Stopping Travis Kelce

[FireChans]

So this is a topic that has popped up in a few threads. Obviously Kelce dominated the NFL this season and has been the #1 TE in football for years now.

 

The question is, how do you stop this guy? And how do you stop him and not get burned?

 

I remember a game, I think 2013. Pats versus the Saints. Jimmy Graham, a star TE and arguably one of the best at his peak, he finished with 1200 yards and 16 TDs. BB had Aqib Talib on the roster (pre-Revis). The strategy was to have Talib press coverage on Jimmy G all game. Never let him off the line clean. He finished the game without a catch.

 

Now, the question is, this runs a little anti-McD’s zone defense scheme. Obviously you can run some mix zone-man coverages but man coverage on a TE isn’t something I think we have seen much of. And there is the fact that Jimmy had a rep of being “soft” that I don’t think Kelce does, but Kelce also isn’t a Kittle or Gronk who runs through guys with force.

 

Could the answer to stopping Kelce be a big body strong DB mauling him at the LOS? Is that the kind of player we should be targeting this offseason? Would a strategy like this open us up to getting burned by Hill? You could still bracket coverage on the outside with a high safety.

 

Would love to hear everyone’s thoughts on this, because I think Hill is easier to stop. Or rather, the way to stop or slow him down is more obvious. But the key to beating KC is to slow down Kelce without letting Hill burn you.

[Mr. WEO]

20 minutes ago, FireChans said:

So this is a topic that has popped up in a few threads. Obviously Kelce dominated the NFL this season and has been the #1 TE in football for years now.

 

The question is, how do you stop this guy? And how do you stop him and not get burned?

 

I remember a game, I think 2013. Pats versus the Saints. Jimmy Graham, a star TE and arguably one of the best at his peak, he finished with 1200 yards and 16 TDs. BB had Aqib Talib on the roster (pre-Revis). The strategy was to have Talib press coverage on Jimmy G all game. Never let him off the line clean. He finished the game without a catch.

 

Now, the question is, this runs a little anti-McD’s zone defense scheme. Obviously you can run some mix zone-man coverages but man coverage on a TE isn’t something I think we have seen much of. And there is the fact that Jimmy had a rep of being “soft” that I don’t think Kelce does, but Kelce also isn’t a Kittle or Gronk who runs through guys with force.

 

Could the answer to stopping Kelce be a big body strong DB mauling him at the LOS? Is that the kind of player we should be targeting this offseason? Would a strategy like this open us up to getting burned by Hill? You could still bracket coverage on the outside with a high safety.

 

Would love to hear everyone’s thoughts on this, because I think Hill is easier to stop. Or rather, the way to stop or slow him down is more obvious. But the key to beating KC is to slow down Kelce without letting Hill burn you.

 

 

Good point.

 

Talib is a bad man.  There isn't a single bad man on the Bills D.   Bills need at least one.  

[DJB]

This should help stop Kelce next game...

 

 

 

 

Edited February 2, 2021 by DJB

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

Keep him off of the field.  
 

control the TOP. 

[jkeerie]

26 minutes ago, FireChans said:

So this is a topic that has popped up in a few threads. Obviously Kelce dominated the NFL this season and has been the #1 TE in football for years now.

 

The question is, how do you stop this guy? And how do you stop him and not get burned?

 

I remember a game, I think 2013. Pats versus the Saints. Jimmy Graham, a star TE and arguably one of the best at his peak, he finished with 1200 yards and 16 TDs. BB had Aqib Talib on the roster (pre-Revis). The strategy was to have Talib press coverage on Jimmy G all game. Never let him off the line clean. He finished the game without a catch.

 

Now, the question is, this runs a little anti-McD’s zone defense scheme. Obviously you can run some mix zone-man coverages but man coverage on a TE isn’t something I think we have seen much of. And there is the fact that Jimmy had a rep of being “soft” that I don’t think Kelce does, but Kelce also isn’t a Kittle or Gronk who runs through guys with force.

