Chiefs Covitz: Eric Fisher still not cleared for full practice sessions - Page 4

**Tribal Warfare** · 05-28-2014, 12:07 AM

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.

FringeNC · 05-28-2014, 08:03 AM

What I find interesting is that I considered the improvement in the offense in the 2nd half of the year to be a function of improved O-line play and perhaps a change to a zbs. Now the offense line has been blown up. It's a little scary. Let's just hope Dorsey and Reid know what they are doing.

RunKC · 05-28-2014, 08:04 AM

Can we at least wait until training camp to start this shit? People are being babies about Houston not being here bc it's "voluntary" but are giving a guy coming off surgery flack bc he's not practicing full on in the same said "voluntary" workouts?

If he said he was 100% healthy I doubt Reid would do anything different anyway. There's no point in risking injury in VOLUNTARY workouts to a guy who just came off surgery. That's how you end up with Sean Lee type of shit happening.

LOCOChief · 05-28-2014, 08:04 AM

I wasn't a fan of the pick but I think Fisher will develop into a dominant LT. Usually takes up to 3 years to evaluate a pick but so far it hasn't looked good.

htismaqe · 05-28-2014, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOCOChief

I wasn't a fan of the pick but I think Fisher will develop into a dominant LT. Usually takes up to 3 years to evaluate a pick but so far it hasn't looked good.

Agree pretty much 100%.

I think Fisher has all the tools. He needs to stay healthy.

In58men · 05-28-2014, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

Fisher isn't playing RT this year dumbass.

Oh lord ****ing no, like that changes everything lol. He still ****ing sucks and it's the worst pick at 1.1 you can possibly do. Another reason why Reid and Dorsey are ****ing jokes.

**RealSNR** · 05-28-2014, 08:16 AM

The injury occurred before the end of the season.

Why didn't we just IR him and get the doctors to do both surgeries ASAP?

Instead Fisher dawdled until February/March to have the procedures done, taking away valuable offseason time to gain strength

milkman · 05-28-2014, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOCOChief

I wasn't a fan of the pick but I think Fisher will develop into a dominant LT. Usually takes up to 3 years to evaluate a pick but so far it hasn't looked good.

Here's my problem.

I can see Fisher developing into a John Alt level LT.

That's pretty good, but that isn't Willie Roaf, Orlando Pace, Walter Jones, guys that would have justified the status of being the #1 overall pick.

I do think that Fisher has potential to be very good, but he likely will never be #1 overall good.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 05-28-2014, 08:28 AM

With the way Marcellus gapes on here you'd think Zed was daggering his asshole daily.

Big Tedd · 05-28-2014, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Here's my problem.

I can see Fisher developing into a John Alt level LT.

That's pretty good, but that isn't Willie Roaf, Orlando Pace, Walter Jones, guys that would have justified the status of being the #1 overall pick.

I do think that Fisher has potential to be very good, but he likely will never be #1 overall good.

I agree that Fisher is not a number 1 overall type of talent. Neither was any other player in that lame ass draft. Chiefs had the best pick in the worst draft ever..

ct · 05-28-2014, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

You guys are good for a laugh every single morning during the off season.

I don't know how some of you make it through a week without a mental breakdown over running out of vagasil.

ha, this

TEX · 05-28-2014, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Tedd

I agree that Fisher is not a number 1 overall type of talent. Neither was any other player in that lame ass draft. Chiefs had the best pick in the worst draft ever..

The pure definition of CHIEFS LUCK.

**RealSNR** · 05-28-2014, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Tedd

I agree that Fisher is not a number 1 overall type of talent. Neither was any other player in that lame ass draft. Chiefs had the best pick in the worst draft ever..

Not an excuse for picking a vagina of a tackle at #1.

LOCOChief · 05-28-2014, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Here's my problem.

I can see Fisher developing into a John Alt level LT.

That's pretty good, but that isn't Willie Roaf, Orlando Pace, Walter Jones, guys that would have justified the status of being the #1 overall pick.

I do think that Fisher has potential to be very good, but he likely will never be #1 overall good.

I would agree, but we know a 1/1 is not a lock and short of Roaf we haven't had a LT like Alt since and if he achieves that level than there would be no reason for me to ever question the pick again.

milkman · 05-28-2014, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Tedd

I agree that Fisher is not a number 1 overall type of talent. Neither was any other player in that lame ass draft. Chiefs had the best pick in the worst draft ever..

That is exactly the kind of draft that you take a risk.

You don't have a clear cut #1 overall, you take a guy that has big time playmaker potential, and big time bust potential.

RunKC · 05-28-2014, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inmem58

Oh lord ****ing no, like that changes everything lol. He still ****ing sucks and it's the worst pick at 1.1 you can possibly do. Another reason why Reid and Dorsey are ****ing jokes.

Shoulda picked that Geno Smith guy huh?

05-28-2014, 12:07 AM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2777187	Covitz: Eric Fisher still not cleared for full practice sessions 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.
Posts: 43,419

05-28-2014, 08:03 AM	#46
FringeNC MVP Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: NC Casino cash: $-1593986	What I find interesting is that I considered the improvement in the offense in the 2nd half of the year to be a function of improved O-line play and perhaps a change to a zbs. Now the offense line has been blown up. It's a little scary. Let's just hope Dorsey and Reid know what they are doing.
Posts: 10,234

05-28-2014, 08:04 AM	#47
RunKC Andy Reid Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $-1420389	Can we at least wait until training camp to start this shit? People are being babies about Houston not being here bc it's "voluntary" but are giving a guy coming off surgery flack bc he's not practicing full on in the same said "voluntary" workouts? If he said he was 100% healthy I doubt Reid would do anything different anyway. There's no point in risking injury in VOLUNTARY workouts to a guy who just came off surgery. That's how you end up with Sean Lee type of shit happening. __________________ Mike Greenberg@Espngreeny I can’t fathom what it must be like to be a fan of the #Chiefs. Adopt a Chief: Jared Wiley
Posts: 52,064

05-28-2014, 08:04 AM	#48
LOCOChief True Chiefs Fan Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bull Bay Casino cash: $6605791	I wasn't a fan of the pick but I think Fisher will develop into a dominant LT. Usually takes up to 3 years to evaluate a pick but so far it hasn't looked good.
Posts: 5,453

05-28-2014, 08:16 AM	#51
RealSNR Special Teams ACE!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Where the hell is SNR Casino cash: $-1314792	The injury occurred before the end of the season. Why didn't we just IR him and get the doctors to do both surgeries ASAP? Instead Fisher dawdled until February/March to have the procedures done, taking away valuable offseason time to gain strength
Posts: 93,281

05-28-2014, 08:28 AM	#53
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7269572	With the way Marcellus gapes on here you'd think Zed was daggering his asshole daily. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
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