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Kansas City Chiefs: Breaking down the linebackers

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The Kansas City Chiefs have started the first of three sets of organized team activities, or more commonly known as OTA’s. With the beginning of these essential, but voluntary, team actives taking place, lets take a look at one of the stronger units the Chiefs currently have going in 2015, their linebacker corp.


Kansas City has had a great group of linebackers for the last few years. Names like Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson and Justin Houston have become feared names while wearing the red and yellow.


Unfortunately, Johnson was lost for the season with an Achilles injury in Week 1 of the 2014 season. But before the 31-year-old was lost for the year, he was averaging 101 tackles per season from 2010-2013. He also averaged 2.3 sacks per season, had five total interceptions, a touchdown and eight forced fumbles. Johnson has been a leader of the organization both on the field and off, and his loss was felt by all the Chiefs Kingdom.


As for 2015, Johnson seems to have recovered by fully participating in the teams OTA’s. Only 19 tackles shy of becoming the Chiefs’ all-time leading tackler, it is fair to say Johnson is not only back, but back with something to prove.


Tamba Hali


Wish that could just be the end of it. Every Kansas City fan knows the name, opposing teams fear the name. Hali has been a formidable player on the team since he entered the league in 2006. Hali has averaged almost nine sacks per season and 43 tackles per season, and finally scored a touchdown in the 2013 season opener. Many felt with the team’s cap number situation that Hali might become a victim to his large contract. However, Hali took an incredible $7 million pay cut to stay with the team, forever making himself a legend in Kansas City.


Hali has seemed to slow down a little, as the fast motor he runs during every game is bogging down with time. Yet, despite getting older, Hali is still a huge part of the defense and with rest should be a key part of one of the most fear pass-rushing duos in the NFL.


Justin Houston


Houston came out with a fire in 2014, leading the entire NFL in sacks with 22, only a half-sack short of the single-season record. Houston has averaged 49 tackles per season in his four years. He also averages a staggering 12 sacks and is quickly rising to being one of the best linebackers Kansas City has ever had. In 2014, Houston broke Hall-of-Famer Derrick Thomas’ single-season sack record of 20.


This offseason, there has been a lot of speculation if the star player will remain with the team. Getting the non-exclusive franchise tag, Houston can field offers from other teams, and the Chiefs will have the option to match or be given two first-round picks from the signing team.



General manager John Dorsey has been working with Houston’s people in order to keep him in the organization. Even Hali, during OTA’s, said Houston wants to be in KC, so it may just be a matter of time and getting all the details right. Hopefully both sides can reach agreement before the July 15 deadline and one that keeps him in Kansas City for a long time. In 2015, look for him to be just as good.


Other notable linebackers


Kansas City has collected veterans such as Frank Zombo, Josh Mauga and James-Michael Johnson. They also have Dee Ford, a first-found selection in 2014, waiting in the wings for this team.


Zombo, the former Green Bay Packer, has been a rotational player throughout his career. In 2013, Zombo recorded 23 tackles, two sacks and one interception. Zombo is a valuable backup player and solid on special teams.


Mauga had been with the New York Jets before he came over to the Chiefs in 2014. Mauga, much like Zombo, was a rotational defender during his time in New York. When Johnson went down against the Tennessee Titans, he was called upon to be the replacement for the Pro Bowler.


Mauga really stepped up to prove he is a valuable for Kansas City. The former University of Nevada star led the team with 103 tackles and was rewarded with a three-year contract, and deservedly so. This year, we will see Mauga back into a rotational role but with Johnson nursing a season-ending injury from last year, he will maintain an important role.


James-Michael Johnson came to the Chiefs in 2013 and has played the same role as the aforementioned players. Averaging 34 tackles in his first two years with the team, he has been a good player for the organization.


Dee Ford had a lot of Chiefs fans scratching their heads with questions when he was selected. Why would they draft a linebacker when they have two of the best? Dorsey likes to plan ahead, and everything with the Houston contract points out why. Ford is not Houston, but coming out of the draft he was compared with another great player in Denver Broncos’ Von Miller.


While he was not able to showcase his skill and was more remembered for running away from a play, he has talent and skills. In 2015, Ford stands to be a larger part of the rotation. Will he be the next Hali or Houston? Only time will tell. Rest assured his time on the field will increase, because you don’t draft a player in the first round to sit on the bench.


While the Chiefs have solid groups of players in more that one positional group, such as their running backs, their linebacker group is one of the most talented. This year should hold big things for this group of players, and KC fans can’t wait to see what they have in store.


There you have it, Addicts. What are your thoughts on their positional groups? Am I wrong in saying that this group is on the best on the team? Let us know in the comments.


Thanks for reading.


Go Chiefs!


http://arrowheadaddict.com/2015/05/28/kansas-city-chiefs-linebackers-tamba-hali-justin-houston-dee-ford-derrick-johnson/


 


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