 

Could the answer to stopping Kelce be a big body strong DB mauling him at the LOS? Is that the kind of player we should be targeting this offseason? Would a strategy like this open us up to getting burned by Hill? You could still bracket coverage on the outside with a high safety.

 

Would love to hear everyone’s thoughts on this, because I think Hill is easier to stop. Or rather, the way to stop or slow him down is more obvious. But the key to beating KC is to slow down Kelce without letting Hill burn you.

One of the things I hate about our D is that we always allow receivers a clean release off the LOS.  You are allowed contact within 5 yards for a reason.  You especially need to this if you don't have a great pass rush.

[Protocal69]

I think the combo of Kelce and Hill makes it impossible to their offense. Never seen 2 players skills compliment one another so well. I will even go on a limb and say if you separated them from each other they both would be as effective. You really cant play man because those 2 guys are unguardable but if you play zone with NO passrush then you are equally cooked. Best bet would be to keep everything in front of you BUT you have to get pressure with front 4 and block Kelce off the line

Edited February 2, 2021 by Protocal69

[Buddo]

You could try it.

 

I doubt it will work though.

 

The problem is that Kelce, while being a big unit, is also strong, and has WR moves if he needs them, to both get off the LOS, and open.

 

I do think that the best way to try and limit his effectiveness, is to harass him at the LOS, so you have a chance of messing up his routes, and the sort of 'normal' timing.

 

I also think that to do that, you need a guy with some smarts, speed and good size as well, and I'm talking LBer type size, not just a big DB.

 

That guy also needs to try and play 'man' on him, but with help in the backfield from a DB, in case he loses him.

 

Even then, you aren't going to totally stop him, mainly because of the understanding that he and Mahomes have when they need to go 'off script'.

 

I think that one of the keys to beating the Chiefs, is to actually run a genuine 4-3, with the extra LBer being there to try and disrupt Kelce.

 

[Bing Bong]

I think the Raiders consistently find a way to make it tough. Check out what they do vs the Chiefs.

[3rdand12]

3 minutes ago, Buddo said:

You could try it.

 

I doubt it will work though.

 

The problem is that Kelce, while being a big unit, is also strong, and has WR moves if he needs them, to both get off the LOS, and open.

 

I do think that the best way to try and limit his effectiveness, is to harass him at the LOS, so you have a chance of messing up his routes, and the sort of 'normal' timing.

 

I also think that to do that, you need a guy with some smarts, speed and good size as well, and I'm talking LBer type size, not just a big DB.

 

That guy also needs to try and play 'man' on him, but with help in the backfield from a DB, in case he loses him.

 

Even then, you aren't going to totally stop him, mainly because of the understanding that he and Mahomes have when they need to go 'off script'.

 

I think that one of the keys to beating the Chiefs, is to actually run a genuine 4-3, with the extra LBer being there to try and disrupt Kelce.

 

We do not have that player on the team. Edmunds would be 1st up and not so sure how that would pan out

[Rc2catch]

Is Tonya Harding still around? Sign her for gameday 

[Billl]

29 minutes ago, FireChans said:

 

Could the answer to stopping Kelce be a big body strong DB mauling him at the LOS? Is that the kind of player we should be targeting this offseason? Would a strategy like this open us up to getting burned by Hill? You could still bracket coverage on the outside with a high safety.

That’s probably your best bet, but most teams don’t have that guy.  I knew the game was over when the Bills put White on him in the slot and Kelce got across his face so immediately and ran away from him.  It was like watching prime Edelman getting open except Kelce did it against a guy 7 inches shorter and 85 pounds lighter than he is.  I’m pretty sure White would have been trampled if he went for a jam at the line, so that didn’t leave Buffalo with many options.

 

The key to slowing the Chiefs is to get consistent pressure with your front four while bracketing Hill and Kelce with safeties over the top and hoping your other Corners can stay with Hardman and Watkins long enough for the rush to get home.

