We've discussed it all ad nauseam. Some say it's all about the passrush. Others point to the slow TCOJCOLDS guy in coverage. Many feel the Linebackers are playing slow and reactionary, creating a gaping hole in the middle of the defense.
I don't understand how so many areas can go wrong at the same time. It's just insane to comprehend. I mean, this defense was not good by any stretch of the imagination for the past few years, but there were a few pieces that were good. And they did step up at times to show some semblance of prospect. Veach has gone out to add additional personnel in an attempt to infuse talent in certain spots. Both via the draft and FA.
A few examples would be Frank Clark, Anthony Hitchens, and Jarran Reed. The drafting of DL, LB, and CB's. For instance Clark was really good in Seattle. Maybe it was fool's gold and we were just happy to be rid of Dee Ford.
Jaylon Smith gets cut for what? Someone mentioned a rumor that it was over having been tackling people 3-4 yards past the LOS. What i wouldn't give for that type of production from Hitchens right now. He tackles 10 yards down field. Those are the ones he comes from the opposite side to get a tackle. The plays that come through his gaps he is either swallowed up by a single blocker or he just doesn't read the play and is flat footed. He is probably the worst player on this defense and everyone wants to point at Dirty Dan (for obvious reasons). But he has been spectacularly terrible for quite some time now. And he was a DECENT Linebacker in Dallas. He comes here and just Sucks.
Jarran Reed is a fantastic signing on paper. If i hadn't read it before the season, there'd be no reason to even know he was on this team. He's done nothing.
Mathieu is pissed at his entire team around him, and he's playing like it. His heart isn't into it this season.
There's no pass rush, but at the same time our DL does next to nothing against the Run. They are kind of just "there". The LB's have been "holy shit" bad, but I still want to hold on to hope for Gay and Bolton. The DB's have talent... there are a few young guys that have shown REAL promise in Fenton, Sneed, and Thornton. But as we've seen, 4 out of 6 guys in the secondary can be good... yet it still doesn't matter. With no pass rush, no adjustment to create pressure at all from the schemes, the islands of coverage just becomes to fragile.
There has to be some moment of enlightenment where Spags, Reid, or hell Veach says. "Okay enough is enough" and changes some stuff. Fire Spags, change the schemes, move CJ back to DT... I don't know what that is. But 5 games in, we're talking about an all-time worst Defense in the history of the NFL. I mean, i'm sitting here thinking Bob Sutton wasn't so bad. That's how bad it is this year.
There needs to be some accountability in the Front Office and Coaching staff. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Hog's Gone Fishin:
Things would look much different without all the turnovers on offense. Correct me if I'm wrong but 2019 our SB win year, our defense sucked balls through game 8 and then they put it all together and had the #1 defense the second half of the season thru the SB.
I don't think it would look different at all wout TOs.. This D is simply bad [Reply]
Originally Posted by arrwheader:
I think the hardest thing to swallow about what is happening with the defense is that it is so mind boggling that they are this ****ing bad.
They are basically the same unit as last year. Who did we lose? Wilson? Tonah? That isn't changing much imo.
So that leaves Sorenson in a starting safety role and physically declining and moving CJ to the outside. Spags must have implemented something new that the defense is too confused because they are always lost constantly you can tell pre snap. All this could be fixed, at least partially or improved.
I'll give you my conspiracy take...and really it's just a pragmatic observation based on ratings/parity. It's the 2021 season narrative building...
I said before the season started that KC's first 5 games were a head scratcher. It made no scheduling sense from a marketing perspective. That these games would have more meaning later in the season. If KC were to go 5-0, they would have essentially wiped out any drama for the next 4 months.
They would have tie-breakers over every top AFC team. KC going 14-1 and resting their starters, last year, is bad for business...especially since there is only one bye. This is now a 17 game season...
Their first 5 games were twice the toughest slate compared to the next closest team...TWICE. Two times as hard as the #2 toughest starting schedule...does this seem disproportionate?
For that extra 17th game, Chiefs get to play the Packers...one of the 4 best NFL teams from last year.
There have been 3 crucial calls that have shifted the outcomes of the 3 losses. The 4th and 9 against LA really stands out.
