Chiefs Chiefs face questions on the offensive line. Here’s where they might look for help.

Direckshun · 08-14-2020, 02:06 PM

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nf...#storylink=cpy

Chiefs face questions on the offensive line. Here’s where they might look for some help
By Sam McDowell
August 13, 2020 05:00 AM , Updated August 13, 2020 05:58 PM

A unit that absorbed more in-season revisions than any other on the Chiefs’ roster continued the trend into the offseason. Deep into the offseason, for that matter.

On a Chiefs offense that will look quite similar to last season’s Super Bowl-winning edition, the line has some replacements to find — and some of those holes were unexpected. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who started 14 games last year, elected to opt out of the 2020 season, instead remaining in his native Canada to work at a long-term care facility during the coronavirus pandemic.

“This is one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make in my life, but I must follow my convictions and do what I believe is right for me personally,” he wrote in the announcement explaining his choice.

It’s a story that’s bigger than football. But the NFL goes on, and the Chiefs have some work to do to fill the void on football field.

Current roster

Nick Allegretti, Jackson Barton, Yasir Durant, Eric Fisher, Ryan Hunter, Kelechi Osemele, Martinas Rankin, Austin Reiter, Mike Remmers, Mitchell Schwartz, Greg Senat, Darryl Williams, Andrew Wylie

Key battle

The tackles are set with Mitchell Schwartz on the right and Eric Fisher on the left.

The center is set with Austin Reiter.

Who plays left and right guard? As the Chiefs begin full team practices Friday, those figure to be the truest competitions on one of the league’s top offenses.

The Chiefs lost three starters from the offense that won the Super Bowl in February — two of them are guards. Duvernay-Tardif opted out of the season, and Stefen Wisniewski signed with the Steelers in free agency. Even more difficult? One of the potential replacements, third-round pick Lucas Niang, also opted out of the season.

But the Chiefs do have some reliable options. Andrew Wylie has started 21 games over the past two years. He knows the system well.

And the team made some moves in free agency, too. Kelechi Osemele, a two-time All-Pro (2016, 2017), joined last month. Mike Remmers signed earlier in the summer, and the Chiefs were undoubtedly intrigued by his versatility.

All three can make strong cases to occupy one of the two guard spots. Once healthy from the knee injury that cut short his 2019 season, perhaps Martinas Rankin factors in, as well, though he remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Maybe Nick Allegretti, a 2019 seventh-round pick takes a step forward in his second season.

But for now, Osemele, Wylie and Remmers are the three leading the pack — and likely in that order.

Who to watch

It’s a name you’ve heard — and perhaps in Kansas City one you’ve come to appreciate — but for whatever reason, not one that sees a ton of publicity nationally.

Mitchell Schwartz.

The strength of the Chiefs’ offensive line resides on the edges, and for a pass-heavy team, that’s a good place to start. There’s arguably no right tackle in the league better than Schwartz. He did not allow a sack the entire season — and that includes the playoffs, per Pro Football Focus. Keep in mind, he faces the likes of Von Miller and Joey Bosa twice every season.

If the two tackles stay healthy, the new look of the interior becomes easier to handle.

08-14-2020, 02:06 PM	Topic Starter
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4093447	Chiefs face questions on the offensive line. Here’s where they might look for help. https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nf...#storylink=cpy Chiefs face questions on the offensive line. Here’s where they might look for some help By Sam McDowell August 13, 2020 05:00 AM , Updated August 13, 2020 05:58 PM A unit that absorbed more in-season revisions than any other on the Chiefs’ roster continued the trend into the offseason. Deep into the offseason, for that matter. On a Chiefs offense that will look quite similar to last season’s Super Bowl-winning edition, the line has some replacements to find — and some of those holes were unexpected. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who started 14 games last year, elected to opt out of the 2020 season, instead remaining in his native Canada to work at a long-term care facility during the coronavirus pandemic. “This is one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make in my life, but I must follow my convictions and do what I believe is right for me personally,” he wrote in the announcement explaining his choice. It’s a story that’s bigger than football. But the NFL goes on, and the Chiefs have some work to do to fill the void on football field. Current roster Nick Allegretti, Jackson Barton, Yasir Durant, Eric Fisher, Ryan Hunter, Kelechi Osemele, Martinas Rankin, Austin Reiter, Mike Remmers, Mitchell Schwartz, Greg Senat, Darryl Williams, Andrew Wylie Key battle The tackles are set with Mitchell Schwartz on the right and Eric Fisher on the left. The center is set with Austin Reiter. Who plays left and right guard? As the Chiefs begin full team practices Friday, those figure to be the truest competitions on one of the league’s top offenses. The Chiefs lost three starters from the offense that won the Super Bowl in February — two of them are guards. Duvernay-Tardif opted out of the season, and Stefen Wisniewski signed with the Steelers in free agency. Even more difficult? One of the potential replacements, third-round pick Lucas Niang, also opted out of the season. But the Chiefs do have some reliable options. Andrew Wylie has started 21 games over the past two years. He knows the system well. And the team made some moves in free agency, too. Kelechi Osemele, a two-time All-Pro (2016, 2017), joined last month. Mike Remmers signed earlier in the summer, and the Chiefs were undoubtedly intrigued by his versatility. All three can make strong cases to occupy one of the two guard spots. Once healthy from the knee injury that cut short his 2019 season, perhaps Martinas Rankin factors in, as well, though he remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Maybe Nick Allegretti, a 2019 seventh-round pick takes a step forward in his second season. But for now, Osemele, Wylie and Remmers are the three leading the pack — and likely in that order. Who to watch It’s a name you’ve heard — and perhaps in Kansas City one you’ve come to appreciate — but for whatever reason, not one that sees a ton of publicity nationally. Mitchell Schwartz. The strength of the Chiefs’ offensive line resides on the edges, and for a pass-heavy team, that’s a good place to start. There’s arguably no right tackle in the league better than Schwartz. He did not allow a sack the entire season — and that includes the playoffs, per Pro Football Focus. Keep in mind, he faces the likes of Von Miller and Joey Bosa twice every season. If the two tackles stay healthy, the new look of the interior becomes easier to handle.
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