Chiefs O-Line analysis - Page 2

milkman · 03-20-2010, 08:34 AM

Saw this posted eleswhere.
Took a quick look around and didn't see it here.
If it's repost, then that's just too damn bad.

Frankie gets to give me shit, though, if it is.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/3...-line-analysis

With the addition of what should be two new starters, I thought I would give you a few facts that the public is not aware of, along with some personal reflection on my part.

The Chiefs have made some positive moves this past week, but the team knows a lot more has to be done. They need a right tackle and depth.

I thought I would expand a bit and give some statistics you will rarely see anywhere.

First of all, this OL was bad last year, but that's in the past.

Lets look at the starters at this point.

BRANDEN ALBERT

Albert did not have the greatest of seasons in this year's rankings. His overall ranking was in the bottom 20 percent among offensive tackles in the league. He gave up seven sacks and 18 QB pressures playing left tackle. He was also guilty of being called for 13 penalties—that was more than any tackle in football.

I think a lot of the problem with Albert was that he played hurt. He started the year injured but was still willing to play. One would have to wonder if that in any way hindered his performance. I believe it did.

Albert is too gifted to not succeed at that position. We have not seen Albert at his best.

As a straight-ahead run blocker, at the line, he has average strength. It's when he's on the move that he is most dangerous.

At Virginia, Albert pulled frequently from his left guard position. The longer he ran, the bigger the impact. He was a BEAST when it came to blocking on the move—I mean he exploded into guys on the second level and drove them into the ground. That was the big reason for his success—his explosion on the move.

I would think that with Charles and Jones, who are better in space, Albert should find more confidence that will help him from being measured only by his ability to pass block. If healthy, he'll get a lot better. He has the feet to protect the quarterback.

One more note about Albert: Many have said that he was a natural guard in college and that he didn't play tackle because Eugene Monroe was better. That is totally untrue. The reason he played guard is because Monroe refused to. Albert made that move inside because he was an unselfish player. So before people jump to conclusions, they shouldn't speak at all unless they know the whole story.

The people involved in this falsehood were fellow divisional "bashers" not Chief bloggers

BRIAN WATERS

Waters had a very poor season as well, mostly because of aging. He ranked 20th amongst players at his position, and most of the reason he was that high was because of his excellent pass protection. For the season, he was charged with only giving up one sack. In addition, when blocking straight ahead, he opened a few holes. But his mobility is the problem at this point in his career.

His other problems? Penalties.

Like Albert, he was the most penalized player at his position in the game.

Despite those figures he's still a very good player—just not one of the best anymore.

CASEY WEIGMANN

Weigmann ranked 23rd out of the 32 starting offensive centers last year. At his age, his better years are behind him, but that doesn't mean he can't play. He was only slightly better at pass blocking than Niswanger, but he graded out much better as a run blocker.

Weigman, of course, played in a zone-blocking scheme in Denver and played extremely well these past few years, proving that he was not as washed up as the Chiefs thought. He still excels in making line calls and adjustments, and he can still pull.

Remember those classic sweeps that Priest Holmes ran under Vermeil? It was Weigmann that was the first guy down the field, not Roaf or Shields. The problem now, however, is how much does he have left?

RYAN LILJA

Well, we all know his story, so I won't repeat it. Lilja graded out at 14th at offensive guard—which is very good. It is by far the best grade of any Chief lineman last year.

Despite being 290 pounds, it is his run blocking that stood out more than his pass protection. He was in the top five out of 64 guards when it came to screen blocking—great news for the Chiefs with both Albert and Weigmann excelling in that area.

He did not give up many sacks, but you have to take into account the quarterback that was behind him all these years.

Indianapolis usually leads the NFL in pass protection, but its not because the line is that talented. It's because they have Peyton Manning. It is Manning's intelligence, ability to get rid of the ball quickly, short drops, making quick reads, and throwing the ball away that skewed their stats favorably.

Without a doubt though, Lilja will play as well as Cassel plays, which means that Cassel needs to play well.

RYAN O'CALLIGHAN

Do you really want to know? I didn't think so.

Actually I thought he did OK, but looks are deceiving. He finished 57th. He played less than 850 snaps and still gave up nine sacks and was responsible for 24 QB pressures. His run blocking was just as bad, and he got flagged a lot to boot. Its very clear with this guy—bad starter, but decent, experienced backup.

As for the backups, well, if everything was great in Kansas City most of the guys mentioned would be the backups. Niswanger provides depth at center. Ndukwe played out of position at tackle, but is really their depth at guard. After that, all bets are off.

So where does that leave the Chiefs?

They need to get a stud right tackle for sure and a few guys they can groom for the immediate future.

Many people now feel that Bulaga and Okung don't seem to fit at this point.

But they're wrong.

Both of those guys are outstanding run blockers and would be great right tackles. In addition, that player would provide depth at left tackle, should Albert get hurt. Last year, they played the season without one.

