Tamba Hali: Chiefs will chase quarterbacks like dogs
The Kansas City Chiefs have a wolf pack, or perhaps, a dog pack. Led by Tamba Hali, it’s a group tight knit pass rushers, ready to be unleashed upon the NFL. Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton has devised a defensive front that takes full advantage of the Chiefs’ strength in pursuing the passer.
More from Kansas City Chiefs
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Clark Hunt throws cold water on potential Chiefs throwbacks
- Patrick Mahomes explains why Chiefs aren’t a dynasty and what it’ll take to be one
- Hyped Chiefs weapon gets untimely injury news with some silver lining
- Latest report shows Chiefs in the wrong for Chris Jones dispute
“He’s just using the pieces like it’s chess,” Tamba Hali said of Sutton, via NFL Nation. “He’s putting all his best players out there, allowing them to do what they do best. We have about five guys, six guys that can rush the passer, so he puts us out there. We call it the dog front, a bunch of dogs going after (the quarterback) and barking, pretty much.”
The combination of Hali, Justin Houston, Derrick Johnson, Dontari Poe and rookie Dee Ford should be deadly. After injuries to their top producers last season, the Chiefs pass rush fell off in the close of the season. This year, they’re going to be aggressive up front, because their secondary is suspect. Adam Teicher writes, “they have patched together a secondary that includes waiver claims Ron Parker and Marcus Cooper among their top three cornerbacks.”
It’s best if the quarterback never gets the ball in the air. That will likely be the goal of the dog front.
“This is a real good group we have,” Hali said. “We have five, six guys that can be in the game at the same time. They can get after the quarterback. I’ve never been around that. Not even in college and not in the league. That’s pretty awesome to have a bunch of guys that you don’t have to count on one guy. There are a couple other guys that can make plays, too. That’s kind of good for our entire defense and team.”