Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs rookies Allen, Stephenson get in line - Page 2

Coogs · 05-13-2012, 08:58 AM

Chiefs rookies Allen, Stephenson get in line

The Chiefs would rather have draft picks Allen and Stephenson sit and learn this season.

By ADAM TEICHER

The Kansas City Star

Chiefs offensive linemen Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson were side-by-side at this weekend’s rookie camp, and the team hopes they will be that way for years to come

The Chiefs unveiled at their weekend rookie camp what could be the left side of their future offensive line. Jeff Allen, their second-round draft pick, was the left guard while Donald Stephenson, their third-round choice, was next to him at tackle.

It’s not a reach to believe both players could someday be starting in those spots for the Chiefs. The incumbents, left guard Ryan Lilja and left tackle Branden Albert, are heading into the final season of their contracts.

The Chiefs just hope that someday won’t come this year. They would like Allen and Stephenson ready to play in case of injury to a starter, but would rather for now they sit and learn.

“All things being equal,” coach Romeo Crennel said, “I’d rather have veterans everywhere.”

Even without Allen and Stephenson, the Chiefs will have a couple of new elements on their offensive line. Rodney Hudson, a second-round draft pick last year, will take over from Casey Wiegmann at center. Eric Winston was signed as a free agent to play right tackle.

Lilja, Albert and right guard Jon Asamoah were starters last year. The Chiefs appear in no mood to tinker any more with their offensive line.

“With that position group, the more they work together, the more they will jell,” Crennel said. “I think everybody knows that. The sooner you can get the guys that you have working together, the better chance they have to jell. They will jell because the nature of that group is that they like to hang out together, they like to do things together. But you’ve got to keep them together to make that happen.”

That’s particularly important for the Chiefs, who are getting younger on the offensive line. Among the five starters, Lilja is the oldest at 30 and the only one over 28. Hudson will be in his first year as a starter, just as Asamoah was last year.

Lilja, who once helped the Colts win a Super Bowl, qualifies as a veteran. But having joined the Chiefs only in 2010, he’s not a long-timer in the sense of Wiegmann or Brian Waters, who was released by the Chiefs last summer.

“We’ve got some of the core guys that have been here for a couple of years,” Albert said. “I’ve been here four-plus seasons, Ryan’s been here (two)-plus seasons. So it is kind of hard, but right now is the most important stage of developing our offensive line, the continuity and getting things together. We work together and as we move into (offseason practice) and minicamp and training camp, hopefully everything comes together with the new young guys that are coming in and the new free agents, that we all come together and get things going.”

For now, Allen and Stephenson figure in as depth, though soon it could be more than that.

“Basically come in, work hard, come in with the mind-set that you want to learn and get better every day,” Albert said when asked what advice he would have for his new teammates. “You’re going to have your struggles here and there and you’re going go through hard times, you’re going to hit a rookie wall but keep fighting and go to the right people for the right advice and keep striving to be the best player you can be.”

The rookie camp is just the start. The Chiefs aren’t in full pads and contact is minimal, so the Chiefs will have to wait until training camp to get a better gauge on how advanced their rookie linemen are.

“The good guys aren’t even here,” Crennel said. “When they start going against the good guys and have the pads on, we’ll see if they can hold their own. At that time, we’ll begin to have an indication.”

Allen played tackle in college at Illinois but will likely be a guard with the Chiefs.

“I felt comfortable but it’s a lot different than tackle,” said Allen, who missed Saturday’s practices to participate in graduation ceremonies at Illinois. He was scheduled to return today. “You’ve got to be less patient. It’s definitely a process. We all just got the playbooks yesterday. We were in the books last night. You’ve got to take the time to study so you can come out and play fast.

“The tempo was really fast and everyone is a really great player, so you know you have to pick it up a few notches.”

Stephenson was at home, and not just at tackle. He’s from the Kansas City area, having attended Central High and then Blue Springs before moving on to college at Oklahoma. He was a two-year starter at tackle for the Sooners.

