L'Jarius Sneed, The Chiefs' human swiss army knife
Celebrating the diverse (and unique) skillset that allows Kansas City's corner be utilized in a variety of ways... and helps Steve Spagnuolo's defense go.
Diversity of talent is an underrated skillset.
This is true in real life (some people, like myself, are only even competent at a select few things, other people have a vast array of talents) as well as on the football field. In the NFL, a large number of players have a very specific skillset that places them into a certain niche.
Slot cornerbacks have a certain skillset. Boundary cornerbacks have a certain skillset. Box safeties have a certain skillset. Mike/Will/Sam linebackers all have a certain skillset. Defensive ends, defensive tackles, pass rushers vs run stuffers, coverage ‘backers vs run stuffers… most players fit into some sort of box. And those boxes are usually pretty typical; Position A does Job Y, Position B does Job Z, and so forth
And then there’s L’Jarius Sneed, whose skillset isn’t so easily contained.
I’ve written about Sneed before here (obviously), discussing the “Sneed blitz” that Steve Spagnuolo loves to utilize (he’s always sent slot CB’s and safeties, but he seems to have found his perfect ideal player for it in Sneed). I’ve also talked at length about his ability in coverage.
Today, though, I want to focus on Sneed’s diversity of skills to go along with the uniqueness of his skillset, and how that allows the Chiefs to play differently than most other teams in the league. Let’s start with his ability as a finisher/tackler, which is something that Spagnuolo has been able to weaponize at the line of scrimmage as well as in space.
Let’s talk some Sneed, who has become one of the most important players on the defense.