Teicher: Offensive front becomes a concern

[Chiefs Pantalones]

Worry line

Offensive front becomes a concern

By ADAM TEICHER

The Kansas City Star


RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The source of Dick Vermeil’s greatest anxiety at training camp is, for the Chiefs, a most unusual one.

The offensive line suddenly is, if not in turmoil, facing some transition. Will Shields, the longtime foundation of the Chiefs’ line, hasn’t been on the practice field because of a bad back since camp started last week. The Chiefs have no solid information as to when he will return.

They will also have a new starter at right tackle, though Vermeil is more confident that situation will resolve itself favorably. The Chiefs are happy with Kevin Sampson, who will probably win the job over Jordan Black.

Still, there is uncertainty. That, combined with the Shields situation, is keeping the line at the top of Vermeil’s worry list.

“I always have a little concern about Will being ready to go and getting his stamina and getting ready to play,” Vermeil said. “When he lines up and plays against the Jets (in the Sept. 11 season-opener), you’ve got to be ready.

“It doesn’t matter how many training camps you’ve been to or how many Pro Bowls you’ve been to or how many years you’ve played. You’ve still got to be ready that day and we’ve got to get him ready.”

The Chiefs line has generally been considered the best in football. It was so dependable that Vermeil was able to spend his energies elsewhere. That the Chiefs have soared to offensive heights the last three seasons is due in large part to their line.

That includes last season, when the Chiefs fielded three Pro Bowl linemen in Shields, guard Brian Waters and tackle Willie Roaf. This year, Shields isn’t practicing and Roaf is working only half the time as a concession to his advancing age, leaving the Chiefs with two backups plus a right tackle they’re trying to break in.

At some point, the Chiefs will hit critical mass. That point would likely arrive if Shields, their right guard and a 10-time Pro Bowler, misses a significant part of the season.

“I am going to come back this year and do the best I can,” Shields said. “There is a lot of camp left. It is not like I am sitting around not doing anything. There is a lot of work I am doing. I am pretty sure I will be OK.”

If he sounded less than certain, he’s echoing the thoughts of the Chiefs. They plugged Chris Bober into Shields’ spot for most of camp so far, but John Welbourn and Brett Williams also had a chance.

The Chiefs signed Bober as a free agent last year because they liked his ability to play most of the line positions. That versatility prevented him from mastering any one spot.

“It’s difficult to be really good at a position when you don’t get a lot of practice time there,” Bober said. “Whatever position they put me at, if I get enough practice there I feel like I can go out and play well.”

The Chiefs are less stressed about right tackle because Sampson has handled himself well in camp. They are still diving into the unknown because Sampson is only in his second year and was drafted in the seventh round.

They are still eager to see Sampson and Black in the preseason opener a week from Friday at Minnesota.

“We’re pleased right now with the young kids we have out there,” Vermeil said. “But we haven’t scrimmaged anybody or played a preseason game.”

The Chiefs have made changes on their line before without losing offensive production. They added Roaf three years ago and started three different new right tackles last year.

That’s why it’s not much of an issue to quarterback Trent Green.

“A couple of guys have shuffled around a little bit,” Green said. “Willie Roaf wasn’t brought in until the second year. John Tait went from the left side to the right side. So there has been some shuffling going on, and it seems like they maintained a good, solid unit now for three solid years. Whoever is going to be the person at right tackle will have that tradition pretty much pounded in their heads.”

Sampson knows the tradition now. But he knew little about the Chiefs when he joined them. Sampson isn’t much of a football fan and confessed that he didn’t know who longtime Pro Bowlers Roaf and Shields were.

“I had to come here to find out who they are,” Sampson said. “But once I got here, I learned what kind of opportunity this was. Who better to learn from than the best offensive line in football? I can see how the best prepare, how they study, how they work out, how they work together.”

[TRR]

Originally Posted by Cormac

A couple of things surprise me about the O-line depth.

Sampson leads Black in the battle for the RT spot. Sampson was promising last year, but Black looked really solid in games. I guess it's a good problem to have.

