Football 2014: The Star’s annual special preview section
As columnist Sam Mellinger explains, few plays electrify a football stadium — and neutralize an opposing offense — like a thundering sack of the quarterback.
And this isn’t just the stuff of daydreams for the Chiefs, although we did choose to have a little fantasy fun with the four section covers (part of one is pictured) for Football 2014, our annual special preview — which also appeared in 48 pages of Sunday’s print editions of The Kansas City Star.
Check out the links below to read more:
Here in the land of barbecue and jazz, the Chiefs boast a rich history of putting opposing quarterbacks on their backsides. You’ll read how KC legends like Bobby Bell, Art Still, Neil Smith, Jared Allen and of course Derrick Thomas set the tone for fierce defense, and how hard-working heirs Justin Houston, Tamba Hali and rookie Dee Ford (pictured from left) are hungry to recapture that past glory.
You’ll also learn more about defensive line guru Craig Kuligowski of Mizzou and defensive end Ryan Mueller of Kansas State, as well as Blue Springs twins Carlos and Khalil Davis, who are aiming for a state-title threepeat before trading in their Wildcats uniforms for those of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Fantasy? Hardly.
Around here, sacking the quarterback is a way of life.
The Chiefs and the NFL
Sam Mellinger: KC Chiefs’ identity has been built on great pass rushers
Vahe Gregorian: Deacon Jones redirected football, and ripples remain in today’s NFL
Former Chiefs QB Trent Green knows well how a hit can change things
Other side of the sack: Brett Favre feels impact of being NFL’s most-hit QB
Chiefs’ ‘Pass Rush City’ started more than 50 years ago
The Star’s Kansas City Chiefs dream team of pass rushers
Drafting Derrick Thomas ushered in a decade of excellence for KC Chiefs
Counting down the greatest pass-rush moves of all-time, with GIFs
Sam Mellinger’s favorite NFL sack dances, with GIFs
The top five pass rushers in today’s NFL
KC Chiefs’ Eric Fisher is still a work in progress at left tackle
Chiefs hope to mimic Seattle’s defensive-line depth
What KC Chiefs general manager John Dorsey looks for in a pass rusher
Kansas City Chiefs’ history shows cornerbacks contribute to great pass rush
NFL blitz: Predictions, players to watch and more for the 2014 season
Predicting the Chiefs’ 2014 NFL schedule
Missouri, the SEC and the nation
Missouri assistant Craig Kuligowski produces NFL-ready defensive linemen
2014 Missouri football preview, with schedule
The Star’s top five Missouri pass rushers
SEC blitz: Projections, bowl teams and award winners for 2014
Defensive lines define dominance in SEC
NCAA blitz: College football award and conference champion predictions for 2014
Blair Kerkhoff: How will first College Football Playoff shape up? Look to past preseason polls
MIAA: Emporia State doesn’t let bad moment stunt its growth
Kansas, K-State and the Big 12
Kansas State’s Ryan Mueller overcame long odds and is hungry for more
2014 Kansas State football preview, with schedule
The Star’s top five K-State pass rushers
Linebacker Ben Heeney is a diamond on a rough KU football team
2014 Kansas football preview, with schedule
The Star’s top five Kansas pass rushers
Big 12 blitz: Projections, bowl teams and award winners for 2014
High schools
Blue Springs twins Carlos and Khalil Davis are double trouble for opponents
Suburban Conference Gold preview
Suburban Conference Red preview
Suburban Conference White preview
Suburban Conference Blue preview
| Jeff Rosen, jrosen@kcstar.com
This story was originally published August 21, 2014 at 11:20 AM with the headline "Football 2014: The Star’s annual special preview section."