Position Battles: Linebackers

[Fountain City Blues]

I'll separate ILB's and OLB's just to clarify roles ( I can count the amount of Dee Ford snaps at inside linebacker with my left hand) that players will be in most likely.

ILB

Incumbents:

Derrick Johnson
Josh Mauga
Ramik Wilson
Justin March (I've seen him listed as an OLB elsewhere which is a bit puzzling)
DJ Alexander

UFA's/Non-Vets:

Terrance Smith

Chiefs seem pretty content with who they have top to bottom at ILB. March looked pretty good in camp and preseason to me until a knee injury landed him on the IR. Ramik Wilson didn't stand out as bad in particular when he did start opposite of Johnson. I wouldn't be shocked to see Mauga get beat out by one of those guys and be cap casualty next offseason. DJ Alexander is probably just going to be a solid special teamer.

OLB

Incumbents:

Justin Houston (?)
Tamba Hali
Dee Ford
Frank Zombo

Draftees:

6th: Dadi Nicholas

FA's:

Johnathan Massaquoi

UFA's/Non-Vets

Andy Mulumba
Tautvydas Kieras
Tyrell Adams

Some questionable depth here. Zombo is a better special teamer than backup, Nicholas is a project, and Massaquoi isn't exactly passrush jesus out there himself. One would hope Houston is back after the bye, but this could be a pretty mediocre bunch of OLB's, potentially. Get well soon, Houston.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

 

[Fountain City Blues]

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Kind of a strange and unexpected comment. Interesting nonetheless, however.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

 

[Fountain City Blues]

More sunshine and rainbows.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Seems like every other day I swear either media or fans come in willing to tell you in monologue form on how Justin March is a gem.


Tyreek Hill apparently is an OTA superstar as well...

40 yard catch and 30 YAC.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

 

[Fountain City Blues]

 

[cdumler7]

This could be big. Already possibly thin at the position. From what I read though sounded like he walked off the field so I doubt it is much.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

This could be big. Already possibly thin at the position. From what I read though sounded like he walked off the field so I doubt it is much.

Yeah, not a guy I'd like to see get hurt. Dadi by most any account is a project and counting on guys like 'Quoi is not exactly my cup of tea. He's probably fine, but this kind of info will wake you up a bit.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

For a guy who has never had a regular season snap- dude gets quite a bit of love. With Mauga being a very eh kind of option at S-ILB, I am very interested to see how March does. He looked pretty impressive in camp and preseason last year.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

 

[Fountain City Blues]

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Another gushy article for Justin March

At full strength once again, Chiefs’ Justin March makes positive impression

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Never ends with March... It's pretty much flamboyant daily acclaim from Dorsey on down...

 

[Fountain City Blues]

March said he uses his size - only 5'11 and 238 pounds - as an advantage in shedding blocks. But at which inside linebacker position will he be shedding blocks? Is he the next DJ or the next Josh Mauga?

"I believe that I can do either one of them,” March said. “Wherever Coach and those guys need me, I’m ready to go.”

“I think he can play either side,” Reid said. “He’s a very powerful kid with tremendous strength, so I think he can do either side.”

This is honestly an interesting question. March seems better suited for DJ's role while Ramik Wilson would be better off replacing Mauga, but this would be something I'd like to see more of in the preseason. Quite a few fans for these two despite minimal or little playing time in real games.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Dadi Nicholas getting 2nd and 3rd team reps now. Looks like he caught some eyeballs a couple days ago.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Justin March getting first string snaps over Wilson today.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Still another preseason game to go, but Dadi Nicholas has impressed with his snaps mostly. Doesn't look like he'd survive a trip to the PS. Should make for some interesting decisions, and it looks like Massaquoi was the first obvious cut given that revelation.