Chiefs Worrisome things: Offensive Line - Page 8

OldSchool · 10:00 PM

While we were already one of the youngest offensive lines last year, we got even younger this year:

First our Starters:

Eric Fisher (23)
Jeff Allen (24)
Rod Hudson (24)
Rishaw Johnson (25)
Donald Stephenson (25)

Backups (not all of these guys will make the roster obviously, but these are the main ones including the new picks):

Rokevious Watkins (25)
Jeff Linkenbach (26)
Eric Kush (24)
Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff (23)
Zach FUlton (22)

Holy Shit! I don't think I've ever heard of any team in the league running with an offensive line that is this young and this inexperienced. With the defensive front 7s that we have to face next year (Rams, Seahawks, Niners, Jets, Cardinals, Bills, Steelers, Patriots), how do they expect this offensive line to hold up well against that? I really hope that they are going to sign a veteran or two to help these younger guys develop and also serve as quality depth or even starters at OG or something.

Here is a taste of the pass rushers/DLs we will face next year:

SF:
Aldon Smith - Justin Smith - Ray McDonald - Ahmad Brooks

St. Louis:
Robert Quinn - Michael Brockers - Aaron Donald - Chris Long

Arizona:
Sam Acho - Calais Campbell - Darnell Dockett - Daryl Washington (MLB blitzes) - John Abraham

Buffalo:
Mario Williams - Marcell Dareus - Kyle Williams - Jerry Hughes

Here are two guys that are still out there who can help.

1. Uche Nwaneri, 30 - He's a solid NFL guard who still plays at a sufficiently high level. He shouldn't cost too much at this point and would go a long way towards improving this OL.

2. Daryn Colledge, 32 - At this point of his career, he's good as a back-up with starter ability and the ability to play either guard position. He offers position versatility and a good amount of NFL experience.

I just think that Dorsey and Reid are playing with fire if their goal is to have our OL learn and develop through trial and error without a single solid veteran presence to help guide the younger guys a long the way.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think that we'll be fine against the schedule that we have?

**RealSNR** · 05-11-2014, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

Left guard, right guard... if any of these guys are worth a fat **** it shouldn't matter.

Kick Hudson over to LG and stick Kush in there at C... fixed.

I expect that to go over as well as kicking Mike DeVito over to CB and sticking Brandon Flowers in at NT

**Easy 6** · 05-11-2014, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

I expect that to go over as well as kicking Mike DeVito over to CB and sticking Brandon Flowers in at NT

Yeah, that sounds reasonable...

Kush is a center and Hudson, well, Hudson I'm not sure what he is, maybe Johnson is a better, bigger fit... Hudson seems all finesse to me, our interior push in short yardage last year was a joke.

That starts with the center, he's too light and doesn't play angry enough.

Mr. Laz · 05-11-2014, 05:06 PM

we have a few options along the interior of the Oline, we must stay healthy though.

**RealSNR** · 05-11-2014, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

Yeah, that sounds reasonable...

Kush is a center and Hudson, well, Hudson I'm not sure what he is, maybe Johnson is a better, bigger fit... Hudson seems all finesse to me, our interior push in short yardage last year was a joke.

That starts with the center, he's too light and doesn't play angry enough.

I mean, I was absolutely exaggerating. The image of Mike DeVito playing in Sutton's press man scheme as a CB is hilarious to me.

Kush did very little to impress me in the San Diego game. Most of the successful push that you saw on the interior line that game was due to Rishaw Johnson. Kush could move and get in position for upfield blocks just fine, but always at the expense of slowing down the line enough to let the running play develop. And in pass coverage he was inadequate, and that's putting it gently.

You couple that with moving Hudson to LG, a position he hasn't tried to play since his rookie year in training camp, and I see some disastrous results. That's far worse than just replacing one guy with another and minimizing the depletion that one injury can have.

It's why Stephenson was so valuable last year. Our OL didn't miss a beat when he was in there partly because he could fill in so admirably on BOTH sides. We weren't shifting guys down and replacing this guy for that guy. We were just taking one injured player out and replacing him with Stephenson.

We don't have that this year. If Fisher goes down, Stephenson is going to have to bump back to LT, and a new RT will be the replacement. That means you're putting out a replacement at both OT spots. If Allen goes out, if Rok Watkins isn't on the team, you're gonna need Rishaw Johnson to learn both guard spots. Or Fulton. Or Linkenbach. Or SOMEbody.

