Andy Reid seems to think all Tackles are created equal . . .

[TomBarndtsTwin]

If history is any indication, Andy Reid seems to value an elite Right Tackle just as much as an elite Left Tackle:


Eagles make OT Runyan highest-paid lineman ever

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Posted: Monday February 14, 2000 08:30 PM

Jon Runyan rejected a six-year deal from the Tennessee Titans. Ezra O. Shaw/Allsport
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Philadelphia Eagles broke ground on a $25 million practice facility and signed a $30 million free agent Monday.

Jon Runyan, a 6-foot-7, 330-pound right tackle, became the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history when he signed a 6-year, $30 million deal. Runyan, 26, leaves the AFC Champion Tennessee Titans for an Eagles team that is coming off a 5-11 season.

"It was going to take something to get me out of Tennessee and here I am," Runyan said. "There's a great feeling around here. The team is moving in the right direction. They stepped up and made the decision easy on the business end."

Runyan, who arrived in Philadelphia late Saturday night, said all along his decision would come down to money. Runyan's agent, Ben Dogra, said Tennessee offered him a six-year deal in excess of the $27 million package Cleveland gave to free-agent tackle Orlando Brown last year. However, the Eagles' offer is significantly more front-end loaded.

"There was no bidding war," Dogra said, adding that the Eagles initial offer was lower than the Titans'. "Tennessee had an offer to make him the highest paid lineman. We asked them if they would move on their offer. They probably called our bluff, thinking they would be bidding against themselves."

Runyan received a $6 million signing bonus and will get an additional $3.5 million if he is on the roster Feb. 21. His base salary for the 2000 season is $500,000. Runyan will count $5 million against the salary cap this year. He will earn $3.5 million in 2001-03. His salary increases to $4.5 in 2004 and $5.5 million in 2005. A Pro Bowl clause could make the final year worth $6.5 million.

"He's the best right tackle in football, bar none," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "Everything starts with the offensive line. Having that philosophy, he is a key ingredient. He's a big part of this."

Runyan, a four-year veteran, played for three, 8-8 Titans teams prior to Tennessee's Super Bowl run this year. He believes there are similarities between his former team and his new team.

"I feel comfortable here," Runyan said. "They have a great, young quarterback [Donovan McNabb], a good running back [Duce Staley] and a solid defense. It's hard to turn down."

Runyan will team with 6-foot-7, 350-pound left tackle Tra Thomas to give the Eagles formidable bookend tackles. He helps solidify an offensive line unit that has not played well consistently since the early 1980s. The last offensive lineman to represent the Eagles in the Pro Bowl was Jerry Sisemore in 1982. Runyan also allows the Eagles to address other needs, namely wide receiver and defensive line, with the No. 6 pick in April's draft.

"This is obviously a position we feel secure at," Reid said. "Does it mean we won't take another lineman in the draft? No."

Runyan was scheduled to leave Philadelphia on Sunday. However, he decided to stay another day as a good faith gesture to prove he was serious about the Eagles. The team has been burned by free agents in the past who used their visit to Philadelphia as a bargaining tool. Dogra said he had not scheduled any other visits for Runyan though several teams are believed to have expressed interest.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/foo..._ap/?mobile=no

Just thought this was interesting to read so many years later . . . .

Some food for thought . . . . or discussion . . .

[Messier]

Originally Posted by Setsuna

That's ignorant.

Who?

[Messier]

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

Thank you Miss Cleo! Got those powerball numbers too?
Posted via Mobile Device

Name the elite prospect.

[TomBarndtsTwin]

Originally Posted by Setsuna

That's ignorant.

If you mean ignorant in the sense that we don't really know yet, and will not know till a few years down the road . . . . then, yes, I could agree with that.

But I think it's fair to say that no QB in this draft was projected to be a starter right from day one (there were certainly no Luck's or RG3's this year).

For that reason, I was fine with the Chiefs signing an undrafted free agent QB who has just as much 'potential' as any QB in this draft, rather than spending a high pick on a QB just so we can say we did.

Tyler Bray has a very high ceiling, but he also has major 'bust' potential. So what's the difference between him and the few other QB's taken in the first few rounds? In terms of a ceiling, not much. But obviously the floor is a lot lower on Bray than Smith or Manuel. But who cares? Isn't the goal to get an ELITE QB? If Smith or Manuel bust, you could end up with another "game-manager" QB, at best. Why is that significant? Well, I think most everyone on here has made it pretty clear how they feel about a "game-manager" QB. We DON'T want one!

So, logically, you would take the guy(s) with the highest reward potential while minimizing your risk (i.e. late round QB, undrafted FA). And that is EXACTLY what THIS draft was! There were no winning lottery tickets in this draft. Is it going to be like that in every draft? No, definitely not. But the Chiefs minimized their risk, while maximizing their potential.

I realize that won't satisfy the "we want a 1st round QB, no matter who he is" crowd, but it is a smart and prudent move by a new GM and coach looking to build something from the ground up. Why start treading water from the beginning??


And bottom line: we're going to need an ELITE O-Line to make this offense work the way Reid wants it to, so might as well take care of that while we can. The QB will have to wait till next year . . . . .

[jettio]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

To be fair, this OL is locked the **** down, and should perform to Reid's liking.

LT: Albert, Stephenson
LG: Allen, Schwartz
C: Hudson, Kush
RG: Asamoah, Schwartz
RT: Fisher, Stephenson

That line is set.

So let's focus on QB, WR, DL, and passrushers. PLEASE.

That could be how it is in real life but when you list the roster you have to write OG Kush because I heard Sol say that in Pineapple Express.

