Kansas City Chiefs: Mediocrity at it’s finest
By Chris Taylor
The Defensive issues
Marcus Peters is an All-Pro. The remaining secondary is All-No. The problem starts with this group. No matter how badly the Chiefs defensive line wants the title, the problems start with the secondary.
Names like Terrance Mitchell and Philip Gaines come to mind. The problem isn’t that they lack talent, the problem is that they are support players in a starting role. You can very easily put Steven Nelson, Eric Murray, and Daniel Sorenson in the mix as well.
The difference in this seasons secondary and last season, the absence of Eric Berry. Berry is a playmaker and a game changer. Take him off the roster, the loss is substantial. Yes, I’ve mentioned this on more than one occasion, it’s part of the reason the Chiefs are mediocre.
Another part of the equation on the defensive side of the ball, the front seven. For those counting at home, that covers all eleven positions on defense. If a team struggles in the secondary, it is vitally important to take up the slack with your front seven. It’s hard to be anything but mediocre otherwise.
The Chiefs are lacking a shiny spot on defense. Chris Jones and the defensive front have been pushed back all season. They have yet had a game where they all played well together. The most recent game against Dallas is a fine example of getting pushed around.
The linebackers are weak as well. Justin Houston brings intensity to the field every game but that doesn’t mean his stat sheet looks impressive each game. He’s being double teamed, and teams are doing a good job avoiding him all together.