The 2014 Kansas City Chiefs: How To Stop The Bleeding

Aug 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back James Starks (44) runs with the ball as Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Malcolm Bronson (41) chases in the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Step Five: Bring Back Malcolm Bronson

This may seem like a random inclusion on a list of how to stop the bleeding and get Kansas City back to winning before the season slips away, but hang with me here. When the Chiefs lost Derrick Johnson on Sunday they lost a player that simply can’t be replaced by just one person. Yes, KC needs to bring in another veteran linebacker to help fill the hole DJ’s loss has created, but they also are going to have to game plan around his loss with other players.

DJ was clearly KC’s best coverage LB. There simply isn’t any other LB on the roster or available to sign that can do what DJ has done for KC. Yes, James-Michael Johnson has some coverage skills, and yes, Desmond Bishop might help in that area some too, but you can’t just plug those guys into DJ’s spots in every situation and act like nothing happened.

I can promise you that DJ’s loss is going to have a major effect on the safety position as well. In the sub package on passing downs I would wager good money that you will see starting safeties Eric Berry and Husain Abdullah picking up some of DJ’s responsibilities around the line of scrimmage. With those two players having to play closer to the line of scrimmage more it is going to open spots up in the sub package for safeties on the back end to pick up their coverage duties.

That’s where Malcolm Bronson excelled in both training camp and the preseason games. I still can’t figure out why Bronson didn’t make the 53 man roster and the fact that they didn’t even add him to the practice squad boggles my mind. Bronson is still unemployed and I believe that KC should bring him back. I understand that they have Kurt Coleman, Kelcie McCray, and Daniel Sorensen but none of those players has proven that they can make plays in coverage in this specific defensive scheme. At least we’ve seen Bronson do it (and with the first team defense), even if it was just the preseason.

Losing DJ’s production on the field is going to effect the entire defense and change how the Chiefs have to scheme things. I feel certain that part of that change will include our starting safeties having to pick up some of his coverage duties closer to the line of scrimmage. If I’m correct about that then KC is going to have to fill their coverage duties on the back end and I believe that Malcolm Bronson could help fill that role.

So there you have it. My five step plan to help the Kansas City Chiefs stop the bleeding after a deflating loss in their home opener that has the Chiefs Kingdom shaken and skeptical. The next five games are going to be a brutal test of this team and they simply can’t continue to play like they did against the Titans. Something has to change. There needs to be a plan.

So what do you think? I feel like these five steps are realistic and simple enough to pull off. Do you think they would help? Do you think KC will recognize that these moves need to be made? Do you have any other moves that you think would help?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

As always, thanks for reading and GO CHIEFS!!!!!!!!