Chiefs Tuesday OTA Recap - Page 3

Hammock Parties · 05-27-2008, 10:31 PM

http://kan.scout.com/2/757819.html

Tuesday, Warpaint Illustrated got a second look as the Chiefs practiced, and it was a banner day for three rookies. Let’s take a look at who stood out and who struggled.
LT Branden Albert – He was the star of the day. Defensive end Tamba Hali did everything but ride a bulldozer in his attempts to get past Albert to the quarterback, but was stopped. Albert is clearly the starting left tackle and was the best offensive lineman of the day. It’s early and the real bullets aren’t flying yet, but Albert is NFL ready. He was outstanding in preventing Hali and others from lowering their shoulders and driving toward the quarterback. He keeps defenders upright, negating any momentum or rush to the offensive backfield. CB Brandon Carr - He was far more active outside on the practice field than he was last week in the indoor facility. He’s fast and his size will allow him to reach for plenty of errant throws. The Chiefs are already using more press coverage with Carr and second-round pick Brandon Flowers in the lineup. Dimitri Patterson is the starter opposite Flowers at the moment but if Carr can do it with pads on, we might see two rookie corners start in 2008. DE Brian Johnston - Many of you thought I was drinking the KC Kool-Aid last week when I said Johnston reminded me of Jared Allen, but if you saw the way he got after the quarterback Tuesday, you’d agree. Johnston was outstanding again, and though he didn’t ever go up against Albert, he was able to blow past backup Herb Taylor. I can’t wait to see Johnston in KC’s first preseason game at Chicago in August. RG Adrian Jones - It looks like he’s the starting right guard for the moment. Last week’s star, Chris McDuffie, wasn’t all that great Tuesday. Herm Edwards hopes Jones will be the guy because he wants another veteran on the line. Right guard is the only question mark on the line at the moment, and though it’s not set in stone, Jones appears to have a leg up on the competition at the moment. FB Oliver Hoyte - He wasn’t good as a pass catcher or blocker Tuesday. To be honest, none of the fullbacks did anything for me. They’re all young, but Hoyte, who has the most experience, just looks like he’s not catching on in the early stages of the OTA sessions. The best guy so far is Mike Cox, the free agent from Georgia Tech. Hoyte plays too upright and needs some work. RT Barry Richardson - The young man from Clemson has all the tools to be a solid tackle in the NFL. Today was my first look at him and he was about what you can expect for a sixth-round pick. He did some good things, but was also beaten a few times. He was playing right tackle, which is the spot for him at this level - I don’t think he can play left. Either way, he’s a project with upside. He’ll learn a lot playing behind Damion McIntosh. DT T.J. Jackson - The free agent from Auburn was impressive Tuesday. He was quick off the ball and spent a considerable amount of time in the offensive backfield. I don’t know much about Jackson past what I saw today, but he was far better than Derek Lokey or starter Ron Edwards. He was not as good as Tank Tyler or first-round pick Glenn Dorsey, but stood out. LB Napoleon Harris - This was the best I’ve seen out of him in quite some time. What I noticed today is that he stayed in the middle of the field and didn’t wander outside in the flat unless the play went that direction. He seems to be taking to the teachings of his new linebackers coach, Gunther Cunningham. CB Will Poole - The Chiefs signed the veteran today after he had a short stay with the team last offseason in training camp. He looked much sharper this time and it appears he’s in better football shape. Patrick Surtain was not on the field today so it appears the Chiefs, who might carry five cornerbacks, are only set at three of those positions. Adding Poole was a smart move as an insurance policy. K Connor Barth - He was the best kicker on the field today. The former Tar Heel is a rookie, which bodes problems for Herm Edwards who experienced plenty of headaches last year with Justin Medlock. The Chiefs have John Carney sitting at home in San Diego ready to fly east to KC if need be, so the kicking battle might not be finalized until the Chiefs reach New England in September. But Barth has a much stronger leg than Billy Cundiff or Nick Novak. That may be the determining factor in the end.

Hammock Parties · 05-28-2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

I'd like to see him stay at Guard. That's where he played (and played well) last year.

He's the starting center as of now. He was a center in college.

Fish · 05-28-2008, 11:05 AM

NiceWanger in the middle...

Micjones · 05-28-2008, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

He's the starting center as of now. He was a center in college.

You could be right...
I'm confident in him regardless.

**HemiEd** · 05-28-2008, 11:28 AM

Good read, thanks Clayton.

Frankie · 05-28-2008, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

My money will be Duke Robinson or Herman Johnson shall be target players in next years draft.

Gee I hope not. We have enough Cox and Johnsons on our roster.

beach tribe · 05-28-2008, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

You could be right...
I'm confident in him regardless.

The Wang is our best center.

Micjones · 05-28-2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach tribe

The Wang is our best center.

I don't doubt that. I've said for about 4 months that Niswanger would be a starter on the Offensive Line in 2008. I have lots of faith in that kid.

But saying he's our best Center isn't saying much...

beach tribe · 05-28-2008, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

I don't doubt that. I've said for about 4 months that Niswanger would be a starter on the Offensive Line in 2008. I have lots of faith in that kid.

But saying he's our best Center isn't saying much...

Yea. It is what is I guess. I think he'll be a surprise though.

Micjones · 05-28-2008, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach tribe

Yea. It is what is I guess. I think he'll be a surprise though.

Me too... He's one of the young players I'm really excited about.
I think he could step in and be a 7-10 year guy.

LSU's been good to this team the past few years has it not?

kcchiefsus · 05-28-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdcox

I think we're going to be running left this year. By mid season it will be so predictable that it will become ineffective on 3rd down due to teams cheating on that side. I'm expecting the right side of the line to be a disaster. In another year. maybe we can fix the right side too.

Absolutely no way it is any worse than it was last year.

Micjones · 05-28-2008, 12:28 PM

The right side of the line will be better than it was last year.

kcchiefsus · 05-28-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

Niswanger will be your starting Right Guard if he's healthy.
Unless Wade Smith stinks up the place and Rudy has to be moved to Center.

No, Niswanger is already at center. Niswanger is the starting center, end of story.

kcchiefsus · 05-28-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

I'd like to see him stay at Guard. That's where he played (and played well) last year.

He has said himself that he is more comfortable at center.

Micjones · 05-28-2008, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcchiefsus

No, Niswanger is already at center. Niswanger is the starting center, end of story.

I didn't realize that Herman Edwards posted on this site...
Nothing is as set in stone as you make it...

I'm fine with him playing Center, but to pretend that that's a foregone conclusion in May is...well...silly.

Micjones · 05-28-2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcchiefsus

He has said himself that he is more comfortable at center.

I have no bone to pick with that.
But if he's more productive at Guard (which remains to be seen) wouldn't that trump his level of comfort?

Just a thought...

05-28-2008, 11:05 AM	#32
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $-1391081	NiceWanger in the middle... __________________
Posts: 48,847

05-28-2008, 11:28 AM	#34
HemiEd Supporter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ozarks Casino cash: $-459436	Good read, thanks Clayton.
Posts: 34,866

05-28-2008, 12:28 PM	#41
Micjones Whose house? Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $10005180	The right side of the line will be better than it was last year.
Posts: 15,344