booger
08-28-2006, 07:27 AM
GRETZ: Along the Lines
Aug 28, 2006, 6:16:28 AM by Bob Gretz - FAQ
They are the engines that drive any team’s offense and defense. They are the big guys in the pit, the offensive and defensive linemen.
As the Chiefs have gone through their personnel meetings in the last week, there have been a lot of discussions about the line situations on both sides of the ball. To get done what they hope to do on offense, the line must play at the same level it has displayed for the last four years. To get done what they want to do on defense, the line must improve its play, especially on the inside.
Here’s an overview of the situation.
OFFENSIVE LINE
There hasn’t been a day since June where things have been nice and quiet along the offensive line. This unit was already in transition with the arrival of new coach John Matsko, who took over when Mike Solari was promoted to offensive coordinator.
Then John Welbourn retired, followed by Willie Roaf. Brian Waters was injured in the very first days of training camp and then Will Shields went down with an ankle sprain in pre-season game No. 2 against the New York Giants.
Quite obviously that’s led to a lot of juggling, with Kyle Turley stepping in for Roaf at left tackle and Kevin Sampson reclaimed the right tackle spot he lost last year. At times, Turley has looked rusty after his two-year layoff, but overall his effort has been good enough to hold the job. Sampson has displayed the same skills he showed last year before he was injured in the opening pre-season game: he’s a tough, hard-nosed run blocker and sometimes he struggles with pass protection.
Waters is back and Shields is expected to return for the regular season opener against Cincinnati in two weeks. So the Chiefs hope there is some stability in the immediate future. They need it because the second-line guys have not been very impressive. Chris Bober has played a great deal in three games and he’s really struggled at guard. Jordan Black has been inconsistent at both guard and tackle. Will Svitek has followed up a strong spring in NFL Europe and looks much more comfortable at tackle than he did last year as a rookie, but he’s far from a polished product.
Undrafted rookie Rudy Niswanger has been the surprise of the pre-season and it would be a surprise if he did not make the final 53-man roster. At worst, he’s headed for the practice squad. Same for draft choice Tre Stallings.
No one else has left much of an impression. In a time of retirements and injuries that’s a concern.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The Chiefs figure to carry nine defensive linemen, with four ends, four tackles and swing man who can go inside and outside.
Tamba Hali, Jared Allen and Eric Hicks are set outside. Hali and Allen will provide the pass rush. Inside, Ron Edwards, James Reed, Ryan Sims and Lional Dalton appear to have tickets for the opener. What’s lacking from that group is a real pass rusher at the tackle position. That’s why as the season progresses, Hali may find himself playing a bit of defensive tackle in pass rushing situations, along with defensive end and the standup linebacker role we saw him in against St. Louis.
The swingman in all of this is Jimmy Wilkerson, who has really had a fine pre-season and seems to be poised to have a big year. If he can continue to provide the push he’s shown, Wilkerson will provide some real flexibility to what Gunther Cunningham does with the defense.
The mystery here is Carlos Hall. When healthy, Hall has made contributions and plays. There’s no doubting his ability. But the Chiefs seriously doubt Hall’s availability. He’s spent way too much time sideline with a wide variety of ailments since he joined the team last year. Hall simply can’t be counted on and it will be interesting to see if the Chiefs leave a roster spot open for him.
Veteran John Browning doesn’t figure into the picture because of back problems that have kept him from practicing for weeks. In his 11th season, Browning’s career may be over. It’s become obvious that Junior Siavii’s time with the Chiefs is just about over. He’s spent way too much time watching, rather than practicing over the last six months. When Siavii has worn the helmet and gone to work, his production has been minimal.
The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs
http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2006/08/28/gretz_along_the_lines/
Aug 28, 2006, 6:16:28 AM by Bob Gretz - FAQ
They are the engines that drive any team’s offense and defense. They are the big guys in the pit, the offensive and defensive linemen.
As the Chiefs have gone through their personnel meetings in the last week, there have been a lot of discussions about the line situations on both sides of the ball. To get done what they hope to do on offense, the line must play at the same level it has displayed for the last four years. To get done what they want to do on defense, the line must improve its play, especially on the inside.
Here’s an overview of the situation.
OFFENSIVE LINE
There hasn’t been a day since June where things have been nice and quiet along the offensive line. This unit was already in transition with the arrival of new coach John Matsko, who took over when Mike Solari was promoted to offensive coordinator.
Then John Welbourn retired, followed by Willie Roaf. Brian Waters was injured in the very first days of training camp and then Will Shields went down with an ankle sprain in pre-season game No. 2 against the New York Giants.
Quite obviously that’s led to a lot of juggling, with Kyle Turley stepping in for Roaf at left tackle and Kevin Sampson reclaimed the right tackle spot he lost last year. At times, Turley has looked rusty after his two-year layoff, but overall his effort has been good enough to hold the job. Sampson has displayed the same skills he showed last year before he was injured in the opening pre-season game: he’s a tough, hard-nosed run blocker and sometimes he struggles with pass protection.
Waters is back and Shields is expected to return for the regular season opener against Cincinnati in two weeks. So the Chiefs hope there is some stability in the immediate future. They need it because the second-line guys have not been very impressive. Chris Bober has played a great deal in three games and he’s really struggled at guard. Jordan Black has been inconsistent at both guard and tackle. Will Svitek has followed up a strong spring in NFL Europe and looks much more comfortable at tackle than he did last year as a rookie, but he’s far from a polished product.
Undrafted rookie Rudy Niswanger has been the surprise of the pre-season and it would be a surprise if he did not make the final 53-man roster. At worst, he’s headed for the practice squad. Same for draft choice Tre Stallings.
No one else has left much of an impression. In a time of retirements and injuries that’s a concern.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The Chiefs figure to carry nine defensive linemen, with four ends, four tackles and swing man who can go inside and outside.
Tamba Hali, Jared Allen and Eric Hicks are set outside. Hali and Allen will provide the pass rush. Inside, Ron Edwards, James Reed, Ryan Sims and Lional Dalton appear to have tickets for the opener. What’s lacking from that group is a real pass rusher at the tackle position. That’s why as the season progresses, Hali may find himself playing a bit of defensive tackle in pass rushing situations, along with defensive end and the standup linebacker role we saw him in against St. Louis.
The swingman in all of this is Jimmy Wilkerson, who has really had a fine pre-season and seems to be poised to have a big year. If he can continue to provide the push he’s shown, Wilkerson will provide some real flexibility to what Gunther Cunningham does with the defense.
The mystery here is Carlos Hall. When healthy, Hall has made contributions and plays. There’s no doubting his ability. But the Chiefs seriously doubt Hall’s availability. He’s spent way too much time sideline with a wide variety of ailments since he joined the team last year. Hall simply can’t be counted on and it will be interesting to see if the Chiefs leave a roster spot open for him.
Veteran John Browning doesn’t figure into the picture because of back problems that have kept him from practicing for weeks. In his 11th season, Browning’s career may be over. It’s become obvious that Junior Siavii’s time with the Chiefs is just about over. He’s spent way too much time watching, rather than practicing over the last six months. When Siavii has worn the helmet and gone to work, his production has been minimal.
The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs
http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2006/08/28/gretz_along_the_lines/