“It’s faster,” Stephenson said. “I expected that. The mental part of it has increased. It’s the NFL. It’s going to be tougher. So I have to be tougher and I have to be smarter.”

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/12...#storylink=cpy

**Dave Lane** · 05-13-2012, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Best offensive line we've had since Vermeil, with much better depth.

LT: Albert, Stephenson
LG: Lilja, Allen
C: Hudson, Hudson
RG: Asamoah, Allen
RT: Winston, Stephenson

If Cassel can't bloom this year he's out of excuses completely.

**Tribal Warfare** · 05-13-2012, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Ted Washington was elite upside at the nose tackle position. A 6'5" 365 lbs. giant that was exemplary at playing with leverage

This is what Poe has to be to justify him being selected at #11.

Saccopoo · 05-13-2012, 09:43 AM

And let's be honest - there isn't a guy in the football world that doesn't think DeCastro is immediately going to step in Day One and not dominate guys. He's is. He'll probably make his first Pro Bowl before Poe sees a game day starting spot.

In addition, you just hope Allen is able to convert to guard and play it at a high level. I mean, you just spent a high second rounder on a conversion project. It's taken Albert four full seasons as a starter to begin to play at an average level.

All I'm saying is that if you are planning on taking a starting guard with a high second round pick, just take the ****ing guy who is going to go to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season in the first and be done with it. And I don't care one iota about potential "elite" nose tackles. You can break the mold with Ted Washington and the guy was a perennial free agent.

As well, Poe looks nothing like Ngata. He's two inches shorter, with substantially shorter arms and lacks the lateral quickness of Ngata.

Coogs · 05-13-2012, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

DeCastro & Chapman/Ta'amu

or

Poe/Allen

?

That question has been answered. If Poe is what they think he can be, our defense could go to the elite level... and very soon.

Personally, I don't think the manner we drafted was stupid at all.

WhiteWhale · 05-13-2012, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

And let's be honest - there isn't a guy in the football world that doesn't think DeCastro is immediately going to step in Day One and not dominate guys. He's is. He'll probably make his first Pro Bowl before Poe sees a game day starting spot.

In addition, you just hope Allen is able to convert to guard and play it at a high level. I mean, you just spent a high second rounder on a conversion project. It's taken Albert four full seasons as a starter to begin to play at an average level.

All I'm saying is that if you are planning on taking a starting guard with a high second round pick, just take the ****ing guy who is going to go to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season in the first and be done with it. And I don't care one iota about potential "elite" nose tackles. You can break the mold with Ted Washington and the guy was a perennial free agent.

As well, Poe looks nothing like Ngata. He's two inches shorter, with substantially shorter arms and lacks the lateral quickness of Ngata.

Are you honestly comparing the switch from college left guard to NFL left tackle to a college left tackle switching to NFL guard?

Seriously?

Guys make that switch all the time....

Saccopoo · 05-13-2012, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGM

Please make it stop

**** off.

I didn't even want to draft DeCastro in the first. No way, no how. However, seeing as they took a guy that they hope will convert to guard in the second, it seems pretty freaking stupid not to just take the best guard prospect in the draft in the first and be done with it.

Coogs · 05-13-2012, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

If Cassel can't bloom this year he's out of excuses completely.

And if Stanzi does develop, we could be set for a hell of a run!

Pasta Little Brioni · 05-13-2012, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

**** off.

I didn't even want to draft DeCastro in the first. No way, no how. However, seeing as they took a guy that they hope will convert to guard in the second, it seems pretty freaking stupid not to just take the best guard prospect in the draft in the first and be done with it.

Stupid would be taking a guard in the top 12. You don't need a Vermiel era line to have a good offense. The QB position is this O-line's worst enemy.

Saccopoo · 05-13-2012, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

Are you honestly comparing the switch from college left guard to NFL left tackle to a college left tackle switching to NFL guard?

Seriously?

Guys make that switch all the time....

