Tribal Warfare
03-23-2011, 02:00 AM
Haley mum on changes to Chiefs’ offensive line (http://www.kansascity.com/2011/03/22/2745816/haley-mum-on-changes-to-chiefs.html)
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
NEW ORLEANS | The Chiefs led the NFL in rushing and greatly reduced the number of sacks they allowed last year, but changes could be coming to their offensive line.
Coach Todd Haley, speaking at the NFL’s annual meetings, declined to commit to Branden Albert as the starting left tackle next season. Haley also had some interesting comments about left guard Brian Waters, who made the Pro Bowl for the fifth time in his career last season.
Haley wouldn’t discuss this subject, but some people in the Chiefs organization have said Waters was no better than the third-best offensive lineman on the team behind guard Ryan Lilja and center Casey Wiegmann.
Change could come naturally at center. Wiegmann, who will be 38 in July and has played 15 NFL seasons, is considering retirement.
Possible moves could be tied to the Chiefs’ final two games of last season, a regular-season loss to Oakland and a playoff defeat against Baltimore. The Chiefs had well under their season average in rushing yardage in each game and quarterback Matt Cassel was sacked a total of 10 times.
The decision regarding Albert is becoming an annual one for the Chiefs. They used a first-round draft pick in 2008 on Albert, hoping he could be their franchise left tackle.
But after three seasons, Albert is still having trouble establishing himself as that kind of player. It’s a good year for offensive tackles in the draft. As many as six appear to have the realistic potential of becoming solid NFL players over the long term, and that’s exactly the kind of player Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli prefers to the riskier boom or bust type.
Asked whether Albert will be his left tackle next season, Haley said, “We’ll see. He will be as long as he’s the best one.”
Haley then made it clear that the Chiefs haven’t given up on Albert. He played mostly at guard in college, so he was learning a new position when he arrived in Kansas City.
The Chiefs also asked him to play at a much lighter weight after Haley was hired, and Albert had some trouble adjusting. Given that, Haley said he doesn’t believe Albert has reached his potential.
“We won 10 games. Our sacks went down. We led the league in rushing,” Haley said. “Sometimes that’s what gets lost and those guys don’t get the credit. All the credit goes to the running back.
“When you’re a guy that played all the games on a team that’s done that … He’s playing a tough position where every week you’re lining up against a big gun. I think Branden did a terrific job and my expectations are great. Branden understands that.”
If they draft a replacement, the Chiefs would find a place for Albert either at right tackle or elsewhere on the line.
“It’s a key year for him,” Haley said. “Branden made terrific strides from our year one to our year two. He’s really grown as a professional as far as his understanding of what it takes to be a real good player in our league. I know that’s what Branden wants to be.
“Competition is always good. Anytime we can bring in good players at a position, we’ll do it.”
Haley began his comments on Waters, 34, by saying he had a “terrific year.” He then added, “Things start to happen to guys when you get to the age where he is. He was recognized by his peers last year (with selection to the Pro Bowl), which was nice.
“You never know how everything is going to go. We’re trying to get better. We’ll do anything and everything to try to create competition with the right kind of guys.”
The Chiefs last year drafted guard Jon Asamoah in the third round. While he was one of their few 2010 picks who played little as a rookie, the Chiefs believe Asamoah eventually will become a solid starter.
He started one game last year at guard in place of the injured Lilja, and the Chiefs had a season-high 274 yards in their win over Buffalo.
Running back Thomas Jones, who will be 33 in August, said after the playoff game that he would need some time before deciding whether he would return for a 12th NFL season. Haley said Jones would play again this season.
“I couldn’t be more excited about what Thomas Jones has brought to this team both as a player and as a leader,” Haley said of Jones, who had 15 more carries than Jamaal Charles last season but almost 600 fewer yards.
“He’s the epitome of the same guy every day. We’ve got a little plan for Thomas that I’m excited about getting to. I’m excited to have Thomas back. He’s a big part of what we’re doing.”
Neither Wiegmann nor linebacker Mike Vrabel, who will be 36 in August, has a contract for 2011. Asked whether Vrabel would play next season, Haley said, “I don’t know. He’s done it for a long time. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
The Chiefs likely will accept both players back. But each could have his playing time reduced.