[QCity]

6 minutes ago, Buddo said:

 

I think that one of the keys to beating the Chiefs, is to actually run a genuine 4-3, with the extra LBer being there to try and disrupt Kelce.

 

 

I don't think you'll stop him, but you can slow him somewhat. I'm a big advocate of using a LB to chip him at the LOS to disrupt timing. It will be very interesting to see how the Bucs use David and White against him.

[Billl]

9 minutes ago, FormerlyPT5P said:

I think the Raiders consistently find a way to make it tough. Check out what they do vs the Chiefs.

He went for 16, 235, and 2 on 22 targets in 2 games against them.  Not sure they’ve got the blueprint.

[Augie]

30 minutes ago, Rc2catch said:

Is Tonya Harding still around? Sign her for gameday 

 

I’d cut out the middle (wo)man and go straight to Jeff Gillooly. I just looked him up and it appears he’s available. I seem to have lost his contact on my phone, however. 

 

Duct tape is a close second @DJB . It’s up there with the Swiss Army knife and Windex for skin blemishes!  

Edited February 2, 2021 by Augie

[BaaadThingsMan]

Put someone up in his face every play. Chip him, knock him down and just basically ragdoll him all over the field as much as possible. Punish him if he does make a catch and even if he doesn't hit him in the mouth.  He'll get frustrated and lose focus. Problem is that Hill is on the same field so while you are beating Kelces ass, Hill is burning the rest of the guys for TDs.

[K-9]

52 minutes ago, FireChans said:

So this is a topic that has popped up in a few threads. Obviously Kelce dominated the NFL this season and has been the #1 TE in football for years now.

 

The question is, how do you stop this guy? And how do you stop him and not get burned?

 

I remember a game, I think 2013. Pats versus the Saints. Jimmy Graham, a star TE and arguably one of the best at his peak, he finished with 1200 yards and 16 TDs. BB had Aqib Talib on the roster (pre-Revis). The strategy was to have Talib press coverage on Jimmy G all game. Never let him off the line clean. He finished the game without a catch.

 

Now, the question is, this runs a little anti-McD’s zone defense scheme. Obviously you can run some mix zone-man coverages but man coverage on a TE isn’t something I think we have seen much of. And there is the fact that Jimmy had a rep of being “soft” that I don’t think Kelce does, but Kelce also isn’t a Kittle or Gronk who runs through guys with force.

 

Could the answer to stopping Kelce be a big body strong DB mauling him at the LOS? Is that the kind of player we should be targeting this offseason? Would a strategy like this open us up to getting burned by Hill? You could still bracket coverage on the outside with a high safety.

 

Would love to hear everyone’s thoughts on this, because I think Hill is easier to stop. Or rather, the way to stop or slow him down is more obvious. But the key to beating KC is to slow down Kelce without letting Hill burn you.

Tony Romo agrees with you as he said this repeatedly during the telecast. 
 

Problem is, Kelce is the least of the evils that KC presents. Kelce is less apt to beat you on a quick, long chunk play vs. Hill and their other options, so the idea is to make KC earn it more with Kelce. 
 

But, good luck with that. Nobody has done that with any consistency since Mahomes took the reins.

[Rubes]

I don't know how they'd stop Kelce, considering this defense wasn't able to stop any TE the entire season.

 

Edited February 2, 2021 by Rubes

[WotAGuy]

Put an OT in his face and block him for 5 yards?

[BaaadThingsMan]

This is one of the reasons the cheats won so many SBs. They knew how to take the other teams best player away. 

[Rock'em Sock'em]

DEFENSE:

Use two deep safeties

Double team Kelce

Pressure when they pass

Shed blockers and tackle the RB because it's 8-on-7 not counting the QB

 

OFFENSE:

Do what we do

Be capable of running the football against dime defense

Don't settle for FGs when you are inside the 5 unless your defense is working