Tamba Hali emerges as winner against former teammate
Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali got the best of his buddy, Miami’s Branden Albert, who spent six seasons as Kansas City’s starting left tackle.
Hali had a sack, forced a fumble recovered by Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and made five tackles in the Chiefs’ 34-15 win Sunday.
“It was tough going against my friend,” Hali said. “He’s one of the best players in the league. He knows all my moves, I know all his moves, but it was fun.”
The inside story
Chiefs coach Andy Reid was heartened by the play of inside linebackers Josh Mauga and James-Michael Johnson, who have replaced injured starters Derrick Johnson and Joe Mays.
Mauga had five tackles Sunday, and Johnson had four.
“For the two young linebackers who stepped in and played, my hat’s off to them,” Reid said. “Stepping in for D.J. and Mays … that’s not an easy thing to do.”
To reach Randy Covitz, call 816-234-4796 or send email to rcovitz@kcstar.com. Follow him on Twitter at @randycovitz.
This story was originally published September 21, 2014 at 11:40 PM with the headline "Tamba Hali emerges as winner against former teammate."