Chiefs Neil Smith and the 3-4 Defense?

**jAZ** · 01-07-2010, 08:26 PM

Do I remember right that during Dan Saleamua's time in KC, we ran a 3-4 D with Sal as our NT?

If that's right, that would mean that Neil Smith was a dominant pass-rushing DE in the 3-4. Correct?

I'm under the impression that the 3-4 DEs are not expected to generate big sack totals.

If all that's right, what's the story with Neil's stats?

shaneo69 · 01-07-2010, 08:28 PM

Only from '88-'91. I don't know what his sack totals were those years. When Adolph came in '92, they signed Joe Phillips and switched to a 4-3.

**jAZ** · 01-07-2010, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaneo69

Only from '88-'91. I don't know what his sack totals were those years. When Adolph came in '92, they signed Joe Phillips and switched to a 4-3.

He didn't get 15 sacks until 1993.

**Rain Man** · 01-07-2010, 08:30 PM

I didn't remember him as a 3-4, but could well be wrong. I just remember Saleaumua and Phillips at DT. Eh, what do I know?

**Rausch** · 01-07-2010, 08:33 PM

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...S/SmitNe00.htm

**jAZ** · 01-07-2010, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I didn't remember him as a 3-4, but could well be wrong. I just remember Saleaumua and Phillips at DT. Eh, what do I know?

It started with my recollection of Sal as being a NT (as opposed to a DT). And worked back from there. Per shane, I guess maybe we were playing out of position for a few years to start.

It raises the question why we were drafting a 3-4 DE at the top of the draft. I kept hearing how awful that decision is and it occured to me that we had to have done the exact same thing back in 88.

**jAZ** · 01-07-2010, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...S/SmitNe00.htm

I assume that if we got 6, 8 or 9 sacks out of our LDE in the next few years, people here would be ecstatic.

**Rausch** · 01-07-2010, 08:36 PM

DT pretty much rushed every down giving us 4 guys with their hand in the dirt.

He was pretty much a DE during that time...

**DaneMcCloud** · 01-07-2010, 08:44 PM

Neil Smith wasn't a 5-technique defensive end. He wasn't asked to absorb blockers so that the linebackers could make plays. It's a completely different task.

Tyson Jackson doesn't even PLAY on third downs because pass rushing is his big liability.

Smith was more of a 7-8 tech, rush defensive end in the mold of Bruce Smith, Mario Williams, Reggie White, etc.

**BossChief** · 01-07-2010, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Neil Smith wasn't a 5-technique defensive end. He wasn't asked to absorb blockers so that the linebackers could make plays. It's a completely different task.

Tyson Jackson doesn't even PLAY on third downs because pass rushing is his big liability.

Smith was more of a 7-8 tech, rush defensive end in the mold of Bruce Smith, Mario Williams, Reggie White, etc.

...or Suh.

Mr. Laz · 01-07-2010, 10:25 PM

Falcon!!!

Mojo Jojo · 01-07-2010, 10:30 PM

Neil started in the 3-4 with Maas at NT. By the end the Chiefs were playing a 5-2 with DT outside only rushing the QB...giving Shannon Sharpe HOF numbers...The Chiefs used several MLB's and for many years Chris Martin was the all around OLB on the other side.

**DaneMcCloud** · 01-07-2010, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo Jojo

Neil started in the 3-4 with Maas at NT. By the end the Chiefs were playing a 5-2 with DT outside only rushing the QB...giving Shannon Sharpe HOF numbers...The Chiefs used several MLB's and for many years Chris Martin was the all around OLB on the other side.

That's nice and all but has absolutely nothing to due with the fact that Smith was 7-tech and Jackson is a 5-tech.

01-07-2010, 08:26 PM
jAZ Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Casino cash: $9817493	Neil Smith and the 3-4 Defense? Do I remember right that during Dan Saleamua's time in KC, we ran a 3-4 D with Sal as our NT? If that's right, that would mean that Neil Smith was a dominant pass-rushing DE in the 3-4. Correct? I'm under the impression that the 3-4 DEs are not expected to generate big sack totals. If all that's right, what's the story with Neil's stats?
Posts: 24,800

01-07-2010, 08:28 PM	#2
shaneo69 Smug Weasel Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bleachers at Busch Casino cash: $10004900	Only from '88-'91. I don't know what his sack totals were those years. When Adolph came in '92, they signed Joe Phillips and switched to a 4-3. __________________ "I like Chiefs president Carl Peterson. I respect his business savvy. I envy his management skills and his penchant never to be driven by the whims of popularity. I admire his willingness to take responsibility for decisions that don’t work out the way he would have wanted." - Rufus, from KCChiefs.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------
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01-07-2010, 08:30 PM	#4
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-462449 VARSITY	I didn't remember him as a 3-4, but could well be wrong. I just remember Saleaumua and Phillips at DT. Eh, what do I know? __________________ Active fan of the greatest team in NFL history.
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01-07-2010, 08:44 PM	#9
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	Neil Smith wasn't a 5-technique defensive end. He wasn't asked to absorb blockers so that the linebackers could make plays. It's a completely different task. Tyson Jackson doesn't even PLAY on third downs because pass rushing is his big liability. Smith was more of a 7-8 tech, rush defensive end in the mold of Bruce Smith, Mario Williams, Reggie White, etc.
Posts: 88,960

01-07-2010, 10:25 PM	#11
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	Falcon!!! __________________
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01-07-2010, 10:30 PM	#12
Mojo Jojo Veteran Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Johnson County Casino cash: $10013802	Neil started in the 3-4 with Maas at NT. By the end the Chiefs were playing a 5-2 with DT outside only rushing the QB...giving Shannon Sharpe HOF numbers...The Chiefs used several MLB's and for many years Chris Martin was the all around OLB on the other side.
Posts: 3,341