Bills vs. Chiefs: Tamba Hali Keys Kansas City Pass Rush

by Brian Galliford on Sep 7, 2011 12:50 PM EDT in Buffalo Bills News

The Kansas City Chiefs have a lot of very good football players, but two of them are unquestionably elite. We discussed the Buffalo Bills' need to contain one of them - running back Jamaal Charles - yesterday. Today, it's rush linebacker Tamba Hali's turn.

Hali, a sixth-year pro out of Penn State, has emerged as one of the NFL's best pass-rushing outside linebackers, and is coming off of a 15-sack season a year ago. In his last two games against Buffalo, he's recorded a combined seven tackles and 2.5 sacks. Clearly, this is a man that the Bills will need to pay attention to if they plan to let Ryan Fitzpatrick pick apart Kansas City's defense.

Beyond Hali, however, the Chiefs are trying to develop some secondary rushing options. I asked Joel Thorman of ArrowheadPride.com who we should be keeping an eye out for on Sunday.

"Keep an eye on Wallace Gilberry, who was second on the team in sacks last year," said Thorman. "He'll play in the nickel and is a little bit undersized as a real 3-4 defensive end, but has the ability to rush the passer."

Gilberry was a big factor for the Chiefs in last season's overtime win over the Bills. In that game, he recorded five tackles and a sack on Fitzpatrick, forcing a fumble on the quarterback takedown.

Thorman also says that Bills fans should be wary of rookie third-round pick Justin Houston, a speed rusher hailing from Georgia.

"He's quickly shown in the pre-season that he has a burst to him, and could be a nice complement opposite Hali in passing situations," Thorman says.

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Here's hoping

The Chiefs put Hali & Houston in at the same time, if that’s the case tell your QB to take a knee, j/k, sorta.

by Spiderwomn69 on Sep 7, 2011 1:00 PM EDT reply actions

I will be sure to tell Ryan Fitzpatrick to a knee when he sees Hali and an unproven rookie lined up across from him; at the very least I will sort of, or maybe jokingly tell him to do so. Naturally that’s the wisest thing to do during a completely winnable football game.

THAT is why i'm serious.

by Trashplate on Sep 7, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Houston..

May be proving himself by the end of this game – this rookie will have an impact.

Profile Image courtesy of 'christoffer'..

by chiefsfan62 on Sep 7, 2011 11:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

this rookie will have an impact.

Ah, the fresh-faced optimism of a new season. Is it the Bills fan in me, or are rookies basically useless until they actually prove themselves? I find they typically have less of an impact than usual, but we haven’t been the best drafting team of late.

I have low expectations. But high hopes.

by greysquirrel on Sep 8, 2011 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions

I think if were going to neutralize KC pass rush

We need to run the ball effectivley and we did run it well against them last year and then we got away from it. Run at Hali, throw some doubles at him and get him tired before we start trying to light it up through the air.

"Big Gulps Eh, Well See ya later" - Lloyd Christmas
" You Gus ready To Let The Dogs Out" "What?" " you Know, Who Let the dogs out rough rough rogh rough" - Zack Galifinakis - The Hangover

by PaullyPforPrez on Sep 7, 2011 1:00 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

We need to run the ball effectivley

this is unquestionably the bills biggest key in this game. the chiefs are very talented on defense but they way to neutralize hali on the rush and berry in coverage is to cut eric wood loose in the run game and let his attitude show these guys were not f’in around

by boomsauce on Sep 7, 2011 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Berry is all-around a very good safety

But he is elite at run support…worry about that before you worry about him in coverage

Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl

by PVChiefsfan on Sep 7, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

ya i agree, but if ur running it up the gut and the opposing teams safety is the one having to make the tackles, ur running game is probably pretty effective.
the point of my post is just to say i want to see the bills try to push ur front7 off the ball and get 4-5 yds up the gut

by boomsauce on Sep 7, 2011 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually your best game plan is to run away from Hali.

Wear him out by making him chase plays to the other side of the field. Also if you run at Hali you’re running right at the strength of our run defense in Dorsey and Derrick Johnson and there will be more holes and push for your run game on the other side.

"Success is never ending, failure is never final."

by GenericBrand on Sep 7, 2011 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

well, i wanted

Justin Houston on Williams pick, not against williams, just thought we needed a pass rusher more than a CB. This guy is fast.
Also, a good test to Bell, if he can hold down Hali, maybe he can carry the momentum for the rest of the season.

by Fernando brazil on Sep 7, 2011 1:01 PM EDT reply actions

Cord Howard

Had a real rough outing at RT last year. A few sacks, hits and more than a handful of pressures + a penalty.

Crossing fingers that Pears handles it better.

by zipper on Sep 7, 2011 1:02 PM EDT reply actions

Oh man...

So glad that Cord Howard won’t be on the field for this game! Of course it may not matter w/ a guy like Hali…he’s pretty good. Proof is in the pudding, so let’s hope Buddy is right when he said we’re better at OL than we were last year!

by buffaloparks on Sep 7, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

took Houston in my mock. Wish we could have landed him.

"This is what happens Larry!, This is what happens! "-Walter Sobchak" "Did we give up when the germans bombed pearl harbor!!??"-John Belushi

by BigEasyBillsKrewe on Sep 7, 2011 1:11 PM EDT reply actions

can you say screens and counters i think so

Calling anybody a "career Redskin" when Dan Snyder is the owner is laughable. That dude make moves like he's some kid trading football cards. -greenwood1921

by Gpluehri on Sep 7, 2011 1:15 PM EDT reply actions

Healthy dose of Brad Smith too.

by Wyrd UpSide on Sep 7, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions

lets crush these guys!

I love the feeling of being so excited when the game is starting, then as soon as the offense starts running out is when the nerves take over. Wow I love it.

by SpiderWeb Sleeves on Sep 7, 2011 1:16 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Another thing to consider when it comes to Hali...

Romeo moves him around alot and will put him in the best position to beat his man all day. So even if Demetrius Bell has a good or even great day it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to see Hali move to the other side of the field and pick on whoevers there.

"Success is never ending, failure is never final."

by GenericBrand on Sep 7, 2011 1:48 PM EDT reply actions