Cassel holds the ball. It's what he does. He's a poor man's Rothlisberger. He also doesn't see the field very well. The guy needs all the protection that he can get in passing situations. Any upgrade that the Chiefs can make to the offensive line is welcomed. (Look at how impactful the additions of Lilja and Wiegmann were this year, and we're talking about two undersized guys who can't hold the point of attack very well. Good line players, especially Wiegmann, but the guy is 38.)

Actually, I think you can. It depends on how the draft falls, but I think that Carimi, Costanzo or Solder would be an upgrade as they all have better skill sets as blindside protectors over Albert. (Albert has no kick step and isn't fast enough to make adjustments to speed rushers. He's a lunger.)

Having Albert slide into LG would upgrade that particular position as Waters continues to age. (He's a good guard, but he doesn't move his feet as well as he did in the past.) Draft a guy a center in the fourth or beyond (Taylor or Kirkpatrick would be very acceptable at that point), and think about even moving Asamoah over to the RT spot (he looked pretty comfortable at the LT spot when Albert got injured in one of the games this year - I thought he looked better than Albert did) or drafting a guy like Barksdale, Gilbert, Brewer or Morris in the second or beyond.

With the Chiefs drafting 21st this year, most of the top level impact playmakers that fit their scheme (Von Miller, AJ Green, Julio Jones) are going to be off the board. Taking one of the top tackles is not that bad of a concept rather than reaching for a second level receiver or linebacker (Houston had a nice 2010 season, but he's a bit of a one year wonder at this point and I haven't seen anything that suggests he's anything more than a pure pass rusher, which the LOLB spot in a 3-4 does not require).

I also think that Phil Taylor is a huge reach in the first. He's prototype for the position, but he hasn't shown much passion or desire up until this off-season when it's time for him to try to make a buck or two. His career was marked with a lot of immaturities while at Penn State and a lack of production while at Baylor.

I think that the #2 WR position needs a guy that can run impeccable routes and has great hands would be a better fit for this team and this scheme than a speed guy. But a #2 wide receiver needs to be found. There is a number of guys in this draft that should be available in the second or third round that fit the bill. (Hankerson or Pettis would be really nice around there and because both lack the top end timed speed, they aren't going to be first rounders though Hank might have slipped into the bottom of the first round with his impressive Senior Bowl. Depending upon how he runs at the Combine/Pro Day, it will either drop or elevate him. Right now, I think he and Pettis are pretty equal in terms of their skillset and speed.)

I think that the Chiefs are in a prime position to upgrade the tackle position with a quality guy in this draft. Next year's record will most likely not be as good as this years record (the schedule is absolutely brutal next year and the matchups aren't favorable for the Chiefs), and they might be back drafting in the top ten in 2012. Getting a guy, who, at the very least, can upgrade the right tackle position would be a good thing for this team.

So, you're saying that the players are good, it's the coaches that suck? And Richardson having problems with false starts isn't a bad thing. Is that a coaching thing as well?

Whatever. Enjoy your super duper offensive line against the NFC North and Pittsburgh, the Colts and New England in 2011. I'm sure that Richardson will be much improved (or at least get that false start thing worked out) by the start of 2011 and he'll just manhandle guys like Clay Matthews and Peppers.

I hope that the Chiefs draft whatever defensive end you are high on in the first this year. It will go a long way to making the team better. It's good to have balance...

The funny thing about pulling Richardson is that O'Callaghan immediately whiffed on a block that led to the 4th down play completely blowing up.

I'm in no way doubting your observations or questioning your opinion, but Wisconsin offensive lineman scare me. It *seems* like they all have a hard time transitioning to the NFL.

Other than Kraig Urbik, I can't think of any recent Wisconsin lineman who busted.

Thomas worked out fine. Mark Tauscher and Casey Rabach are the other Badger lineman currently in the NFL.

Maybe I'm missing something :shrug:

Urbik and Aaron Gibson come to mind.

I'm probably over-reacting. :D

I just don't think that the problem with our line is either of the tackles. I think it's the center and to a lesser extent guards.
Richardson has certainly missed some blitz pickups, but he's a young player. It happens. He's also a mauler in the run game, and I think he has upside. No reason to think he won't continue to improve.
I think Albert is pretty good, frankly. I think people who think he is not have been spoiled for life by watching Willie Roaf for a few years. Nobody ever did it as well as Roaf, so that's kind of not a fair lens to view Albert through.

Biggest problem with line is Bill Muir.

So, out of our offensive line this past season, you think that Wiegmann and Lilja and Waters was the weak link?

Yeah...

So, that he's "young" he gets a pass? Ask Cassel next season after the Green Bay and Chicago and Detroit game if it "happens."

Weiggman, yes. Waters and Lilja were serviceable, with Asamoah ready to come in. Yes, when 3 teams dismantled our team this year with blitz after blitz, its obvious the players don't know their job, which falls on coaching. Either that or Weiggman/Cassel weren't calling them out. Richardson wasn't the only guy not picking up blitzes, they all let guys through.

Absolutely.

Asamoah played as well or better than Waters or Lilja and he's a rookie. His upside is enormous.

Weigmann constantly had his shit pushed and was the primary reason the Chiefs went outside on 3rd and short.

You could say that Casey Wiegmann is one of the primary culprits, on the offensive side, for our loss to Houston. His inability to generate any kind of a push in the running game is one of the reasons why we often had such bizarre 4th and short calls.

And sadly he was still an upgrade from Rudy.

I think he probably slides in and plays center this year. I'm just not seeing Lilja or Waters go anywhere. If one goes I think Waters gets traded.

What gives you that idea?

Asamoah has not taken a single snap at any position other than guard for five straight seasons.