Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs placing hope in Barry Richardson on offensive line

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-10-2010, 11:54 PM

Chiefs placing hope in Barry Richardson on offensive line
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

It would be difficult to find an NFL team that has done a worse job over the last decade of drafting and developing offensive linemen than the Chiefs. Branden Albert is the only lineman drafted in the last 10 years who has gone on to become a productive player.

That’s why the Chiefs have a lot riding on the development of Barry Richardson, a sixth-round pick in 2008, who could wind up starting at right tackle in Monday night’s season opener against San Diego at Arrowhead Stadium.

Richardson would be replacing the injured Ryan O’Callaghan, who missed the last two preseason games because of a groin injury and hasn’t practiced much this week.

O’Callaghan may not get his job back when he’s healthy, and that could be a positive thing for the Chiefs. “When I was first here, Herm just told me every day to make one step of improvement,” Richardson said of former coach Herm Edwards. “It doesn’t have to be a giant step. It can be a tiny step, but just keep moving forward.”

The steps have been painfully slow at times for the Chiefs. The Chiefs needed a right tackle to begin the season last year and gave Richardson a trial then, but he clearly wasn’t ready.

He started one game for the Chiefs late last season against Cleveland when the Chiefs had no other realistic choice when O’Callaghan was injured.

But the Chiefs never gave up on Richardson and now may get their reward.

“Barry is one of those two-, three-year guys that I sat up here when the season ended and said you can’t just go to the grocery store and pick by everybody you want to fill every need you feel you have,” Chiefs coach Todd Haley said. “Some needs being greater than others, but this is a guy that falls into that group that I felt like developed throughout last year. He didn’t get many opportunities, but he was getting closer. He took the offseason to continue that development.”

Richardson missed some time because of an injury during training camp, but the Chiefs needed him when they lost O’Callaghan. Perhaps before he was ready to return, Richardson jumped into the lineup and hasn’t relinquished the spot yet.

“He came to a crossroads where he was kind of beat up, but we needed him, and he wanted to show us that he’s continuing to take steps,” Haley said. “He got in there, and he played probably more snaps than anybody else played in the preseason.

“I know he’s played a lot of snaps, and again he’s fighting through some bumps and bruises, and he continued to make improvement. Those are the critical guys for us because you can’t fill every hole, so we need to have our second-, third- and fourth-, even fifth-year guys continue to develop, make progress and help us to be better, be part of that process of us improving.”

Richardson doesn’t have the usual personality of someone charged with blocking some of the league’s better pass rushers. Shawne "roidman" Merriman probably won’t play for San Diego on Monday night because of an injury, but among those pass rushers Richardson could face is linebacker Shaun Phillips, who had at least seven sacks in each of the last five seasons.

“He’s a Pro Bowler,” Richardson said of Phillips. “He’s a beast.”

But Richardson warned not to believe that his quiet demeanor means he can’t get the job done.

“My personality off the field,” he said, “doesn’t reflect my on-field actions.”

Chargers at Chiefs
•WHEN: 9:15 p.m. Monday

•TV: ESPN, Ch. 9

Notes
•MONDAY NIGHT SIMULATION: Chiefs coach Todd Haley changed up his team’s practice schedule Friday, beginning the workout after sundown. The practice was supposed to be at Arrowhead Stadium, but nearby lightning forced the team to its indoor facility shortly before the workout was to begin. Earlier in the day, Haley said the change in time was an effort to improve players’ comfort as they get closer to Monday night’s game.

•IT WILL BE “FEEL” WITH RUNNING BACKS: Haley said the coaching staff has a plan on how to use running backs Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles. One factor, he said, was simply knowing the players’ strengths.

“There’s a great deal of feel involved in some of these situations,” Haley said. Haley hasn’t announced a starter for Monday, but Jones is listed at the top of the latest depth chart.

•INJURY REPORT: Chiefs receiver Dexter McCluster (illness) and linebacker Cameron Sheffield (neck) missed Friday’s practice. Outside linebacker Tamba Hali (foot) and right tackle Ryan O’Callaghan (groin) were limited. For San Diego, linebacker Shawne "roidman" Merriman (Achilles’ tendon) and backup quarterback Billy Volek (knee) were limited participants Friday.

