Tamba Hali, DE, Kansas City Chiefs

April 29, 2006 @ 14:26:44

By KFFL Staff and Nicholas Minnix
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

The Penn State Nittany Lions had one of the best defenses in 2005, limiting offenses to only 99.1 rushing yards and 207.5 passing yards per game. They held their opponents to only 17 points per game, which was the best in the NCAA, even with a schedule that included Northwestern, Minnesota, Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin. Defensive lineman Tamba Hali was a major factor in Penn State having such an incredible season in which they had an 11-1 record, including the Orange Bowl. With his incredible 2005 season, Hali became one of the top defensive prospects in the National Football League draft and the eventual 20th overall selection for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Positives

Hali is an incredible athlete who relies on his speed to get to the quarterback, which he was able to do very often in 2005. He led the Big 10 Conference with 11 sacks. Hali made most of his plays by simply getting past the tackle before he can be blocked, much like Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney.

While it may not be in his best interest to move back, Hali does have experience playing at defensive tackle. Although he had a decent season in 2004, he had a breakout year in 2005. A major factor in this was that he switched to defensive end during his junior year, so he is still adjusting to the position and should improve more than someone who has been playing the position his entire college career.

With the speed he has shown, it may also tempt teams who need an outside linebacker more than a defensive end since he has already shown the ability to adapt to a new position. He is also a very durable player and has started 34 of 35 games over the last three seasons.

Negatives

The biggest negative in Hali is his size. Hali weighed in at the Senior Bowl at only 6-foot-2, 267 pounds. He does have an impressively large frame but does lack the height that some teams look for in their defensive linemen. However, Freeney, who he was compared to earlier, is even smaller than Hali is and has become one of the best defensive players in the game today.

Another common knock on Hali is his lack of techniques and maneuvers to get to the passer. This is something that can be improved with a quality position coach in the pros.

Summary

Hali to the Chiefs makes for an interesting pick, especially because many prognosticators suspected Kansas City would go with a defensive back. Hali gives the Chiefs, who finished 30th in the league against the pass and tied for 26th in sacks, a potential impact player on defense who can get after the quarterback.

Assuming Hali is a starter right away, he could make an ideal complement to the team's other emerging defensive end, Jared Allen. An improved pass rush could take the heat off of Kansas City's beleaguered corners (including the injury-prone Patrick Surtain), who wouldn't have to cover for as long and might have the opportunities to make more big plays.

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Nicholas Minnix

KFFL's baseball editor plays in LABR and Tout Wars and won the FSWA Baseball Industry Insiders League in 2010.

The University of Delaware alum is a regular guest on Sirius/XM Fantasy Sports Radio and Baltimore's WNST AM 1570. Follow him on Twitter.

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