**SAUTO** · 05-11-2014, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

the thing is there's no continuity with this line

next year we could (will) have a new center. They can't afford to keep Hudson no different than they couldnt keep Asamoah or Schwartz

following year Stephenson will be overpaid in FA.

Jeff Allen is also gone in that span

So in the next 2 years we could (will) have a new center, new starting tackle and a new LG. The only guy really under control is Fisher lol.

This is the problem with the Chiefs being so close to the cap, they wont be able to afford any of these guys because there will be more important players on the roster to spend money on. The lines going to look completely different in 2 years again.

You arent taking into account the projected salary cap jumps
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**SAUTO** · 05-11-2014, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

Left guard, right guard... if any of these guys are worth a fat **** it shouldn't matter.

Kick Hudson over to LG and stick Kush in there at C... fixed.

Dammit we agree again. Are you my brother
Posted via Mobile Device

**Easy 6** · 05-11-2014, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

I mean, I was absolutely exaggerating. The image of Mike DeVito playing in Sutton's press man scheme as a CB is hilarious to me.

Kush did very little to impress me in the San Diego game. Most of the successful push that you saw on the interior line that game was due to Rishaw Johnson. Kush could move and get in position for upfield blocks just fine, but always at the expense of slowing down the line enough to let the running play develop. And in pass coverage he was inadequate, and that's putting it gently.

You couple that with moving Hudson to LG, a position he hasn't tried to play since his rookie year in training camp, and I see some disastrous results. That's far worse than just replacing one guy with another and minimizing the depletion that one injury can have.

It's why Stephenson was so valuable last year. Our OL didn't miss a beat when he was in there partly because he could fill in so admirably on BOTH sides. We weren't shifting guys down and replacing this guy for that guy. We were just taking one injured player out and replacing him with Stephenson.

We don't have that this year. If Fisher goes down, Stephenson is going to have to bump back to LT, and a new RT will be the replacement. That means you're putting out a replacement at both OT spots. If Allen goes out, if Rok Watkins isn't on the team, you're gonna need Rishaw Johnson to learn both guard spots. Or Fulton. Or Linkenbach. Or SOMEbody.

For me, it all comes down to not being a fan of Allen, at ALL... Kush isn't some burgeoning pro bowler I agree, but position for position he looks better at his than Allen does at LG.

Allen doesn't seem to have a strength, average to poor in all areas... not strong, nor fleet of foot, doesn't have good balance, leans into guys way too much, cant adjust to a second move on and on it goes.

I just want him replaced, it would be hard for any of our guys to be worse, IMO.

**Easy 6** · 05-11-2014, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

Dammit we agree again. Are you my brother
Posted via Mobile Device

Saccopoo · 05-11-2014, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

we have a few options along the interior of the Oline, we must stay healthy though.

I have been told that drafting a good guard prospect would have been a stupid thing to do.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 05-11-2014, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

I have been told that drafting a good guard prospect would have been a stupid thing to do.

Drafting a good guard prospect with the 23rd pick would have been a stupid thing to do.

jd1020 · 05-11-2014, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

I have been told that drafting a good guard prospect would have been a stupid thing to do.

Wrong. You've been told that drafting a "good guard prospect" in the 1st ****ing round would have been a stupid thing to do. Especially over a pass rusher.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 05-11-2014, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd1020

Wrong. You've been told that drafting a "good guard prospect" in the 1st ****ing round would have been a stupid thing to do. Especially over a pass rusher.

Too late, bitch.

Saccopoo · 05-11-2014, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

For me, it all comes down to not being a fan of Allen, at ALL... Kush isn't some burgeoning pro bowler I agree, but position for position he looks better at his than Allen does at LG.

Allen doesn't seem to have a strength, average to poor in all areas... not strong, nor fleet of foot, doesn't have good balance, leans into guys way too much, cant adjust to a second move on and on it goes.

I just want him replaced, it would be hard for any of our guys to be worse, IMO.

You'd think that, but there was a reason Allen was starting and not the other dudes.

Allen has a very good work ethic and attitude. I see him being significantly better in 2014 than he was last season.

And I'm pretty sure he's the OT swing guy as of right now as well, meaning that if Fisher goes down, Stephenson will move over to LT and Allen will get RT duties with Watkins and Johnson at the guard spots.

