Covitz: Eric Fisher still not cleared for full practice sessions

[Tribal Warfare]

Chiefs’ tackle Eric Fisher still not cleared for full practice sessions
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star

Chiefs tackle Eric Fisher’s move from the right side of the line to the all-important left side had to wait another day.

Fisher, who is coming back from offseason shoulder surgery, participated in the first day of the Chiefs’ OTA session on Tuesday but has not been cleared to participate in 11-on-11 team practices.

Donald Stephenson, tabbed to start at right tackle — where Fisher started for most of his rookie year in 2013 — took over the left tackle spot Tuesday. For now, it’s Stephenson who’ll be protecting the quarterback’s blind side, the position vacated when longtime starter Branden Albert left Kansas City as a free agent.

That wasn’t the only change in the first-team offensive line. Rishaw Johnson, who started the regular-season finale at San Diego at right guard last year, was in that spot, a position vacated by Geoff Schwartz and Jon Asamoah. Free-agent signee Jeff Linkenbach was at right tackle.

Only center Rodney Hudson and left guard Jeff Allen were in their same positions as a year ago.

“There are new faces and you have to get them caught up and get them in the mix,” said quarterback Alex Smith. “That’s everybody in the NFL. There is turnover year to year.

“This time of year, because we’re just in helmets, for those guys (on the line), it’s a time to work on assignments, technique … they don’t get to practice the physical part of the game. It’s a different aspect of it for us on the edge … at the skill positions, we can make a little more happen.”

Hurry up offense

It was just the first day of the OTAs, but the Chiefs were already working on their no-huddle offense.

“It’s something we’ve had in the package for a long time,” quarterback Alex Smith said. “I don’t know if (coach Andy Reid) is doing it from an execution or from a conditioning aspect. It’s good work for us out in the heat. These were great conditions to practice in. It makes the environment tough.”

New faces, old places

Free-agent signee Joe Mays took the place of Akeem Jordan at inside linebacker in the base defense; backup Frank Zombo, not first-round draft choice Dee Ford, played in the outside linebacker spot of Justin Houston, who did not report; second-year man Marcus Cooper started at left cornerback in place of Brandon Flowers, who did not report; and veteran Husain Abdullah was in the free safety spot vacated by Kendrick Lewis.

When the Chiefs went to their nickel and dime packages, second-year man Sanders Commings was the third safety; and free agent Chris Owens joined Cooper and Sean Smith as an extra cornerback.

“This league is about change,” Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Johnson said of having a new partner on the inside. “I’m going into my 10th year, and I’ve probably had 10 mike-backers next to me, so it’s one of those things where the organization always gets a reliable mike-backer and Joe Mays is another guy that’s very smart.

“He’s been in the league. He’s a big thumper. We’re working good together right now.”

Plays of the day

In 11-on-11 work, Alex Smith connected on a deep corner route with tight end Anthony Fasano.

Owens made a nice interception of a pass by second-team quarterback Chase Daniel. Commings intercepted a bad throw by second-year quarterback Tyler Bray. Bray came back and hit tight end Richard Jordan for a nice gain down the middle.

Injury report

Tight end Travis Kelce, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, was on the practice field but could not participate. Nose tackle Risean Broussard (knee) and wide receiver Kyle Williams (knee) were also out.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by New World Order

Alex Smith has 1 playoff win in 9 seasons. Woopty doo!

Alex Smith in the playoffs: 10 TD's/0 INT's

Andy Dalton in the playoffs:

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Dalton has an elite defense and very good pieces on offense to help him succeed. Also has a decent coach.

Alex had those things too. Finally in 2011. Say didn't he lead a team to the playoffs 3 years in a row as well? (and yes the 2012 49ers go to the playoffs with Alex)

No. Alex did not lead this team to the playoffs last year. The defense did. It was responsible for our 9-0 start, along with the incredibly weak schedule.

Alex showed that when the defense faltered he was not good enough to win games. And I don't give a **** what his numbers were.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by Count Zarth

No. Alex did not lead this team to the playoffs last year. The defense did. It was responsible for our 9-0 start, along with the incredibly weak schedule.

Alex showed that when the defense faltered he was not good enough to win games. And I don't give a **** what his numbers were.

Cincinnati has had a top 7 defense every year Dalton has played. And has some guy named AJ Green.

Wake the **** up.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Cincinnati has had a top 7 defense every year Dalton has played. And has some guy named AJ Green.

Wake the **** up.

So? Dalton is still throwing for a shit ton of yards and TDs.

His first three years have been sensational. It's hard to find another QB with better production his first three years. This isn't Mark Sanchez we're talking about.

