We’ve become accustomed to watching Justin Houston at the left outside linebacker position since the Kansas City Chiefs selected him with the No. 70 overall pick in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Over that time period from then to now, Houston has recorded 69.5 sacks, a total good for No. 4 in Chiefs franchise history.
But just because that is what we’re used to seeing doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll see it in 2018.
“I want to be able to attack the weakest link,” Houston said when I asked him about playing on the other side. “Every team is different. Everybody’s left tackle isn’t All-Pro and everybody’s right tackle isn’t All-Pro. Wherever the weakest link, whether it is the guard, center or even tackles, I want to be on the weakest link.”
That makes a lot of sense, given the fact that Houston is undoubtedly the Chiefs’ best outside linebacker.
A mixup may also be worth considering since the best stretch of Dee Ford’s career came in 2016, when he replaced Houston on the left side for the first nine games of the season.
During that stretch, Ford recorded 10.0 sacks. Once Ford switched back to the right side upon Houston’s return, he didn’t record a sack for the rest of the year.
There is an argument to be made that if Houston could prove to be just as effective wherever he is on the field, maybe it makes sense to put Ford in a position in which he has been far more successful.
The contract year for Ford adds even more incentive for him to rebound.
No matter the alignment, both players stand to benefit thanks to a small tweak to the Chiefs coaching staff this offseason.
As part of their yearly promotions, the Chiefs split the linebacker coaching positions after the departure of Gary Gibbs. Mark DeLeone was promoted to inside linebackers coach, while Mike Smith was promoted to outside linebackers coach.
“I think it is great just to have an outside linebackers coach,” Houston added. “There’s so much we get to do now just focusing on ourselves and the little things we need to work on. I think last year, we had a lot going on. You have to coach a lot of guys inside and out. It is hard to do that in the little bit of time you have. Now you have a separate coach, we can just focus on one thing, that’s us.”
All things to ponder as the Chiefs strive to finally have two effective outside linebackers on the field at the same time.
Originally Posted by BlackHelicopters:
PMII will be a bust. Worse than Croyle.
You are entitled to your own opinion. I respect that.
But, I think the wise thing to do in the case situation of young players is to reserve judgement. Draft picks are hit or miss.
You may be right in your claim? But you may be wrong also? And I hope you are wrong lol
But yeah give it a chance bro. Lets see how he rolls throughout the course of the season. The guy has only played 1 game. Very small sample size to make such a claim. Jmo.
Only time will tell us what kind of player he will turn out to be. [Reply]
Originally Posted by RealSNR:
If you truly believe that, then what does it fucking matter if Justin Houston gets paid $20 million per year or $20 per year? We're not winning jack fucking shit if we don't have a fucking QB.
My problem with zhouston is that since he got paid, he hasn’t done dick. The rest of your statement is correct. We aren’t winning shit. [Reply]
Originally Posted by bricks:
You are entitled to your own opinion. I respect that.
But, I think the wise thing to do in the case situation of young players is to reserve judgement. Draft picks are hit or miss.
You may be right in your claim? But you may be wrong also? And I hope you are wrong lol
But yeah give it a chance bro. Lets see how he rolls throughout the course of the season. The guy has only played 1 game. Very small sample size to make such a claim. Jmo.
Only time will tell us what kind of player he will turn out to be.
I’ve wanted to wrong for 48 years. Same as it ever was. [Reply]
You know someone is a really shitty poster when you put them on ignore and still can't avoid their ignorant horseshit. Fucking romper this guy. [Reply]
Originally Posted by BlackHelicopters:
Sadly, Houston is the weakest link.
Originally Posted by BlackHelicopters:
Not earning his money. Don’t put words in my mouth. I never said Houston sucks.
I'm sorry. But usually, when someone is called the weakest link, isn't that saying that they suck? I mean, who would interpret Houston is the weakest link as, he's not earning his money? [Reply]
Originally Posted by jjchieffan:
I'm sorry. But usually, when someone is called the weakest link, isn't that saying that they suck? I mean, who would interpret Houston is the weakest link as, he's not earning his money?
Never said he sucks. Throw a dart. Plenty who suck worse than him. [Reply]
Originally Posted by kysirsoze:
You know someone is a really shitty poster when you put them on ignore and still can't avoid their ignorant horseshit. ****ing romper this guy.
I agree. Romper him. He's just trolling this thread. Calling Houston the weakest link and PM II a bust worse than Croyle is nothing but inflammatory bullshit to start shit. That crap is EXACTLY why we have a romper room! [Reply]
Originally Posted by DaFace:
Well, I hope this is something that actually happens. Houston can want it, but Sutton has to approve it, and he isn't known for changing his approach.
Yeah, I don't trust Sutton at all in this situation. I bet we rarely see him anywhere near the QB 80% of the year. [Reply]
