Chiefs Chiefs’ Eric Fisher determined to bounce back after miserable half at Philadelphia - Page 10

**Tribal Warfare** · 09-24-2013, 01:16 PM

Chiefs’ Eric Fisher determined to bounce back after miserable half at Philadelphia
By TEREZ A. PAYLOR
The Kansas City Star
By the time the first half of the Chiefs’ 26-16 win over Philadelphia was over Thursday, you could understand if Eric Fisher was a little discouraged.

Sure, the Chiefs led by 10 points. But but Fisher, the rookie right tackle who was taken No. 1 overall in April’s NFL Draft, committed one holding penalty and was beaten for a sack and two hurries by Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin and defensive end Fletcher Cox in 22 first-half passing attempts by quarterback Alex Smith.

It was, perhaps, the worst half of Fisher’s three-game professional career. Pro Football Focus, which grades every NFL player in every game, assigned Fisher a three-game grade of minus-6.7, which ranks worst on the Chiefs and and 52nd out of 55 NFL tackles who have played 75 percent of their team’s snaps.

Fisher, however, is hardly the only highly touted rookie tackle dealing with a learning curve. Pro Football Focus has also assigned negative grades to the four other right tackles drafted in the first round: Jacksonville’s Luke Joeckel ranks 36th at minus-1.9 and Philadelphia’s Lane Johnson and the New York Giants’ Justin Pugh are tied for 48th at minus-5.2. San Diego’s D.J. Fluker has only played two games due to a concussion, but checks in at minus-1.4.

“It’s been tough mentally, physically, emotionally,” Fisher said of his adjustment to the NFL. “You’ve just got to keep your composure. There’s a lot that comes with this game and you roll with the punches.”

Fortunately for the Chiefs, Fisher seemed to do just that in the second half against the Eagles. He was called for one more penalty — a hold on Cox during a running play — but didn’t allow another sack, hit or hurry in 13 pass attempts. He was also a part of an offensive line that helped the Chiefs rush for 98 yards in 21 carries during the second half, effectively putting the Eagles away.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid lauded Fisher, 22, for hanging tough and showing flashes, despite his somewhat uneven transition from left to right tackle.

“I appreciate his effort out here,” Reid said. “He’s just trying to do everything the right way and he battles. Sometimes he gets in awkward positions, and he has the athletic ability and fights his way out of it. It’s not the prettiest picture, but it ends up being a productive play and I appreciate that from him. That you can work with as a coach.”

Reid said the Chiefs will also be able to bulk up Fisher’s 6-foot-7, 306-pound frame.

“Normally they put on about 10 pounds by the time you get to the next season, and he’ll do that,” Reid said, “He has a big frame that he can add some weight to. He’ll get in the weight room with Barry (Rubin) and he’ll have a whole year to do that part.”

Reid, however, stopped short of saying the extra strength alone would rectify some of the negative plays Fisher has made.

“I don’t think it’s all that,” Reid said. “Some of it is just he wants to go attack, which is a good thing — you’d rather have it that way than the other way — he wants to go attack and he’ll over settle, but he’ll learn just to kind of calm himself down a little bit.”

Guard Geoff Schwartz also noted that Fisher has been targeted because of his draft status and the presence of established veteran Branden Albert on the opposite side.

“You’ve got to think, the Eagles and any other team, really, they’re gonna come after that guy,” said Schwartz, a six-year veteran. “Are they gonna come after B.A., or are they come after Fish? They’re gonna come after the young cat. So, that’s the way it is. He knows that, we know that.”

Fisher still managed to make a few impressive plays Thursday. He had a textbook reach block that sprung running back Jamaal Charles for a 3-yard score in the second half, and also drove a linebacker 12 yards downfield on another second-half run.

“There’s definitely different things you see in there that give you hope,” Schwartz said. “Really, some of his issues have been pass blocking and that just comes with time, knowing space, knowing angles, stuff like that. There’s no worry … we’re 3-0.”

Second-year tackle Donald Stephenson hopes the Chiefs’ overall record helps Fisher shrug off his individual defeats, which he found to be the key for surviving as a rookie.

