Kansas City Chiefs: Assessing 2019 Offseason
By Kole Berrey
Good Move: Signing Tyrann Mathieu
This move was a dream come true for me. I have been a Mathieu fanboy since his days at LSU. His tenacity has earned him the nickname “Honey Badger” and that is exactly what this team needs.
Mathieu is a favorite of mine, and now I have the chance to wear his jersey in Chiefs colors. The reason I love this move beyond my own personal fandom, though, is that he brings so much to the table from a player standpoint.
The biggest asset Mathieu has is his ability to lineup all over the field. There has been times where he lines up at slot corner, safety, and linebacker in the same drive. He is able to be moved all over the field, which opens up the ability to get different combinations of players out there in different situations.
If defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo wants Mathieu to drop down and cover the slot on one play, he can do it. He wants to send an extra blitzer? Mathieu is the guy. Load the box to stop the run? Step aside and watch the Honey Badger work. This kind of versatility is why Mathieu is going to be so vital to the improvement of the Chiefs defense next year.
Tyrann Mathieu snaps in 2018
— Paul Hembekides (Hembo) (@PaulHembo) March 12, 2019
Free safety (440)
CB slot left (199)
Left OLB (123)
CB slot right (112)
Right OLB (39)
Right ILB (31)
Left ILB (27)
CB wide left (19)
Left DT (3)
Middle LB (2)
CB wide right (1)
Right DT (1)
He's a swiss army knife.
Past all the numbers and stats that Mathieu can bring to this team, he adds another element that is almost as valuable: Leadership. This aspect may seem a little too “rah rah” to some, but it’s a real element in football.
I am a big believer in stats and analytics, but when it gets down to it, having a motivator and leader is crucial. It starts on the practice field. Football, like anything else, is a workplace.
Imagine you are at work, and you see a new guy absolutely working his fingers to the bone. You don’t want to look bad, right? Or even lose your job. So you match that intensity. That is the kind of energy Mathieu brings.
From a motor standpoint, the Honey Badger only has one speed: Fast. He practices fast and he plays faster. That will resonate with guys. This defense needs an identity. They need to play with a certain edge.
Expect Mathieu to establish early and often and this Chiefs defense isn’t the same unit from the year prior.