Matt Miller: Stephenson has "top 10 potential."

[Direckshun]

Matt Miller ‏@nfldraftscout Feb 8

If there was an award for Most Improved Off. Lineman, it'd go to @Don59Wayne without a doubt. Starting-caliber tackle with top 10 potential

Matt Miller is one of the chief evaluators for NFLDraftScout, a website nearly every one of you use during draft season, and the chief NFL Draft writer for Bleacher Report.

Probably didn't deserve its own thread, but it's legit media talking about a less heralded player we've all been rooting for, so what the hell.

And yes, for those of you not on twitter: @Don59Wayne = Donald Stephenson.

[Mr. Flopnuts]

Love reading that!

[ModSocks]

Top 10 potential?

Sure i could see that.

I do think we can lose Albert and plug Stephenson in and we probably won't miss much.

[BlackHelicopters]

Good news!

[Titty Meat]

We could all be rich if we bought a lottery ticket

[Fish]

Saccapoo redeemed.

[Eleazar]

I do think we can lose Albert and plug Stephenson in and we probably won't miss much.

There was no perceptible decline when Albert was out.

[RunKC]

For the doubters, go watch the playoff game again (if you can stomach it). He was beat for the strip sack, but before that he did a solid job blocking Mathis.

[Hammock Parties]

Matt Miller is an idiot.

Stephenson is at best an average tackle. Top 10 potential is a laughable statement after he was a turnstile for much of the season.

http://i.imgur.com/ctXtI8f.jpg

[Big Poppa Payne]

For the doubters, go watch the playoff game again (if you can stomach it). He was beat for the strip sack, but before that he did a solid job blocking Mathis.

Wasn't it Fasano that got beat on that strip sack play? Stephenson took the inside guy and Fasano was left one on one with Mathis.

[ct]

Matt Miller is an idiot.

Stephenson is at best an average tackle. Top 10 potential is a laughable statement after he was a turnstile for much of the season.

http://i.imgur.com/ctXtI8f.jpg

Interesting, cause I see +4.5 over the last 7 games as a full time starter, inc WC game, that sounds ok by me.

[Direckshun]

Don't you know, ct? Those last seven games are entirely canceled out by his poor play in less than half the snaps in week 4.

:rolleyes:

[RealSNR]

Donald Stephenson > Chris Clark

[mcaj22]

all I take from that PFF chart is that Stephenson is better at his natural LT position. Fisher defenders also say he'd be better at LT also. So basically, we have two LTs and two guys that struggle at RT.

but that's what we get from playing musical chairs on our offensive line, having a LT at guard and guard at center and two LTs trying to play RT and so on and so forth.

[Hammock Parties]

Interesting, cause I see +4.5 over the last 7 games as a full time starter, inc WC game, that sounds ok by me.

Look at the raw numbers. He gave up 34 total pressure in 623 snaps, and his last game from a pass blocking standpoint was just as poor as his early games. He was ranked 61st out of 76 OTs in pass blocking efficiency.

Compare to Albert, who gave up 26 total pressure in 883 snaps (this was top 10 among OTs in PBE).

http://i.imgur.com/vYARd5m.jpg

Stephenson is an average player right now...if he doesn't regress.

[Eleazar]

Interesting, cause I see +4.5 over the last 7 games as a full time starter, inc WC game, that sounds ok by me.

all that Douche Baggins knows about football is what he can google.

[Hammock Parties]

all that Douche Baggins knows about football is what he can google.

Do you really think Stephenson showed anything close to top 10 potential last season? The guy got beat a lot. PFF only confirms what should be obvious to people.

Sure, he had a couple of good games...big deal.

Continue, homers.

[RippedmyFlesh]

Look at the raw numbers. He gave up 34 total pressure in 623 snaps, and his last game from a pass blocking standpoint was just as poor as his early games. He was ranked 61st out of 76 OTs in pass blocking efficiency.

Compare to Albert, who gave up 26 total pressure in 883 snaps (this was top 10 among OTs in PBE).

Stephenson is an average player right now...if he doesn't regress.

If Albert walks practicing with the 1's from the beginning of camp will help Stephenson play better. To me it's all about Fischer. If he can handle LT we will be ok. If Albert walks and Fischer can't cut it at LT Stephenson would be a good stop gap at LT.

