Teicher: Waters thinks Chiefs don’t need offensive-line upgrade

[Tribal Warfare]

Waters thinks Chiefs don’t need offensive-line upgrade
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

To Brian Waters, the numbers speak with clarity. During the season’s final few games, the Chiefs became one of the league’s most explosive running teams while significantly reducing the number of times quarterback Matt Cassel was sacked.

There can be no better endorsement of the Chiefs’ much-maligned offensive line.

“They say stuff rolls downhill, and we’re at the bottom,” Waters said Monday as the Chiefs, who finished their 4-12 season with a 44-24 win over the Broncos on Sunday in Denver, cleared out their lockers and scattered for winter. “We take that burden because we’re big boys.

“But the last two years, I don’t think that some of my offensive linemates have been judged properly. I feel a lot of eyes that have been judging some of my teammates are unqualified eyes. There are a lot of people basing their opinions off what they know, and a lot of people don’t know football.

“In our position, everything is all about what other guys do. Everything is about how many times the quarterback got hit or it’s all about how many rushing yards we had. We’re pretty much (tied) to the numbers.”

His comments suggest that given Kansas City’s recent offensive improvements, Waters, a four-time Pro Bowl guard, believes the Chiefs don’t need to make upgrading their offensive line an offseason priority.

During the season’s final eight games, running back Jamaal Charles trailed only Tennessee’s Chris Johnson in rushing yards with 968. Charles averaged 6 yards per carry in that time.

Chiefs quarterbacks were sacked 37 times in the first 10 games, but Cassel went down only eight times in the final six. In Denver, he wasn’t sacked for the first time all season.

Some of the improvement has to do with changes on the line. On the right side, Ryan O’Callaghan replaced Ikechuku Ndukwe at tackle and Wade Smith replaced Mike Goff at guard.

The line also had time to adjust after the Chiefs abruptly changed their offense during the preseason when they fired coordinator Chan Gailey.

“That affected us greatly,” Waters said. “We’d be lying to ourselves to not think that the change in offense two weeks before the regular season started didn’t harm what we had already kind of got going. But that’s the head coach’s prerogative to make that type of change.”

The biggest reason for the line’s improved play was Charles, who is smaller and quicker than Johnson and doesn’t need as much space to be an effective runner.

“What we were trying to do offensively wasn’t to the strength of Larry,” Waters said. “We were trying to be a little more open-space, a little bit more no-huddle, a little bit more fast-hitting type of offense. We know Larry, and when he was in his greatest time, he was more of a pounder.

“We finally got comfortable in what we were trying to do. The idea of what we were trying to do from game to game has changed through the course of the year and we finally settled on who we are and we weren’t going to change that.

“Talentwise, I don’t think I’ve ever played with anybody as talented as (Charles) is, with the explosive ability he has. He has the ability to make a 5-yard run a 50-yard run just like that.

“He has the ability to make us look better.”

Monday’s interview ended Waters’ seasonlong silence. Waters asked to be traded last winter shortly after Todd Haley was hired as the Chiefs’ head coach.

Waters said his silence shouldn’t be interpreted that he was unhappy playing for the Chiefs.

“With the stuff I came back here with during the offseason, I just wanted to kind of stand out of the way and just do my job and allow this whole situation to show itself,” Waters said. “I didn’t want to get in the way. I know people are always trying to make it seem like you feel this way or you feel that way. I just wanted people to see this whole program for themselves. I didn’t want to be a distraction.

“It was just a good year for me to focus on my own job.”

Waters started 15 games this season, missing last month’s Cleveland game because of a sore hamstring. That ended a streak of 51 consecutive starts.

He also missed out on the Pro Bowl after playing in Hawaii the previous year,

“I think I had a solid year,” Waters said. “I don’t think I performed any worse than I’ve performed over the last few years.

“I feel I have plenty left in the tank.”

[Hammock Parties]

Waters wanted Herm back this offseason.

