Chiefs Teicher: Two tackles but only one top pick - Page 4

**Tribal Warfare** · 04-07-2013, 11:25 PM

Two tackles but only one top pick
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Tackles Luke Joeckel and Eric Fisher are two of the favorites to be selected by the Chiefs with the first pick in this year’s draft.

But each arrived at this point via a different path.

Joeckel was supposed to be a top-shelf prospect. He was the big-time recruit who turned down offers from dozens of major colleges before settling on Texas A&M.

Fisher, meanwhile, is a late-riser who went to Central Michigan because it was the best offer he received.

So they are unlikely competitors for a prize that ultimately may be meaningless but now seems huge, even to Joeckel, whose assignments last year included blocking against some of the country’s top defenders in the Southeastern Conference as the main protector of Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel.

“It would be really cool, a dream come true,” Joeckel said. “But the way I’m just looking at it, I want to get there. I am definitely striving to be the number-one pick, going through this entire process and playing this season and all that kind of stuff. But my dream is to just play in the NFL.

“I know, being the number-one pick, after that, it doesn’t really matter. You’ve got to go prove yourself in the NFL. It’s just like that in college. Being the number-one recruit in college doesn’t matter (when) you step on that campus. It’s the same thing. It’s cool and everything, but going to any team I go (to), proving myself there will be the biggest thing.”

If being picked by the Chiefs is a big priority for Joeckel, it’s even more so for Fisher. He played not against the All-Americans, as Joeckel did, but against lesser opponents from the Mid-American Conference.

Fisher entered the discussion for the number-one pick only by showing well against top competition at the Senior Bowl in January.

“That would be a huge, huge honor and obviously a dream complete, and it would just open up another dream for me,” Fisher said. “But anybody who would give me the chance to play football, I’d really appreciate it and I’d definitely work real hard to be successful on their team.

“I’m working to be the number-one tackle. That’s not up to me, in the end. That’s up to coaches and general managers, but that’s what I’m working for.”

There’s not much separating the two players in terms of talent. Both are skilled pass protectors. Fisher is generally considered a slightly better run-blocker, but that may not matter as much to new Chiefs coach Andy Reid, to whom pass-blocking is paramount.

In his latest mock draft, analyst Mel Kiper has the Chiefs going with Joeckel ... though he acknowledged it wasn’t an easy decision, even for him.

“I’ve gone back and forth on these two,” Kiper said. “I gave them a similar grade. I gave the edge to Joeckel just because of the level of competition week in and week out. If Fisher had any issues, it was against the lesser opponents, which was a crazy thing. When he had to rise up and go against better opposition, he did a great job. His Senior Bowl week was phenomenal.

“You’re splitting hairs. One day you like one better, the next day you like the other better. I think Kansas City is probably going through that themselves.”

The selection of either player is likely for the Chiefs considering the unsettled situation surrounding Branden Albert, their starting left tackle. The Chiefs are reportedly trying to trade Albert, their franchise player. He didn’t report last week for the opening of the team’s voluntary offseason conditioning program.

If their decision is indeed between Joeckel against Fisher, it may come down to the personal preferences of Reid and Chiefs general manager John Dorsey.

Joeckel is athletic enough that he was a quarterback until he reached high school, when he outgrew the position. His twin brother, Matt, is still a quarterback at Texas A&M.

“I love offensive line,” Joeckel said. “Growing up, I always thought I was too athletic for the position.

“The offensive line is what I was born to play. I loved the physical aspect of it. You finish every play with a one-on-one block. There are not many other positions on the field like that. I love that part of it. I’m a background guy, and that’s why I belong on the offensive line.”

NFL scouts have long been aware of Fisher. Even then, he had to prove himself at the Senior Bowl to get them interested after playing at a lower-level program like Central Michigan.

“The Senior Bowl was absolutely huge for me,” Fisher said. “I knew what I had to do to impress a lot of people and cancel all the doubt in people’s minds at the Senior Bowl, so I went down there with a little chip on my shoulder on a mission to prove to a lot of people who Eric Fisher is and what he’s made of.

“I think a lot has to do with coming from a small school. That’s the mentality of small-school guys, because a lot of people don’t hear about them until you get to this level, like pretty much what happened to me. ... I think I have a lot of room to improve. I definitely don’t think I’ve played my best football. I still have a lot to grow into my body.”