I think this "worst defense in history" start is scripted...and Spags is playing ball. It's a "top-down" decision...and he's doing what he's told. This team has never looked THIS disorganized...they've been to 3 consecutive AFCCGs. They didn't lose any consequential players on defense and it the same scheme.
This same defense held the 5-0 Arizona starters to 5 consecutive 3 and outs in the preseason. There were no signs of a complete schematic melt-down prior to game one.
I'm keeping an eye on if this defense "magically" turns it around in the next few weeks..
The season beginning is a NFL dream start...every AFC team has a shot/hope now the Chiefs are bottom-feeders.
It's all making out for a 'Dramatic Race" to end the season...no resting your starters this year.
I think the NFL has officially gone into shameless WWF mode... [Reply]
Originally Posted by PAChiefsGuy:
I don't think it would look different at all wout TOs.. This D is simply bad
It’s correctable, though.
First off, gotta find a way to motivate Tyrann. He’s the leader of a currently leaderless defense.
Get Ward back at CB.
Get Wharton on the field more than Reed.
Get Thornhills speed on the field on the back end
Get Gays speed and playmaking ability on the field in the middle of the defense.
Let Jones hand heal and let him grow as a DE. He may not be effective till December.
As long as the defense improves in these ways and the offense stops handing the ball to other teams on what used to be seen as fluke plays, but are starting to become normal…this team will resume dominating. [Reply]
"think this "worst defense in history" start is scripted...and soon to move on HC Spags is playing ball. It's a "top-down" decision...and he's doing what he's told. This team has never looked THIS disorganized...they've been to 3 consecutive AFCCGs. They didn't lose any consequential players on defense and it the same scheme." [Reply]
"I don't know really who to blame" is the standout comment from Simms. That is everything - terrible coaching, and a woeful lack of talent and commitment from players. There is no way this defence gets back to good enough this year. You have to think it can and will improve, a lot, but the whole package isn't going to work. We need better players and better coaching - maybe that can partly come with personnel decisions and from this coaching group, but I'm less and less convinced it's enough. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Rainbarrel:
"think this "worst defense in history" start is scripted...and soon to move on HC Spags is playing ball. It's a "top-down" decision...and he's doing what he's told. This team has never looked THIS disorganized...they've been to 3 consecutive AFCCGs. They didn't lose any consequential players on defense and it the same scheme."
Don't be dissing Damien Wilson like that. He was always making key tackles. Now they have a bunch Ole tacklers [Reply]
Originally Posted by BlackOp:
I'll give you my conspiracy take...and really it's just a pragmatic observation based on ratings/parity. It's the 2021 season narrative building...
I said before the season started that KC's first 5 games were a head scratcher. It made no scheduling sense from a marketing perspective. That these games would have more meaning later in the season. If KC were to go 5-0, they would have essentially wiped out any drama for the next 4 months.
They would have tie-breakers over every top AFC team. KC going 14-1 and resting their starters, last year, is bad for business...especially since there is only one bye. This is now a 17 game season...
Their first 5 games were twice the toughest slate compared to the next closest team...TWICE. Two times as hard as the #2 toughest starting schedule...does this seem disproportionate?
For that extra 17th game, Chiefs get to play the Packers...one of the 4 best NFL teams from last year.
There have been 3 crucial calls that have shifted the outcomes of the 3 losses. The 4th and 9 against LA really stands out.
I think this "worst defense in history" start is scripted...and Spags is playing ball. It's a "top-down" decision...and he's doing what he's told. This team has never looked THIS disorganized...they've been to 3 consecutive AFCCGs. They didn't lose any consequential players on defense and it the same scheme.
This same defense held the 5-0 Arizona starters to 5 consecutive 3 and outs in the preseason. There were no signs of a complete schematic melt-down prior to game one.
I'm keeping an eye on if this defense "magically" turns it around in the next few weeks..
The season beginning is a NFL dream start...every AFC team has a shot/hope now the Chiefs are bottom-feeders.
It's all making out for a 'Dramatic Race" to end the season...no resting your starters this year.
I think the NFL has officially gone into shameless WWF mode...
Yes. This is what has happened. Now we witness our dramatic rise. [Reply]
Hitchens, to me, is arguably the worst player on the field after Sorensen in terms of taking himself out of plays that ends up costing the team. His downhill run fill is atrocious. His pass coverage is worse. I fucking despise Hitchens being on this team and have for a while. [Reply]