51 Comments

So excited he's finally getting significant playing time. Quite happy to see this in my inbox. And it's not just the frequency of content, it's the quality of the content. Thanks, Seth. I'll send you twelve bucks next year too.

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Glad you enjoyed! My goal is to have this be something people are excited to see arrive!

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Really happy to see him getting significant playing time.

Completely baffled why we saw him jumping up and down on the sideline with Neiman and Sorenson on the field toward the end of the game.

For the rest of the season, Spags should have to make an announcement over the referee mic before any play that Gay isn't on the field and 49 or 56 is, explaining why he believes that personnel group gives the Chiefs an improved chance of winning.

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I'd really like to hear a genuine (non-coachspeak, very blunt) answer as to what it is he believes Gay cannot do that keeps him from being on the field 100% of the snaps.

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Thanks Seth! Those improvements at every level of the defense have had an exponentially big impact on the defense as a whole. It's refreshing to be excited to watch the defense play again, it's been awhile!

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For sure! This is as well as the defense has played since the stretch run of 2019, and it may well be playing better!

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Yeah, I think they are playing better than 2019.

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seems to me that Ingram made all the difference in the world! And this was the biggest difference maker.

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I agree that Ingram has been a huge addition.

But I think the defense improving is a bunch of little things combined:

Frank getting healthier and playing much better

Jones learning how to manage his wrist injury and playing more inside

Thornhill getting more snaps

Gay and Ward getting healthy.

Fenton getting more snaps.

Bolton improving each week

Add all of that on top of the Ingram acquisition and it is pretty easy to see why KC is so much better.

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you should write a newsletter

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Stop creating competition for me! 😂😂😂

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Tyler summed it up well, there's been a bunch of little things that have added together. But Ingram was indeed huge.

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I couldnt wait for the newsletter gif for that last one when it happened. Such an amazing but also HUGE play that was 100% Willie Gay

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He's a lot of fun to write about.

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So excited to see the Broncos come to town. Love learning stuff from your articles & videos.

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Thanks Susan!

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I especially agree with the point about arriving in time to make a tackle with good form. Certain players (not saying who) that are perpetually a step or two slow lower their head and dive at the feet of a runner and that is all too easy for a ball carrier to avoid.

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It makes a huge difference, and is something people don't always account for when figuring out how fast someone showed up for the play.

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We know who you mean ;)

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Speed kills. Thinking about stout Chiefs' defenses of the past, much of their success can be attributed to a dominant, speedy linebacker. Derrick Johnson and Donnie Edwards come to mind. Football is the ultimate team sport and it takes contributions from all three levels of the defense to be truly excellent. What had been a gaping hole has been plugged by Willie Gay and I think we'll only continue to see more development and improvement with his increased playing time.

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Having a high level ILB with good range is one of those things that isn't required to have a good defense, but can certainly raise the ceiling of a defense and how varied it can be with coverage approaches.

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Thanks Seth. Can't imagine any true Chiefs fan not loving your newsletter.

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That's very kind of you! Don't forget about the option to gift people a subscription as a wonderful Christmas present :)

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Gay in pass defense and Bolton in the run game, the young LBs look to be pretty solid when healthly!

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And Gay is stout against the run too!

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Imo Gay is the better run defender now as well, not a knock on Bolton, who has done very well, but he's got Superior range and is just as physical

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Seth, it feels like a down trend on Bolton since Hitchens return? Is that just lack of snaps to go around or something else?

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They're stuck in nickel and dime more in the last few games, which means Bolton comes off the field.

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Elliott*

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Ha!

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As a Chiefs fan, I thought I'd never get to watch another Chiefs linebacker as fast, instinctual and athletic as a young DJ was. However, I think Gay might be even faster and more athletic! Hopefully he is adjusting to life in Kansas City and the NFL and mentally/emotionally is doing better now. He could be really fun to watch for years to come! Thanks, Seth

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DJ is an impossible comparison. Just no one like him. For Gay to approach him he'll need to show freakish instincts as well, which DJ eventually developed. Loved watching that dude play.

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DJ is by far my favorite player (I mean, we were born on the same day and all). I’ve been patiently waiting for someone to fill that role and my hopes are high with Willie.

Thank you for keeping us informed and I’m watching my mailbox every day 😉

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hahaha I owe you an email, I'm looking desperately for a container!

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This is fantastic. The defense stopped everything and all the short plays had me worried

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Is he getting a breather on some of the 3rd downs or does Spags actually think Neiman is a better option on some downs. I dont get that.

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I do not have a good answer for their decision there. They have shown a clear tendency to trust incumbents and guys who have been in the system longer. I don't agree with it at all, but that seems to be what it is.

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Love the confirmation of the eye test on Gay. He really should be the dime LB instead of Niemann with his speed, athleticism, and recognition. Definitely the best linebacker the Chiefs have had since DJ.

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The fact that they don't have Gay out there 100% of the time is a source of neverending confusion and frustration for me.

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