Then you'll really get to see the concept of "hard for any of our guys to be worse."

chiefzilla1501 · 05-11-2014, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

I mean, I was absolutely exaggerating. The image of Mike DeVito playing in Sutton's press man scheme as a CB is hilarious to me.

Kush did very little to impress me in the San Diego game. Most of the successful push that you saw on the interior line that game was due to Rishaw Johnson. Kush could move and get in position for upfield blocks just fine, but always at the expense of slowing down the line enough to let the running play develop. And in pass coverage he was inadequate, and that's putting it gently.

You couple that with moving Hudson to LG, a position he hasn't tried to play since his rookie year in training camp, and I see some disastrous results. That's far worse than just replacing one guy with another and minimizing the depletion that one injury can have.

It's why Stephenson was so valuable last year. Our OL didn't miss a beat when he was in there partly because he could fill in so admirably on BOTH sides. We weren't shifting guys down and replacing this guy for that guy. We were just taking one injured player out and replacing him with Stephenson.

We don't have that this year. If Fisher goes down, Stephenson is going to have to bump back to LT, and a new RT will be the replacement. That means you're putting out a replacement at both OT spots. If Allen goes out, if Rok Watkins isn't on the team, you're gonna need Rishaw Johnson to learn both guard spots. Or Fulton. Or Linkenbach. Or SOMEbody.

I think what was pleasantly surprising about Kush was that he wasn't a disaster. Keep in mind he came from a very small school and that the new CBA makes it extremely difficult for rookies to learn the game in their rookie season. If that's Kush's floor, I'm looking forward to seeing him compete for the starting job this season with a lot more seasoning. It won't take much to be just as good as Hudson.

Saccopoo · 05-11-2014, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Drafting a good guard prospect with the 23rd pick would have been a stupid thing to do.

Not really, especially with the structured contracts.

And S'ua-Filo has started at LT as well. The guy is pretty talented.

For a team desperate for quality line play/depth, it wouldn't have been a bad pick.

Better than getting a guy who can't do anything other than rush the passer playing behind two Pro Bowlers.

I look forward to Ford's special teams contributions.

05-10-2014, 09:40 PM
OldSchool MVP Join Date: Sep 2013 Casino cash: $10035212	Worrisome things: Offensive Line While we were already one of the youngest offensive lines last year, we got even younger this year: First our Starters: Eric Fisher (23) Jeff Allen (24) Rod Hudson (24) Rishaw Johnson (25) Donald Stephenson (25) Backups (not all of these guys will make the roster obviously, but these are the main ones including the new picks): Rokevious Watkins (25) Jeff Linkenbach (26) Eric Kush (24) Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff (23) Zach FUlton (22) Holy Shit! I don't think I've ever heard of any team in the league running with an offensive line that is this young and this inexperienced. With the defensive front 7s that we have to face next year (Rams, Seahawks, Niners, Jets, Cardinals, Bills, Steelers, Patriots), how do they expect this offensive line to hold up well against that? I really hope that they are going to sign a veteran or two to help these younger guys develop and also serve as quality depth or even starters at OG or something. Here is a taste of the pass rushers/DLs we will face next year: SF: Aldon Smith - Justin Smith - Ray McDonald - Ahmad Brooks St. Louis: Robert Quinn - Michael Brockers - Aaron Donald - Chris Long Arizona: Sam Acho - Calais Campbell - Darnell Dockett - Daryl Washington (MLB blitzes) - John Abraham Buffalo: Mario Williams - Marcell Dareus - Kyle Williams - Jerry Hughes Here are two guys that are still out there who can help. 1. Uche Nwaneri, 30 - He's a solid NFL guard who still plays at a sufficiently high level. He shouldn't cost too much at this point and would go a long way towards improving this OL. 2. Daryn Colledge, 32 - At this point of his career, he's good as a back-up with starter ability and the ability to play either guard position. He offers position versatility and a good amount of NFL experience. I just think that Dorsey and Reid are playing with fire if their goal is to have our OL learn and develop through trial and error without a single solid veteran presence to help guide the younger guys a long the way. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think that we'll be fine against the schedule that we have? Last edited by OldSchool; 05-10-2014 at 10:00 PM..
Posts: 12,727

05-11-2014, 05:06 PM	#108
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	we have a few options along the interior of the Oline, we must stay healthy though. __________________
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