He's a fool. Just like Tony was for wanting to stick with Thigpen.

Just like all the Chiefs in the late 80s were for wanting Frank Gansz.

Players live in their own little world and can't be objective about it. Things that seem obvious to us usually aren't to them.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Waters wanted Herm back this offseason.

He's a fool. Just like Tony was for wanting to stick with Thigpen.

Just like all the Chiefs in the late 80s were for wanting Frank Gansz.

Players live in their own little world and can't be objective about it. Things that seem obvious to us usually aren't to them.

Truer words..........

[ChiefaRoo]

This just in -> "O'Connell doesn't think KC needs a new TE next season. Says catching and blocking at position overrated"

[FAX]

Charles single handedly made the o-line look better. That doesn't mean the line is where it needs to be ... it means that Charles is a freaking jet-powered sneaky stud of a dude.

I expect Waters to be loyal to his fellow bigs, but we need to improve that line. Imagine what Charles could do with a dominant offensive line.

FAX

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by FAX

Imagine what Charles could do with a dominant offensive line.

FAX

I have been thinking about this for a month now.

There is a delusional part of me that thinks Charles could actually be BETTER than Chris Johnson.

Considering he actually has plenty of room to improve, he could shatter Priest's record if he stays healthy. And we have a head coach who believes in balanced offense so I don't think he's ever going to be overworked or asked to do things he can't do.

[Chief Faithful]

While it is true the OL did improve it is also true that they need to be stronger on the interior so Cassell can step up into his read. Center and RG need to be upgraded. If Iupati is available with their first pick second round the Chiefs need to jump on it.

Sadly, I don't think any of the Centers in this draft would be an upgrade so I would like to see them draft a RG and move Wade Smith to Center.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by BossChief

I just came.

Anyone that says Iutapi wont be a impact player hasnt seen him play once.

Fact of the matter is that guards aren't impact players, and I've seen the Vandals once this year and he didn't blow me away to the point where I'd justify spending a very high second round draft choice on that specific position, especially considering that guys like Mike Johnson (Alabama, G), Zane Beadles (Utah, LT), Matt Tennant (Boston College, C), Asamoah (Illinois, G), Fox (Miami, LT), Petrus (Arkansas, G) will most likely be available when the Chiefs pick in the third round and possibly the fourth. And I don't believe that Iupati is as good as Beadles, Johnson or Tennant. All three of those guys were absolutely dominating this year - against high level competition. I might even argue that C John Estes of Hawaii (which is in the same conference as Idaho, the WAC) is a better player than Iupati.

Will Shields might have been one of the top three guards to have ever played in the NFL, was the Outland Trophy winner coming out of college as guard for Tom Osborne's Cornhuskers, and he went in the third round.

I'm not saying that Iupati isn't a good player. He's supposedly got excellent feet, ideal size and is a good kid. I'm saying that he's a guard that played against WAC competition and the Chiefs ultimately need guys who can play at positions that will provide more impact than what the guard position will, especially with their high second round pick.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Fact of the matter is that guards aren't impact players, and I've seen the Vandals once this year and he didn't blow me away to the point where I'd justify spending a very high second round draft choice on that specific position, especially considering that guys like Mike Johnson (Alabama, G), Zane Beadles (Utah, LT), Matt Tennant (Boston College, C), Asamoah (Illinois, G), Fox (Miami, LT), Petrus (Arkansas, G) will most likely be available when the Chiefs pick in the third round and possibly the fourth. And I don't believe that Iupati is as good as Beadles, Johnson or Tennant. All three of those guys were absolutely dominating this year - against high level competition. I might even argue that C John Estes of Hawaii (which is in the same conference as Idaho, the WAC) is a better player than Iupati.

Will Shields might have been one of the top three guards to have ever played in the NFL, was the Outland Trophy winner coming out of college as guard for Tom Osborne's Cornhuskers, and he went in the third round.

