Chiefs Gretz: Observations of One-on-One Battles on the Chiefs Line of Scrimmage - Page 6

**DaFace** · 08-08-2015, 09:31 AM

http://www.chiefsdigest.com/observat...-of-scrimmage/

If you like the article, be sure to click through the link and dig around the site a little. It's a pretty good resource these days for those who haven't seen it, and I always feel bad for costing them ad revenue by posting entire articles.

Observations of one-on-one battles on Chiefs’ line of scrimmage
By Bob Gretz

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – A single practice on any given day during a football season is but a snapshot that in the end helps make up what becomes a feature film of a team’s season.

Making evaluations and assumptions from a single practice like the Chiefs training camp session on Friday morning at Missouri Western State University is foolhardy.

But within the camp practices, there are moments when the skills of individual players show themselves.

No drill makes that happen more than the one-on-one matchup between linemen in pass protection and the pass rush. Once full pads go on in camp, these mano a mano battles are every day affairs.

In Friday’s practice, the Chiefs had 50 snaps of pass pro-pass rush. Here’s a look at what went down in those competitions.

Offense

The offensive line must block a pass rusher without help from mates, which seldom happens during a game. But it’s during these plays where the blockers individual skills are visible.

The most proficient pass protectors Friday were left tackle Eric Fisher and left guard Ben Grubbs.

Both men won three of their four chances against the Chiefs defense. Against defensive end Mike Catapano, Fisher struggled on his first opportunity. From that point, he handled outside linebackers Frank Zombo and Josh Martin, along with defensive tackle Charles Tuaau.

Grubbs was dominating in his three victories, handling Tuaau and defensive ends Vaughn Martin and Mike DeVito. Only defensive tackle Jaye Howard got the better of Grubbs, beating him on his outside shoulder with a nice rip move.

Right guard Jeff Allen had a good practice as well in pass protection. Allen split two snaps against DeVito and made a good adjustment with his hands in stopping rookie defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches.

Going into camp, the question marks on the Chiefs offensive line were at center and right tackle. So far Donald Stephenson has been the No. 1 option at right tackle, but he struggled during Friday’s practice.

Against Allen Bailey, Stephenson got his hands on the defensive end but was not able to anchor himself and was driven back into the pocket. Linebacker Dezman Moses beat Stephenson to the inside, as did Vaughn Martin. Against Josh Martin, he lost the hand-to-hand battle. On his last snap in protection, Stephenson saw outside linebacker Justin Houston beat him to the outside.

At center, Eric Kush had six snaps and won half of those. Kush was beaten badly by Howard on his first chance, but came back later and handled the big defensive tackle. He had a pair of victories against defensive tackle Hebron Fangupo, but was beaten badly by Tuaau on a straight-up bull rush.

Among the backups, rookie Mitch Morse worked at right guard and center, winning twice. Right guard Zach Fulton won two of his snaps. Working at left guard, Paul Fanaika had two good snaps, followed by two not so good efforts.

Defense

Catapano and Howard were the best pass rushers on the field for the Chiefs defense in Friday’s work. The bigger and leaner Catapano came on the rush from end and inside at tackle. He beat Fisher to the outside, ran over tackle Jarrod Pughsley with a bull rush and beat Fanaika with an inside move.

Howard showed great quickness and technique when he beat Kush with a swim move, leaving the center grabbing at air. He used the same move to beat right guard Marcus Reed. Howard was the only rusher to dent Grubbs’ day, with a move on the left shoulder of the left guard that gave him a leverage advantage.

Vaughn Martin and Tuaau both had some nice snaps bringing pressure inside. Bailey had several victories, but also was stopped cold other times.

Undrafted rookie linebacker Sage Harold showed he has pass rush skills, with a quick first step and a powerful first contact with the blocker. He beat offensive tackle Tavon Rooks to the outside and got inside against Pughsley.

Overall, it was good work for both the offense and defense.

They’ll do it all again on Saturday and in just about every practice until January.

Mr. Laz · 08-09-2015, 09:06 AM

Stephenson is starting to feel like a huge disappointment.

Hopefully it's just articles and he will step-up during the games.

milkman · 08-09-2015, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

Stephenson is starting to feel like a huge disappointment.

Hopefully it's just articles and he will step-up during the games.

I was concerned about Stephenson long before the start of camp.

I am beginning to think he doesn't even make this team.

Marcellus · 08-09-2015, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

I was concerned about Stephenson long before the start of camp.

I am beginning to think he doesn't even make this team.

Good, if he doesnt make the team then we have upgraded.

Very strange though he seemed to have a nice start to his career and then has just fizzled.

milkman · 08-09-2015, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Good, if he doesnt make the team then we have upgraded.

Very strange though he seemed to have a nice start to his career and then has just fizzled.

Stephenson failing to work out is not good for this team.

Even if he won/wins the job at RT, he still would be the primary backup at LT.

We don't have that swing tackle without him.

Saccopoo · 08-09-2015, 10:23 AM

Holy shit...a single day's report on one on one line match ups that were a mere four different snaps/matchups and you guys are already making immediate judgements?

There is no way possible that it's "failing to work" for anybody at this point.

saphojunkie · 08-09-2015, 10:42 AM

I have hated Stephenson since the moment we didn't draft Russell Wilson. The sooner he is beat out for a roster spot, the faster my healing can begin. But Milkman is right - there's a difference between not making the roster and getting beat out by a better player.

Hopefully he isn't on the team because other players have ascended, and not because Scott Pioli is a giant smoking turd.

Mr. Laz · 08-09-2015, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

I have hated Stephenson since the moment we didn't draft Russell Wilson. The sooner he is beat out for a roster spot, the faster my healing can begin. But Milkman is right - there's a difference between not making the roster and getting beat out by a better player.

