Dispelling the myths: The Chiefs and Justin Houston

Nov 17, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos tackle Chris Clark (75) pass blocks on Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) in the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Reason #4:  Justin Houston isn’t that important!

Well now you’re just getting ridiculous.  You’re going to tell me that in a defense based on the pass rush, our top pass rusher isn’t that important?  C’mon.  Just, please, stop and read that again.  It has been no secret that the Chiefs defense is based on getting after the quarterback.  You don’t pair up Houston and Hali, and then still add Dee Ford is you don’t intend on getting after the quarterback!

And folks, we’ve already seen what happens to this defense without Houston!  2013 showed a huge difference when we lost our superstar pass rusher.  The defense fell apart in almost every facet.  In fact, just for a quick reminder, it happened again in our playoff loss to the Colts.  You know, when our defense suddenly forgot how to football.  These are clear indicators as to the importance of Justin Houston in this defense.

Reason #5:  We’ve got Dee Ford and Tamba Hali

Dee Ford and Tamba Hali are good…but they don’t compare to the monster we have in Justin Houston. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

So a guy who has shown nothing and a guy at the end of his career?  That’s your answer to losing the top pass rusher in the NFL?  Bold strategy Cotton, let’s NOT see how that plays out.  Look, Dee Ford is still a tremendous prospect and Tamba Hali has had a helluva run in the NFL.  But neither is in the place that Justin Houston is right now.  Houston is just coming into his prime.  This is the best that he will ever be in his career…and the Chiefs have him!  Last season, Ford and Hali combined didn’t equate even half of Houston’s sacks.  That’s a clear difference.  I really shouldn’t have to go any further than that with this reason.

Reason #6:  He’s not a team player/He doesn’t want to be here.

If you think Justin Houston should “take a page out of Tamba Hali’s book”…maybe you should actually read the book. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Well, we’re really getting to the meat of it now.  Getting closer to that real reason why Chiefs fans are talking like this.  Hey, I get it.  You want him to sign a team friendly deal that keeps him in KC for a long time to come.  Of course you do, you’re a fan of the team.  And you hope all the players on the roster are going to think that way…but their not.

But, but, but…LOOK AT WHAT TAMBA DID!!!  Oh, you mean in 2011 when Hali was put on the Franchise Tag and was threatening to hold out because he wanted “Demarcus Ware money”?

In fact, you might want to go take a look at that entire situation.  Hali was coming off of his only superb season, wanted a top tier contract, was placed on the Franchise Tag, and skipped offseason workouts until the deal was done.  Heck, here’s a quote from Scott Pioli that is almost word for word what Dorsey has said about Houston:

"“Tamba is a key contributor to our football team, and we have a tremendous amount of respect for him both personally and professionally,” General Manager Scott Pioli said. “We want Tamba to remain a member of the Chiefs, and we will continue to work together with the hope of reaching a long-term agreement.”"

I mean, the situations are about as identical as it gets, yet the criticism is that Houston needs to take a page from Hali’s book?  It looks like he did.  And for some more quick reading, you might want to look up that time when Derrick Thomas became the highest paid defensive player in the NFL as well.

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