Chiefs' defense stands out

Every week, ESPN analyst Eric Allen highlights a special unit or player. This week's pick is the Kansas City Chiefs' defense.

Updated: September 12, 2005, 7:45 PM ET
By Eric Allen | ESPN Insider
The Kansas City Chiefs made some major moves this offseason, and if Week 1 was any indication, those moves paid off. The Chiefs and the Minnesota Vikings were the two teams that made major moves to balance out the difference between their explosive offenses and wayward defenses. The Chiefs have assimilated their new players seamlessly, whereas the Vikings seem to have had more trouble.

Entering this week, all eyes were on the Chiefs. For the past few seasons, they've tinkered endlessly with the defense in terms of adding players, changing schemes, changing coordinators and drafting defensive players. This is supposed to be the season where it all comes together and results in a Super Bowl run or popular opinion states the team should be blown up.

After watching this team's Week 1 performance I think it's safe to say it won't need any dynamite at the end of the season. The three biggest free-agent additions this past offseason were CB Patrick Surtain, S Sammy Knight and LB Kendrell Bell. Surtain is in the prime of his career, and because he is so good in man coverage, he allows Chiefs defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham to be aggressive in his coverage schemes. He's one of the best cover corners in the league, and he still has the ability to shut down one side of the field against some of the best receivers in the game.


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Eric Allen

NFL studio analyst
Eric Allen, a 14-year NFL veteran and was one of the NFL's premier defensive backs, joined ESPN in August 2002 as an NFL studio analyst. His primary role is providing analysis for ESPNEWS' Monday Quarterback.

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