Big John Henderson

**SAPHOJUNKIE** · 04-26-2010, 03:03 PM

John Henderson, probowl defensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars, was released today.

the giants tried to get him in for a visit, but Pioli beat them to it. His first stop in free agency is Kansas City tomorrow, Tuesday April 27th.

Henderson, who is a massive 6'7" and 345 pounds, will be 31 when camp starts, but he could easily be the stop-gap we need on the defensive line until we can draft and develop a nose tackle.

If he clears his physical and we sign him, then I am saying this offseason is an unequivocal success. Young, intelligent, high-character leaders, and solid, proven vets.

man oh man this would take all of the sting out of not drafting a big ugly to help the run defense. I mean, i would just be pleased as punch.

**rodu** · 04-28-2010, 12:51 PM

I would hesitate in moving Dorsey to NT, 3rd position in 3 years in the league

**bwilliams** · 04-28-2010, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by rodu

I would hesitate in moving Dorsey to NT, 3rd position in 3 years in the league

It'd be crazy to move Dorsey to NT. Forget size. Dorsey just isn't strong enough. That isn't a knock on him. But his primary advantages are that he's a step faster and more athletic than the average DT. His primary disadvantages are that he's a bit small and lacks overwhelming power. You want him next to a big space eater so that he can get in the backfield and wreck havoc (Warren Sapp). You don't want him trying to win a trench war against 2-3 interior linemen (Wilfork).

Putting him at NT removes his advantages and puts on display his disadvantages. I'd rather move him to linebacker than NT.

**SAPHOJUNKIE** · 04-28-2010, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by bwilliams

It'd be crazy to move Dorsey to NT. Forget size. Dorsey just isn't strong enough. That isn't a knock on him. But his primary advantages are that he's a step faster and more athletic than the average DT. His primary disadvantages are that he's a bit small and lacks overwhelming power. You want him next to a big space eater so that he can get in the backfield and wreck havoc (Warren Sapp). You don't want him trying to win a trench war against 2-3 interior linemen (Wilfork).

Putting him at NT removes his advantages and puts on display his disadvantages. I'd rather move him to linebacker than NT.

Whoa whoa whoa...yes, Dorsey's best asset is his speed and athleticism for a defensive tackle, but to say that he is "a bit small" and "lacks overwhelming power" is kind of stretching the truth.

Dorsey consistently blasted through double teams his senior year. His strength was never a concern.

I'm not sold on Dorsey as a nose tackle, but it isn't because he doesn't have the ability. I just think you leave some of his skills on the table if you use him to occupy blockers.

**bwilliams** · 04-28-2010, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by SAPHOJUNKIE

Whoa whoa whoa...yes, Dorsey's best asset is his speed and athleticism for a defensive tackle, but to say that he is "a bit small" and "lacks overwhelming power" is kind of stretching the truth.

Dorsey consistently blasted through double teams his senior year. His strength was never a concern.

I'm not sold on Dorsey as a nose tackle, but it isn't because he doesn't have the ability. I just think you leave some of his skills on the table if you use him to occupy blockers.

Dorsey routinely blasted through double teams against smaller college lines until he got hurt. But he hasn't been able to do that at all in the NFL. He still has difficulty one-on-one against NFL offensive linemen in the run game. I don't blame him for this, as this isn't what he was drafted to do, and it isn't where his strengths lie.

Again, I'm not knocking him. A few years of conditioning might get him there, but you'll lose some of his speed and athleticism as he puts on muscle. But I want him to be the smallest member of our DL, not the lynchpin against run offenses.

**matthewschiefs** · 04-28-2010, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by rodu

I would hesitate in moving Dorsey to NT, 3rd position in 3 years in the league

Thats never good on a player. I think if we leave him were he is he will be a much better player for the Chiefs this year. He showed his value there when he missed the game against the browns and our already bad Run d was even worse. I say leave him were he is at least this year and see how much he improves.

**SAPHOJUNKIE** · 04-28-2010, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by matthewschiefs

Thats never good on a player. I think if we leave him were he is he will be a much better player for the Chiefs this year. He showed his value there when he missed the game against the browns and our already bad Run d was even worse. I say leave him were he is at least this year and see how much he improves.

If would agree. And, actually, it would be his FOURTH position in FOUR years.

His DT role was different when he got to KC from LSU.

**whatwasthat?** · 04-28-2010, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by bwilliams

Dorsey routinely blasted through double teams against smaller college lines until he got hurt. But he hasn't been able to do that at all in the NFL. He still has difficulty one-on-one against NFL offensive linemen in the run game. I don't blame him for this, as this isn't what he was drafted to do, and it isn't where his strengths lie.

Again, I'm not knocking him. A few years of conditioning might get him there, but you'll lose some of his speed and athleticism as he puts on muscle. But I want him to be the smallest member of our DL, not the lynchpin against run offenses.

dorsey was one of the few positive parts of our run defense last season

**yashi** · 04-28-2010, 01:54 PM

The only thing that makes me curious as to what would happen if Dorsey tried NT is from the success of Jay Ratliff playing NT for the Cowboys. He's 6'4" 303 and more of a penetrator than a run-stopper, just like Dorsey.

**bwilliams** · 04-28-2010, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by whatwasthat?

dorsey was one of the few positive parts of our run defense last season

We were ranked 31st against the run for most of the season. I agree that without Dorsey we'd have been 32nd. Remember that abysmal Browns game where he was absent (better yet, don't)?

But that isn't really saying he was good. Even before our DL gave up 351 against the Browns, we were routinely giving up 150-200 yards a game with Dorsey in the lineup. He improved off of 2008, and I expect him to improve further in 2010. But teams never showed any fear of running right at him, and he was constanly blocked by two linemen because out NT struck fear in the hearts of no one.