Sure they do. That's why taking a tackle high in the draft is a relatively safe pick because if they can't adjust to the edge at the NFL level you can most usually kick them inside and have an effective guard.

However, as I stated, it's still a conversion process and you took him in the second round. It's not like this is a tackle project you take in 5/6/7 and if he doesn't work, he can be kicked inside. They took Allen to be the starting guard in 2013. You don't pick a guard with a 1/2 pick to be anything else.

So why not just draft DeCastro and Chapman and get the two top guys at their respective positions in the entire draft versus two projects?

Saccopoo · 05-13-2012, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGM

Stupid would be taking a guard in the top 12. You don't need a Vermiel era line to have a good offense. The QB position is this O-line's worst enemy.

Stupid is taking a guy who has been nothing but underwhelming during his entire college career against mid-major level talent and hoping you can turn him into something he never has been. Especially at a two down position.

Stupid is spending a high second rounder on a conversion project at the guard position.

It's irrelevant if they took the best guard in the entire draft (and a guy who most people felt was the best guard to come out of college in ten years - at least) in the first when they took a guard in the second who was actually an honorable mention all-conference selection at tackle.

That's stupid.

Pasta Little Brioni · 05-13-2012, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Stupid is taking a guy who has been nothing but underwhelming during his entire college career against mid-major level talent and hoping you can turn him into something he never has been. Especially at a two down position.

Stupid is spending a high second rounder on a conversion project at the guard position.

It's irrelevant if they took the best guard in the entire draft (and a guy who most people felt was the best guard to come out of college in ten years - at least) in the first when they took a guard in the second who was actually an honorable mention all-conference selection at tackle.

That's stupid.

If he becomes a dominant nose, nobody will give a **** except for people like you who still think Albert sucks.

Coogs · 05-13-2012, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGM

If he becomes a dominant nose, nobody will give a **** except for people like you who still think Albert sucks.

This. No sense bursting a blood vessel in your brain in May. Let it play out and see what happens.

**Tribal Warfare** · 05-13-2012, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

That question has been answered. If Poe is what they think he can be, our defense could go to the elite level... and very soon.

Personally, I don't think the manner we drafted was stupid at all.

Yep, if he succeeds in what's asked and needed by Crennel/Pleasant then he is a good selection for KC.

Okie_Apparition · 05-13-2012, 10:01 AM

I'll not find out how to tell if buttermilk has gone bad from this thread

**Easy 6** · 05-13-2012, 10:03 AM

I dont understand why anyone wanted Chapman, an undersized Jay Ratliff type is not what this defense needed.