[CaliforniaChief]

Hey, that should make us all feel better about Pioli drafting him ahead of RUSSELL FREAKING WILSON, right? :cuss:

[TLO]

How old is Stephenson?

[alpha_omega]

Well, I hope Miller is right, 'cause i got a feelin' that's the way it's gonna go.

[duncan_idaho]

Matt Miller is the same guy who was claiming Luke Joeckel was equal to Jon Ogden before the last draft.

I take everything that guy says about LTs with a rather large grain of salt.

[Titty Meat]

PFF is about as credible as Infowars

[Fat Elvis]

Do you really think Stephenson showed anything close to top 10 potential last season? The guy got beat a lot. PFF only confirms what should be obvious to people.

Sure, he had a couple of good games...big deal.

Continue, homers.

Geno Smith

[Eleazar]

If Albert walks

There's no "If" about it

[BlackHelicopters]

Loud noises.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

We could all be rich if we bought a lottery ticket

I just bought one but WE all won't be rich, but I just might.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

How old is Stephenson?

Old enough to play Left Tackle !

[BigMeatballDave]

Nope

[htismaqe]

At least we have one tackle with top 10 potential...

[BlackHelicopters]

To the watchtower

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

He only gave up 1 QB sack !?!? Whoa!

[BigMeatballDave]

At least we have one tackle with top 10 potential...

Trollol

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Fisher was such a joke of a pick

[T-post Tom]

Matt Miller is an idiot.

He's written some very sketchy stuff about the Chiefs. He doesn't seem to have a very good base of knowledge about this team or its recent history.

[Saccopoo]

Saccapoo redeemed.

http://static3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130505202239/vampirediaries/images/a/ad/Bow.gif

[saphojunkie]

I would just like to point out that Matt Miller was one of the guys going after Branden Albert last offseason, talking about his "potentially career-ending injury."

[BigMeatballDave]

Fisher was such a joke of a pick

Eh, we'll see.

[Saccopoo]

Fisher was such a joke of a pick

Not a chance.

Fisher has an elite level skill set. Basically everyone (real NFL scouts, not just the slapdicks around here/intrawebs) was of the opinion that Fisher was a top three talent in the 2013 Draft.

Yeah, he got his ass kicked bad early on, but started stabilizing and by the end of the season was actually playing quite well. Go ask Von Miller. He'll tell you the same.

Likewise, Stephenson has a unique and elite skill set. As I've stated numerous times previously, if he stayed in school his senior year, he would have been in the running for first offensive tackle taken in the 2013 Draft. He was easily the better tackle at OU between him and Top 5 Draft pick Lane Johnson. (I liken us taking him in the third to when we selected Charles in the same round. Incredible talent, but didn't necessarily get to showcase it to the fullest potential at the college level due to early entry into the draft - prior to the draft, I thought that Charles, if he stayed in school would have been the front runner for the Heisman his senior season.)

His combine numbers are insane and he's got excellent feet and spacing. All Don needed to do was to get stronger in order to be effective against NFL level ends and linebackers. That was going to take a season or two, but he's got absolutely everything you want in a high level NFL offensive tackle.

I think that between Fisher and Stephenson, the Chiefs have the makings of elite level bookend tackles and you'll see the 2014 season with Fisher at LT and Stephenson at RT.

Now, if they can get that LG problem addressed in the draft...

[MotherfuckerJones]

Matt Millers a fucking dickweed. He couldn't sniff talent if he was hit in the nose with it.

[rtmike]

Matt Millers a ****ing dickweed. He couldn't sniff talent if he was hit in the nose with it.

He wasn't worth a shit as a GM & his opinionated writing isn't worth a shit either.

[jd1020]

Now that we have have our replacement for Albert, it's time to finally stop ignoring the RT position and pick one up in round 1.

[BigMeatballDave]

He wasn't worth a shit as a GM & his opinionated writing isn't worth a shit either.

Are you thinking about Matt Millen?

[rtmike]

Are you thinking about Matt Millen?

Better change your batteries. ;)

[MotherfuckerJones]

He wasn't worth a shit as a GM & his opinionated writing isn't worth a shit either.

Wut? Matt MillER not Millen

[RealSNR]

Better change your batteries. ;)

It's okay, rtmike. I understood the joke. I got your back

[BossChief]

LT Fisher
LG Hudson
C. Kush
RG Schwartz
RT Stephenson

That's how we should line up next year IMO.

