Chiefs: Belcher take

There are numbers in football that as fans we attach "value" to.  Numbers like TD's, Interceptions, Sacks is the currency that drives popularity and monetary value.  Generally as fans we attach little value to the Offensive Lineman that can seal, drive, pull, and pass block.  On a given play, in order for it to be successful more things have to happen that doesn't get recognized than the end result of a tackle, sack, INT.

When we see an I-Formation we pretty much assume on a run play one guy is blocking and one guy is running the ball.  Every time that fullback is in the game, more times than not he will key a linebacker.  Same thing applies to the TE's in the run game.  Both positions require a player that can contribute as run blockers.

Belcher role is a response to those scenarios.  In our system the player lining up at the Mike linebacker is reading the blocks from players at the position of FB/TE.  When you hear, "keep DJ clean"...this is a small sample of what that means.  That role essentially keeps the Will clean to make plays.

Belcher is consistent with making the right reads/force in the run game.  He makes contact quickly and doesn't lose much ground, creating an alley for fills at DJ's position.  In the 3-4 that's how many teams construct their roster.  In Pitt Mike LB Larry Foote serves that purpose for the athletic Will Lawrence Timmons.  Similar to the FB role to a RB, the Mike/Will relationship calls one guy doing the dirty work to keep the playmaking linebacker free.

For the past two years both DET/BUF in 2011, and ATL/BUF were able to remove the Mike position from field in favor of a defensive back.  Without the 3-4 and Belcher's role Derrick Johnson produced his lowest tackle numbers in 2011.  In the sub blocks are able to get to Derrick Johnson v. the run.  Without the blocks in the 3-4, DJ is a Pro Bowler.  While in the sub he has been exposed in the early part of year for two straight seasons.

Belcher gets knocked for what he's not physically, but I look at him like a FB.  Yeah, you can always improve...but using what resource?  Like the FB the priority is to have a skill and do a job that will largely go unnoticed.  Having a playmaker at either the FB/Mike would be nice, but the value with that role in this scheme is for a skill that doesn't require a playmaker.

I believe the Chiefs have an elite 3-4 run defense.  It's not because of their talent, rather their ability to execute.  Making the right reads, the right fills, and playing in unison is what makes the Chiefs 3-4 run defenses one of the better units.  In my opinion Belcher is one of the reasons for that success.  In this defense (like the FB on offense) it's not his job to be the playmaker.