Originally Posted by
texaschief
Dorsey, Jackson, and Poe did what was asked of them. They stopped the run and kept the O-linemen off the linebackers and allowed them to make plays. Dorsey and Jackson specifically were never asked to provide pressure on the QB. Pioli and Crennel said as much when they were talking about Poe's role going into the season. Both Jackson and Dorsey showed incredible ability for making plays behind the line of scrimmage while playing in the SEC at LSU. The defensive scheme they've been playing in the last 3 or 4 years has not been conducive to their talents for making such plays. That's why you see DJ making so many plays when he shoots the gaps... he's able to make those plays because the D-linemen are doing their jobs.
That being said, I don't think Jackson has a place on a 4-3 defense and with his salary ballooning up to 14M this season, I could see a trade, release, or perhaps a re-structure coming for him.
Dorsey has all the tools to be an elite pass-rushing DT in the form of Warren Sapp or Albert Haynesworth. He just wasn't in the right system to show that ability.
Hali is still a top 5 pass rusher in this league. He didn't "lose a step." Hali was double-teamed and sometimes triple teamed EVERY week. The opposing offenses did a great job neutralizing Hali. They could afford to do that because the Chiefs rarely blitzed and didn't get pressure from anywhere other than Houston on the other side. It may have LOOKED like Hali "lost a step," but in reality, the offense couldn't stay on the field and the truth was Hali and the rest of the defense was absolutely gassed for most of the season. Put an offense who can play with a lead or at the very least give the defense a breather and you'll see the Chiefs as a top 10 or even top 5 defense. There's way too much talent on that defense for them NOT to be a dominant defense.
Hali, Johnson, Berry, Dorsey, Jackson, and Poe are all 1st round picks. Houston and Flowers SHOULD have been 1st round picks. There's a TON of talent on this defense... don't worry.