Chiefs' Chris Jones has the utmost respect for one rookie
The Kansas City Chiefs struck gold in their last draft class. Not only are they playing more rookies than any other playoff team, but these rookies are absolutely killing it. One of those rookies, George Karlaftis, is already showing he was a steal. Karlaftis has been great this year, and he already has the respect […]
The Kansas City Chiefs struck gold in their last draft class. Not only are they playing more rookies than any other playoff team, but these rookies are absolutely killing it. One of those rookies, George Karlaftis, is already showing he was a steal.
Karlaftis has been great this year, and he already has the respect of the team. Not only that, but he has the respect of Chris Jones, one of the best to do it in the league.
“My dog," Jones said of Karlaftis. "He’s got 5.5 (sacks on the season) – we can’t discredit the half. My dog, he works on it a lot with me after practice. We emphasize on getting to the quarterback with our front four and then with our front eight and he’s been taking it seriously and throughout the year he’s gotten better. We got to continue to push him to get better throughout the year.”
As you can see, Jones has the utmost respect for the rook. If he didn't he would have such kind words for a guy who just got there. He wouldn't be staying after practice putting extra work in to help a new guy get better.
If there is anyone Karlaftis should be learning from, I think it is Jones who, with the injured season by Aaron Donald, has now taken the crown for the best defensive tackle in the league.
"Just keep working," Karlaftis said of his 5.5 sacks on the year. "You know for me (it’s) drilling it in practice. I felt like from an individual perspective I was getting there, just missing my layups a lot. So, in practice with (Defensive Line) Coach (Joe) Cullen and (Assistant Defensive Line) Coach (Terry) Bradden (on) just working on my finishing a lot. I play with Chris (Jones) a lot on the same side and when you play with 9-5 (Chris Jones) they’re going to double him, so that benefits me a lot, too. It’s just a testament to the coaches and everyone around me.”
Not only does furious George, as they are now calling him, have 5.5 sacks in his last six games, but he also has the second most sacks on the team only trailing Jones who has 13.
Karlaftis will be a great player on this team for years to come. And, I think we can all agree that he and Jones will wreck opposing teams' offensive lines.
Featured Image Via Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
