Chiefs Babb: Chiefs’ offensive line becomes a force to reckon with

**Tribal Warfare** · 11-14-2008, 01:27 AM

Chiefs’ offensive line becomes a force to reckon with
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star

Brian Waters looks at it this way: All that trouble the Chiefs endured at the start of the season, all the changes on offense, all the experiments that didn’t work — well, that helped this team.

Even the nightmare games, at Atlanta and Carolina, thickened the Chiefs’ skin and helped the offensive line learn from a rash of mistakes and sacks and a general feeling of chaos. The Chiefs became a passing team out of necessity, and that wasn’t a good look for this offensive line.

“We were just lacking all the way across the board,” Waters said this week. “We didn’t practice doing 40 or 50 pass plays. We just weren’t built that way. Those games have benefited us now because we can be who we are. We’re a better pass-protecting team now because we had to be. We had to adjust to that. Now it’s starting to show a little bit.”

The line still has work to do, but quarterback Tyler Thigpen doesn’t have to run for his life the same as Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard. The Chiefs allowed 22 sacks in their first seven games. In the last two, they’ve allowed two, both of them on Thigpen scrambles that ended close to the line of scrimmage.

Part of the line’s improved stat line is because, yes, Thigpen can run — and not just to avoid sacks. More than Croyle and Huard, anyway. And, yes, Thigpen is the product of an offense that relies on the passer’s quick release, meaning the line no longer has to block for four and five seconds while the Chiefs quarterback looks downfield.

Instead, linemen said the progress on offense has helped no group more than a unit seen as a weakness much of the last two seasons.

“We have confidence in our quarterback. It just gives you piece of mind,” right tackle Damion McIntosh said. “I get to do my job, and I know we’ll be able to move it downfield. You’ve got to put your trust in other guys to make plays.”

Which had been part of the problem. Running backs and receivers hadn’t been holding up their end of the blocking bargain, and that made the line look bad. And linemen had their own problems, from position changes to inexperience. Left tackle Branden Albert is a rookie, moved from guard, a position he played at the University of Virginia.

Center Rudy Niswanger is a first-year starter, and right guard Adrian Jones used to be a tackle. McIntosh had played left tackle the previous nine seasons. It took time for all that movement to settle and for the Chiefs linemen to get comfortable with themselves and as a group.

“We got a little bit out of whack,” Waters said.

McIntosh’s switch was a frustrating one. He made the move for the greater good, Albert’s potential and coaches’ belief he could anchor the line for years. McIntosh accepted the shift, but it took weeks for him to begin to feel comfortable.

The group came along and grew together, the same five men who had endured the bad times and grown calluses. The Chiefs had plenty of problems, but consistency on the offensive line wasn’t among them.

Other than one game, when Albert sat out because of a dislocated right elbow, Kansas City has started the same five linemen in each game.

But now that’s changing. Jones injured his ankle in last Sunday’s loss at San Diego, and he’s unlikely to play this week against New Orleans. That will shuffle Wade Smith into the starting lineup, and the 1-8 Chiefs aren’t at a point where change is anything but frightening.

The team is telling itself Smith and the line will make it through Sunday. The Chiefs are saying there won’t be a regression. That there won’t be more than a sack or two, with chemistry to blame.

Regardless, the Chiefs are moving forward. They think the line learned too much during all those bad times to turn back now. They think the system and Thigpen have come too far to suffer a setback.

It’s turned into a feeling the Chiefs didn’t possess even as recently as four weeks ago.

“We’re more confident,” McIntosh said. “It’s not one of those times where you’re frustrated all the time. That’s the thing: We’re not frustrated. We’ve got the guys who can make the plays, and they are making plays now.”

**DaneMcCloud** · 11-14-2008, 01:31 AM

Quoting Damien McIntosh is about as effective as quoting Shawn Barber.

mikey23545 · 11-14-2008, 01:40 AM

Holy Moley.

Cosmos · 11-14-2008, 01:48 AM

Wade Smith over Herb Taylor?

TEX · 11-14-2008, 06:23 AM

The whole right side of the line BLOWS - including Center. None would start on the majority of teams in the NFL.

PhillyChiefFan · 11-14-2008, 06:35 AM

I don't know if I would go as far to say they have become a force to be reckoned with but they have made progress.

