Chiefs Babb:Chiefs veteran McIntosh trying to hang on in a new position

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-25-2008, 11:02 PM

Chiefs veteran McIntosh trying to hang on in a new position
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star

Damion McIntosh knows he’s part of the past. He’s part of the old guard in a youth movement, and the Chiefs’ 31-year-old right tackle is just trying to prove he can still hang with these youngsters, the ones pushing him aside.

Days like last Sunday don’t help. Atlanta picked on the old tackle, one of the Chiefs’ two starting offensive linemen not in his 20s. Falcons defensive end John Abraham shifted to McIntosh’s side on the first play. Abraham spun past McIntosh, ran into the backfield and sacked Tyler Thigpen.

The Chiefs were in an early hole, and an old guy on a young team let it happen.

“It’s a growing process,” McIntosh said this week. “Maybe if I was 22 years old …”

But he’s not, and that’s why McIntosh is facing harsher scrutiny than someone who hasn’t been in the league nearly a decade.

He’s trying to grow into being comfortable on the right side, a spot he’d never played in his eight previous seasons. The Chiefs drafted Branden Albert in the first round, and coaches knew immediately Albert would be their left tackle. That pushed McIntosh out of a position he’d played since 2000.

McIntosh agreed to the move because, well, what else could he do? He’d seen other veterans be cut or shipped away, last year’s aging offensive line disbanded as part of Kansas City’s overhaul. McIntosh and left guard Brian Waters are the only starters the Chiefs retained.

“I just made it clear: I’ve never played right tackle,” McIntosh said this week. “I came in and groomed as a left tackle; that’s all I’ve played is left tackle. People assume I can make the change right away.”

Coach Herm Edwards said the Chiefs are trying to be patient with McIntosh as he learns his new position. But with every mistake — Abraham beat McIntosh again Sunday and forced a fumble — the team’s patience is tested.

The Chiefs have made it clear this season they’d rather experiment with a young player than watch an aging one struggle. As McIntosh tries to hold on to his starting job, second-year player Herb Taylor is preparing himself to take it.

“I’m ready to go in,” Taylor said. “I’m just as prepared as any of the guys who are starting right now.”

Edwards said the Chiefs aren’t ready to make a move. Not yet. They’re going to stick with McIntosh and hope he grasps the footwork and mentality the right side requires. Edwards admitted that McIntosh has made mistakes, but so far coaches are being patient because McIntosh is still learning and adjusting.

But McIntosh knows: The more time passes and the slower he settles in, the more likely Taylor slides into the starting lineup and McIntosh accepts a role he’s been trying to avoid since last offseason — part of Kansas City’s past instead of its future.

“He has to play to a certain standard,” Edwards said, “and I think he’s trying to get there.”

McIntosh has said for months the move hasn’t been easy. During training camp, he admitted he had little choice in the matter and would try to adapt. It is, after all, the less strenuous of the two tackle spots. But McIntosh said he’d grown familiar on the left side. Now, he’s trying to regain that familiarity in a spot that still seems foreign.

“I’ve been playing left tackle for nine years,” he said. “All I can do is try my best.”

McIntosh said he doesn’t think he deserves to be shifted out of the starting lineup. He said he’s making progress, and each week the right side feels more like home. Yes, he admits now it was the right move to put Albert at left tackle and move McIntosh to the other side.

But he still needs more time. He said days such as last Sunday might happen, but he wants coaches to have patience.

“They know that this isn’t something I’ve done before,” McIntosh said. “I go out there and compete. That’s the main thing. If I wasn’t competing, then, yeah, I deserve not to be playing.

“We’re trying to put the best players out there, and I feel I’m one of the best ones.”

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-25-2008, 11:05 PM

Jesus, does Hermwear a safety helmet when he walks around doing normal pedestrian things? He's on another level of stupid.

Hammock Parties · 09-25-2008, 11:08 PM

WHAT AN ORIGINAL POST!

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-25-2008, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

WHAT AN ORIGINAL POST!

I got inspiration from the eclectic foray of monotony , of the many moments from 05-08 that gave light to my valid conclusion.