Hopefully he isn't on the team because other players have ascended, and not because Scott Pioli is a giant smoking turd.

dumb,dumb and more dumb

If you dislike a player because someone better was drafted behind him then you don't like about 90% of the nfl.

**Dave Lane** · 08-09-2015, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by staylor26

Catapano has flashed big time pass rush ability in college and in his rookie season (watch the video I posted a couple posts above). He says "he's meanest leanest 290 in the NFL" and has backed it up so far in camp. He has all the measurables and intangibles to succeed in the NFL. This coaching staff has demonstrated their ability to coach up the talent at hand. What the **** else do you need?

I watched the video from a dispassionate viewpoint and honestly I saw nothing in there that says star. It looks like he can play a role on this team but hopefully he never sees the field because everyone ahead of him looks great. If he develops into the next Houston then fantastic.

Bottom line he's done nothing to deserve accolades. I hope he becomes a holy terror but I don't see any sign of it yet.

08-08-2015, 09:31 AM
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $2026899	Gretz: Observations of One-on-One Battles on the Chiefs Line of Scrimmage http://www.chiefsdigest.com/observat...-of-scrimmage/ If you like the article, be sure to click through the link and dig around the site a little. It's a pretty good resource these days for those who haven't seen it, and I always feel bad for costing them ad revenue by posting entire articles. Observations of one-on-one battles on Chiefs’ line of scrimmage By Bob Gretz ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – A single practice on any given day during a football season is but a snapshot that in the end helps make up what becomes a feature film of a team’s season. Making evaluations and assumptions from a single practice like the Chiefs training camp session on Friday morning at Missouri Western State University is foolhardy. But within the camp practices, there are moments when the skills of individual players show themselves. No drill makes that happen more than the one-on-one matchup between linemen in pass protection and the pass rush. Once full pads go on in camp, these mano a mano battles are every day affairs. In Friday’s practice, the Chiefs had 50 snaps of pass pro-pass rush. Here’s a look at what went down in those competitions. Offense The offensive line must block a pass rusher without help from mates, which seldom happens during a game. But it’s during these plays where the blockers individual skills are visible. The most proficient pass protectors Friday were left tackle Eric Fisher and left guard Ben Grubbs. Both men won three of their four chances against the Chiefs defense. Against defensive end Mike Catapano, Fisher struggled on his first opportunity. From that point, he handled outside linebackers Frank Zombo and Josh Martin, along with defensive tackle Charles Tuaau. Grubbs was dominating in his three victories, handling Tuaau and defensive ends Vaughn Martin and Mike DeVito. Only defensive tackle Jaye Howard got the better of Grubbs, beating him on his outside shoulder with a nice rip move. Right guard Jeff Allen had a good practice as well in pass protection. Allen split two snaps against DeVito and made a good adjustment with his hands in stopping rookie defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches. Going into camp, the question marks on the Chiefs offensive line were at center and right tackle. So far Donald Stephenson has been the No. 1 option at right tackle, but he struggled during Friday’s practice. Against Allen Bailey, Stephenson got his hands on the defensive end but was not able to anchor himself and was driven back into the pocket. Linebacker Dezman Moses beat Stephenson to the inside, as did Vaughn Martin. Against Josh Martin, he lost the hand-to-hand battle. On his last snap in protection, Stephenson saw outside linebacker Justin Houston beat him to the outside. At center, Eric Kush had six snaps and won half of those. Kush was beaten badly by Howard on his first chance, but came back later and handled the big defensive tackle. He had a pair of victories against defensive tackle Hebron Fangupo, but was beaten badly by Tuaau on a straight-up bull rush. Among the backups, rookie Mitch Morse worked at right guard and center, winning twice. Right guard Zach Fulton won two of his snaps. Working at left guard, Paul Fanaika had two good snaps, followed by two not so good efforts. Defense Catapano and Howard were the best pass rushers on the field for the Chiefs defense in Friday’s work. The bigger and leaner Catapano came on the rush from end and inside at tackle. He beat Fisher to the outside, ran over tackle Jarrod Pughsley with a bull rush and beat Fanaika with an inside move. Howard showed great quickness and technique when he beat Kush with a swim move, leaving the center grabbing at air. He used the same move to beat right guard Marcus Reed. Howard was the only rusher to dent Grubbs’ day, with a move on the left shoulder of the left guard that gave him a leverage advantage. Vaughn Martin and Tuaau both had some nice snaps bringing pressure inside. Bailey had several victories, but also was stopped cold other times. Undrafted rookie linebacker Sage Harold showed he has pass rush skills, with a quick first step and a powerful first contact with the blocker. He beat offensive tackle Tavon Rooks to the outside and got inside against Pughsley. Overall, it was good work for both the offense and defense. They’ll do it all again on Saturday and in just about every practice until January.
Posts: 51,772

08-09-2015, 09:06 AM	#76
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	Stephenson is starting to feel like a huge disappointment. Hopefully it's just articles and he will step-up during the games. __________________
Posts: 95,626

08-09-2015, 10:23 AM	#80
Saccopoo Kindness in words... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Zion Casino cash: $10025483	Holy shit...a single day's report on one on one line match ups that were a mere four different snaps/matchups and you guys are already making immediate judgements? There is no way possible that it's "failing to work" for anybody at this point.
Posts: 15,450

08-09-2015, 10:42 AM	#81
saphojunkie MVP Join Date: Aug 2011 Casino cash: $4746250	I have hated Stephenson since the moment we didn't draft Russell Wilson. The sooner he is beat out for a roster spot, the faster my healing can begin. But Milkman is right - there's a difference between not making the roster and getting beat out by a better player. Hopefully he isn't on the team because other players have ascended, and not because Scott Pioli is a giant smoking turd.
Posts: 12,572