McIntosh is about the LAST lineman I want to hear from. Hopefully after the draft we won't hear from him unless we're up 34-7 in the 4th.

beach tribe · 11-14-2008, 06:39 AM

Nothing has changed except for the fact that Tyler makes quick reads from the SG.

Red Beans · 11-14-2008, 07:30 AM

Is it April 1st already? Jesus...I'd bet one of my gigantic testicles that Sackintosh and Jones are responsible for at least half of those 22 sacks. Those two guys should be working security at Harrah's or something. Both are Horrible.

rad · 11-14-2008, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosmos

Wade Smith over Herb Taylor?

Taylor is a tackle.

MadMax · 11-14-2008, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Quoting Damien McIntosh is about as effective as quoting Shawn Barber.

Or Floyd the barber for that matter..

PhillyChiefFan · 11-14-2008, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMax

Or Floyd the barber for that matter..

rel="Lightbox"?s=71bf170096d21aa83ea1731ebb4c7f95&attachmentid=82825&thumb=1&d=1232753811" class="thumbnail" border="0" alt="Click image for larger version Name: floyd.jpg Views: 259 Size: 13.6 KB ID: 82825" style="margin: 2px" />

"Hmmm...what's that?? Why yes, McIntosh does suck balls!"

Floyd the Barber > Shawn Barber

Reerun_KC · 11-14-2008, 10:15 AM

print'em!

chiefzilla1501 · 11-14-2008, 10:18 AM

I wish the Chiefs would instead start Wade Smith at center and move Niswanger to guard. Not because Smith is a great center, but because I think Niswanger would play really well at guard and could be the RG of the future.

talastan · 11-14-2008, 10:18 AM

Didn't Wade Smith come in during the Sandy Eggo game? I'm actually not too worried about him. I feel better if he was starting over Jones. Then put Herbie in over Sackintosh. JMO

BigChiefFan · 11-14-2008, 10:28 AM

More Chiefs propoganda. Gee, thanks, Carl for all of your insightful information about the team. I'm sure you believe the O-line is kicking ass and taking names, evidenced by their 1-18 record. Yep, they are steller and having your lackies tell us this must make it true.

11-14-2008, 01:27 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $882813	Babb: Chiefs’ offensive line becomes a force to reckon with Chiefs’ offensive line becomes a force to reckon with By KENT BABB The Kansas City Star Brian Waters looks at it this way: All that trouble the Chiefs endured at the start of the season, all the changes on offense, all the experiments that didn’t work — well, that helped this team. Even the nightmare games, at Atlanta and Carolina, thickened the Chiefs’ skin and helped the offensive line learn from a rash of mistakes and sacks and a general feeling of chaos. The Chiefs became a passing team out of necessity, and that wasn’t a good look for this offensive line. “We were just lacking all the way across the board,” Waters said this week. “We didn’t practice doing 40 or 50 pass plays. We just weren’t built that way. Those games have benefited us now because we can be who we are. We’re a better pass-protecting team now because we had to be. We had to adjust to that. Now it’s starting to show a little bit.” The line still has work to do, but quarterback Tyler Thigpen doesn’t have to run for his life the same as Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard. The Chiefs allowed 22 sacks in their first seven games. In the last two, they’ve allowed two, both of them on Thigpen scrambles that ended close to the line of scrimmage. Part of the line’s improved stat line is because, yes, Thigpen can run — and not just to avoid sacks. More than Croyle and Huard, anyway. And, yes, Thigpen is the product of an offense that relies on the passer’s quick release, meaning the line no longer has to block for four and five seconds while the Chiefs quarterback looks downfield. Instead, linemen said the progress on offense has helped no group more than a unit seen as a weakness much of the last two seasons. “We have confidence in our quarterback. It just gives you piece of mind,” right tackle Damion McIntosh said. “I get to do my job, and I know we’ll be able to move it downfield. You’ve got to put your trust in other guys to make plays.” Which had been part of the problem. Running backs and receivers hadn’t been holding up their end of the blocking bargain, and that made the line look bad. And linemen had their own problems, from position changes to inexperience. Left tackle Branden Albert is a rookie, moved from guard, a position he played at the University of Virginia. Center Rudy Niswanger is a first-year starter, and right guard Adrian Jones used to be a tackle. McIntosh had played left tackle the previous nine seasons. It took time for all that movement to settle and for the Chiefs linemen to get comfortable with themselves and as a group. “We got a little bit out of whack,” Waters said. McIntosh’s switch was a frustrating one. He made the move for the greater good, Albert’s potential and coaches’ belief he could anchor the line for years. McIntosh accepted the shift, but it took weeks for him to begin to feel comfortable. The group came along and grew together, the same five men who had endured the bad times and grown calluses. The Chiefs had plenty of problems, but consistency on the offensive line wasn’t among them. Other than one game, when Albert sat out because of a dislocated right elbow, Kansas City has started the same five linemen in each game. But now that’s changing. Jones injured his ankle in last Sunday’s loss at San Diego, and he’s unlikely to play this week against New Orleans. That will shuffle Wade Smith into the starting lineup, and the 1-8 Chiefs aren’t at a point where change is anything but frightening. The team is telling itself Smith and the line will make it through Sunday. The Chiefs are saying there won’t be a regression. That there won’t be more than a sack or two, with chemistry to blame. Regardless, the Chiefs are moving forward. They think the line learned too much during all those bad times to turn back now. They think the system and Thigpen have come too far to suffer a setback. It’s turned into a feeling the Chiefs didn’t possess even as recently as four weeks ago. “We’re more confident,” McIntosh said. “It’s not one of those times where you’re frustrated all the time. That’s the thing: We’re not frustrated. We’ve got the guys who can make the plays, and they are making plays now.”
Posts: 42,088

