Tank Tyler: Another One Bites The Dust

With the trading deadline just one day away, Demarcus "Tank" Tyler is no longer a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. Tyler, another one of Herman Edwards "guys", was one on a long list of top Edwards draft picks that have been cast aside. I guess like many others, and a few more possibly to come, he just didn't "fit the system".

Its a shame actually. When the NFL reached the end of the first quarter of its 2009 NFL season, Tank Tyler led the Entire NFL in Tackles for players at his position and has had more tackles than the entire previous season as well. I guess for Todd Haley that just wasn't good enough.

Tyler must be excited leaving. He'll be going to a better team and the city where he both grew up and played college football. Carolina will give him every opportunity and I wouldn't be surprised if he plays very well. Nice gesture by KC. 

Other teams were reported to have interest, one being the New York Jets who just lost DT Kris Jenkins to a season ending injury.

Tyler has had an interesting career. He played his College Football at North Carolina State, and in his Junior year, played on a Defensive Line that ranked as one of the greatest in College Football history. Although Tyler lasted until Round 3, the rest of the line was so talented that they all ended being 1st Round draft picks: Mario Williams, Manny Lawson, and John Mccargo. Playing on a line with such talented players meant he was rarely double teamed and the talent around him, many thought, contributed to his success.

But then something unexpected happened. Williams, Lawson, and McCargo all left NC State together leaving Tank all alone on the NC State Defensive Line and many felt that with him drawing double teams, his stats would be worse. As it turns out, he had his best year, doubling his tackles and his tackles behind the line of scrimmage. It was his true breakout year.

He lasted until the 3rd round of the draft because teams had concerns about his weight and lack of intensity. They said he "took plays off". He didn't. Like many big run stuffers, he just ran out of gas. With NC State not giving him any relief with normal rotations, he was asked to do the impossible, and he almost pulled it off. Scouts should have made the distinction.

With the Chiefs, his first few years were interesting. Despite having a huge upper body (44 reps at the combine), he was weak in the lower body and as a result, played "top heavy". In many ways, it took away some of his power. But this year he showed more quickness off the snap. It looked like he was coming into his own.

Yes, he fell asleep in meetings at times. He also got yelled at alot. But when on the field he gave his all and that's all that any team could ask for.

Was it wrong to trade him? Maybe, maybe not. As a fan I certainly don't know as much as the Chiefs do. They recently have had 3 Nose Tackles in KC for a recent workout: Tim Anderson, Marlon Favorite (another LSU guy), and former Raider William Joseph. It is hard to believe though, that any of those players are half the player Tank is.

Favorite would be a interesting signing. A good player not drafted, he would give Kansas City an entire Defensive Line of all former LSU Players. If nothing else they all know each other, and maybe that's the attraction. Of course, this is predicated only if he signs. 

 And to think that all of us fans actually believed that this team was in the process of "Rebuilding". Management over the past few years have truly made suckers of us all.

As for coach Haley I have another tip. Smile once and awhile

An occasional laugh wouldn't hurt either. Your stress level and the team's level is right off the charts. There are times to be harsh and tough on players, and times to lighten up. Understand the distinction before it costs you your job, and alienates any potential Free Agents that would even consider this team as a future home.

I need an aspirin