No matter how you slice it, the Chiefs now have a better line, and that's good news.

But it's not rebuilt yet. We'll see where they are after draft days.

(Props to HG at HoTC)

Hammock Parties · 03-20-2010, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

I just read it and it was 5 minutes of my life i'll never get back. Whats the ****ing point we already knew all this.

There are a bunch of ignorami who don't know it. Good post by milkman.

JimNasium · 03-20-2010, 09:12 AM

My only concern about Weigmann and Lilja is their size. I'm assuming scheme will help with that. Perhaps one of the resident geniouses (CPS) can weigh in on this.

Titty Meat · 03-20-2010, 09:13 AM

I'm trying to remember what 1st pick San Diego has on the o-line. I know they have a franchise QB and a bunch of playmakers. Hmmmm.

Marcellus · 03-20-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimNasium

My only concern about Weigmann and Lilja is their size. I'm assuming scheme will help with that. Perhaps one of the resident geniouses (CPS) can weigh in on this.

I am less concerned now knowing the graded better at run blocking than pass protection.

I just hope they can pass protect adequately but if we can run the ball well that's less of an issue.

**Dave Lane** · 03-20-2010, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

That is all you took from the article?

I took from it that the writer sure was busy finding reasons for Alberts fail.

milkman · 03-20-2010, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

I took from it that the writer sure was busy finding reasons for Alberts fail.

I took it from your posts that you are a useless dumbass.

milkman · 03-20-2010, 09:35 AM

The only reason the writer cited for Albert's struggles was an injury at the start of the season, but in useless dumbass' mind, that's a "busy finding reasons".

**Dave Lane** · 03-20-2010, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

I took it from your posts that you are a useless dumbass.

Stop reading your posts and life will be better!

**SAUTO** · 03-20-2010, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

I just read it and it was 5 minutes of my life i'll never get back. Whats the ****ing point we already knew all this.

damn it took 5 minutes for you to read that? how long does it take for it to actually sink in?
Posted via Mobile Device

**SAUTO** · 03-20-2010, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

I'm trying to remember what 1st pick San Diego has on the o-line. I know they have a franchise QB and a bunch of playmakers. Hmmmm.

hmmmm how many superbowls have they won again? bad comparison
Posted via Mobile Device

milkman · 03-20-2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

damn it took 5 minutes for you to read that? how long does it take for it to actually sink in?
Posted via Mobile Device

Are you a patient sort?

milkman · 03-20-2010, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

hmmmm how many superbowls have they won again? bad comparison
Posted via Mobile Device

Not really.

The Chargers have the talent to win a SB.
Coaching holds them back.

They're the Chiefs of the this decade.

**SAUTO** · 03-20-2010, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Are you a patient sort?

nope, and im smart enough to not be holding my breath
Posted via Mobile Device

spanky 52 · 03-20-2010, 10:29 AM

I didn't realize O''Callahan was that bad. After Mcintosh he looked like a pro bowler. I'm no football expert but I've read a lot about Saffold out of IN and he can play either right guard or right tackle, and he seems to be rising on most draft boards. Is the 36th pick too high for him?

**SAUTO** · 03-20-2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Not really.

The Chargers have the talent to win a SB.
Coaching holds them back.

They're the Chiefs of the this decade.

their players have choked almost as much as the coaches IMO
Posted via Mobile Device

