Ben Niemann’s versatility pays off in Chiefs’ camp

With most of the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camps going behind closed doors, the normal flow of information has been absent. This leads to a greater focus than usual on the information we make receive via press conferences with staff and players.

One name that comes up repeatedly in the pressers is third-year linebacker Ben Niemann. Primarily deployed as a dime linebacker in 2018 and 2019, Niemann is looking to carve out a bigger role for himself in 2020. Linebacker Anthony Hitchens has acknowledged a change in Niemann’s approach and contribution so far at camp as well. .

HITCHES: “He’s improving every day. He is intelligent. He knows defense. He knows several positions. He has the opportunity and he is taking it right now. He played everywhere during the camp. He had a pick-six today at camp. He had TFLs. He studied and grew in his books as a player. He’s still young. He’s only entering third year, but he’s already making a huge leap this year.

The Iowa Hawkeye bond is certainly strong between Hitchens and Niemann, but this level of praise shouldn’t go unnoticed. Hitchens is the leader of this linebacker group and one of the key voices in the locker room in defense of the leaders.

The public praise and discussion of a “huge leap” out of Niemann certainly caught the attention of those taking part in the call, which led to a question being asked of head coach Andy Reid as well.

REID: “I think Ben got stronger over the year, and I thought that was important to him. So Ben has a great football spirit – a kid of a coach, all that – but with the physical strength, I think he added to that. I think he’s probably more familiar with the pattern, obviously – I think all defensive players are. But for him personally, I think he got a little stronger.

Niemann’s role as a dime linebacker doesn’t often require him to take blocks or anchor himself to stop a running back in his lanes. However, lining up on base lows or Steve Spagnuolo’s Nickel Buffalo Pack requires linebackers to be tough between tackles. Niemann getting stronger only helps him really line up in the multiple positions Hitchens also discussed.

Niemann himself discussed where he thought his biggest leap was when he spoke to the media on Friday.

NIEMANN: “Yes, I think being in second year in the Spags system makes me feel more comfortable. In college I didn’t play in the club, I wasn’t a linebacker in the club, my rookie year, we ran a 3-4 pattern that was totally different day and night than what we are now. Last year and this year was kind of my first two years in my experience as a true 4-3 inside linebacker, so I just think I’m more comfortable with the pattern. With Coach Spags, I think we’re now in year two of the program, we’re just trying to dive deeper, you know, understand the whole call. Last year, first year, you’re sort of writing your assignment, trying to be in the right place, come up with a correct line, and do a part. Now get a full understanding of everything, know what the guys around you are doing, why he calls these calls in certain situations and what are the strengths and weaknesses of these calls, who you have around you and how you use the other guys. “

While Niemann’s understanding of the playbook should help him play faster, so do any returning members of the Chiefs’ supporting corps. Even a player like Hitchens – who was responsible for putting everyone front on the same page last year – is certainly going to play faster in 2020 having the foundation from 2019.

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This understanding also gave Niemann the opportunity to rotate throughout the second tier for Spagnuolo’s defense in the camp. Niemann maintained his dime linebacker reps, but got WILL linebacker reps early on with Damien Wilson at SAM. A first look at the Chiefs’ first-team defense came during Saturday’s open-to-the-public practice, and Niemann maintained WILL’s linebacker role with Willie Gay Jr. at the SAM spot.

NIEMANN: “I just want to get into my book, learn as many spots as I can, so I can plug in and play where they need to. You know the rosters get mixed up, things change, guys come in, guys go, guys get injured, so just being able to plug in and play all over the place and this offseason has just tried to attack everything in terms of developing the playbook and all that. “

That versatility in the linebacker can make Niemann even more important in an uncertain NFL season. If Wilson, Hitchens, or Gay must be short on time, having a linebacker who knows the spots and keeps the communication strong is incredibly valuable.

It’s clear Niemann has been working really hard this offseason to keep his role on the squad – and maybe claim a starting spot. If Reid and Hitchens’ comments are more than just “camp hype,” there is reason to be optimistic about Niemann in 2020. If he has really taken a big step forward, Steve Spagnuolo might end up having some tough – but good – decisions to make in his linebacker rotation.