Kansas City Chiefs: Five Players To Watch Against Chargers

Dee Ford

It’s almost a given that defensive coordinator Bob Sutton will start outside linebacker Dee Ford on Sunday afternoon. Another big possibility is that he will spend the day on the left side of the defense where Justin Houston normally lines up. I’m not a fan of this move considering that teams love to run to that side of the defense, and we are putting our worst run defense player on that side.

I will never understand starting Dee Ford on earlier downs. Both Tanoh Kpassagnon and even Breeland Speaks have shown enough to earn those early-down snaps. One could also make a case for winning passing down snaps over Ford this preseason. With Ford being the guy across from Houston, he will have to find a way to generate pressure on Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers. Both of the starting tackles on the Chargers offensive line are weaker talents that should be exploitable for even the likes of Ford.

Last season, Houston was stuck with Frank Zombo opposite of him. That left Houston and defensive end Chris Jones on an island rushing the passer. There was no help from the rest of the defensive line or linebacker group. It resulted in chip blocks and double teams directed at both of them. If Kansas City is going to have a better year on defense, Ford or whoever is starting opposite of Houston will have to generate some consistent pressure.

Bob Sutton will have to get creative up front to get after Rivers. Given the fact that the Chiefs defense will most likely be without safety Eric Berry in this game, or Berry without practicing for a month, the front seven will have to give some assistance to the secondary. The cornerbacks are still better than what the Chiefs had last season playing the Chargers, but Ford needs to prove he deserves the starting spot over emerging Tanoh Kpassagnon.