Chiefs Covitz: Eric Fisher still not cleared for full practice sessions - Page 8

**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.

Snapplez · 05-28-2014, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCD

I suppose it's my fault for clicking the thread link.

Shame on me for thinking there might be an actual discussion about football.

Fisher actually has to get on the field and play for there to be discussion of his abilities. He hasn't done much of that

jd1020 · 05-28-2014, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

An OT that was in his 2nd year was better than a rookie? You don't say?

A 3rd round sophomore was better than a #1 overall pick? Must be the Chiefs.

RunKC · 05-28-2014, 11:46 AM

This board never ceases to amaze me. Geno Smith gets a pass bc he's a rookie but Eric Fisher is the worst pick in the world.
Eric Fisher has to be a world beater his first year.

Good stuff.

rico · 05-28-2014, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

My favorite part of this gif is the one dude in the middle who has his arms crossed and clearly isn't pleased with the selection.

htismaqe · 05-28-2014, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCD

Those crying about Fisher on a regular basis, aren't?

Seriously, it's like the whole 'hell hath no fury' thing.

A bunch of scorned bitches.

Every time someone posts a thread about Fisher, tantrums ensue.

Wash.
Rinse.
Repeat.

Nobody is crying about Eric Fisher.

He sucked and then he got hurt.

That's fact. No emotion involved.

**Rausch** · 05-28-2014, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

This board never ceases to amaze me. Geno Amith gets a pass bc he's a rookie but Eric Fisher is the worst pick in the world.

Good stuff.

Geno Smith was a 2nd rounder.

A 2nd round QB that lead a team with almost no WR's to an 8-8 record.

Not a no 1 overall pick that struggled to stay on the field and consistently underperformed...

htismaqe · 05-28-2014, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

Absolutely. Here's the thing... it's not that we needed to draft someone other than Eric Fisher. What we needed was for Eric Fisher to be good.

But, whenever a draft pick doesn't pan out or busts or even just struggles early, it's always a question... did the team screw up by drafting him? Or is the onus on the player?

The answer here is probably both. I mean, you could say the Chiefs shouldn't have drafted a MAC school player. But they could have taken a big conference player in Joeckel, and the result would have been about the same.

It's not like the pick was considered a reach. I put this all on Fisher's (injured) shoulders.

milkman · 05-28-2014, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

This board never ceases to amaze me. Geno Amith gets a pass bc he's a rookie but Eric Fisher is the worst pick in the world.

Good stuff.

It's all about agenda.

Geno Smith gets no pass from the people that hate Geno Smith.

Eric Fisher gets no pass from the people that hate Eric Fisher.

htismaqe · 05-28-2014, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

It's all about agenda.

Geno Smith gets no pass from the people that hate Geno Smith.

Eric Fisher gets no pass from the people that hate Eric Fisher.

Eric Fisher gets no pass from the people that, rightfully so, expected more from a #1 overall pick.

Couldn't.

****ing.

Care.

Less.

About.

Geno.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 05-28-2014, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

This board never ceases to amaze me. Geno Smith gets a pass bc he's a rookie but Eric Fisher is the worst pick in the world.
Eric Fisher has to be a world beater his first year.

Good stuff.

While I agree that there should be an allotment for developmental time, any pick not a striaght-out bust, and taken at 1.1 should add some IMMEDIATE domination to the mix.

O.city · 05-28-2014, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

This board never ceases to amaze me. Geno Smith gets a pass bc he's a rookie but Eric Fisher is the worst pick in the world.
Eric Fisher has to be a world beater his first year.

Good stuff.

He was purported as the best overall player in the draft

jd1020 · 05-28-2014, 11:54 AM

The best part about Geno is that he's not a Chiefs player, the people who wanted the Chiefs to draft him don't bring his name up anymore, it's only the people trying to defend picking a pos MAC OT #1 overall that bring his name up.

ChiefsCountry · 05-28-2014, 11:55 AM

Chiefs Fan Logic: LT's need the same development schedule that QBs do.

milkman · 05-28-2014, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Chiefs Fan Logic: LT's need the same development schedule that QBs do.

In the case of a small school prospect, this is an absolute truth.

RunKC · 05-28-2014, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

Geno Smith was a 2nd rounder.

A 2nd round QB that lead a team with almost no WR's to an 8-8 record.

Not a no 1 overall pick that struggled to stay on the field and consistently underperformed...

That Jets defense was biggest part of the 8 wins. Eapecially since Geno was a turnover machine.

Come on. People say our 9-0 start was not Alex but the D but Geno wasn't the same?

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: 43,420

05-28-2014, 11:46 AM	#108
RunKC Andy Reid Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $-1420389	This board never ceases to amaze me. Geno Smith gets a pass bc he's a rookie but Eric Fisher is the worst pick in the world. Eric Fisher has to be a world beater his first year. Good stuff. __________________ 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: 52,068

05-28-2014, 11:54 AM	#117
jd1020 In Search of a Life Join Date: Nov 2010 Casino cash: $7042645	The best part about Geno is that he's not a Chiefs player, the people who wanted the Chiefs to draft him don't bring his name up anymore, it's only the people trying to defend picking a pos MAC OT #1 overall that bring his name up.
Posts: 24,501

05-28-2014, 11:55 AM	#118
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $-1371248	Chiefs Fan Logic: LT's need the same development schedule that QBs do.
Posts: 51,992