Chapter 1007: Targeting the Chief
"Fly!"
"Fly!"
The cheers of support from the entire Arrowhead Stadium echoed through the sky, showing the power of the league's new Devils home court. This is the secret to their undefeated home game last season. It is a severe challenge for any team.
However, Falls is enjoying it all——
This is what he is looking forward to, this is the stage he has been waiting for through hard work and perseverance, not only to be able to compete with Levi and the Kansas Chiefs again, but also to be able to stand upright under the spotlight and fight for himself as a starter.
I have been waiting for this day for a long time.
Although it was a full season late, he still fulfilled his promise to Levi.
Now, it's time to show off.
It wasn't the Super Bowl, obviously, but it was a fresh start for Foles, his first real moment of his own, and it happened to be against the Kansas City Chiefs, and it was perfect.
Look, Levi is in great shape and making a statement like a tiger coming down the mountain. How can he lag behind?
Foles has been looking forward to it since the schedule was announced.
During this offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs continued to make changes to the defensive team, but compared with last season, this year Veach was clearly determined to reshape the defensive team from the muscle and frame level.
The changes in the player lineup are only one aspect. What is more important is Reid's adjustment in defensive tactics and defensive style. It can be seen from the struggles and chaos in the preseason that this process is still ongoing.
On the defensive front, the evolution of the "3-4" formation into the "4-3" formation is a change that everyone can see, and the starting players have also undergone major changes.
The defensive tackle continues the starting lineup of last season, Williams and Jones, but the difference is that Williams is adjusted from the tip to the tackle position. The sparks of his partnership with Jones under the new tactical system are worth looking forward to.
The defensive ends have all been replaced, with Clark from the Seattle Seahawks and Emmanuel Ogbah from the Cleveland Browns serving as the starters. This is a new partnership.
The linebacker is the most obvious change. The departure of defensive leader Houston and the transfer of Pro Bowl starter Ford mean that this linebacker may no longer be the core of the Kansas Chiefs defense——
In fact, the fact that the responsibility of captain of the defensive team is handed over to defensive tackle Chris Jones is the best proof.
In the linebacker group, Higgins and Legrand, who started last season, continue to be listed. Darron Lee (Darron-Lee), who transferred from the New York Jets this season, joins the starting lineup.
Judging from the preseason drills, the new defensive coordinator Spagnuolo hopes to focus on pass defense. The Kansas Chiefs' pass defense last season was simply terrible, which is seriously inconsistent with the development trend of the league.
Although the ground attack is playing an important role in the Kansas Chiefs; there is only one Levi in the league, and Spagnuolo does not believe that other teams' ground attacks can have such power, so the focus is still on pass defense.
This defensive front has been trying to increase the proportion of pass rush and pressure.
Unfortunately, the running-in and layout of the preseason have exposed a series of problems. Players are changing positions, tactics are being newly arranged, teammates need to re-coordinate, and the final effect is disappointing.
However, the Kansas Chiefs still made some gains in the preseason——
Defensive second line.
Although the defensive front line's pass rush and pressure performance was mediocre, the pressure and chaos they created in the front line confrontation still gained some space for the second line, and the new defensive second line partnership achieved some results.
Cornerback, Bashaud-Breeland, who transferred from the Green Bay Packers this season, finally got the chance to start.
Breland is a player for the Washington Redskins. He transferred to the Green Bay Packers last season and his performance was mediocre. The season ended prematurely due to injury. He only stayed for one year and failed to prove himself, so he had no choice but to leave.
Joining the defending champion this time, Breland showed great strength during the offseason, and the reason is because of another starting cornerback, Fowler. Fowler, also from the Washington Redskins, was a former teammate of Breland. The two transferred last season, but went to completely different destinies. Now they are reunited in Kansas City, and Fowler has become a beacon for Breland.
In the end, Breland and Fowler started together.
Safety guard, comprehensive replacement.
Sorensen, who had locked in the starting position last season but had no choice but to miss due to injuries, experienced an ups and downs season. Injuries made his season incoherent, with fits and starts. This year's offseason finally said goodbye to injuries. Troubled, once again relied on down-to-earth performance to win the starting opportunity.
There is no doubt that safety has been the Kansas Chiefs' biggest shortcoming in the past two seasons. This year Sorensen has a heavy responsibility. He leads this year's second-round pick Mathieu as the starter and faces the challenges of the new season.
Of the four defensive second-line positions, only Fowler was a starter on last season's championship lineup, which shows Spagnuolo's determination to completely transform the pass defense.
From the current point of view, the defensive second line is indeed full of new vitality.
However, everything still depends on actual combat exercises. The preseason is just a preview, and the regular season is the real thing.
Just look at the performance of the Kansas Chiefs offense just now. The seemingly chaotic and weak offense in the preseason is purely a drill. When Mahomes and Levi work together, it will be real.
Foles let out a long breath. The special teams were still active on the court, and his heart could not wait to get ready to go on the field and join the battle.
Standing on tiptoes, he jumped uncontrollably to cheer himself up.
Then, the special teams finally wrap up and the offense prepares to take the field.
Fowles jumped up high, clenched his fists and roared to the sky.
"Ah!"
"Ahhh!"
Kick on the ground, jump, run all the way, with high fighting spirit burning brightly.
The Jacksonville Jaguars offensive players are also eager to try.
In the past, under the leadership of quarterback Bortles, the entire offensive team seemed to be honest, and the well-behaved offense often lacked passion.
Now, Foles finally brings a new color to the team.
Ramsey once openly complained about coach Ma Ruo's lack of offensive talent:
Every offense starts with running the ball and then passing the ball. The opposing defense team has no difficulty in predicting tactics. No wonder their own offense can never open up the situation.
There is no doubt that under Foles, this situation will not happen again.
Although offensive tactics are still Ma Ruo's shortcomings, it does not mean that Ma Ruo does not know how to make progress. Don't forget that he has a whole team of offensive coaches to help -
They are now also a team with offensive pedigree.
Quarterback Foles, running back Fournette.
Same configuration as the Kansas Chiefs!
…Against the Kansas City Chiefs, is this serious?
In the entire four preseason games, the Jacksonville Jaguars lost all games and only scored one passing touchdown and one running touchdown. Is this the "same configuration as the Kansas Chiefs"?
Ma Ruo: Who is talking about preseason here? The regular season counts. At least, they don't lose in terms of confidence!
(End of chapter)