11-14-2008, 01:31 AM	#2
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	Quoting Damien McIntosh is about as effective as quoting Shawn Barber.
Posts: 88,960

11-14-2008, 01:40 AM	#3
mikey23545 MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10015321	Holy Moley.
Posts: 12,314

11-14-2008, 01:48 AM	#4
Cosmos Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: California Casino cash: $4374900	Wade Smith over Herb Taylor?
Posts: 3,626

11-14-2008, 06:23 AM	#5
TEX Out Gunning CP's Fandom Police Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Laguna Beach, CA Casino cash: $2333127	The whole right side of the line BLOWS - including Center. None would start on the majority of teams in the NFL. __________________ "The CHIEFS, HAVE THEIR DYNASTY!"
Posts: 34,694

11-14-2008, 06:35 AM	#6
PhillyChiefFan Veteran Join Date: May 2007 Location: Harrisburg, PA Casino cash: $4551139	I don't know if I would go as far to say they have become a force to be reckoned with but they have made progress. McIntosh is about the LAST lineman I want to hear from. Hopefully after the draft we won't hear from him unless we're up 34-7 in the 4th.
Posts: 3,404

11-14-2008, 06:39 AM	#7
beach tribe Keep doubting J MFing Houston Join Date: May 2007 Location: ft.lauderdale Casino cash: $4808036	Nothing has changed except for the fact that Tyler makes quick reads from the SG.
Posts: 21,429

11-14-2008, 07:30 AM	#8
Red Beans Not dead yet... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Indian Creek Casino cash: $3229903	Is it April 1st already? Jesus...I'd bet one of my gigantic testicles that Sackintosh and Jones are responsible for at least half of those 22 sacks. Those two guys should be working security at Harrah's or something. Both are Horrible.
Posts: 2,794

11-14-2008, 10:15 AM	#12
Reerun_KC Rock Chalk Jayhawks! KU!!! Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $8301160	print'em!
Posts: 934

11-14-2008, 10:18 AM	#13
chiefzilla1501 In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $2074497	I wish the Chiefs would instead start Wade Smith at center and move Niswanger to guard. Not because Smith is a great center, but because I think Niswanger would play really well at guard and could be the RG of the future.
Posts: 48,126

11-14-2008, 10:18 AM	#14
talastan Manning, we're coming for you! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Springfield, Mo Casino cash: $10004950	Didn't Wade Smith come in during the Sandy Eggo game? I'm actually not too worried about him. I feel better if he was starting over Jones. Then put Herbie in over Sackintosh. JMO __________________ Can we please just draft AND DEVELOP a QB - est. since 1983 Check out my band: Truett and the Traitors
Posts: 4,815

11-14-2008, 10:28 AM	#15
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	More Chiefs propoganda. Gee, thanks, Carl for all of your insightful information about the team. I'm sure you believe the O-line is kicking ass and taking names, evidenced by their 1-18 record. Yep, they are steller and having your lackies tell us this must make it true. __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
Posts: 15,777