Laurent Duvernay-Tardif figures in Chiefs' OL plans

[FringeNC]

( I know this is a little old, but I hadn't read it. Hope it isn't a re-post. The Chiefs must have seen something in him because they didn't even try to hide him on the practice squad.)

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post...hiefs-ol-plans

By Adam Teicher

INDIANAPOLIS – Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is a name that many Kansas City Chiefs fans have already forgotten. No reason to recall it last year, really. Duvernay-Tardif, an offensive lineman and a sixth-round draft pick last year, didn’t get into a single game for the Chiefs as a rookie.

Just don’t forget about Duvernay-Tardif as the Chiefs proceed through their offseason and get to training camp. The Chiefs haven’t. The medical school student who played at McGill University in Canada looks to be very much in the Chiefs’ plans this year, most likely at guard.

“Think of where he was," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said at the NFL combine, referring to what amounted to a redshirt year for Duvernay-Tardif. “We’re talking maybe a junior-college level of play and now jumping into the National Football League. So the improvement that he made, I just thought it was dramatic. Smart, strong, good athlete. He just needs to play more. I think he has a nice upside."

The redshirt year was part of the plan for Duvernay-Tardif, given the jump in level of competition, as Reid pointed out. But the Chiefs might not be able to wait any longer for him. On the offensive line, the Chiefs have under contract for 2015 tackles Eric Fisher and Donald Stephenson, guards Jeff Allen and Zach Fulton and a handful of developmental prospects, Duvernay-Tardif being the most promising.

Center Rodney Hudson is unsigned and the Chiefs could lose him in free agency.

Duvernay-Tardif had some interesting things to say last month in an interview with CBC in Canada. He revealed that he took some first-team snaps in practice last season because of injuries to other players. Despite that, the Chiefs were never tempted to utilize him in a game.

“[Chiefs coaches] basically told me they wish I would have been able to compete and play during the season, but they weren’t confident enough that I was not going to make a little mental error," he said. "But they told me I was strong enough, fast enough, athletic enough. That’s a big plus for me. Now I know I can play against those guys. It’s just up here [pointing to his temple]. This part, it got better during the season and it’s still going to get better during the course of the year. I’ve only been practicing [offensive line] for three years now. I’m going to get a lot better and I’m already a lot better than I was a year ago.

“Of course [not playing] is going to get a bit frustrating. You think you’re ready, you think you’re better than the guy in front of you but you don’t get to start."

[ct]

Fisher
LDT
Kush
Fulton
Allen

Edit: not that I choose this, just sayin, could very well happen

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by ct

Fisher
LDT
Kush
Fulton
Allen

Edit: not that I choose this, just sayin, could very well happen

actually I think that makes a lot sense.

[srvy]

Originally Posted by Rausch

You could write a Teicher article in 10 minutes after watching NFLN or reading the Chiefs web site.

Not fun to read. Adds no new information.

I really miss the days of JoPo and Whitlock. You might not have liked the homer or the $3it stirrer but that contrast of styles really worked well on the sports page.

I miss Joe McGuff and Sid Bordman.

[kcchiefsus]

Originally Posted by Hoover

actually I think that makes a lot sense.

If you want a shitty line then sure.

[ct]

Originally Posted by kcchiefsus

If you want a shitty line then sure.

Would be a huge and risky leap of faith approach to enter the season with this as your primary plan. and say they draft a RT prospect, would it be more or less risky to pencil them in over allen?

friggin scary, but it may very well happen

[oldman]

I like Doc's size and hope he can step up. I'd like to know what's keeping Stephenson in Andy's doghouse.

[Canofbier]

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

Med student? I hope his intelligence helps him slow a bullrush...

Here's his NFL.com scouting report from last year:

Spoiler!

Strengths
Looks the part with outstanding upper-body strength and massive quads. Stout anchor in pass protection. Violent shock in his punch. Plays with a nasty temperament and seeks to bury defenders into the ground. Aggressive run blocker -- runs his feet on contact and plays beyond the whistle. Is physically and mentally tough and will play through pain (fought through a torn left labrum injury as a senior and never took himself out of a game or missed time). Highly intelligent (in medical program) and football smart. Can take concepts from the board to the field.

Weaknesses
Raw technician. Lunges overagressively and loses positioning. Can learn to play under more control and take better angles. Average recovery speed vs. inside counters. Lets defenders into his body and does not replace his hands -- slow to reload after initial strike (though he was playing through a shoulder injury). Will need to adjust to playing a yard off the ball (Canadian rules) and getting into blocks more quickly.

Draft Projection
Rounds 3-4

Bottom Line
Tough, gritty, smart battler who transformed from an impactful 250-pound three-technique as a freshman. Made a successful conversion to left tackle as a sophomore and has grown to be a dominating Canadian 315-pound left tackle expected to be the first pick of the CFL draft. Projects best inside in the pros and could prove to be the best product delivered from Canada's developmental system since Israel Idonije. Will require refinement, but has the physical tools and temperament that cannot be taught.

He's a great physical prospect - his downside was being raw. If the Chiefs can succeed at improving his technique, he could be a very serviceable linemen for us.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by oldman

I like Doc's size and hope he can step up. I'd like to know what's keeping Stephenson in Andy's doghouse.

This. He looked like he was turning the corner before his suspension.

If healthy he's clearly our best option at RT on the roster...

[In58men]

When does this chump come back?

Mahomes needs more protection, seems like our receivers aren’t getting any separation quick enough. We need to put up 35 pts in the playoffs for us to win. Protect our only hope!!!

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by In58men

When does this chump come back?

Mahomes needs more protection, seems like our receivers aren’t getting any separation quick enough. We need to put up 35 pts in the playoffs for us to win. Protect our only hope!!!

OTA's

[Rasputin]

We beat the Rams if we had LD-T and we would have put up 45 points on the Dolts and beat them.


Getting LD-T back will make a big impact

[OKchiefs]

Hasn't played an entire 16 games once in his career. I wish you could somehow pinpoint what gives someone that Ironman quality like Mitchell Schwartz and use that when scouting players.