Where does the Chiefs pass rush stand without Chris Jones? – ESPN – Kansas City Chiefs Blog

Editor’s word: This story has been up to date to replicate Tuesday’s commerce for DT Neil Ferrell.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chris Jones’ absence loomed on daily basis at coaching camp at the same time as the Kansas City Chiefs checked out a number of potential candidates to take the place of their star pass-rusher.

Making an attempt to construct a pass rush without Jones, their chief in sacks in every of the final six seasons, proved troublesome. The duty was made even tougher when Charles Omenihu obtained information he can be suspended for the first six video games by the NFL for violating the league’s private conduct coverage, which means the Chiefs will likely be without their greatest defensive free agent acquisition for the first third of the season.

The Chiefs had been involved sufficient about the prospect of taking part in without Jones and Omenihu that they made a commerce for defensive sort out Neil Ferrell on Tuesday, sending a sixth-spherical decide to the Las Vegas Raiders in trade.

Ferrell had no sacks in 9 video games for the Raiders final season as a rookie. He had 7.5 in 52 collegiate video games at LSU.

As the Chiefs creep nearer to their Sept. 7 season opener towards the Detroit Lions at Arrowhead Stadium, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo remains to be scrambling to determine the place the pass-rush stress and sacks will come from, significantly if Jones doesn’t finish his holdout earlier than then.

“You’re at all times searching for continuity and continuity comes with reps and being round one another and collectively,” Spagnuolo mentioned. “We haven’t had that. [There are] lots of transferring items proper now.

“Typically it takes the first quarter of the season to determine who you’re and what you’ve gotten. Alongside the approach you hope you’re successful video games however it would possibly take us a short time to determine all of that out.”

The Chiefs completed second in the NFL final season with 55 sacks. Towards the Lions, they are going to be lacking the gamers who accounted for 31 of these, counting Jones and his 15.5 sacks if he doesn’t play.

The Chiefs had been planning on Omenihu earlier than the suspension to make up for a few of what they misplaced. In camp, he was taking part in finish on early downs and sort out in passing conditions.

“He’s a very good pass-rusher inside,” line of defense coach Joe Cullen mentioned. “He can play all 4 spots. He performs with a excessive motor, excessive vitality. So we’re shedding a superb participant.”

Without Jones, their prime returning pass-rushers are George Karlaftis with six and Mike Danna with 5.

“To have a superb pass rush, you’ve all bought to be as one, work as a unit,” Danna mentioned. “We’ve bought a bunch of recent faces so we’re nonetheless working towards some issues, working via some issues.

“All people has particular person targets. All people desires to have double-digit sacks. It’s simpler when the line as an entire is dashing as one. That’s when you can begin successful your one-on-ones.”

The Chiefs this 12 months drafted defensive finish Felix Anudike-Uzomah in the first spherical and will likely be asking him to be part of their taking part in rotation, as effectively. Anudike-Uzomah is 21 and performed three seasons in faculty at Kansas State.

He additionally missed most of offseason apply after being drafted whereas rehabbing from accidents.

“There was a time when he needed to play lots of catch-up due to all the time he missed in the OTAs,” Spagnuolo mentioned. “I believe he bought himself caught up. There are nonetheless little issues that you may inform he’s not used to or it takes a little bit little bit of considering. Hopefully when the considering will get much less and the quick-taking part in will get extra he turns into extra of a participant for us.”

The Chiefs are dashing Anudike-Uzomah to get him prepared. He performed greater than any of their different defensive linemen throughout the three preseason video games.

“I’ve nonetheless bought a methods to go,” he mentioned. “I’ve been a little bit bit higher. I bought the hold of issues however it’s simply the preseason. It was good work for me to go on the market and have me play towards actual folks, play towards NFL people who find themselves totally different than my teammates.”

It doesn’t matter what they do, the Chiefs will discover it troublesome to cowl for the lack of Jones. He tied his profession excessive in sacks and was tied for fourth in the NFL. He had two extra sacks in the postseason.

“Chris, for my part, was nearly as good, if not the greatest defensive participant in the league final 12 months,” Cullen mentioned. “We’ll welcome him again with open arms when he will get right here. I’ve talked to him about staying in form and finally this factor will get accomplished and he’ll be again right here.”