Bober gets more PT at RG than Welbourn. This strikes me as odd. Welbourn is a beast with his nasty attitude and work ethic. I figured he'd be a lock at RG behind Shields. Bober has never really impressed me.

I guess a Welbourn-Black right side of the line sounds stronger to me than a Bober-Sampson???

Every pic I've seen of the starting OLine has Welbourn at RG. I'm confused about that as well.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Cormac

A couple of things surprise me about the O-line depth.

Sampson leads Black in the battle for the RT spot. Sampson was promising last year, but Black looked really solid in games. I guess it's a good problem to have.

Bober gets more PT at RG than Welbourn. This strikes me as odd. Welbourn is a beast with his nasty attitude and work ethic. I figured he'd be a lock at RG behind Shields. Bober has never really impressed me.

I guess a Welbourn-Black right side of the line sounds stronger to me than a Bober-Sampson???

One thing to keep in mind is that the Chiefs are wanting Black to play the LT, and give him the reps in that position, so that Black can be better prepared for that position, in case Big Willie decides to call it quits, or gets injured. We know what Black is capable of doing. (See Baltimore game as an example)

[kc rush]

Originally Posted by Cormac

A couple of things surprise me about the O-line depth.

Sampson leads Black in the battle for the RT spot. Sampson was promising last year, but Black looked really solid in games. I guess it's a good problem to have.

Bober gets more PT at RG than Welbourn. This strikes me as odd. Welbourn is a beast with his nasty attitude and work ethic. I figured he'd be a lock at RG behind Shields. Bober has never really impressed me.

I guess a Welbourn-Black right side of the line sounds stronger to me than a Bober-Sampson???

I heard an interview last week where they said they were trying to give Bober and Sampson more reps (you get more running with the first team) because they were not as familiar with the guard and tackle positions as Welbourne and Black.

They already know what Welbourne and Black can do, so my guess is that they would be in there if it was a game situation.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Cormac

A couple of things surprise me about the O-line depth.

Sampson leads Black in the battle for the RT spot. Sampson was promising last year, but Black looked really solid in games. I guess it's a good problem to have.

Bober gets more PT at RG than Welbourn. This strikes me as odd. Welbourn is a beast with his nasty attitude and work ethic. I figured he'd be a lock at RG behind Shields. Bober has never really impressed me.

I guess a Welbourn-Black right side of the line sounds stronger to me than a Bober-Sampson???

DV said the other day that the reason why Sampson and Bober are starting right now is because they need the most reps, not because they're the leading candidates to start. "Early and often" he said. Bober also said the same thing in an interview.

[RINGLEADER]

Teicher worries too much...

[Chief Faithful]

Originally Posted by kc rush

I heard an interview last week where they said they were trying to give Bober and Sampson more reps (you get more running with the first team) because they were not as familiar with the guard and tackle positions as Welbourne and Black.

They already know what Welbourne and Black can do, so my guess is that they would be in there if it was a game situation.

Last year Shields was the second team left tackle, but with his back and suggestions of retirement the team needs to further develop Black on the left. If Sampson can handle the right tackle then I see the team dedicating Black to Left tackle.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Vanilla Thunder

Sampson knows the tradition now. But he knew little about the Chiefs when he joined them. Sampson isn’t much of a football fan and confessed that he didn’t know who longtime Pro Bowlers Roaf and Shields were.

“I had to come here to find out who they are,” Sampson said.

I wish Sampson great success, but I must admit, this really annoys me. I would kill everyone in Ethiopia to be a pro football player, and this guy gets the chance and "isn't much of a football fan." Harumph.

[whoman69]

Teicher is a horrible reporter in the Nick Athan style. He sees things out there in the news and makes a story from that. Of course the Chiefs are concerned about Shields, but if he has to miss a few early games, this team has enough depth to get around it for a short time. Wellbourne is a much better guard than tackle. Bober can play just about anywhere on the line, and Williams is big and young. How many consecutive games has Will played?

[alpha_omega]

Teicher the fatalist.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by RINGLEADER

Teicher writes too much...

Exactly...