Kansas City Chiefs: Predicting 2011 Statistics for Chiefs Defensive Players
The Kansas City Chiefs improved greatly on the defensive side of the ball last season, which was one of big reasons why there were able to win the first AFC West title since 2003
Veteran linebacker Tamba Hali led the AFC with 14.5 sacks, while safety Eric Berry was first Chief rookie to make the Pro Bowl since Derrick Thomas accomplished the feat back in 1989.
KC will bring back most of their young, talented defense from last season, and hope for even better results in 2011.
In part two of my segment, I predict the defensive stats for each of the Chiefs starters and backups on defense.
DE Glenn Dorsey
1 of 20
The former LSU star had his best season as a Chief in 2010 and was solid against the run for much of the year.
With another year of NFL experience under his belt, I expect good things from Dorsey in '11.
G: 16
TACK: 65
SCK: 4.0
FF: 1
DE Tyson Jackson
2 of 20
Jackson was selected by the Chiefs as the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, and has yet to live up to expectations.
I predict that he will not get as much playing time this season, as he will lose some to rookie DE Allen Bailey.
G: 14
TACK: 25
SCK: 1.0
PD: 2
DE Shaun Smith
3 of 20
Smith proved to be a valuable asset to the Chiefs improved defense in 2010.
However, his role on the KC defensive line in '11 will likely be diminished after the team selected DE Allen Bailey and DT Jerrell Powe in April's draft.
G: 12
TACK: 30
SCK: 1.0
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DE Wallace Gilberry
4 of 20
Gilberry gave the Chiefs' pass rush a big boost last season with seven sacks for the year.
I expect him to once again be a force in '11 at his defensive end position, especially on passing downs.
G: 16
TACK: 30
SCK: 6.0
FF: 1
DE Allen Bailey
5 of 20
New Chief Allen Bailey was drafted by KC in the third round of this year's draft due to the versatility that he will bring to the team.
He lined up as a DE, DT and OLB in college, and expect him to make a solid impact in his rookie season in at least two of these spots.
G: 16
TACK: 35
SCK: 5.0
FF: 2
PD: 2
DT Ron Edwards
6 of 20
Edwards has been a mainstay on the Chiefs defensive line for years now.
"Big Ron" will be battling rookie Jerrell Powe for the starting defensive tackle position this season, so he is still likely to get some more playing time because of his experience at the spot.
G: 14
TACK: 20
SCK: 1
DT Jerrell Powe
7 of 20
Powe provides a big body in the middle of the Chiefs defense, as he should have a good chance to be the team's starting DT for the '11 season.
He was a very productive run-stopper in college, and he should greatly improve this part of KC's defense in a hurry.
G: 16
TACK: 35
SCK: 1.0
FF: 1
OLB Tamba Hali
8 of 20
Tamba had a monster year in 2009, as he led the AFC in sacks and earned his first Pro Bowl selection.
He should produce at an even higher level this season, considering the fact that he will have another solid pass rusher in Justin Houston helping him on the other side.
G: 16
TACK: 45
SCK: 15
PD: 3
FF: 5
OLB Justin Houston
9 of 20
Former University of Georgia star Justin Houston was drafted for his excellent pass rush skills.
He should immediately make an impact on the Chiefs defense this season and has the talent to become the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2011.
G: 16
TACK: 45
SCK: 9.0
PD: 2
FF: 3
OLB Mike Vrabel
10 of 20
Veteran Mike Vrabel had one of his worst seasons ever in the NFL in 2010 as he registered zero sacks for the year.
This year, his production should go down even more as he looks to have a reserve role with the Chiefs defense after the team selected talented linebacker Justin Houston in the '11 NFL Draft.
G: 12
TACK: 25
SCK: 1.0
FF: 1
OLB Andy Studebaker
11 of 20
Many thought that Study would become the heir apparent to fading veteran Mike Vrabel, but that just hasn't happened yet.
With the team going with sack-master Justin Houston in this year's draft, Studebaker will have a similar impact that he had last season.
G: 14
TACK: 25
SCK: 3.0
PD: 3
FF: 1
OLB Cameron Sheffield
12 of 20
Sheffield's campaign was cut short last year when he suffered a season-ending neck injury towards the end of the preseason.
He is back to 100 percent now and should make a good impact for KC this year as a pass-rusher.
G: 10
TACK: 25
SCK: 4.0
FF: 1
ILB Derrick Johnson
13 of 20
Johnson, like may KC defenders last year, had his best season as a Chief.
He excelled at defending the run, and he projects to put up another solid season in 2011.
G: 16
TACK: 125
SCK: 2.0
PD: 12
FF: 5
INT: 1
ILB Jovan Belcher
14 of 20
Belcher was a long-shot to make the team coming out of the University of Maine, but he has really blossomed into a productive starter for the Chiefs.
Like fellow ILB Derrick Johnson, Belcher has very good against the run, and should rack up many tackles again this season.
G: 16
TACK: 90
SCK: 2.0
PD: 2
FF: 1
CB Brandon Flowers
15 of 20
Flowers has been the most consistent player in the Chiefs defensive secondary over the past three seasons.
He has been knocking on the door of a Pro Bowl appearance, and I think that he will finally make his first Pro Bowl in 2011.
G: 16
TACK: 60
INT: 3
PD: 17
FF: 1
CB Brandon Carr
16 of 20
Brandon Carr was all over the place for the Chiefs secondary a season ago.
He had an amazing 25 pass deflections for the year, and I expect him to wreak havoc on opposing passing attacks once again in 2011.
G: 16
TACK: 60
PD: 21
INT: 2
S Eric Berry
17 of 20
Arguably the best safety in the 2010 NFL draft class, it didn't take long for Berry to prove his worth during the season.
After getting off to a slow start to the year, he finished strong, as he was a Pro Bowl selection for Kansas City.
G: 16
TACK: 100
SCK: 2.0
PD: 10
FF: 5
PD: 2
S Kendrick Lewis
18 of 20
Lewis was brought in by the Pioli/Haley regime to replace disgruntled Chief, Jarrad Page.
He did more than just replace Page last season, as he started 10 games as a rookie and played very sound defense for much of the season at safety.
G: 16
TACK: 30
PD: 10
INT: 3
FF: 1
CB Javier Arenas
19 of 20
Arenas played a lot in nickel packages and special teams for the Chiefs last season.
He will still have a role in the Chiefs defense going forward, but it will likely be smaller in 2011 with the recent addition of Jalil Brown to the unit.
G: 14
TACK: 30
SCK: 2.0
PD: 5
FF: 1
INT: 1
CB Jalil Brown
20 of 20
Brown will likely be used as a backup cornerback this season for Kansas City.
However, this doesn't mean that he won't get some playing time when starters Brandon Carr and Brandon Flowers need a breather.
G: 10
TACK: 20
INT: 1
FF: 1
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