Revisiting The Five Free Agents The Kansas City Chiefs Lost In 2014
By Ben Nielsen
Dec 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Tyson Jackson (99) celebrates after a sack against the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
TYSON JACKSON
New Team: Atlanta Falcons
Contract: 5 years, $25 million
Everyone’s favorite Scott Pioli third overall pick Tyson Jackson was extremely Tyson Jackson-y for the Atlanta Falcons this season.
The Chiefs let Jackson walk in an effort to try an boost their interior pass rush, an area where Jackson was simply non-existent. From 2009 to 2012 Jackson only had 26 quarterback pressures and five sacks. Under Bob Sutton’s more aggressive scheme, Jackson only managed 12 quarterback pressures including four sacks.
What Jackson was fairly decent at was helping against the run. In 2013 Jackson had a +6.7 PFF grade against the run, but that didn’t make up for that fact that, in a passing league, he couldn’t rush the passer.
In his first year in Atlanta Jackson could do much of anything. He was able to create 14 quarterback pressures in 525 snaps (Dee Ford had 10 QB pressures in 122 snaps) and saw his run defense grade drop to -3.1. So not only was he not getting to the quarterback, he was also a negative presence against the run.. That’s a bad combination.
Jackson simply did not fit what the Chiefs were trying to do on defense, so it made sense for John Dorsey to let him walk. Of all the free agents the Chiefs let go last offseason, Jackson is probably the guy Chiefs fans were least upset about watching him leave.
Next: Jon Asamoah