The 2013 Chiefs have changed plenty of perceptions about the franchise. Among the players now viewed differently is defensive lineman Tyson Jackson.
Previously regarded as a bust from a 2009 first-round class chock full of them, Jackson has drawn rave reviews for his performance in his fifth NFL season.
“He’s just an incredibly alert and smart football player,” defensive coordinator Bob Sutton said, via Jeffrey Flanagan of FOXSportsKansasCity.com. “You know, he’s not going to get all the publicity because he does all the dirty work in there. But he’s having a great season.”
Jackson isn’t getting the glory because he’s not getting the sacks. But he’s helping guys like Justin Houston, Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali, and Dontari Poe get the sacks.
“The hard job is to go in there and bang heads and nobody knows or sees what you’re doing,” Sutton said. “Everybody would like to be the guy that got the sack or the interception or whatever, but somebody has to do these other jobs up front. That’s what he does.”
Coach Andy Reid also has praised Jackson not for his brawn but his brains.
“I will put my money on him as being one of the smartest defensive linemen in the National Football League,” coach Andy Reid said. “All the little things, like just knowing what’s going on prior to the snap. I’m not sure I’ve been around one that quite has that feel that he has. He’s very intelligent. I don’t know what his GPA was or anything like that. I’m just telling you, football-wise, he is a sharp cookie.”
Jackson is satisfied to get noticed by his coaches, even if he’s not getting noticed by others.
“I think from a media standpoint it’s like, ‘Oh, the guy is not producing,’” Jackson said. “But to guys who know the X’s and O’s about football, they know what I’m doing. . . . As long as we keep winning, I’m cool with it.”
As long as the Chiefs keep winning, everyone will be cool with it. Except the teams the Chiefs play and their fans.
On Sunday, looks for Jackson and the Chiefs to get to 8-0. To the chagrin of the Browns and their fans.
