Linebacker Versatility Could Aid Chandler Jones Sack Quest

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Last year, Chandler Jones found himself asking a lot of questions of his fellow starting outside linebacker Terrell Suggs.


This year it's the opposite with Devon Kennard .


"Not that I don't ask Devon questions but he's asking me a lot of questions," the all-pro pass rusher said Monday. "I have to realize I am the older guy in the room now."


It's not the only way things are different for Jones this year, though, going from Suggs to Kennard. Suggs, the aging veteran, played one spot, on the right. Jones was on the left, at least until Suggs was released late in the year. This year, Jones and Kennard had a discussion right before camp about preferences between playing on the right or left side – and because both are flexible, it creates flexibility for defensive coordinator Vance Joseph as well.


"Hopefully," Joseph said, "we can get Chan more one-on-ones."


Isolating a guy who had 19 sacks and is one of the best sack artists in the league right now might be a difficult task. Kennard, who had seven sacks a year ago, isn't so much the guy who defenses will focus upon as much as a versatile piece that can open up avenues for which Joseph to put Jones in premier places.


"I've tried to study and prepare myself to do multiple things and let Chandler be Chandler," Kennard said. "We'll have the chance to not just be stagnant."


That versatility isn't just with Jones and Kennard, Jones said. He points to new outside linebacker Haason Reddick – who spent the last two seasons on the inside – as giving the Cards something similar. There is also rookie Isaiah Simmons , who comes into the league with versatility as his biggest selling point.


"We have a lot of guys who are, quote-unquote 'interchangeable,' " Jones said.

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