Arrowhead Addict
FanSided

Kansas City Chiefs: It’s time to say goodbye

By Lyle Graversen

Oct 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 8
Next
Dec 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Allen Bailey (97) is congratulated by nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) after sacking San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) (not pictured) during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 19-7. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Allen Bailey (97) is congratulated by nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) after sacking San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) (not pictured) during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 19-7. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

You also have to consider that the Chiefs have a solid defensive line group without Poe. They will be getting back both Jaye Howard and Allen Bailey from injury and Chris Jones and to a lesser extent Rakeem Nunez-Roches both looked like play makers this season. While none of those players are true nose tackles, the Chiefs don’t run a three man front all that much anymore.

Often they use two down linemen with the outside linebackers essentially playing more like defensive ends. All four of the returning guys listed above can and have played in those two man fronts. The Chiefs could sign a veteran run-plugger to just put in at nose tackle in situations where they want to stop the run for SIGNIFICANTLY less than it would take to re-sign Dontari Poe.

While I would love to see the big man back in Kansas City next season and am still holding out hope that it could happen, I am also preparing myself for the possibility that he could walk and I think you should be too.

Home/Kansas City Chiefs News