Who's In and Who's Out for the Kansas City Chiefs?

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Cunningham boasted such gaudy stats as a +30 turnover ratio in his first stint as defensive coordinator with the Chiefs, but his return was not so glorious.  The “bend-but-don’t-break” philosophy led to all-time, NFL-worst 10 sacks over the course of a whole season. 

IN: Clancy Pendergast.

Many NFL teams are moving toward the 3-4 defense and with the hiring of Clancy Pendergast as the Chiefs defensive coordinator it became clear the Chiefs are undergoing a similar transformation. 

As the Cardinal’s defensive coordinator from 2004-2008 Pendergast was often in the shadow of the high-flying air-attack of the Cardinal’s offense.  Yet, with great ingenuity in his play-calling it was the schemes of Pendergast that played a vital role in Arizona reaching Super Bowl XLIII.

The fundamental challenge of incorporating the 3-4 defense is the need for uncommon physical specimens who have both the size to rush the quarterback as a defensive end and the speed and agility to drop into coverage as a linebacker. 

This challenge has led to recent gambles on high draft picks by organizations such as the Jets who in 2008 drafted DE/OLB Vernon Gholston with the 6^th overall pick.  In 2008 Gholston ate up a huge chunk of salary cap space while amassing 16 tackles with 0 sacks.

Now the Washington Redskins face a similar risk in selecting DE/OLB Brian Orakpo.  Both Gholston and Orakpo stand roughly 6’3 and weigh in the 260s.  Current Chiefs DE Tamba Hali is 6’3 and weighs 275.  With his measurements he is the likely candidate for conversion to the two-point stance, which he actually ran out of to great success at Penn State.

Hali will be complimented by a true 3-4 defensive end in this year’s No. 3 overall pick Tyson Jackson.  At 6’4 and 296 pounds Jackson is built like a small defensive tackle and has drawn physical comparisons to Richard Seymour, the star defensive end of the New England Patriots acquired under Scott Pioli’s time with the Pats.             

So, what to choose; young and fresh or old and wise?   

A balance of savvy veterans who have learned to compete in the NFL despite being past their prime and youngsters who are ripe for career years is the key to a successful team. 

Veterans feed off of a youthful energy and young players excel from the insight of their older peers.

The most memorable teams are high on character.  This does not mean the flashy hairstyles, flamboyant clothes, or the popular choice of becoming a preacher after one’s playing years, but rather possessing the traits of a quality individual who believes in the team concept.

Chief fans are witnessing a great deal of change these days.  Only time will tell if it’s change we can believe in. 

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