ToxSocks · 04-08-2013, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerm

Still trying to figure out why seemingly everyone has us mocked to take a LT at 1.1 when Albert is still on this frickin team and no trade is close.

So lazy...

Because it's been that way since Roaf retired. Same shit different year. Same stupid ass arguments for a LT, just different people saying it.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 04-08-2013, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B14ckmon

You are going to kill yourself in two weeks and I am going to help put dirt on your casket

I'm going to hot chocolate jizz all over your man-tits and face in two weeks, troll.
Posted via Mobile Device

B14ckmon · 04-08-2013, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Dick Willie

I'm going to hot chocolate jizz all over your man-tits and face in two weeks, troll.
Posted via Mobile Device

I'd get something prepared for you but we both know you will be in hiding for a long time after.

Not only will you look like an idiot for thinking Geno would be the pick, but you also came out of the closet.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 04-08-2013, 12:30 PM

Can't wait to own your ass.
Posted via Mobile Device

B14ckmon · 04-08-2013, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Dick Willie

Can't wait to own your ass.
Posted via Mobile Device

Tick Tock honkey. Get that Alex Whiff avatar ready.

Saccopoo · 04-08-2013, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

If they're going to take a LT at 1.1, I much prefer Fisher. He's nasty. He can physically dominate at the LOS better than Joeckel.

If you want a supremely nasty offensive tackle, then you take Barrett Jones with the third rounder. Guy won the Outland Trophy playing left tackle his junior year. Mean as a junk yard dog, very smart and is a first team All-American at three different positions in three different years.

He's a huge reason why Chance Warmack is going to be drafted high, but it's Jones who deserves it.

I'd take Jones over any tackle in this draft.

Braincase · 04-08-2013, 07:00 PM

Which one plays most like a particular LT that came out of Louisiana Tech in '93?

Coogs · 04-08-2013, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

If you want a supremely nasty offensive tackle, then you take Barrett Jones with the third rounder. Guy won the Outland Trophy playing left tackle his junior year. Mean as a junk yard dog, very smart and is a first team All-American at three different positions in three different years.

He's a huge reason why Chance Warmack is going to be drafted high, but it's Jones who deserves it.

I'd take Jones over any tackle in this draft.

I don't know if Jones will last until the first pick of round three, but right now my first two picks would be Geno and Barrett Jones if he should happen to still be on the board at that time.

bigjosh · 04-08-2013, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B14ckmon

Tick Tock honkey. Get that Alex Whiff avatar ready.

Using racial slurs are we? Report this mother ****er!!!

Saccopoo · 04-08-2013, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

I don't know if Jones will last until the first pick of round three, but right now my first two picks would be Geno and Barrett Jones if he should happen to still be on the board at that time.

I think that the third rounder is going to be a tough pick.

Potentially you could be looking at guys like:

Barrett Jones, OL; Alabama
Phillip Thomas, S; San Diego
Jon Bostic, ILB; Florida
Montee Ball, RB; Wisconsin
Jordan Poyer, CB; Oregon State
Da'Rick Rogers, WR; Tennessee Tech

with that pick.

For me, it would be a very hard choice between Jones and Thomas if either of those guys were sitting there.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 04-08-2013, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigjosh006

Using racial slurs are we? Report this mother ****er!!!

I'm going to piss on that fat crackers head come draft day.
Posted via Mobile Device

B14ckmon · 04-08-2013, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Dick Willie

I'm going to piss on that fat crackers head come draft day.
Posted via Mobile Device

Reported for racism/harassment.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 04-08-2013, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B14ckmon

Reported for racism/harassment.

You don't get to report jack ****, n00b.
Posted via Mobile Device

B14ckmon · 04-08-2013, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Dick Willie

You don't get to report jack ****, n00b.
Posted via Mobile Device

Reported for name calling.

patteeu · 04-09-2013, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B14ckmon

Reported for name calling.

