Positives:
The greatest aspect to Hali's game is his leverage. His hands are quick and powerful enough for him to stay on a clean line most of the times uninterrupted by the opposing tackle. After the initial hand play he goes into a lean that can't be blocked. He makes himself such a small target by lowering himself to his opponents chest level while leaning into the opponent. Rarely does he offer opposing tackles much surface for contact, because of the leverage he plays with many tackles resort to holding him b/c of the power/lean/speed in which he plays at.
Another huge factor in Hali's game is his motor. I haven't studied the entire NFL but you will be hard pressed to find a more consistent player. Tamba isn't a freak, he simply gives more every play than most players in the NFL. Hali on every pass play creates a short clock in terms of how much time a QB has to make a play. It's something you can count on for 4 quarters.
Negatives:
Hali offers little outside of a pass rusher besides setting the edge. He is a liability in space in both the run and the pass. The reason Chiefs have struggled to get off the field during the 2010 season could be traced to Hali. Opposing offenses passing games have lived in Tamba's zone. Because he lacks speed, if he gets too far upfield he becomes a non-factor for run action away from him.
In the 2011 season the Chiefs had a little more versatility with their packages and Hali was not put in the same positions he was in during the 2010 season. Hali is such a dynamic force that I believe this trend will continue and he will be asked to do even less in space in future years.
Derrick Johnson
Positives:
Johnson is among the most complete linebackers in the NFL. He is elite in space against the run and the pass. He combines speed and power to be solid in traffic and his reads in the run game is elite. If you watch the Chiefs play in slow motion Johnson makes the correct read and is the first to react indicating instincts and awareness unrivaled on the roster.
Johnson has developed into an elite tackler. Early in his career this was not the case, but now he can not only take on blocks but has the range to disengage and make plays. Johnson is the reason the 3-4 run defense works. Outside of Reggie Bush and Jahvid Best (who destroyed him vs. DET) Johnson closed on every back on the Chiefs schedule.
Negatives:
Johnson has had issues with one on ones with backs. Johnson is terrific in covering zones but when assigned to a man has had trouble. As I mentioned earlier Best, Bush took advantage of Johnson when isolated one on one (Bush and Best among fastest players in NFL), he also had issues matching up with Ray Rice in the wild card game a year back.
This area has to be improved because the Chiefs have no other options in coverage at the linebacker position at this point. There are few running backs that can exploit this but when it happens it usually determines the outcome of games. Johnson is the most important player in terms of making the defense works, when he loses a matchup no other position impacts the defense more than DJ's spot.
Justin Houston
Positives:
Houston has the best blend of power/speed among the Chiefs linebackers. If the offensive tackle doesn't get good contact initially then Houston wins the matchup every time as a pass rusher. Against the run he is powerful enough to hold his spot, and using that power he can disengage and make plays. Unlike Hali, Houston has exceptional range and can track down action away from him.
Negatives:
Houston was a work in progress against the pass. Rarely did he make a play in coverage and was always a step or two out of position. Because Hali is one dimensional, the pressure is great for Houston to improve in order to be an effective every down player.
Javon Belcher
Positives:
Belcher is disciplined and pretty relentless with what he can do. He doesn't have a glamour position and has no issue throwing his body on the first person he sees. He is solid with his reads and takes the correct angles to the action.
Negatives:
Physically Belcher is average in every sense. He doesn't have great range. Mentally he is simply solid lacking the anticipation to overcome average ability. In terms of power he is overmatched by linemen. Even at 230lb he has no man cover skills and simply a body in zone coverage. Has been the starter for 2 years but is simply an acquisition away from a career backup.
Andy Studebaker
Positives:
Studebaker is the Chiefs 2nd best coverage linebacker. At the Strong Side spot excels at positioning himself in coverage. Anticipates routes well in order to position himself for tackles. Has a great sense of where to be in space against the run as well. Rarely puts himself in positions to get beat.
Negatives:
Lacks range physically, if he is forced to make plays physically, then he rarely makes a play. Against run Andy is solid enough to not get knocked out of the play, but he is typically accounted for by opposing teams blockers. Studebaker is miscast as the Strong Side backer, he isn't physical enough. He has the tools to be a better Mike than Strong because of his versatility in coverage.
Demorrio Williams
Positives:
Plays as fast as any player on the defense outside of Eric Berry. By no means do I mean Williams is the 2nd fastest but he plays at 100 miles an hour every play. Plays a very controlled high energy style of game.
He is the best interior pass rusher on the team, by making himself such a small target for offensive lineman to block. He also offers a nice dynamic as a speed rusher at the end.
Demorrio reads the run well while on the move and is athletic enough to make plays against the run between the tackles. Because he plays so fast he is disruptive against the interior run.
Negatives:
Demorrio often works himself out of position and is easy to scheme against because the speed he plays at. Demorrio is not especially powerful at the point so if he isn't moving he becomes a very easy block. Has to play fast to be effective because his lack of power.
I often wondered why Williams hadn't started at the Strong Side position or next to DJ at Mike. The Strong may require more power than Williams has, and Williams plays to fast to be a Mike. He is a true Will backer in this defense and although I believe Williams is the 4th best linebacker on this team, he is the 2nd best Will.
Corey Greenwood
Positives:
Greenwood during the preseason was one of the smarter linebackers on the team. He was routinely in the correct spot wether it was against the run or pass. Displayed the 2nd most range on the entire team outside of DJ. Has the instincts of an elite weak side backer excelling in space.
Negatives:
Greenwood was at a clear disadvantage power wise. Although he was at the correct spots at the right time, he had big issues finishing plays. The Chiefs have recently signed him to a four year deal, so the thinking is the power will come. As of today his power is too high of a limitation for him to see significant snaps.
Brandon Siler
Positive:
Similar to Demario, Siler played very fast. Once he made a decision he committed and was a very physical at the point.
Negatives:
It was clear Siler came from a more aggressive version of the 3-4. His timing was off and he was out of sinc with the defensive front. Shooting the wrong gaps and giving up seams. He is coming off an injury.
Cameron Sheffield
Positive:
Sheffield is powerful at the point of attack, and is among the Chiefs strongest linebackers. In preseason was a force on the edge against the run. Displayed strong hands at the line of scrimmage with good technique. Has a quick first step and displays a pop on initial contact.
Negatives:
Is more of a bull rusher, and gives a lot of surface to the offensive lineman to block. Hasn't displayed a lot of range in space. Is a question mark in coverage, because the Chiefs rarely use him in coverage.