[chiefsfan_91]

I honestly don't see what the problem people have with game managing QBs is. We just had one win the Super Bowl. Frankly, Alex Smith is leagues better than Joe Flacco. QB is the most important position in sports because it is the only position that can actually make or break a team. Case in point, Matt Cassel. He was far, far worse than a game manager. He literally threw games away. A Game Manager won't lose you the game; which is important. The Game Manager won't wow you with stats, or amaze you by calling 15 audibles before the snap, but he won't make costly mistakes either. And that's what this organization needs right now. Someone who can step in, take the reigns for a few seasons and can be a part of the development of a guy like Tyler Bray, who is raw, but has all the physical tools. I'm really liking the way this new regime is building the Chiefs. Its been a long time since we've been dominant in the trenches, and the way its looking, that's all about to change

[Nightfyre]

Originally Posted by chiefsfan_91

I honestly don't see what the problem people have with game managing QBs is. We just had one win the Super Bowl. Frankly, Alex Smith is leagues better than Joe Flacco. QB is the most important position in sports because it is the only position that can actually make or break a team. Case in point, Matt Cassel. He was far, far worse than a game manager. He literally threw games away. A Game Manager won't lose you the game; which is important. The Game Manager won't wow you with stats, or amaze you by calling 15 audibles before the snap, but he won't make costly mistakes either. And that's what this organization needs right now. Someone who can step in, take the reigns for a few seasons and can be a part of the development of a guy like Tyler Bray, who is raw, but has all the physical tools. I'm really liking the way this new regime is building the Chiefs. Its been a long time since we've been dominant in the trenches, and the way its looking, that's all about to change

Really? Seriously? Must be a troll/mult.

[chiefsfan_91]

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

Really? Seriously? Must be a troll/mult.

Nope, just someone who actually knows the game of football. Which seems to be rare here

[saphojunkie]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Nothing ever has, or will, encapsulate the futility of the Chiefs, both in their fans and failure, than that gif.

This is what I picture 99% of you all looking like during the gun threads.

[Marco Polo]

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

This is what I picture 99% of you all looking like during the gun threads.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

"Flacco the Game Manager". I have truly ****ing heard the last word spoken by man now. Good god...
Posted via Mobile Device

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Messier

Name the elite prospect.

Yo' mamma.
Posted via Mobile Device

[KChiefs1]

What are the top 5 RT's paid?
I know times are changing because OG's were drafted in the top 10 this year.

[KChiefs1]

Originally Posted by Marcellus the True

Barry Richardson...all that needs to be said

Please don't remind me.

[Fat Elvis]

Originally Posted by TomBarndtsTwin

If you mean ignorant in the sense that we don't really know yet, and will not know till a few years down the road . . . . then, yes, I could agree with that.

But I think it's fair to say that no QB in this draft was projected to be a starter right from day one (there were certainly no Luck's or RG3's this year).

For that reason, I was fine with the Chiefs signing an undrafted free agent QB who has just as much 'potential' as any QB in this draft, rather than spending a high pick on a QB just so we can say we did.

Tyler Bray has a very high ceiling, but he also has major 'bust' potential. So what's the difference between him and the few other QB's taken in the first few rounds? In terms of a ceiling, not much. But obviously the floor is a lot lower on Bray than Smith or Manuel. But who cares? Isn't the goal to get an ELITE QB? If Smith or Manuel bust, you could end up with another "game-manager" QB, at best. Why is that significant? Well, I think most everyone on here has made it pretty clear how they feel about a "game-manager" QB. We DON'T want one!

So, logically, you would take the guy(s) with the highest reward potential while minimizing your risk (i.e. late round QB, undrafted FA). And that is EXACTLY what THIS draft was! There were no winning lottery tickets in this draft. Is it going to be like that in every draft? No, definitely not. But the Chiefs minimized their risk, while maximizing their potential.

I realize that won't satisfy the "we want a 1st round QB, no matter who he is" crowd, but it is a smart and prudent move by a new GM and coach looking to build something from the ground up. Why start treading water from the beginning??


And bottom line: we're going to need an ELITE O-Line to make this offense work the way Reid wants it to, so might as well take care of that while we can. The QB will have to wait till next year . . . . .

"Bust potential?" We signed the guy as an UDFA. There is no "bust" UDFAs. He can sit on a park bench and drool and the Chiefs are no worse off. We gave up NOTHING to get him. There is only upside. A lot of potential upside.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by Messier

There are no elite QBs in this draft.

There are no elite OT's in this draft either.

Fisher or Joeckel aren't Okung or Thomas, by any stretch of the imagination. Hell, if either Matthews or Lewan came out, both Joeckel and Fisher most likely would have been picked after both players.

Just because we picked one #1 doesn't mean that this guy is going to be a world beater.

Personally, I think he's going to have a tough time beating out either Albert or Stephenson and I believe we just drafted a back up - at least for this year depending upon what they end up doing with Albert.

If they sign Albert long term for decent money, I think he slides inside. And I think he might do that anyway under the franchise tag this season - and if he's asked to do such a thing, he might be so pissed about it that he just holds out for the season.

It remains to be seen if Fisher is capable of adapting to the next level. The Senior Bowl doesn't mean jack squat in terms of long term production at the next level (see Ryan Sims), and that's basically what they drafted Fisher off of. We'll see real quick as he'll be going against Hali and Houston.

They'll most likely want Fisher at LT simply because of draft status and money. As well, Albert still hasn't mastered the position in terms of technique. To protect him in his rookie year, they'll want Albert at LG. I'm pretty sure that there is no way that Asamoah beats out Schwartz at RG (Asamoah has underperformed so far in his career) and Stephenson is going to be entrenched at RT by the start of the season. Hudson is a lock at C.