Chapter 1007: 1006 Benchmarking Chieftain
“Fly!”
“Fly!”
The cheer’s roar across Arrowhead Stadium reverberated to the skies, showcasing the power of the league’s newly crowned Devil’s ho field. This was their secret to an unbeaten ho record last season and a formidable challenge for any team.
Yet, Foles was relishing every mont of it—
This was what he had been waiting for, the stage for which he had tirelessly fought and persevered. Not only could he once again face Li Wei and the Kansas City Chiefs, but he could stand in the spotlight as a starter, fighting for himself.
This day had truly been awaited for a long ti.
Though he was a season late, he still fulfilled the promise he made with Li Wei.
Now, it was ti to take the stage and showcase himself.
This wasn’t the Super Bowl, obviously, but for Foles, it was a new beginning and the first true mont belonging solely to him, with opponents being the Kansas City Chiefs—everything was perfect.
Look, Li Wei was in great form, making a statent with the ferocity of a descending tiger. How could he fall behind?
Ever since the schedule was released, Foles had been looking forward to it.
This offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs continued to make tweaks to their Defensive group. However, compared to last season, this year Veach was evidently determined to revamp the Defensive group fundantally, from muscles to frawork.
Changes in the player roster were just one aspect. More importantly, Reed adjusted the defensive strategy and style. From the preseason’s struggles and chaos, it was evident the process was still ongoing.
On the defensive front line, the shift from “3-4” to “4-3” was a visible change, with starting players undergoing a complete overhaul.
Defensive tackles continued with last season’s starters, Williams and Jones, but the difference was that Williams was adjusted from edge to tackle position. The spark of his partnership with Jones in the new tactical system was worth looking forward to.
Defensive ends saw a complete change, with Clark from the Seattle Seahawks and Emmanuel-Ogbah from the Cleveland Browns serving as starters, making a new partnership combination.
The most apparent change was in the linebackers, with the departure of defensive leader Houston and the Pro Bowl-level starter Ford’s transfer. This implies that this linebacker’s line might no longer be the core of the Kansas City Chiefs Defense—
In fact, entrusting the responsibility of captain of the Defensive group to Defensive Tackle Chris Jones was the best evidence.
In the linebacker group, last season’s starters, Higgins and Regland, continued to be listed, with Darron-Lee, who transferred from the New York Jets this season, joining the starting lineup.
From preseason drills, it’s evident that the new Defensive Coordinator, Spagnuolo, hopes to focus on pass defense. Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs’ pass defense was abysmal, severely out of step with league trends.
Although ground attacks are playing an important role for the Kansas City Chiefs, there is only one Li Wei in the league. Spagnuolo did not think other teams’ ground attacks could have such power, so the focus was still on pass defense.
This defensive front line has been trying to increase sack pressure.
Unfortunately, the preseason blend and layout exposed a series of problems, with players changing positions, tactics being newly arranged, and teammates needing to cooperate anew. The final outco was disappointing.
However, the Kansas City Chiefs did reap so benefits during preseason—
The second defensive line.
Although the pass rush on the defensive front line was diocre, the pressure and chaos they created on the front line gained so room for the second line. The new combination of the second defensive line achieved so success.
For the cornerbacks, Bashaud-Breeland, who transferred from the Green Bay Packers this season, finally gained a starting opportunity.
Breeland was a player for the Washington Redskins and transferred to the Green Bay Packers last season, performing diocrely. His season ended prematurely due to injuries. After only one year, he couldn’t prove himself and had to leave.
Joining the defending champions this ti, Breeland showed fierce determination in the offseason, driven by the presence of another starting cornerback, Fowler.
Fowler also ca from the Washington Redskins and was a forr teammate of Breeland. Both transferred last season but ended up on entirely different paths. Now reunited in Kansas City, Fowler beca a beacon of guidance for Breeland.
Finally, Breeland and Fowler tead up as starters.
The safety position saw a complete overhaul.
Sorensen, who had already secured a starting position last season but had to sit out due to injuries, experienced an up-and-down season. His season was disrupted by injuries, on and off. This offseason, he finally rid himself of injury troubles and secured a starting opportunity once again.
Undoubtedly, the safety position has been the Kansas City Chiefs’ biggest weakness over the past two seasons. This year, Sorensen carries a heavy responsibility, leading Matty, this year’s second-round rookie, as a starter to face the new season’s challenges.
Of the four positions on the second defensive line, only Fowler was a starter from the championship lineup last season, showing Spagnuolo’s determination to completely revamp the pass defense.
Currently, the second defensive line indeed appears renewed with vitality.
However, everything still had to be tested in real combat. Preseason was just a rehearsal, and the regular season was the real deal.
Just look at the Kansas Chiefs Offense’s recent performance. The seemingly chaotic and weak preseason offense was purely a drill. When Mahos and Li Wei combined forces, that was serious business.
Foles took a deep breath, the Special Duty Group was still active on the field, but his heart was eager and ready to step in for battle.
He tiptoed, unable to resist leaping up to cheer himself on.
Then, the Special Duty Group finally finished their work, and the Offensive group was ready to take the field.
Foles jumped high, clenched his fist, and shouted to the sky.
“Ah!”
“Ahhh!”
He took off, leaping, sprinting furiously, the burning fighting spirit igniting.
The Jacksonville Jaguars Offensive group players were also raring to go.
In the past, under quarterback Bortles’ lead, the entire offensive group seed docile, and the conservative attack often lacked passion.
Now, Foles finally injected a new color into the team.
Ramsey once unabashedly criticized coach Marrone for lacking offensive talent:
Every play was a run followed by a pass. The opposing Defensive group found it easy to predict tactics, no wonder their offense always struggled.
Unquestionably, under Foles’ leadership, such situations wouldn’t occur.
Though offensive strategy remained Marrone’s shortcoming, it didn’t an Marrone wasn’t striving forward. Let’s not forget, he had an entire Offensive group coaching team helping—
They were now a team with offensive pedigree.
Quarterback Foles, running back Fournette.
The sa setup as the Kansas City Chiefs!
…Matching the Kansas City Chiefs, is this serious?
The entire preseason, Jacksonville Jaguars lost every ga, only accounting for one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown. Is this the “sa setup as the Kansas City Chiefs”?
Marrone: Who ntioned preseason here? The regular season counts. At least, they would not lose in terms of confidence!
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