Hali

Tamba Hali is possibly the best player on the Kansas City Chiefs defense. He has been a consistent pass rushing source, and at times, our only pass rushing source. He showed how dominant he can be last season by recording 14.5 sacks.

After not being able to work out a new contract with the Chiefs just yet, the Chiefs decided to make Hali their franchise player for the 2011 season. But as we are about to pay Hali a franchise player type salary for next season, some wonder if Hali has peaked. Some wonder if he will ever have the type of season that he did last year.

So what if he doesn't?

He doesn't have to repeat last season's numbers to be worth the money. And pardon my comparison, but I'm going for it. Derek Thomas, also drafted out of college as a defensive end, put up a ridiculous 20.0 sacks in his second season with the Chiefs. He would never match those same numbers again. The most Thomas would ever finish with after his sophomore year is 14.5. Plus, let's not forgot how he was teamed up with Neil Smith, another dominating force as a pass rusher. Both players enabled the other to be at their best; you can't double team both of them.

Tamba Hali has been missing that other dominant pass rusher like Thomas had, ever since Jared Allen was traded away.

If Hali gets another pass rusher opposite him that can cause disruption, then Hali could conceivably have an even better season than this year. But, even if he doesn't, that doesn't mean he's not worth the money. As long as Hali remains consistent, then he doesn't have to be great. I wouldn't mind Hali never getting over 14.5 sacks if he keeps his numbers up around the 10 mark for the next few seasons.

If the Chiefs could find that complementary pass rusher, that 'Neil Smith' type of player, then I have no doubt that Hali could be that 'Derrick Thomas' like player, even if he doesn't put up the same numbers.