This seems to be our biggest need at the moment, which is completely frustrating, considering we have derrick johnson at the position.

Still, regardless of what we think of Haley and his benching of DJ, the guy simply has never performed up to his

Linebacker Derrick Johnson has signed a restricted free agent tender and will remain with the Chiefs.

The National Football Post talks about a tidbit concerning the future of Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson and moving him this offseason:
There was a buzz during the season that the Kansas City Chiefs would move to trade former first-round draft pick Derrick

According to the NFL Network with the NFL trading deadline ending October 20th, both Glenn Dorsey and Derrick Johnson are on the trading block.
Is anyone shocked? Does anyone care?
Yes, it seems that the current “REGIME” is not happy with the progress

The KC Star says that for now, LB Derrick Johnson is not having any issues with not being a starter:
Derrick Johnson still hasn’t asked. He said he doesn’t care to know why he was demoted from the Chiefs’ starting linebacking corps six

Perhaps no other member of the 2008 Kansas City Chiefs’ defense was as instrumental to the unit’s dismal performance than outside linebacker Derrick Johnson.
The former All-America at the University of Texas possesses a rare combination of speed,

Mark Bradley joined this Kansas City team in September last year, and made his first appearance in week seven against the Titans. He made an immediate and impressive impact on the offense, as he caught a touchdown in three of his first six games before suffering from injuries to both calf muscles.
If given the chance to interview him, I would have several questions to ask him about both his NFL and college playing experience.
(1) How do you think Todd Haley’s background in wide receivers will help you this year? Do you think he can help you reach that next level as a player?
(2) What can you gain from an experienced wide receiver like Bobby Engram being here in Kansas City?
(3) How does this team replace the offensive leadership lost with the trade of Tony Gonzalez?
(4) What do you think the acquisition of Matt Cassel brings to this team?
(5) The pass you threw last year to Tyler Thigpen against the Buccaneers was the most memorable play of the entire season for Chiefs fans, what was going through your mind when Jamaal Charles tossed you that ball?
(6) You had a unique path in becoming a Sooner, playing two years at Arkansas-Pine Bluff before walking on at Oklahoma, and eventually earning a scholarship. How has that route changed the way you play the game?
(7) You and your father both played in the Orange Bowl while attending the University of Oklahoma. What was it like playing in that game and experiencing what your father did 20 years prior?
(8) You were called the “best athlete on the team” by coach Bob Stoops while at Oklahoma, and you played quarterback, cornerback, and wide receiver in high school. How did you come to decide your future in football was at wide receiver?
(9) As a former Oklahoma Sooner, how heartbreaking was it to watch the NCAA Championship game against Florida this past year?
(10) You played against teammate Derrick Johnson in college while he was playing for your rival, Texas. You got the the better of him in the red river rivalry both years you attended Oklahoma, have you given him a hard time about that?

Chiefs fans have been buzzing recently, speculating about the new 3-4 defense that Chiefs Head Coach Todd Haley and defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast have brought to Kansas City for the coming season. 
In this new defense, the focus will be on two positions; the weakside linebacker and a position new to Chiefs fans, known as the Predator.
In Arizona last season, Karlos Dansby excelled as the weakside linebacker, a role focused on getting up the field and making plays on the ballcarrier. For the Chiefs, this role will belong to Derrick Johnson who should flourish playing next to Zach Thomas.
The most important position in this defense, the Predator, is the root of all of the confusion over whether or not the formation should be considered a 3-4 or a 4-3.  Arizona Cardinals linebackers coach Bill Davis actually calls it the “4-3 Under.”
And while it can be debated as to what to call the Chiefs’ defense, one thing is certain, the Predator is the key to the success of this defense.  Easily defined, the Predator is a speed rushing defensive end who starts out in a two-point stance, and resembles the look of a fourth linebacker in a 3-4 set.  
The Predator will occasionally be asked to drop back into coverage, typically opposite a back or tight end.  The main responsibility, however, is to come off the edge and apply pressure to the quarterback. 
In Arizona last season, Bertrand Berry and Travis LaBoy each assumed the role of the Predator in the Cardinals’ defense. Between them, they combined for 53 tackles and nine sacks.  The Chiefs will be looking for similar production out of their Predator.
Both Berry and LaBoy played the position at 260 lbs, each with adequate burst off the edge to get up the field after the quarterback. For the Chiefs, the top two candidates for the job are Mike Vrabel and Tamba Hali. 
Vrabel, a 13-year veteran, played in a similar position at times in New England.  While he may lack the ideal speed to assume the role on a full-time basis, his experience will go a long way in getting players like Hali acclimated to the role.
Hali, who played defensive end in a true 4-3 set at 275 lbs last season, is in the process of dropping 15 to 20 lbs to transition to the Predator position.  In fact, Hali has already lined up at the Predator position earlier this week at OTAs.   
Considering Hali excelled at rushing the passer from a two-point stance while at Penn State, his transition to Predator in this defense shouldn’t be anywhere near as difficult as a lot of people think. 
Assuming he is able to drop the weight and get back down between the 250 and 260 lbs, Hali should be ready, willing, and able to supply the Chiefs with a pass rush they haven’t seen since trading Jared Allen to Minnesota after the 2007 season. 
For Hali, this season presents a unique opportunity he has yet to enjoy in previous Chiefs defenses.  He has a chance to take full advantage of the speed and edge rushing skills that made him a star for the Nittany Lions and a first-round pick in 2006. 
If he excels in his new role, Hali should not only enjoy his best season as a Chief, but the defense will be substantially better than a year ago.  
If Hali can’t get the job done, however, not only will the Chiefs’ defense struggle to stop opponents again in 2009, Hali will be looking for a new employer in 2010.