**the Talking Can** · 09-25-2008, 11:18 PM

herm edwards is dumbest piece of shit

mcinpussy is admitting he sucks ass.....and herm won't bench him

we have the worst coach in the ****ing league

TrickyNicky · 09-25-2008, 11:19 PM

Hopefully, a Donk does us a favor and cuts this guy so we can see what Herbie has.

**Buehler445** · 09-25-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

“He has to play to a certain standard,” Edwards said, “and I think he’s trying to get there.”

What the **** Squirmin Herman? If he HAS to play to a certain standard and he is TRYING to get there, he is obviously NOT to the standard he HAS to be at.

****ing start Taylor you numbskull sack of shit.

Fishpicker · 09-25-2008, 11:27 PM

I want to see Richardson start in place of Mcintosh.... Am I the only one?

evolve27 · 09-25-2008, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishpicker

I want to see Richardson start in place of Mcintosh.... Am I the only one?

Yeah, but he's been on the inactive list with an injury the first 3 games. Once he's 110% would be when he should get the start.

TrickyNicky · 09-25-2008, 11:28 PM

Thats what would happen if McIntosh went down. Richardson would go in because Herbie is the backup LT.

evolve27 · 09-25-2008, 11:36 PM

If you play LT doesn't it make RT easier or a given that you can play RT without any problems, because you don't have to be as athletic? McGinatosh is way past saving himself with words.

Hammock Parties · 09-25-2008, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evolve27

If you play LT doesn't it make RT easier or a given that you can play RT without any problems, because you don't have to be as athletic?

No. You have to be plenty athletic to play either spot. Especially when the opposition puts their best pass rusher in front of you because you suck.

Fish · 09-26-2008, 08:30 AM

**** you ya fat **** McIntosh...

Chiefnj2 · 09-26-2008, 08:36 AM

All offseason McIntosh said he wasn't really comfortable with the move and he struggled all offseason. It was a coaching error to keep him at RT. Once it was obvious he couldn't handle it they should have moved him to backup LT and started giving more reps to Taylor and Richardson at RT.

Hydrae · 09-26-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

All offseason McIntosh said he wasn't really comfortable with the move and he struggled all offseason. It was a coaching error to keep him at RT. Once it was obvious he couldn't handle it they should have moved him to backup LT and started giving more reps to Taylor and Richardson at RT.

Ding. Ding. Ding.

