KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs defense is a large reason the team is off to a 3-0 start.
Through three games, the Chiefs defense has 15 sacks after totaling 27 all of last season, a statistic also pointed out by David Skretta of the Associated Press on Twitter.
Sep 15, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) looks to the crowd before the game with the Dallas Cowboys at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won the game 17-16. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
In points allowed, opponents have totaled 34 on the season.
The Chiefs allowed 99 points in the same span last season.
And if there’s a player on the roster appreciating the current success, it’s linebacker Derrick Johnson, who’s been in Kansas City since being selected in the first round (15th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft.
Johnson shared his thoughts on the team’s start and defensive coordinator Bob Sutton’s system during a quick one-on-one post-practice chat in the locker room.
Below is a transcript of our conversation:
Johnson on comparing this year’s 3-0 start to the 3-0 start of 2010:
“I don’t really remember, but maybe if we win next week (against the New York Giants) you can ask me because that means hopefully we’ll be 4-0.
3-0, however you get it, it’s the same way. I mean it’s still early in the year for me to tell you this 3-0 is different than the last 3-0 because we know it’s hard to win in this league and however you get the wins, you get them.
I can tell you the way I feel now; we have a lot of confidence in our team. From a defensive part, we’re just doing things the right way and it’s showing up on film.”
Johnson on Sutton’s system:
“It’s very aggressive; it applies pressure to the offense to make them make quick decisions. With the athletic-style guys we have on this defense, Bob Sutton’s defense fits us really good. We’re showing up on Sundays, doing a pretty good job right now on defense, so hopefully it will hold up.”
Johnson on if Sutton is the best defensive coordinator he’s played for:
“It wouldn’t be fair to say that right now, but I can tell you I’m having the most fun I’ve ever had on a defense in a Bob Sutton defense.”
Notes: Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers (knee), tight ends Anthony Fasano (ankle) and Travis Kelce (knee), guard Jeff Allen (groin), fullback Anthony Sherman (knee) did not practice during the Monday morning session open to the media … Safety Kendrick Lewis was not present … Chiefs coach Andy Reid said after practice that Fasano and Kelce are “marking progress”… Reid said Lewis “rolled his ankle yesterday”… Reid said Sherman’s knee swelled from Thursday night’s game, but “should be OK” … Reid said Flowers is day-to-day.
