Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs rookies Allen, Stephenson get in line - Page 3

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

Saccopoo · 05-13-2012, 10:04 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.

And if he doesn't?

And Albert was okay last season. Not great. Not very good. Good/average/okay. He sucked the previous three.

Saccopoo · 05-13-2012, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

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

Go tell that to Kyle Williams.

**BossChief** · 05-13-2012, 10:05 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 that was a proven commodity on the field during his college years.

Poe had fantastic combine measurables but they did not translate to the field, where he basically turned into a rag doll once he got two bodies on him. As well, he plays high and tries to push. He is strong in his upper body. He is fast in a straight line. That's about all you get at this point. He is a massive project with certain physical traits you want out of the position, but he's not "elite" in a number of things that you really look for in a 34 nose.

In addition, it's a two down position that simply demands a guy who ties up a two gap. They aren't asked to penetrate, stunt, etc. It's not a glory position and it's why you see a lot of the top 34 NT prospects in any given draft drop into the mid rounds, e.g., Chapman and Ta'amu in 2012 and Powe in 2011.

And it's not like they drafted Allen in rounds 4-6. They used a high second rounder on him.

DeCastro & Chapman/Ta'amu

or

Poe/Allen

?

Besides, if you wanted to take a elite NT prospect in the first, they should have done it next year with Starlite Lotulelei. The guy was already considered the best defensive lineman in the PAC 12 (over Alameda Ta'amu). That's they elite prospect you draft in the first - not the major project guy.

Like I said, it seems pretty ****ing stupid.

That whole post was dumb as ****.

Sorry.

Saccopoo · 05-13-2012, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

That whole post was dumb as ****.

Sorry.

Don't be sorry, just back up your "dumb as shit" comment with something of substance. Add something to it.

Tell me why taking DeCastro in the first and then Ta'amu/Chapman in the fourth is "dumb as shit" versus taking Poe in the first and Allen in the second. I'm curious. Enlighten me so that I'm not being dumb as shit about these draft picks.

**BossChief** · 05-13-2012, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

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

Since when was Josh Chapman "undersized"? Dude sits around 330

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

And if he doesn't?

And Albert was okay last season. Not great. Not very good. Good/average/okay. He sucked the previous three.

You should really stop acting like you know anything about OL play.

**Easy 6** · 05-13-2012, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Since when was Josh Chapman "undersized"? Dude sits around 330

You should really stop acting like you know anything about OL play.

310 is his listed weight.

http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-foo...an_josh00.html

boogblaster · 05-13-2012, 10:10 AM

well its what most do with rookies .. watch and learn .....

Coogs · 05-13-2012, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Don't be sorry, just back up your "dumb as shit" comment with something of substance. Add something to it.

Tell me why taking DeCastro in the first and then Ta'amu/Chapman in the fourth is "dumb as shit" versus taking Poe in the first and Allen in the second. I'm curious. Enlighten me so that I'm not being dumb as shit about these draft picks.

When you think of the truely elite NT's, they were drafted in the first round. Are there some exceptions to the rule? Yes. But the Casey Hampton type players go early. The hope is that Poe is a player in that mold. Time will tell. We already have the other mid-rounder in Powe. Between the two of them, we could be set for years to come.

**BossChief** · 05-13-2012, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Don't be sorry, just back up your "dumb as shit" comment with something of substance. Add something to it.

Tell me why taking DeCastro in the first and then Ta'amu/Chapman in the fourth is "dumb as shit" versus taking Poe in the first and Allen in the second. I'm curious. Enlighten me so that I'm not being dumb as shit about these draft picks.

Positional value is something you seem to not quite fully understand.

Guard is a bottom 5 position in terms of impact to games, NT is top 5. With the tools Poe has (acting like you or anyone else here knows what to look for in NTs better than Pioli or Crennel is just as foolish as saying Albert sucks...you couldn't have even watched a single game of Poes in college) he has a chance to change the entire defense front to back in a positive way.

I've gotta get some stuff done, but I'll knock the rest of that post out later today.

Coogs · 05-13-2012, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogblaster

well its what most do with rookies .. watch and learn .....

Yep! And if Stanzi and Powe make a move this year...

L.A. Chieffan · 05-13-2012, 10:20 AM

Couldve had Foles

Fritz88 · 05-13-2012, 10:20 AM

So we're ditching Albert after this season?
Posted via Mobile Device

whoman69 · 05-13-2012, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

That said -- they're still going to give up a ton of sacks, because of Cassel.

He wasn't issued an internal clock.

Coogs · 05-13-2012, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

Couldve had Foles

Now that would have been stupid! Good point LAC!

Three7s · 05-13-2012, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fritz88

So we're ditching Albert after this season?
Posted via Mobile Device

According to Sacc!

I love it when people go all out to bash draft picks before they play. Kind of reminds me of when people bashed Hali after he was drafted/moved to LB. It's pretty wise to stfu until they actually play.

05-13-2012, 08:58 AM
Coogs In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northern Kansas Casino cash: $1034349	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: 21,674

05-13-2012, 10:10 AM	#37
boogblaster MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Verdigris Valley Campsite Casino cash: $10004900	well its what most do with rookies .. watch and learn ..... __________________ WR or S please
Posts: 10,305

05-13-2012, 10:20 AM	#41
L.A. Chieffan PLAY GOOD FOOTBALL Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: American Gardens Building Casino cash: $3908654	Couldve had Foles
Posts: 17,368

05-13-2012, 10:20 AM	#42
Fritz88 Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $8835943	So we're ditching Albert after this season? Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 12,706