“I don’t think I’m allowed to talk about anybody not under contract,” Haley said. “But I can’t say anything but great things about Mike Vrabel. The same thing with Casey. Those are guys that were difference-makers for us.”
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
NEW ORLEANS | The Chiefs led the NFL in rushing and greatly reduced the number of sacks they allowed last year, but changes could be coming to their offensive line.
Coach Todd Haley, speaking at the NFL’s annual meetings, declined to commit to Branden Albert as the starting left tackle next season. Haley also had some interesting comments about left guard Brian Waters, who made the Pro Bowl for the fifth time in his career last season.
Haley wouldn’t discuss this subject, but some people in the Chiefs organization have said Waters was no better than the third-best offensive lineman on the team behind guard Ryan Lilja and center Casey Wiegmann.
Change could come naturally at center. Wiegmann, who will be 38 in July and has played 15 NFL seasons, is considering retirement.
Possible moves could be tied to the Chiefs’ final two games of last season, a regular-season loss to Oakland and a playoff defeat against Baltimore. The Chiefs had well under their season average in rushing yardage in each game and quarterback Matt Cassel was sacked a total of 10 times.
The decision regarding Albert is becoming an annual one for the Chiefs. They used a first-round draft pick in 2008 on Albert, hoping he could be their franchise left tackle.
But after three seasons, Albert is still having trouble establishing himself as that kind of player. It’s a good year for offensive tackles in the draft. As many as six appear to have the realistic potential of becoming solid NFL players over the long term, and that’s exactly the kind of player Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli prefers to the riskier boom or bust type.
Asked whether Albert will be his left tackle next season, Haley said, “We’ll see. He will be as long as he’s the best one.”
Haley then made it clear that the Chiefs haven’t given up on Albert. He played mostly at guard in college, so he was learning a new position when he arrived in Kansas City.
The Chiefs also asked him to play at a much lighter weight after Haley was hired, and Albert had some trouble adjusting. Given that, Haley said he doesn’t believe Albert has reached his potential.
“We won 10 games. Our sacks went down. We led the league in rushing,” Haley said. “Sometimes that’s what gets lost and those guys don’t get the credit. All the credit goes to the running back.
“When you’re a guy that played all the games on a team that’s done that … He’s playing a tough position where every week you’re lining up against a big gun. I think Branden did a terrific job and my expectations are great. Branden understands that.”
If they draft a replacement, the Chiefs would find a place for Albert either at right tackle or elsewhere on the line.
“It’s a key year for him,” Haley said. “Branden made terrific strides from our year one to our year two. He’s really grown as a professional as far as his understanding of what it takes to be a real good player in our league. I know that’s what Branden wants to be.
“Competition is always good. Anytime we can bring in good players at a position, we’ll do it.”
Haley began his comments on Waters, 34, by saying he had a “terrific year.” He then added, “Things start to happen to guys when you get to the age where he is. He was recognized by his peers last year (with selection to the Pro Bowl), which was nice.
“You never know how everything is going to go. We’re trying to get better. We’ll do anything and everything to try to create competition with the right kind of guys.”
The Chiefs last year drafted guard Jon Asamoah in the third round. While he was one of their few 2010 picks who played little as a rookie, the Chiefs believe Asamoah eventually will become a solid starter.
He started one game last year at guard in place of the injured Lilja, and the Chiefs had a season-high 274 yards in their win over Buffalo.
Running back Thomas Jones, who will be 33 in August, said after the playoff game that he would need some time before deciding whether he would return for a 12th NFL season. Haley said Jones would play again this season.
“I couldn’t be more excited about what Thomas Jones has brought to this team both as a player and as a leader,” Haley said of Jones, who had 15 more carries than Jamaal Charles last season but almost 600 fewer yards.
“He’s the epitome of the same guy every day. We’ve got a little plan for Thomas that I’m excited about getting to. I’m excited to have Thomas back. He’s a big part of what we’re doing.”
Neither Wiegmann nor linebacker Mike Vrabel, who will be 36 in August, has a contract for 2011. Asked whether Vrabel would play next season, Haley said, “I don’t know. He’s done it for a long time. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
The Chiefs likely will accept both players back. But each could have his playing time reduced.
“I don’t think I’m allowed to talk about anybody not under contract,” Haley said. “But I can’t say anything but great things about Mike Vrabel. The same thing with Casey. Those are guys that were difference-makers for us.”