“Because you know it’s going to happen,” said Stephenson, who played in 16 games and started seven last season. “The first thing the vets told me was it’s not college — you’re going to get your butt whupped, sometimes. It’s how you handle it and how you respond. That’s what I tried to do, I just kept my head up and brought it the next game, next play.”

Stephenson and Schwartz said that’s exactly what Fisher has done, as well.

“Everybody struggles that rookie year, and he’s handling it pretty good,” Stephenson said. “He’s always in here working on days off, watching extra film … he’s already acting like a vet. That’s going to pay off for him. The effort is there.”

Fisher seems to understand that for most, the journey toward becoming a good NFL player is not an easy process.

“Everyone makes mistakes in this game,” Fisher said. “I look at the film, I look at my assignments and I learn from those mistakes and do my best to not make them again.

“Everyday, I’m going to be a stronger player.”

ChiefsCountry · 09-24-2013, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

To that end, do you think Manziel will sit next year? Boyd? Bridgewater?

I don't. If I were a season ticket holder, I'd demand those guys start from day one.

I am a season ticket holder. I don't want to rush a quarterback that could kick ass for a decade. Do the Kurt Warner/Eli route or Brees/Rivers. You can win some games, let them learn the game and then roll later in the year with them.

scho63 · 09-24-2013, 08:46 PM

The only thing Fisher has done so far this season is bounce off the ground

Pablo · 09-24-2013, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

Why is it that picks we would have liked get 2 or more seasons of deference to 'develop', but picks we didn't like are busts if they don't perform immediately?

Who called Eric Fisher a bust?

Can you read? He's just played piss poor in the first three games and you can't take away any sort of inspiration that he'll develop into a quality tackle from these performances. It's not over for the guy. He can still be good. The track record so far suggests he was a mistake.

Since you're talking about Geno Smith here; I'll just say he's shown some rookie mistakes. He's made some really dumb decisions that have cost his team the game. He's also shown spots of brilliance that make you remember why he was even in the discussion at 1.1 in the first place. Fisher has not.

He gets more time to develop because he plays the most important position in the NFL. Fisher doesn't. He's supposed to play a position where he can step in from day one and be a strong contributor. He isn't asked to do the sort of things a QB is. It's that simple.

**Rausch** · 09-24-2013, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

Why is it that picks we would have liked get 2 or more seasons of deference to 'develop', but picks we didn't like are busts if they don't perform immediately?

Because we keep wasting 1sts on combine/workout warriors and not productive players.

I'm glad Poe seems to have turned the corner but reaches like him and Baldwin are why we were where we were...

Eleazar · 09-24-2013, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

No one is calling fisher a bust, he's played 3 games ffs. It will be at least 2 years before the guy is declared one thing or another.

I doubt it. The CP hate culture is pretty focused on him.

No quarter will be given to this 22 year old from the MAC for not dominating the NFL immediately.

O.city · 09-24-2013, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pablo

Who called Eric Fisher a bust?

Can you read? He's just played piss poor in the first three games and you can't take away any sort of inspiration that he'll develop into a quality tackle from these performances. It's not over for the guy. He can still be good. The track record so far suggests he was a mistake.

Since you're talking about Geno Smith here; I'll just say he's shown some rookie mistakes. He's made some really dumb decisions that have cost his team the game. He's also shown spots of brilliance that make you remember why he was even in the discussion at 1.1 in the first place. Fisher has not.

He gets more time to develop because he plays the most important position in the NFL. Fisher doesn't. He's supposed to play a position where he can step in from day one and be a strong contributor. He isn't asked to do the sort of things a QB is. It's that simple.

I don't think nfl teams think the same way as your last paragraph states per say

O.city · 09-24-2013, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

I doubt it. The CP hate culture is pretty focused on him.

No quarter will be given to this 22 year old from the MAC for not dominating the NFL immediately.

He was the first overall pick of the draft. He hasn't lived up to that as of yet. It's ok to say that.

Pablo · 09-24-2013, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

I doubt it. The CP hate culture is pretty focused on him.

No quarter will be given to this 22 year old from the MAC for not dominating the NFL immediately.

CP tends to hate players that play like shit, so yeah.

If he starts playing like he belongs in the league then it will stop.

RT isn't a glamour position. If he does his job well, he probably won't even be noticed by most fans. If he does poorly, he's going to get lambasted. Them's the breaks when you're a tackle in this league.

