Positives:
Dorsey benefits mostly from leverage and strength at the 5 tech. He also gives the most consistent effort out of all the defensive linemen. As a 2 gap defensive lineman he controls his lineman at the point of attack, at times attracting doubles, and at other times can work 1-3 yards upfield. Dorsey is dominant in the sense that he never gives up his area.
The Chiefs 3-4 run defense has vastly improved and Dorsey should get credit for that. Dorsey is similar to an offensive lineman with his style of play. He creates space for the linebackers to run free. Statistically he doesn't show up, but his play is a big reason that the Chiefs have two Pro Bowl linebackers.
Negatives:
While Dorsey is a dynamic talent for what he does, he offers very little flexibility. He is dominant in his role, but he is limited to only that role. Top 5 picks should not be role players. Dorsey has no range, nor does he display explosion or speed to move down the line.
With Dorsey you will always have to sit him on 3rd down because of his lack of range. Which means that not only will the Chiefs have to pay Dorsey but they will have to pay another specialist to replace him on 3rd down.
Tyson Jackson
Positives:
Jackson has great range as a 5 tech. He locks out well and moves down the line of scrimmage better than anyone on the team. He has shown the athletic ability to be a threat as a rusher. Out of all the Chiefs lineman it's Jackson that has shown the ability to be a 3-down player for the Chiefs. By the end of his third year he was showing very little weaknesses to his game.
Another thing with Jackson is that there is still potential to get better. He continues to improve at the point of attack, and has shown that he can apply a consistent rush. Jackson will never be Seymour, but he is showing that he can be among the most versatile 3-4 ends if he continues to improve.
Negatives:
Jackson still is a work in progress when the action is coming at him. In 2009 he was basically a sled, in 2010 it was much of the same. This past year he showed pride and that he was willing to fight and stand his ground. But he doesn't have the raw power to ever be a dominant run stuffing defensive end.
When plays are to his side he still can be single blocked although he doesn't lose as much ground. This bodes as a problem against teams that can run downhill. Because without commanding that double it leaves one on one opportunities for the RB. This is an area that I think he can only get marginally better in.
Allen Bailey
Positives:
Crennel used Bailey the right way. He rarely used him in base 3-4 packages and just used him in 1 gap nickel situations. Bailey physical ability transferred to this role and towards the end of the year he got consistent push in the interior.
Negatives:
Often Bailey played without his hands, often times lunging himself at the offensive lineman. The big difference from college to the pro ranks is...without good hand play, you are an easy target to block. Bailey got better as the season went on with his lean, but only marginally improved his hands.
The upper teir rushers in the NFL have countermoves. It is not enough to be a better athlete than your opponent. Technique will win more times than not. In order for Bailey to become an every down player and a more dynamic force rushing will come down to how he develops his hands at the line.
Wallace Gilberry
Positives:
Gilberry remains the quickest Chiefs (Hali included) coming off the ball. Even with the additional weight his burst is better than any other Chief. Gilberry is also versatile enough to be the first sub without getting exploited.
Negatives:
Gilberry prior to the weight gain had an exceptional burst off the line. That burst is what is making him a living. He doesn't have range, will not overpower opponents, so it is important that he gets that explosiveness back. In 2010 he often engaged offensive linemen before they got to their 2nd step in the drop. That was a huge asset to his game and he must get that back.
Gilberry is similar to Dorsey in that he doesn't project as a 3 down player. He gained weight to become that but in the process lost a little bit of explosion that made him a special player in the first place. If he doesn't regain that explosiveness he becomes average in every aspect.
Amon Gordon
Positive
Gordon is the most versatile lineman the Chiefs have, with the skill set to play all 3 positions along the line. Another asset to Gordon's game is his power, rivaling Dorsey in terms of functional strength. He is a better athlete than Dorsey as well, but not near the level of Jackson.
My opinion since the preseason was that Gordon was our 3rd best defensive lineman and our best NT. I am sure he will be in the mix to start the 2012 season at NT with Gregg's retirement.
Negatives:
My biggest criticism for Gordon would be his range at the DE position. Similar to Dorsey he is at best a 2 down player. At the NT position he wasn't a liability but he often got himself out of place by moving upfield.
Jerrell Powe
Positives
At his size he is a tremendous athlete, and probably the 3rd best athlete among the defensive line rotation. Powe has unbelievable range as a NT, and has enough functional strength not to be a liability. At 6'3" 330lb's he is by far are biggest player. From a size, speed, strength perspective he is the best Chiefs lineman.
Negatives:
Doesn't have a clue how to play within a scheme. Very undisciplined and the reason he didn't suit up was because he just doesn't get it. He shoots gaps and in the preseason was always out of position. Similar to Bailey, Powe never used his hands, which as a NT in a 3-4 can't happen.
Powe intrigues me, but he has to learn how to play football. He is the opposite of Gregg, Powe's ability can't be questioned, rather his readiness to play has to be. Out of all the players in the preseason he was the least disciplined.
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