05-13-2012, 08:58 AM
Coogs In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northern Kansas Casino cash: $1104349	Teicher: Chiefs rookies Allen, Stephenson get in line Chiefs rookies Allen, Stephenson get in line The Chiefs would rather have draft picks Allen and Stephenson sit and learn this season. By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Chiefs offensive linemen Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson were side-by-side at this weekend’s rookie camp, and the team hopes they will be that way for years to come The Chiefs unveiled at their weekend rookie camp what could be the left side of their future offensive line. Jeff Allen, their second-round draft pick, was the left guard while Donald Stephenson, their third-round choice, was next to him at tackle. It’s not a reach to believe both players could someday be starting in those spots for the Chiefs. The incumbents, left guard Ryan Lilja and left tackle Branden Albert, are heading into the final season of their contracts. The Chiefs just hope that someday won’t come this year. They would like Allen and Stephenson ready to play in case of injury to a starter, but would rather for now they sit and learn. “All things being equal,” coach Romeo Crennel said, “I’d rather have veterans everywhere.” Even without Allen and Stephenson, the Chiefs will have a couple of new elements on their offensive line. Rodney Hudson, a second-round draft pick last year, will take over from Casey Wiegmann at center. Eric Winston was signed as a free agent to play right tackle. Lilja, Albert and right guard Jon Asamoah were starters last year. The Chiefs appear in no mood to tinker any more with their offensive line. “With that position group, the more they work together, the more they will jell,” Crennel said. “I think everybody knows that. The sooner you can get the guys that you have working together, the better chance they have to jell. They will jell because the nature of that group is that they like to hang out together, they like to do things together. But you’ve got to keep them together to make that happen.” That’s particularly important for the Chiefs, who are getting younger on the offensive line. Among the five starters, Lilja is the oldest at 30 and the only one over 28. Hudson will be in his first year as a starter, just as Asamoah was last year. Lilja, who once helped the Colts win a Super Bowl, qualifies as a veteran. But having joined the Chiefs only in 2010, he’s not a long-timer in the sense of Wiegmann or Brian Waters, who was released by the Chiefs last summer. “We’ve got some of the core guys that have been here for a couple of years,” Albert said. “I’ve been here four-plus seasons, Ryan’s been here (two)-plus seasons. So it is kind of hard, but right now is the most important stage of developing our offensive line, the continuity and getting things together. We work together and as we move into (offseason practice) and minicamp and training camp, hopefully everything comes together with the new young guys that are coming in and the new free agents, that we all come together and get things going.” For now, Allen and Stephenson figure in as depth, though soon it could be more than that. “Basically come in, work hard, come in with the mind-set that you want to learn and get better every day,” Albert said when asked what advice he would have for his new teammates. “You’re going to have your struggles here and there and you’re going go through hard times, you’re going to hit a rookie wall but keep fighting and go to the right people for the right advice and keep striving to be the best player you can be.” The rookie camp is just the start. The Chiefs aren’t in full pads and contact is minimal, so the Chiefs will have to wait until training camp to get a better gauge on how advanced their rookie linemen are. “The good guys aren’t even here,” Crennel said. “When they start going against the good guys and have the pads on, we’ll see if they can hold their own. At that time, we’ll begin to have an indication.” Allen played tackle in college at Illinois but will likely be a guard with the Chiefs. “I felt comfortable but it’s a lot different than tackle,” said Allen, who missed Saturday’s practices to participate in graduation ceremonies at Illinois. He was scheduled to return today. “You’ve got to be less patient. It’s definitely a process. We all just got the playbooks yesterday. We were in the books last night. You’ve got to take the time to study so you can come out and play fast. “The tempo was really fast and everyone is a really great player, so you know you have to pick it up a few notches.” Stephenson was at home, and not just at tackle. He’s from the Kansas City area, having attended Central High and then Blue Springs before moving on to college at Oklahoma. He was a two-year starter at tackle for the Sooners. “It’s faster,” Stephenson said. “I expected that. The mental part of it has increased. It’s the NFL. It’s going to be tougher. So I have to be tougher and I have to be smarter.” Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/12...#storylink=cpy
Posts: 21,659

05-13-2012, 09:43 AM	#18
Saccopoo Kindness in words... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Zion Casino cash: $10025483	And let's be honest - there isn't a guy in the football world that doesn't think DeCastro is immediately going to step in Day One and not dominate guys. He's is. He'll probably make his first Pro Bowl before Poe sees a game day starting spot. In addition, you just hope Allen is able to convert to guard and play it at a high level. I mean, you just spent a high second rounder on a conversion project. It's taken Albert four full seasons as a starter to begin to play at an average level. All I'm saying is that if you are planning on taking a starting guard with a high second round pick, just take the ****ing guy who is going to go to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season in the first and be done with it. And I don't care one iota about potential "elite" nose tackles. You can break the mold with Ted Washington and the guy was a perennial free agent. As well, Poe looks nothing like Ngata. He's two inches shorter, with substantially shorter arms and lacks the lateral quickness of Ngata.
Posts: 15,450

05-13-2012, 10:01 AM	#29
Okie_Apparition Banned Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: floatin cobwebs n the sky Casino cash: $10004900	I'll not find out how to tell if buttermilk has gone bad from this thread
Posts: 7,012

05-13-2012, 10:03 AM	#30
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $3227775	I dont understand why anyone wanted Chapman, an undersized Jay Ratliff type is not what this defense needed.
Posts: 92,221