09-25-2008, 11:02 PM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2997187	Babb:Chiefs veteran McIntosh trying to hang on in a new position Chiefs veteran McIntosh trying to hang on in a new position By KENT BABB The Kansas City Star Damion McIntosh knows he’s part of the past. He’s part of the old guard in a youth movement, and the Chiefs’ 31-year-old right tackle is just trying to prove he can still hang with these youngsters, the ones pushing him aside. Days like last Sunday don’t help. Atlanta picked on the old tackle, one of the Chiefs’ two starting offensive linemen not in his 20s. Falcons defensive end John Abraham shifted to McIntosh’s side on the first play. Abraham spun past McIntosh, ran into the backfield and sacked Tyler Thigpen. The Chiefs were in an early hole, and an old guy on a young team let it happen. “It’s a growing process,” McIntosh said this week. “Maybe if I was 22 years old …” But he’s not, and that’s why McIntosh is facing harsher scrutiny than someone who hasn’t been in the league nearly a decade. He’s trying to grow into being comfortable on the right side, a spot he’d never played in his eight previous seasons. The Chiefs drafted Branden Albert in the first round, and coaches knew immediately Albert would be their left tackle. That pushed McIntosh out of a position he’d played since 2000. McIntosh agreed to the move because, well, what else could he do? He’d seen other veterans be cut or shipped away, last year’s aging offensive line disbanded as part of Kansas City’s overhaul. McIntosh and left guard Brian Waters are the only starters the Chiefs retained. “I just made it clear: I’ve never played right tackle,” McIntosh said this week. “I came in and groomed as a left tackle; that’s all I’ve played is left tackle. People assume I can make the change right away.” Coach Herm Edwards said the Chiefs are trying to be patient with McIntosh as he learns his new position. But with every mistake — Abraham beat McIntosh again Sunday and forced a fumble — the team’s patience is tested. The Chiefs have made it clear this season they’d rather experiment with a young player than watch an aging one struggle. As McIntosh tries to hold on to his starting job, second-year player Herb Taylor is preparing himself to take it. “I’m ready to go in,” Taylor said. “I’m just as prepared as any of the guys who are starting right now.” Edwards said the Chiefs aren’t ready to make a move. Not yet. They’re going to stick with McIntosh and hope he grasps the footwork and mentality the right side requires. Edwards admitted that McIntosh has made mistakes, but so far coaches are being patient because McIntosh is still learning and adjusting. But McIntosh knows: The more time passes and the slower he settles in, the more likely Taylor slides into the starting lineup and McIntosh accepts a role he’s been trying to avoid since last offseason — part of Kansas City’s past instead of its future. “He has to play to a certain standard,” Edwards said, “and I think he’s trying to get there.” McIntosh has said for months the move hasn’t been easy. During training camp, he admitted he had little choice in the matter and would try to adapt. It is, after all, the less strenuous of the two tackle spots. But McIntosh said he’d grown familiar on the left side. Now, he’s trying to regain that familiarity in a spot that still seems foreign. “I’ve been playing left tackle for nine years,” he said. “All I can do is try my best.” McIntosh said he doesn’t think he deserves to be shifted out of the starting lineup. He said he’s making progress, and each week the right side feels more like home. Yes, he admits now it was the right move to put Albert at left tackle and move McIntosh to the other side. But he still needs more time. He said days such as last Sunday might happen, but he wants coaches to have patience. “They know that this isn’t something I’ve done before,” McIntosh said. “I go out there and compete. That’s the main thing. If I wasn’t competing, then, yeah, I deserve not to be playing. “We’re trying to put the best players out there, and I feel I’m one of the best ones.”
Posts: 43,454

09-25-2008, 11:05 PM	#2
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2997187	Jesus, does Hermwear a safety helmet when he walks around doing normal pedestrian things? He's on another level of stupid. __________________
Posts: 43,454

09-25-2008, 11:08 PM	#3
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $800478	WHAT AN ORIGINAL POST! __________________ Chiefs game films
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09-25-2008, 11:18 PM	#5
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $9162208	herm edwards is dumbest piece of shit mcinpussy is admitting he sucks ass.....and herm won't bench him we have the worst coach in the **ing league __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"**
Posts: 51,585

09-25-2008, 11:19 PM	#6
TrickyNicky My Black Friend, Alan Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Manhattan Casino cash: $10007047	Hopefully, a Donk does us a favor and cuts this guy so we can see what Herbie has.
Posts: 3,648

09-25-2008, 11:27 PM	#8
Fishpicker On one quarter Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: I play all day Casino cash: $517111	I want to see Richardson start in place of Mcintosh.... Am I the only one? __________________ A person who has been [ideologically] demoralized cannot assess true information. the [demoralization] process is complete and irreversible. -Yuri Bezmenov on Soviet Subversion
Posts: 6,194

09-25-2008, 11:28 PM	#10
TrickyNicky My Black Friend, Alan Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Manhattan Casino cash: $10007047	Thats what would happen if McIntosh went down. Richardson would go in because Herbie is the backup LT.
Posts: 3,648

09-25-2008, 11:36 PM	#11
evolve27 Keep It on Wax Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: BUMP MASTER, USA Casino cash: $10004900	If you play LT doesn't it make RT easier or a given that you can play RT without any problems, because you don't have to be as athletic? McGinatosh is way past saving himself with words. __________________ Best QB Available
Posts: 2,588

09-26-2008, 08:30 AM	#13
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $-1441081	** you ya fat ** McIntosh... __________________
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09-26-2008, 08:36 AM	#14
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $6654388	All offseason McIntosh said he wasn't really comfortable with the move and he struggled all offseason. It was a coaching error to keep him at RT. Once it was obvious he couldn't handle it they should have moved him to backup LT and started giving more reps to Taylor and Richardson at RT. __________________ Mismanaging the clock.
Posts: 22,541