[Big Poppa Payne]

LT Fisher
LG Hudson
C. Kush
RG Schwartz
RT Stephenson

That's how we should line up next year IMO.

That might be a good look. You think Albert's gone?

[BossChief]

That might be a good look. You think Albert's gone?

No, I don't "think" he's gone.

I KNOW he's gone.

I went back and re-watched the finale against SD and Kush looks to have some real potential. The guy gets set up extremely quick, gets to the next level flawlessly and can really get out in front when he was pulling.

I think he should start and Hudson should be moved back to the position he was an all American at FSt at. LG.

[Big Poppa Payne]

No, I don't "think" he's gone.

I KNOW he's gone.

Yeah I think you're right. I don't see them being able to keep him. I wish there was a way they could though.

[The Franchise]

Might as well move Hudson in his contract year.

[TimeForWasp]

Anyone named Matt sucks.

[J Diddy]

That might be a good look. You think Albert's gone?

I would bet on it. Tbh, the move here, I think is a tag and trade. After his performance last year we could get something.

[Big Poppa Payne]

I would bet on it. Tbh, the move here, I think is a tag and trade. After his performance last year we could get something.

It would be nice to get a young stud WR for him but that's wishful thinking.

[O.city]

You can't tag and trad. If you tag, then can't trade you're fucked

[Big Poppa Payne]

You can't tag and trad. If you tag, then can't trade you're fucked

Is he restricted or unrestricted this year?

[O.city]

He's unrestricted

[Big Poppa Payne]

He's unrestricted

Gotcha

[BWillie]

Stephenson, more talent and potential than Eric Fisher..wait didn't we draft him #1 last year?

[Big Poppa Payne]

You can't tag and trad. If you tag, then can't trade you're fucked

FYI. You can tag then trade. Matt Cassel was tagged by NE and then traded to us and we tagged Jared Allen then traded him to MN.

[O.city]

FYI. You can tag then trade. Matt Cassel was tagged by NE and then traded to us and we tagged Jared Allen then traded him to MN.

You CAN, but int his situation, we shouldn't

[Big Poppa Payne]

You CAN, but int his situation, we shouldn't

I agree, I think it would be dumb. I don't see them getting anything valuable for trading a tagged Albert.

[Easy 6]

LT Fisher
LG Hudson
C. Kush
RG Schwartz
RT Stephenson

That's how we should line up next year IMO.

Yeah, that looks solid... puts both Kush and Hudson at their natural positions.

[aturnis]

Yeah, Stephenson had some downright horrible games this year.

[Saccopoo]

LT Fisher
LG Hudson
C. Kush
RG Schwartz
RT Stephenson

That's how we should line up next year IMO.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmka1dEGLv1qii6tmo1_400.gif

[chiefzilla1501]

LT Fisher
LG Hudson
C. Kush
RG Schwartz
RT Stephenson

That's how we should line up next year IMO.

Agreed.

You know what would be crazy? Rishaw Johnson didn't play bad against San Diego. Wouldn't that be crazy if TWO offensive linemen from obscure California University of Pennsylvania started side by side?

[BossChief]

The age and talent level/fit of that line would be outstanding and would KILL IT on those screens Andy loves to call. Every one of those guys has top shelf mobility for their respective position and with them all being so young and talented, they could really make a run of 5-7 years of top shelf line play with no further major investments.

[ThaVirus]

LT Fisher
LG Hudson
C. Kush
RG Schwartz
RT Stephenson

That's how we should line up next year IMO.

Doesn't seem like enough continuity there.

[Saccopoo]

Doesn't seem like enough continuity there.

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/352/749/e44.gif

[htismaqe]

LT Fisher
LG Hudson
C. Kush
RG Schwartz
RT Stephenson

That's how we should line up next year IMO.

Fisher needs to EARN the LT spot.

[J Diddy]

Fisher needs to EARN the LT spot.
He earned it in college.

[duncan_idaho]

Just hope they're flexible enough in thought that if Stephenson is still playing better than Fisher at LT come the 2014 season, they leave Stephenson at LT.

Would be great for Fisher to start proving how "safe" a pick he was.

[htismaqe]

He earned it in college.

ROFL

[htismaqe]

Just hope they're flexible enough in thought that if Stephenson is still playing better than Fisher at LT come the 2014 season, they leave Stephenson at LT.

