All of the beloved fans among the sea of red in Chiefs Kingdom who avidly follow the Kansas City Chiefs know that 2014 first round draft pick Dee Ford had a quiet rookie season. After a statistical breakdown evaluating Dee Ford’s 2014 rookie season, Ford showed he was packed full of potential even after a subpar year. Ford stayed on course, and did his part for the team to set himself up for a successful NFL career. Ford’s numbers in his rookie season compared to 2015 simply cannot be compared. That year, Ford found himself with a bigger role on the team, and was more than capable being a high contributor for the Chiefs.
Dee Ford Career Breakdown: 2015 Season
Ford’s 2015 Stats
With his rookie year in the rear-view mirror, Ford had the opportunity to display his success shining within. There is no secret that Ford was poised for success coming into the 2015 season. Ford held higher expectations, as he needed to be solid a contributor for the team.
With no surprise, Ford stepped up and became a player who could change the game with his dominating presence. Ford had a much improved season in 2015, as his numbers did nothing but improve. The most obvious reason for his suddenly increasing stats was due to him seeing the field more. The quick uptick in his stats showed fans he was not only an extra body on the football field. Fans now see that Ford can play some high motor football.
In his second NFL season, Ford held advantages some on the depth chart could not change. His youth and above average agility within his position helped him shine above others. This created more opportunities for Ford to produce on the football field. Beside Ford’s evoking potential as an overall football player, his youth gave him the chance to play above many of the aging veterans on the team. His game obviously became more adapted to the NFL, for one obvious reason, which is starts. Ford had a sudden jump in starting roles, from none in 2014 to five a year later.
Ford had the chance to pad his stats in 2015. Zero starts to five in just one season gave him the opportunity to rise. His stats in year two of his NFL career were eye-popping compared to his rookie season. Ford combined for 23 total tackles, a remarkable jump from 2014, where he only tallied seven. This does not take a mathematical genius to see a difference in numbers between 2014 and 2015.
Seeing his numbers increase created an attractive hope for Ford to only improve season by season. This means if Ford stays injury free in the years to come, he will expand his game more and more, and produce substantially for the franchise.
2015 Franchise Role
In 2015, Ford became a well-known contributor for the team. His quicker playing style, aggressiveness on defense, and his big heart for the game helped him become a familiar face on the defensive side of the football. The questions pertaining to Ford’s overall ability quieted down, as he became a player everyone expected to contribute. Ford handled the quick franchise role change very well. He went out on the field and played his game.
2015 was the year Ford showed why he deserved to play in the NFL, and deserved the important title of a “first round draft pick”. There are plenty of players in the NFL who get drafted in the first round only to perform terribly. Luckily for Kansas City, this was not the case in Dee Ford.
Ford’s Best Game of 2015
December 13, 2015, also known as the “Game of Dee Ford.” in a defensive battle, the Chiefs prevailed in a 10-3 win. Not only did Ford have his best game of 2015, but also succeeded to own his career best game on statistical terms. Against Kansas City’s divisional rival the Los Angeles Chargers (at the time the San Diego Chargers), Ford put up seven total tackles, all of which were solo tackles. Ironically enough, this number matches Ford’s total number of overall tackles as a rookie. Ford matched his total number of tackles in one game. It is funny that some fans still believe Ford has no room to improve. In this particular game Ford was attracted to the football during this game, and was able to play his best game as a professional football player.
Production and contribution throughout the 2015 season became steady for Ford, as he contributed more and more. Chiefs Kingdom became used to Ford’s constant pressure on the ball and enjoyed seeing his game become more adapted to the NFL. Throughout the 2015 season, Ford usually had two or three solo tackles, along with an occasional sack. This was an upgrade versus his rookie season where a majority of his stat history shows zeros.
Concluding Ford’s 2015 Season
Obviously, the 2015 season was a definite upward step to success in the NFL for Ford. His rookie season was stable enough to stay with the team. But, as he went into his next season Ford needed to play some football with a more purposeful role. He did show up in 2015, and did everything he was asked to accomplish.
Oddly enough, all of a sudden the “wasted” first round pick in Dee Ford was not a waste at all. The undersized defensive end, and outside linebacker in 2014, became a fundamental challenge for opposing offenses to slow down in 2015. Dee Ford is by far the most versatile player on the defensive roster for the Chiefs. This is a beautiful thing to have, because it is not easy to have a “versatile” play style reputation in the NFL. After 2015, fans can now see and appreciate why the Chiefs drafted Ford. In 2015, Ford found himself with a bigger role on the team, and was more than capable being a high contributor for the Chiefs.