04-07-2013, 11:25 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $552813	Teicher: Two tackles but only one top pick Two tackles but only one top pick By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Tackles Luke Joeckel and Eric Fisher are two of the favorites to be selected by the Chiefs with the first pick in this year’s draft. But each arrived at this point via a different path. Joeckel was supposed to be a top-shelf prospect. He was the big-time recruit who turned down offers from dozens of major colleges before settling on Texas A&M. Fisher, meanwhile, is a late-riser who went to Central Michigan because it was the best offer he received. So they are unlikely competitors for a prize that ultimately may be meaningless but now seems huge, even to Joeckel, whose assignments last year included blocking against some of the country’s top defenders in the Southeastern Conference as the main protector of Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel. “It would be really cool, a dream come true,” Joeckel said. “But the way I’m just looking at it, I want to get there. I am definitely striving to be the number-one pick, going through this entire process and playing this season and all that kind of stuff. But my dream is to just play in the NFL. “I know, being the number-one pick, after that, it doesn’t really matter. You’ve got to go prove yourself in the NFL. It’s just like that in college. Being the number-one recruit in college doesn’t matter (when) you step on that campus. It’s the same thing. It’s cool and everything, but going to any team I go (to), proving myself there will be the biggest thing.” If being picked by the Chiefs is a big priority for Joeckel, it’s even more so for Fisher. He played not against the All-Americans, as Joeckel did, but against lesser opponents from the Mid-American Conference. Fisher entered the discussion for the number-one pick only by showing well against top competition at the Senior Bowl in January. “That would be a huge, huge honor and obviously a dream complete, and it would just open up another dream for me,” Fisher said. “But anybody who would give me the chance to play football, I’d really appreciate it and I’d definitely work real hard to be successful on their team. “I’m working to be the number-one tackle. That’s not up to me, in the end. That’s up to coaches and general managers, but that’s what I’m working for.” There’s not much separating the two players in terms of talent. Both are skilled pass protectors. Fisher is generally considered a slightly better run-blocker, but that may not matter as much to new Chiefs coach Andy Reid, to whom pass-blocking is paramount. In his latest mock draft, analyst Mel Kiper has the Chiefs going with Joeckel ... though he acknowledged it wasn’t an easy decision, even for him. “I’ve gone back and forth on these two,” Kiper said. “I gave them a similar grade. I gave the edge to Joeckel just because of the level of competition week in and week out. If Fisher had any issues, it was against the lesser opponents, which was a crazy thing. When he had to rise up and go against better opposition, he did a great job. His Senior Bowl week was phenomenal. “You’re splitting hairs. One day you like one better, the next day you like the other better. I think Kansas City is probably going through that themselves.” The selection of either player is likely for the Chiefs considering the unsettled situation surrounding Branden Albert, their starting left tackle. The Chiefs are reportedly trying to trade Albert, their franchise player. He didn’t report last week for the opening of the team’s voluntary offseason conditioning program. If their decision is indeed between Joeckel against Fisher, it may come down to the personal preferences of Reid and Chiefs general manager John Dorsey. Joeckel is athletic enough that he was a quarterback until he reached high school, when he outgrew the position. His twin brother, Matt, is still a quarterback at Texas A&M. “I love offensive line,” Joeckel said. “Growing up, I always thought I was too athletic for the position. “The offensive line is what I was born to play. I loved the physical aspect of it. You finish every play with a one-on-one block. There are not many other positions on the field like that. I love that part of it. I’m a background guy, and that’s why I belong on the offensive line.” NFL scouts have long been aware of Fisher. Even then, he had to prove himself at the Senior Bowl to get them interested after playing at a lower-level program like Central Michigan. “The Senior Bowl was absolutely huge for me,” Fisher said. “I knew what I had to do to impress a lot of people and cancel all the doubt in people’s minds at the Senior Bowl, so I went down there with a little chip on my shoulder on a mission to prove to a lot of people who Eric Fisher is and what he’s made of. “I think a lot has to do with coming from a small school. That’s the mentality of small-school guys, because a lot of people don’t hear about them until you get to this level, like pretty much what happened to me. ... I think I have a lot of room to improve. I definitely don’t think I’ve played my best football. I still have a lot to grow into my body.”
Posts: 42,165

04-08-2013, 12:30 PM	#49
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	Can't wait to own your ass. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 77,135

04-08-2013, 07:00 PM	#52
Braincase Banned Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pond> Me <Barn Casino cash: $11298284	Which one plays most like a particular LT that came out of Louisiana Tech in '93? __________________ BrainCase
Posts: 15,429