Would be great for Fisher to start proving how "safe" a pick he was.

This.

[BlackHelicopters]

Doesn't seem like enough continuity there.

Reported

[ThaVirus]

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/352/749/e44.gif

Reported

I don't get it...

[BigMeatballDave]

Fisher needs to EARN the LT spot.

Earn it? He was drafted 1.1. Are you new to football?

Put his ass at LT. Make him prove he's worth the pick.

[Direckshun]

LT Fisher
LG Hudson
C. Kush
RG Schwartz
RT Stephenson

That's how we should line up next year IMO.

uhhhh

Yeah, we should have a completely new OL?

[Direckshun]

Just hope they're flexible enough in thought that if Stephenson is still playing better than Fisher at LT come the 2014 season, they leave Stephenson at LT.

Would be great for Fisher to start proving how "safe" a pick he was.

Considering Reid benched Fisher for the playoff game, I'd say they're plenty flexible.

This is the guy who benched Donovan McNabb. Keep that in mind.

[Titty Meat]

Hudson is too small to play guard.

[Easy 6]

uhhhh

Yeah, we should have a completely new OL?

I remember you not thinking much of Kush at San Diego, but I thought he looked excellent, more athletic and stouter than Hudson ever dreamed of being... putting him at his natural position and sliding Hudson over to his makes sense IMO.

And it also accomplishes one other thing, it sends Allen to the bench.

[duncan_idaho]

Considering Reid benched Fisher for the playoff game, I'd say they're plenty flexible.

This is the guy who benched Donovan McNabb. Keep that in mind.

I know. Just cynical

Too many years as a KC fan watching Scooter and Dayton Moore do things that defy all logical, modern thought processes in their sport. Too much stubborn trust of shitty players and too much playing time given to them.

[Direckshun]

Matt Miller ‏@nfldraftscout · 14m
Said it last year, #Chiefs could get younger, cheaper, better at tackle. They did. Stephenson and Fisher will be great.

[Kiimo]

If he has top 10 potential I'd be glad to wait. Meanwhile Russell Wilson is ALREADY a Superbowl-winning QB.

Golfclap, Pioli.

[duncan_idaho]

Matt Miller ‏@nfldraftscout · 14m
Said it last year, #Chiefs could get younger, cheaper, better at tackle. They did. Stephenson and Fisher will be great.

Miller is such a buffoon.

He also spent that time talking about how awesome Luke Joeckel was and how he was the same as Jonathan Ogden.

[Direckshun]

Just some freelancing scout on Twitter. Take for what it's worth.

JinxFootball ‏@JinxFootball · 7m
LTs I would take over Don Wayne: Joe Thomas, Trent Williams, Duane Brown, Ryan Clady ummm maybe Tyron Smith, Matt Kalil, Roos

JinxFootball ‏@JinxFootball · 7m
Id take Don Wayne over Solder, Whitworth, Penn, Beatty, DBrick

[aturnis]

He's also likely regurgitating Miller's takes. Trying to act as though he knows something.

[Sorter]

Hudson is too small to play guard.

Not if we're going to build on a ZB philosophy emphasized throughout the 2nd half of the season.

Additionally, since we haven't seen how Hudson performs as a G in a power emphasized philosophy, I'm not inclined to immediately write him off as being unable to perform said duties; he's an unknown.

[Hammock Parties]

Just some freelancing scout on Twitter. Take for what it's worth.

JinxFootball ‏@JinxFootball · 7m
LTs I would take over Don Wayne: Joe Thomas, Trent Williams, Duane Brown, Ryan Clady ummm maybe Tyron Smith, Matt Kalil, Roos

JinxFootball ‏@JinxFootball · 7m
Id take Don Wayne over Solder, Whitworth, Penn, Beatty, DBrick

I'd take about 40 OTs over "Don Wayne." He hasn't even earned any kind of cool nickname, Christ.

He's fucking Donald, and he's a very pedestrian NFL player.

[O.city]

I thought Hudson played prett well at C?

[Big Poppa Payne]

I think they meant to say Stephenson has top 100 potential. They left a zero out.

[ThaVirus]

I thought Hudson played prett well at C?

I thought he did pretty well.

He's young, he's cheap, he's solid and he has potential to get better. Not every player on your roster is going to be an All-Pro. You're going to have some Hudsons sprinkled throughout.