Insider Forum with Josh Looney - Talk it up!

NIXON VISITS ARROWHEAD

August 27th – 12:16 PM

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon just finished his tour of the Chiefs facility with Chiefs President Denny Thum, Executive V.P./COO Mark Donovan, General Manager Scott Pioli and Head Coach Todd Haley. Nixon was very complimentary of the Chiefs new leadership, praising them for their hard work and dedication to Kansas City’s NFL franchise.

One of Nixon’s first stops was to see the Governor’s Cup Trophy, which is proudly displayed in the Chiefs front lobby. That traveling hardware will be up for grabs once again on Thursday night as the Chiefs travel to St. Louis for their final preseason game. The Chiefs hope to bring the Governor’s trophy back home with them down I-70.

As a politician should be, Gov. Nixon was on his game today. When Haley asked Nixon which Missouri NFL team he would be rooting for next Thursday in the Edward Jones Dome, Nixon replied, “I’m a Mizzou fan.” That drew a chuckle out of Haley and Pioli.

SEAHAWKS TIDBITS
August 27th – 11:55 AM

As the Chiefs finish their private walk-thru in preparation for tomorrow night’s game vs. Seattle, let’s take a look at a few quick hitters involving the Seahawks.

Crowded Backfield - Joining the Seahawks just a few days ago was free agent RB Edgerrin James, a key to Chiefs head coach Todd Haley’s offensive success in Arizona. James’ arrival give the Seahawks a crowded backfield with RB Julius Jones previously slated as the starter. Whether James plays or not tomorrow will be a game-time decision.

Hawks starters - Playing time for the Seahawks starters is unknown as of late Friday morning. Head coach Jim Mora told his team on Thursday, “Don’t worry about how long you are going to play, just go out and play as hard as you can until we tell you otherwise.”

Hasselbeck on Clancy Pendergast - The Seahawks starting QB knows a lot about Chiefs defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast and his unorthodox 3-4 looks from playing against the Cardinals in the NFC West. “You know the crazy ones where they’re all walking around and not really lining up where you want them to,” Hasselbeck said. “He’s going to make you have to think out there. Hopefully, we look like we know what we’re doing.”

MAN IN THE MIDDLE?

August 27th – 5:53 AM

The search continues to fill the center plate position on the Chiefs defensive front. The nose tackles is the man in the middle that makes the 3-4 defense go. Building the 3-4 defense from the inside out is the name of the game and it all starts with a big, powerful, aggressive man with astute mental toughness and lateral quickness.

“It’s an exciting defense and being right in the middle,” DT Tank Tyler says. “In the heart of it, it’s like all eyes are on you and I’m prepared for that.”

To many, the nose tackle in the 3-4 is the single most important position on the defensive line. The Chiefs have seen DTs Ron Edwards and Tank Tyler rotate reps with the first unit, while DT Derek Lokey has seen time with the reserves. Chiefs head coach Todd Haley is still waiting for one of the candidates to step up and take control of the position.

“That’s a man’s position now,” Haley said. “Especially as much of the 3-4 (defense) that we’re playing. When you’re the nose and you’re in there a lot of that is just ‘want-to.’ You’re fighting, scratching, clawing and it’s not for everyone. I think all three of the guys have the ability to do it, it’s just a matter of getting it done on a consistent basis.”

Nose tackle is probably the most physically demanding position in all of professional football. The number responsibility is to control the “A” gaps, hold ground and keep offensive linemen off the linebackers. A nose tackle that is unable to do his job makes the 3-4 scheme susceptible to big rushing days.

“I don’t see any other way to play this game as a defensive lineman down in the trenches,” Tyler said. “You almost have to be a gladiator, so to speak. You have a car crash every down. It’s not easy to go through a car wreck and then line up against these guys and kill them every snap. You have to have some kind of meanness.”

Nose tackle face a double-team blocks on nearly every single play. Stamina and endurance are crucial when taking on two offensive linemen who both may weigh over 300 pounds. Even with a line rotation in tow, a nose tackle must be in peak physical condition.

“There are different blocking schemes verses the 3-4 that have people preying on the nose tackle,” Tyler explained. “So, that’s been a little bit of an adjustment. Staying aggressive on every snap has been the key.”

Through nearly a month of training camp the starting nose tackle position stays open for the taking. Edwards and Tyler continue to trade first-team reps as Haley waits to see one player seize the opportunity.

“I think that it’s been a little up and down,” Haley said of the competition. “I’m waiting to see Tank kind of…the thing I remember about Tank when he was coming out (of college) was just the nastiness that he played with. I mean he was a bad dude and you didn’t want to mess around with him. So, I’m waiting to see a little more of that.”

“I can always get better on every snap,” Tyler said. “I can turn it up as far as the meanness, toughness and aggressiveness. I’m not satisfied, but I’m getting better. I think that I’m playing good, but not great. I’m still striving to be one of the best.

“I’m excited about the nose tackle position because it’s an exciting position that you get to get off the ball and penetrate,” Tyler continued. “So I’m excited about playing that position. I’m the type of guy that loves to be on the field. So every snap I’m on the field I look forward to.”