
All The Back Up ILBs:
It’s hard to single out one of the back up ILBs as being the biggest disappointment. Nico Johnson (-3.3), James-Michael Johnson (-3.5), and Josh Mauga (-1.5) have all been unimpressive. All three players have a negative run defense grade and that’s the primary responsibility of the starting spot now vacant because of the injury to Joe Mays. Don’t be surprised if KC plucks somebody off the waiver wire after roster cut downs to come in and compete for the starting spot next to DJ because none of the guys currently on the roster appear up for the job.
Next up, the cornerbacks…….