KC Chiefs: Justin Houston Named First Team All-Pro

By John Viril | Jan 2, 2015

The Associated Press named Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston to the 2014 All-Pro team with 47 out of 50 votes.

Houston’s election comes after a fabulous season in which Houston hammered quarterbacks for a Kansas City Chiefs team record 22 sacks. Houston’s mark is also tied with Jared Allen and Mark Gastineau for the second-most sacks in a single season, just a half-sack behind record-holder Michael Strahan.

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Houston’s 2014 season also included 59 solo tackles, 9 assists, 5 passes defensed and 4 forced fumbles to go with his 22 sacks. Justin Houston ranked 3rd in the NFL with 23 quarterback hurries, behind Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt (30) and New Orleans Saints linebacker Junior Galette (28).

Justin Houston made a run at Strahan’s mark with a season-high four sacks against the San Diego Chargers in the Chiefs’ final game of 2014, but fell a half-sack short. Houston had a shot at the record in the game’s final minute, but dropped back in coverage on the final three plays.

Justin Houston’s season eclipsed the single-season sack record set by Kansas Chiefs Hall-of-Fame linebacker Derrick Thomas, who had 20 in the 1990 season (Thomas’ second year on the league).

To put Houston’s season in perspective, no outside linebacker in NFL history had more sacks in a single season than Justin Houston’s 22. The previous linebacker high-water mark was 20.5 set by Lawrence Taylor in 1986.

Lawerence Taylor. Derrick Thomas. That’s some pretty fine company that Justin Houston is keeping these days. The fact is, Houston is compiling a resume that looks Hall-of-Fame worthy (so far) with 48.5 sacks in his four-year career, and his third straight with more than 10.

Though Houston earned pro-bowl berths in 2012 and 2013, this season’s first team nod is his first All-Pro recognition.

Houston has just completed his 4th NFL season and is now eligible for free agency, but it appears certain that the Chiefs will retain him with the “Franchise” designation (which will hold Houston’s rights with a one year contract for a salary that averages the top 5 yearly contract rates for players at his position).

Houston was one of four Chiefs players receiving All-Pro votes along with FB Anthony Sherman (14), C Rodney Hudson (1), and KR De’Anthony Thomas. Sherman finished second at the fullback position, behind Green Bay Packers FB John Kuhn.

Justin Houston must now be accounted among the most talented linebackers in franchise history, alongside Derrick Thomas, Bobby Bell, and teammate Tamba Hali. Chiefs general manager John Dorsey needs to do everything in his power to sign Houston to a long-term deal this off-season.

Next: Top 5 running backs in Chiefs History

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