It's not his fault that our GM decided a RT from a D1AA school was worth the number one overall. He's going to be forever linked to that pick, though. There's just no getting around it.

Pablo · 09-24-2013, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

I don't think nfl teams think the same way as your last paragraph states per say

It's why guys like Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder get an exceptionally long leash. QB's just get more time to develop and mature. ESPECIALLY highly drafted QB's.

Eleazar · 09-24-2013, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

Because we keep wasting 1sts on combine/workout warriors and not productive players.

I'm glad Poe seems to have turned the corner but reaches like him and Baldwin are why we were where we were...

but Fisher wasn't a reach. He more than likely would have been top 5 even if we'd been elsewhere in the draft.

Baldwin was picked at the bottom of the first round, so I don't know how terrible that is. It's not comparable to whiffing on a Tyson Jackson type of pick.

The two biggest success factors in the NFL today are Head Coach and Quarterback. If you don't have those, nothing else really matters.

I think the reason why we've mostly been a bottom feeder for the last decade is because we haven't had either one of those until this offseason. It wasn't because we missed on a DE 5 years ago.

Belichick and Newsome whiff on picks too.

O.city · 09-24-2013, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pablo

It's why guys like Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder get an exceptionally long leash. QB's just get more time to develop and mature. ESPECIALLY highly drafted QB's.

Highly drafted players, not just qbs get that.

Pablo · 09-24-2013, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Highly drafted players, not just qbs get that.

Eric Fisher will get every chance in the world to prove he doesn't suck. He could blow goats for the next two years straight; and he's still out there starting his third season.

He's this regime's first pick. He's the number one overall pick. He'll get his shot to prove he can be an adequate tackle. No doubt about that.

I just know that myself personally; and a huge percentage of the fan base view a RT as an incredibly safe pick. If you draft a RT; then he shouldn't need some sort of lengthy transition period. He should just come in and be able to play at a decent to good level and progress from there.

Fisher has come in and under-performed by an incredible margin. Didn't expect that from the guy our GM deemed the best college player available.

Hammock Parties · 09-24-2013, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Andrew Lucks first 3 games:

1win 2losses
54% completion
846 yards passing
80 yards rushing
5td 4int

Geno Smiths first 3 games:

2wins 1loss
54% comp
801 passing
78 rushing
4td 6int

Game, set, match.

Hammock Parties · 09-24-2013, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

So now you're for 'simply above average' at Quarterback?

I thought the idea was elite or nothing so you didn't end up 8-8?

you're so full of shit

Trent Green was an above average QB. Joe Flacco is an above average QB.

I don't have some mystically high standard for QB play. I just want another Trent Green.

Eleazar · 09-24-2013, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Highly drafted players, not just qbs get that.

Right... all I am saying is, why write him off or hold him to a different standard because he hasn't been effective immediately? He made the biggest jump in the level of competition he's facing of anybody we've added in the draft in recent years.

He developed pretty steadily at the collegiate level but this is a whole different ballgame. It was always going to take time.

