When a team drafts a player at No. 11 overall, there are certain expectations. The Kansas City Chiefs are trying to lower the expectations for defensive tackle Dontari Poe.
The Memphis product hasn't received a ton of reps early in training camp. Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel recently was asked what Poe needs to work on to get on the field more.
"A lot," Crennel said. "He needs to work on technique, he needs to work on understanding the system, he needs to get the calls correct all the time. He's got a ways to go."
This isn't just coach speak. The Chiefs would love Poe to start. A second-year undrafted player named Anthony Toribio, who spent last year on the practice squad, currently is lined up as a starter. Poe is getting snaps in some passing situations.
Poe told the Kansas City Star that he has struggled to adjust to his new nose tackle spot.
"It's all different," he said. "The technique of it, there's nothing the same about the college level. The only thing the same is that it's football. As far as the speed level and the strength and all that, you've got to learn it all."
We love the young Chiefs defense, but the interior defensive line could be a weakness. Poe is the guy who's supposed to help them there, and he doesn't sound ready.
