NFL Draft Teicher: Tackle crop not as strong if Chiefs go that direction

**Tribal Warfare** · 04-26-2011, 01:47 AM

Tackle crop not as strong if Chiefs go that direction
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

If the Chiefs are looking to improve at offensive tackle — and they don’t seem thrilled with either of their two current starters — they should have shopped the draft last year. Then, plenty of top prospects were available.

The task would be more difficult this year, if it’s what the Chiefs choose to do.

“It’s really a class that lacks an elite superstar,” Pro Football Weekly draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki said. “Physically, the guy that has the most talent in this class is Tyron Smith, but there are a lot of concerns. He played at only 280 pounds at USC and he had a lot of trouble grasping the playbook. Guys that make a lot of mental errors and miss assignments, it’s a problem on the offensive line.

“Whether he’s the most sound pro, I have serious reservations. There are guys who are a little bit (safer), more sound, more consistent.”

Compare that to last year, when top prospects such as Russell Okung, Anthony Davis and Bryan Bulaga were available to the Chiefs with their first pick.

“I think last year’s tackles were better,” NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said. “It was a better class.”

The Chiefs have Branden Albert at left tackle and Barry Richardson on the right side. Neither has established himself as a quality starter. The current administration of general manager Scott Pioli and coach Todd Haley inherited both players. Haley recently gave Albert a less than resounding vote of confidence when he said Albert would be the starter again at left tackle “as long as he’s the best one.”

But, looking at how Pioli drafted with the Patriots and now with the Chiefs, he seems to believe tackles can be found in lower rounds.

“If you look at the history of New England and how they’ve built their roster, they just in general have not drafted tackles very highly,” Nawrocki said. “Bill Belichick has been able to conceal the shortcomings with his edge blockers by providing a lot of (help from backs and tight ends). It’s just the way they scheme them.

“One thing that’s very clear is that there’s a need. I thought they should have addressed it last year in the draft. I think Barry Richardson has been a solid guy. I think he’s very committed. He’s not great and wasn’t drafted highly and may not have a big name but he’s been a solid player and I think they feel fairly comfortable with him there.

“They trust (Albert) on that left side. The issues have been more about being able to control his weight and staying disciplined than any issue about the talent. I think they feel comfortable there. Could they draft a tackle? Absolutely. It’s all going to be a function of what type of talent is available on the board at the time they come up.”

After USC’s Smith, who will probably be gone by the time the Chiefs make the 21st overall pick, the top tackles in the draft include Boston College’s Anthony Castonzo, Colorado’s Nate Solder and Wisconsin’s Gabe Carimi.

“(This year) you can pick apart some of their games,” Mayock said. “Costanzo to me is the next logical guy. Some teams think he’s a right tackle and some teams think he can make it on the left side. …

“Carimi is not a great athlete. He’s a technician and a tough guy. He’s a right tackle and maybe a guard.”

04-26-2011, 01:47 AM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $422813	Teicher: Tackle crop not as strong if Chiefs go that direction Tackle crop not as strong if Chiefs go that direction By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star If the Chiefs are looking to improve at offensive tackle — and they don’t seem thrilled with either of their two current starters — they should have shopped the draft last year. Then, plenty of top prospects were available. The task would be more difficult this year, if it’s what the Chiefs choose to do. “It’s really a class that lacks an elite superstar,” Pro Football Weekly draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki said. “Physically, the guy that has the most talent in this class is Tyron Smith, but there are a lot of concerns. He played at only 280 pounds at USC and he had a lot of trouble grasping the playbook. Guys that make a lot of mental errors and miss assignments, it’s a problem on the offensive line. “Whether he’s the most sound pro, I have serious reservations. There are guys who are a little bit (safer), more sound, more consistent.” Compare that to last year, when top prospects such as Russell Okung, Anthony Davis and Bryan Bulaga were available to the Chiefs with their first pick. “I think last year’s tackles were better,” NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said. “It was a better class.” The Chiefs have Branden Albert at left tackle and Barry Richardson on the right side. Neither has established himself as a quality starter. The current administration of general manager Scott Pioli and coach Todd Haley inherited both players. Haley recently gave Albert a less than resounding vote of confidence when he said Albert would be the starter again at left tackle “as long as he’s the best one.” But, looking at how Pioli drafted with the Patriots and now with the Chiefs, he seems to believe tackles can be found in lower rounds. “If you look at the history of New England and how they’ve built their roster, they just in general have not drafted tackles very highly,” Nawrocki said. “Bill Belichick has been able to conceal the shortcomings with his edge blockers by providing a lot of (help from backs and tight ends). It’s just the way they scheme them. “One thing that’s very clear is that there’s a need. I thought they should have addressed it last year in the draft. I think Barry Richardson has been a solid guy. I think he’s very committed. He’s not great and wasn’t drafted highly and may not have a big name but he’s been a solid player and I think they feel fairly comfortable with him there. “They trust (Albert) on that left side. The issues have been more about being able to control his weight and staying disciplined than any issue about the talent. I think they feel comfortable there. Could they draft a tackle? Absolutely. It’s all going to be a function of what type of talent is available on the board at the time they come up.” After USC’s Smith, who will probably be gone by the time the Chiefs make the 21st overall pick, the top tackles in the draft include Boston College’s Anthony Castonzo, Colorado’s Nate Solder and Wisconsin’s Gabe Carimi. “(This year) you can pick apart some of their games,” Mayock said. “Costanzo to me is the next logical guy. Some teams think he’s a right tackle and some teams think he can make it on the left side. … “Carimi is not a great athlete. He’s a technician and a tough guy. He’s a right tackle and maybe a guard.”
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