09-24-2013, 01:16 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3047187	Chiefs’ Eric Fisher determined to bounce back after miserable half at Philadelphia Chiefs’ Eric Fisher determined to bounce back after miserable half at Philadelphia By TEREZ A. PAYLOR The Kansas City Star By the time the first half of the Chiefs’ 26-16 win over Philadelphia was over Thursday, you could understand if Eric Fisher was a little discouraged. Sure, the Chiefs led by 10 points. But but Fisher, the rookie right tackle who was taken No. 1 overall in April’s NFL Draft, committed one holding penalty and was beaten for a sack and two hurries by Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin and defensive end Fletcher Cox in 22 first-half passing attempts by quarterback Alex Smith. It was, perhaps, the worst half of Fisher’s three-game professional career. Pro Football Focus, which grades every NFL player in every game, assigned Fisher a three-game grade of minus-6.7, which ranks worst on the Chiefs and and 52nd out of 55 NFL tackles who have played 75 percent of their team’s snaps. Fisher, however, is hardly the only highly touted rookie tackle dealing with a learning curve. Pro Football Focus has also assigned negative grades to the four other right tackles drafted in the first round: Jacksonville’s Luke Joeckel ranks 36th at minus-1.9 and Philadelphia’s Lane Johnson and the New York Giants’ Justin Pugh are tied for 48th at minus-5.2. San Diego’s D.J. Fluker has only played two games due to a concussion, but checks in at minus-1.4. “It’s been tough mentally, physically, emotionally,” Fisher said of his adjustment to the NFL. “You’ve just got to keep your composure. There’s a lot that comes with this game and you roll with the punches.” Fortunately for the Chiefs, Fisher seemed to do just that in the second half against the Eagles. He was called for one more penalty — a hold on Cox during a running play — but didn’t allow another sack, hit or hurry in 13 pass attempts. He was also a part of an offensive line that helped the Chiefs rush for 98 yards in 21 carries during the second half, effectively putting the Eagles away. Chiefs coach Andy Reid lauded Fisher, 22, for hanging tough and showing flashes, despite his somewhat uneven transition from left to right tackle. “I appreciate his effort out here,” Reid said. “He’s just trying to do everything the right way and he battles. Sometimes he gets in awkward positions, and he has the athletic ability and fights his way out of it. It’s not the prettiest picture, but it ends up being a productive play and I appreciate that from him. That you can work with as a coach.” Reid said the Chiefs will also be able to bulk up Fisher’s 6-foot-7, 306-pound frame. “Normally they put on about 10 pounds by the time you get to the next season, and he’ll do that,” Reid said, “He has a big frame that he can add some weight to. He’ll get in the weight room with Barry (Rubin) and he’ll have a whole year to do that part.” Reid, however, stopped short of saying the extra strength alone would rectify some of the negative plays Fisher has made. “I don’t think it’s all that,” Reid said. “Some of it is just he wants to go attack, which is a good thing — you’d rather have it that way than the other way — he wants to go attack and he’ll over settle, but he’ll learn just to kind of calm himself down a little bit.” Guard Geoff Schwartz also noted that Fisher has been targeted because of his draft status and the presence of established veteran Branden Albert on the opposite side. “You’ve got to think, the Eagles and any other team, really, they’re gonna come after that guy,” said Schwartz, a six-year veteran. “Are they gonna come after B.A., or are they come after Fish? They’re gonna come after the young cat. So, that’s the way it is. He knows that, we know that.” Fisher still managed to make a few impressive plays Thursday. He had a textbook reach block that sprung running back Jamaal Charles for a 3-yard score in the second half, and also drove a linebacker 12 yards downfield on another second-half run. “There’s definitely different things you see in there that give you hope,” Schwartz said. “Really, some of his issues have been pass blocking and that just comes with time, knowing space, knowing angles, stuff like that. There’s no worry … we’re 3-0.” Second-year tackle Donald Stephenson hopes the Chiefs’ overall record helps Fisher shrug off his individual defeats, which he found to be the key for surviving as a rookie. “Because you know it’s going to happen,” said Stephenson, who played in 16 games and started seven last season. “The first thing the vets told me was it’s not college — you’re going to get your butt whupped, sometimes. It’s how you handle it and how you respond. That’s what I tried to do, I just kept my head up and brought it the next game, next play.” Stephenson and Schwartz said that’s exactly what Fisher has done, as well. “Everybody struggles that rookie year, and he’s handling it pretty good,” Stephenson said. “He’s always in here working on days off, watching extra film … he’s already acting like a vet. That’s going to pay off for him. The effort is there.” Fisher seems to understand that for most, the journey toward becoming a good NFL player is not an easy process. “Everyone makes mistakes in this game,” Fisher said. “I look at the film, I look at my assignments and I learn from those mistakes and do my best to not make them again. “Everyday, I’m going to be a stronger player.”
Posts: 43,455

09-24-2013, 08:46 PM	#137
scho63 Politically Incorrect Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Casino cash: $-990000	The only thing Fisher has done so far this season is bounce off the ground __________________ *"The only difference between sex for free and sex for money is that sex for free costs you a WHOLE LOT more!"* ~Redd Foxx~ ~~2018 2019 2020 20212022 2023~~ 2024 Adopt a Chief - Clark Hunt and Brett Veach "The men who drafted Patrick Mahomes"
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