The 2014 Kansas City Chiefs: How To Stop The Bleeding

Sep 7, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) is taken off the field after an injury during the first half against the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Step Four: Sign A Veteran Inside Linebacker

The loss of Derrick Johnson is devastating.

It’s devastating because he is such a good player.

It’s devastating because he was the leader of the defense.

It’s devastating because he was KC’s best coverage LB.

It’s devastating because our depth at that position was already poor because of Joe Mays’ injury.

It’s devastating because DJ is such a likable guy, a life long Chief, and was on the verge of setting KC’s all time tackle record.

It’s devastating because that type of injury can ruin a player’s career and DJ is no spring chicken.

It’s just plain………devastating.

Chiefs beat writer Terez Paylor tweeted the following after the game:

The Chiefs can’t be a good defense with Josh Mauga and James-Michael Johnson as their two starting linebackers. I’ve already heard some fans speculate that they may bring Nico Johnson up from the practice squad to fill DJ’s spot on the 53 man roster, but the fact that KC was willing to cut Nico and risk losing him one year after taking him in the fourth round tells you all you need to know about where they think his abilities are.

The Chiefs need help at the position and not the kind that comes from a young player with little to no playing experience. They need a veteran at ILB that has played before. That has been there and done that. Even if they are past their prime and less than ideal. They need someone that can speak from experience in meetings and knows what to look for when studying film.

There is one player I would put at the top of my wish list for KC: Desmond Bishop

Bishop was a very successful linebacker for the Green Bay Packers while GM John Dorsey was there. He had back to back 100 tackle seasons in 2010-2011 and also was effective in pass coverage (he had 8 pass deflections in 2010). The one down side with Bishop is his injury history. He missed most of the last two seasons with injuries. Could he stay healthy all season for KC? Who knows, but there aren’t any other LBs out there with higher upside and proven starting experience. The fact that there is a connection there with our starting GM makes this move even more feasible. Even if Bishop could just stay healthy long enough to get Joe Mays back it would be a major win for the Chiefs defense.

I simply don’t see how the Chiefs defense can stay competitive with the ILBs they currently have available.

The final step is next…..