03-20-2010, 08:34 AM
milkman Dumbass! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Leading the Marty bashing Casino cash: $10029395	O-Line analysis Saw this posted eleswhere. Took a quick look around and didn't see it here. If it's repost, then that's just too damn bad. Frankie gets to give me shit, though, if it is. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/3...-line-analysis With the addition of what should be two new starters, I thought I would give you a few facts that the public is not aware of, along with some personal reflection on my part. The Chiefs have made some positive moves this past week, but the team knows a lot more has to be done. They need a right tackle and depth. I thought I would expand a bit and give some statistics you will rarely see anywhere. First of all, this OL was bad last year, but that's in the past. Lets look at the starters at this point. BRANDEN ALBERT Albert did not have the greatest of seasons in this year's rankings. His overall ranking was in the bottom 20 percent among offensive tackles in the league. He gave up seven sacks and 18 QB pressures playing left tackle. He was also guilty of being called for 13 penalties—that was more than any tackle in football. I think a lot of the problem with Albert was that he played hurt. He started the year injured but was still willing to play. One would have to wonder if that in any way hindered his performance. I believe it did. Albert is too gifted to not succeed at that position. We have not seen Albert at his best. As a straight-ahead run blocker, at the line, he has average strength. It's when he's on the move that he is most dangerous. At Virginia, Albert pulled frequently from his left guard position. The longer he ran, the bigger the impact. He was a BEAST when it came to blocking on the move—I mean he exploded into guys on the second level and drove them into the ground. That was the big reason for his success—his explosion on the move. I would think that with Charles and Jones, who are better in space, Albert should find more confidence that will help him from being measured only by his ability to pass block. If healthy, he'll get a lot better. He has the feet to protect the quarterback. One more note about Albert: Many have said that he was a natural guard in college and that he didn't play tackle because Eugene Monroe was better. That is totally untrue. The reason he played guard is because Monroe refused to. Albert made that move inside because he was an unselfish player. So before people jump to conclusions, they shouldn't speak at all unless they know the whole story. The people involved in this falsehood were fellow divisional "bashers" not Chief bloggers BRIAN WATERS Waters had a very poor season as well, mostly because of aging. He ranked 20th amongst players at his position, and most of the reason he was that high was because of his excellent pass protection. For the season, he was charged with only giving up one sack. In addition, when blocking straight ahead, he opened a few holes. But his mobility is the problem at this point in his career. His other problems? Penalties. Like Albert, he was the most penalized player at his position in the game. Despite those figures he's still a very good player—just not one of the best anymore. CASEY WEIGMANN Weigmann ranked 23rd out of the 32 starting offensive centers last year. At his age, his better years are behind him, but that doesn't mean he can't play. He was only slightly better at pass blocking than Niswanger, but he graded out much better as a run blocker. Weigman, of course, played in a zone-blocking scheme in Denver and played extremely well these past few years, proving that he was not as washed up as the Chiefs thought. He still excels in making line calls and adjustments, and he can still pull. Remember those classic sweeps that Priest Holmes ran under Vermeil? It was Weigmann that was the first guy down the field, not Roaf or Shields. The problem now, however, is how much does he have left? RYAN LILJA Well, we all know his story, so I won't repeat it. Lilja graded out at 14th at offensive guard—which is very good. It is by far the best grade of any Chief lineman last year. Despite being 290 pounds, it is his run blocking that stood out more than his pass protection. He was in the top five out of 64 guards when it came to screen blocking—great news for the Chiefs with both Albert and Weigmann excelling in that area. He did not give up many sacks, but you have to take into account the quarterback that was behind him all these years. Indianapolis usually leads the NFL in pass protection, but its not because the line is that talented. It's because they have Peyton Manning. It is Manning's intelligence, ability to get rid of the ball quickly, short drops, making quick reads, and throwing the ball away that skewed their stats favorably. Without a doubt though, Lilja will play as well as Cassel plays, which means that Cassel needs to play well. RYAN O'CALLIGHAN Do you really want to know? I didn't think so. Actually I thought he did OK, but looks are deceiving. He finished 57th. He played less than 850 snaps and still gave up nine sacks and was responsible for 24 QB pressures. His run blocking was just as bad, and he got flagged a lot to boot. Its very clear with this guy—bad starter, but decent, experienced backup. As for the backups, well, if everything was great in Kansas City most of the guys mentioned would be the backups. Niswanger provides depth at center. Ndukwe played out of position at tackle, but is really their depth at guard. After that, all bets are off. So where does that leave the Chiefs? They need to get a stud right tackle for sure and a few guys they can groom for the immediate future. Many people now feel that Bulaga and Okung don't seem to fit at this point. But they're wrong. Both of those guys are outstanding run blockers and would be great right tackles. In addition, that player would provide depth at left tackle, should Albert get hurt. Last year, they played the season without one. No matter how you slice it, the Chiefs now have a better line, and that's good news. But it's not rebuilt yet. We'll see where they are after draft days. (Props to HG at HoTC)
Posts: 70,769

03-20-2010, 09:12 AM	#17
JimNasium Voodoo Chile Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: At the crossroad Casino cash: $-913143	My only concern about Weigmann and Lilja is their size. I'm assuming scheme will help with that. Perhaps one of the resident geniouses (CPS) can weigh in on this. __________________ World class speed!
Posts: 7,139

03-20-2010, 09:13 AM	#18
Titty Meat Inmem 2.0 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: My house Casino cash: $-1142442	I'm trying to remember what 1st pick San Diego has on the o-line. I know they have a franchise QB and a bunch of playmakers. Hmmmm.
Posts: 78,131

03-20-2010, 09:35 AM	#22
milkman Dumbass! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Leading the Marty bashing Casino cash: $10029395	The only reason the writer cited for Albert's struggles was an injury at the start of the season, but in useless dumbass' mind, that's a "busy finding reasons". __________________
Posts: 70,769

03-20-2010, 10:29 AM	#29
spanky 52 Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Casino cash: $-924399	I didn't realize O''Callahan was that bad. After Mcintosh he looked like a pro bowler. I'm no football expert but I've read a lot about Saffold out of IN and he can play either right guard or right tackle, and he seems to be rising on most draft boards. Is the 36th pick too high for him?
Posts: 1,036