Chiefsplanet...always shitting on quarterbacks who have done things that have never been done in Kansas City...you're a bunch of little asshole homers and deserve Alex Smith and his 3,000-yard seasons. Die in a fire, true fans.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by Count Zarth

So? Dalton is still throwing for a shit ton of yards and TDs.

His first three years have been sensational. It's hard to find another QB with better production his first three years. This isn't Mark Sanchez we're talking about.

Chiefsplanet...always shitting on quarterbacks who have done things that have never been done in Kansas City...you're a bunch of little asshole homers and deserve Alex Smith and his 3,000-yard seasons. Die in a fire, true fans.

Those passing yards don't do anything when the playoffs start. 3 playoff losses in a row.

There isn't any QB in the league who has played worse in the playoffs recently than Dalton. He's not winning shit for Cincinnati. He's a pussy. He's the AFC's Tony Romo for christ sakes. All stats and falls apart in the most important game of the year.

[RunKC]

Shit Clay, you destroyed Cassel for his pathetic game in the playoffs. Can you imagine having a QB playing like that in January 3 years in a row and the organization not doing a thing about it?

But hey he can throw passing yards! Forget winning in January. Passing yards! Yippee!

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Those passing yards don't do anything when the playoffs start. 3 playoff losses in a row.

There isn't any QB in the league who has played worse in the playoffs recently than Dalton. He's not winning shit for Cincinnati. He's a pussy. He's the AFC's Tony Romo for christ sakes. All stats and falls apart in the most important game of the year.

He's only played three years. He's going to get it together eventually. He's a very impressive young man, and will have a far more successful NFL career than any shitbag we've ever trotted out there in the last 30 years.

Stop shitting on other teams and players, and start shitting on the Chiefs. They are the most toilet franchise of them all.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Shit Clay, you destroyed Cassel for his pathetic game in the playoffs. Can you imagine having a QB playing like that in January 3 years in a row and the organization not doing a thing about it?

But hey he can throw passing yards! Forget winning in January. Passing yards! Yippee!

Cassel was a veteran and played poorly during the regular season. It's not the same thing.

You will not find many QBs who have had a first three seasons like Dalton's first three seasons.

If he's still doing this choking act in three years then **** him, absolutely. But for right now, he has earned a long leash. Very impressive young man.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by Count Zarth

He's only played three years. He's going to get it together eventually. He's a very impressive young man, and will have a far more successful NFL career than any shitbag we've ever trotted out there in the last 30 years.

This is almost directly verbatim what people said about Matt Cassel after 2010 and you destroyed them. You're pumping up a shit QB like the very homers you hate.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by RunKC

This is almost directly verbatim what people said about Matt Cassel after 2010 and you destroyed them. You're pumping up a shit QB like the very homers you hate.

No. This is a bullshit comparison. Cassel's best season barely touched Dalton's worst.

And he certainly NEVER threw 33 TD passes.

Get it right. Andy Dalton is a young, ascending QB. Every year he continues to get better.

We as Chiefs fans can only dream of such a thing.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Count Zarth

No. This is a bullshit comparison. Cassel's best season barely touched Dalton's worst.

And he certainly NEVER threw 33 TD passes.

Get it right. Andy Dalton is a young, ascending QB. Every year he continues to get better.

We as Chiefs fans can only dream of such a thing.

Andy Dalton is white Daunte Culpepper. Should nickname him white pepper. A lot of credit for throwing to an elite receiver. Even Matt cassel looked like a stud throwing to randy Moss.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by Count Zarth

No. This is a bullshit comparison. Cassel's best season barely touched Dalton's worst.

And he certainly NEVER threw 33 TD passes.

Get it right. Andy Dalton is a young, ascending QB. Every year he continues to get better.

We as Chiefs fans can only dream of such a thing.

He's ascending? Is that why he shits the bed every year?

[Simply Red]

It may be early - but so far - awful pick

[Simply Red]

Originally Posted by Count Zarth

No. This is a bullshit comparison. Cassel's best season barely touched Dalton's worst.

And he certainly NEVER threw 33 TD passes.

Get it right. Andy Dalton is a young, ascending QB. Every year he continues to get better.

We as Chiefs fans can only dream of such a thing.

not Cassel but Alex did his part 'when it mattered' - in the playoffs.

Our Defense is ultimately what costs us in that. It's BS - Alex is our Quarterback.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Andy Dalton is white Daunte Culpepper. Should nickname him white pepper. A lot of credit for throwing to an elite receiver. Even Matt cassel looked like a stud throwing to randy Moss.

You don't rack up 4300 yards and 33 TD throwing to one guy.

Got, homer haters make me sick.