09-10-2010, 11:54 PM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $572813	Teicher: Chiefs placing hope in Barry Richardson on offensive line Chiefs placing hope in Barry Richardson on offensive line By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star It would be difficult to find an NFL team that has done a worse job over the last decade of drafting and developing offensive linemen than the Chiefs. Branden Albert is the only lineman drafted in the last 10 years who has gone on to become a productive player. That’s why the Chiefs have a lot riding on the development of Barry Richardson, a sixth-round pick in 2008, who could wind up starting at right tackle in Monday night’s season opener against San Diego at Arrowhead Stadium. Richardson would be replacing the injured Ryan O’Callaghan, who missed the last two preseason games because of a groin injury and hasn’t practiced much this week. O’Callaghan may not get his job back when he’s healthy, and that could be a positive thing for the Chiefs. “When I was first here, Herm just told me every day to make one step of improvement,” Richardson said of former coach Herm Edwards. “It doesn’t have to be a giant step. It can be a tiny step, but just keep moving forward.” The steps have been painfully slow at times for the Chiefs. The Chiefs needed a right tackle to begin the season last year and gave Richardson a trial then, but he clearly wasn’t ready. He started one game for the Chiefs late last season against Cleveland when the Chiefs had no other realistic choice when O’Callaghan was injured. But the Chiefs never gave up on Richardson and now may get their reward. “Barry is one of those two-, three-year guys that I sat up here when the season ended and said you can’t just go to the grocery store and pick by everybody you want to fill every need you feel you have,” Chiefs coach Todd Haley said. “Some needs being greater than others, but this is a guy that falls into that group that I felt like developed throughout last year. He didn’t get many opportunities, but he was getting closer. He took the offseason to continue that development.” Richardson missed some time because of an injury during training camp, but the Chiefs needed him when they lost O’Callaghan. Perhaps before he was ready to return, Richardson jumped into the lineup and hasn’t relinquished the spot yet. “He came to a crossroads where he was kind of beat up, but we needed him, and he wanted to show us that he’s continuing to take steps,” Haley said. “He got in there, and he played probably more snaps than anybody else played in the preseason. “I know he’s played a lot of snaps, and again he’s fighting through some bumps and bruises, and he continued to make improvement. Those are the critical guys for us because you can’t fill every hole, so we need to have our second-, third- and fourth-, even fifth-year guys continue to develop, make progress and help us to be better, be part of that process of us improving.” Richardson doesn’t have the usual personality of someone charged with blocking some of the league’s better pass rushers. Shawne "roidman" Merriman probably won’t play for San Diego on Monday night because of an injury, but among those pass rushers Richardson could face is linebacker Shaun Phillips, who had at least seven sacks in each of the last five seasons. “He’s a Pro Bowler,” Richardson said of Phillips. “He’s a beast.” But Richardson warned not to believe that his quiet demeanor means he can’t get the job done. “My personality off the field,” he said, “doesn’t reflect my on-field actions.” Chargers at Chiefs •WHEN: 9:15 p.m. Monday •TV: ESPN, Ch. 9 Notes •MONDAY NIGHT SIMULATION: Chiefs coach Todd Haley changed up his team’s practice schedule Friday, beginning the workout after sundown. The practice was supposed to be at Arrowhead Stadium, but nearby lightning forced the team to its indoor facility shortly before the workout was to begin. Earlier in the day, Haley said the change in time was an effort to improve players’ comfort as they get closer to Monday night’s game. •IT WILL BE “FEEL” WITH RUNNING BACKS: Haley said the coaching staff has a plan on how to use running backs Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles. One factor, he said, was simply knowing the players’ strengths. “There’s a great deal of feel involved in some of these situations,” Haley said. Haley hasn’t announced a starter for Monday, but Jones is listed at the top of the latest depth chart. •INJURY REPORT: Chiefs receiver Dexter McCluster (illness) and linebacker Cameron Sheffield (neck) missed Friday’s practice. Outside linebacker Tamba Hali (foot) and right tackle Ryan O’Callaghan (groin) were limited. For San Diego, linebacker Shawne "roidman" Merriman (Achilles’ tendon) and backup quarterback Billy Volek (knee) were limited participants Friday.
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