I'm not saying that Iupati isn't a good player. He's supposedly got excellent feet, ideal size and is a good kid. I'm saying that he's a guard that played against WAC competition and the Chiefs ultimately need guys who can play at positions that will provide more impact than what the guard position will, especially with their high second round pick.

Where ya been, Sac?

[rockymtnchief]

After playing next to Roaf, Weigmann, and Shields you'd think Waters would be the FIRST person to say that this o-line needs help. His barometer must be upside down. Plus, having an upgrade at center would only make his job easier.

[MOhillbilly]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Fact of the matter is that guards aren't impact players, and I've seen the Vandals once this year and he didn't blow me away to the point where I'd justify spending a very high second round draft choice on that specific position, especially considering that guys like Mike Johnson (Alabama, G), Zane Beadles (Utah, LT), Matt Tennant (Boston College, C), Asamoah (Illinois, G), Fox (Miami, LT), Petrus (Arkansas, G) will most likely be available when the Chiefs pick in the third round and possibly the fourth. And I don't believe that Iupati is as good as Beadles, Johnson or Tennant. All three of those guys were absolutely dominating this year - against high level competition. I might even argue that C John Estes of Hawaii (which is in the same conference as Idaho, the WAC) is a better player than Iupati.

Will Shields might have been one of the top three guards to have ever played in the NFL, was the Outland Trophy winner coming out of college as guard for Tom Osborne's Cornhuskers, and he went in the third round.

I'm not saying that Iupati isn't a good player. He's supposedly got excellent feet, ideal size and is a good kid. I'm saying that he's a guard that played against WAC competition and the Chiefs ultimately need guys who can play at positions that will provide more impact than what the guard position will, especially with their high second round pick.

Great post.

[Chief Faithful]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Fact of the matter is that guards aren't impact players, and I've seen the Vandals once this year and he didn't blow me away to the point where I'd justify spending a very high second round draft choice on that specific position, especially considering that guys like Mike Johnson (Alabama, G), Zane Beadles (Utah, LT), Matt Tennant (Boston College, C), Asamoah (Illinois, G), Fox (Miami, LT), Petrus (Arkansas, G) will most likely be available when the Chiefs pick in the third round and possibly the fourth. And I don't believe that Iupati is as good as Beadles, Johnson or Tennant. All three of those guys were absolutely dominating this year - against high level competition. I might even argue that C John Estes of Hawaii (which is in the same conference as Idaho, the WAC) is a better player than Iupati.

Will Shields might have been one of the top three guards to have ever played in the NFL, was the Outland Trophy winner coming out of college as guard for Tom Osborne's Cornhuskers, and he went in the third round.

I'm not saying that Iupati isn't a good player. He's supposedly got excellent feet, ideal size and is a good kid. I'm saying that he's a guard that played against WAC competition and the Chiefs ultimately need guys who can play at positions that will provide more impact than what the guard position will, especially with their high second round pick.

The problem with Tennant is he is a Niswanger clone. A tall light center that has trouble with stocky power rush DT's. Wade Smith is more of an upgrade at Center then anyone you will find in this draft.

Meanwhile there are some good guards in this draft. I would be happy with Iupati or Asamoah in the second, or Mike Johnson in the third. I don't think anyone else would be much help for 2010.

[KCUnited]

While what Waters is saying is nonsense, its nice to see him take up for his squad.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Where ya been, Sac?

Nowhere really. It's amazing how fast time goes by. I think that my last log in was Halloween and I guess I just got busy doing other stuff and didn't post the last couple of months. Doesn't seem like it was that long.

[Just Passin' By]

The Chiefs have a lot of areas that need upgrading. The question is simply where OL falls on the priority list for Pioli, and what's available to fix problems. The team is desperate for a NT, for example, but that would probably change in a heartbeat if the Patriots were stupid enough to let Wilfork go, because I'd imagine that the Chiefs would back the Brinks truck up for Vince.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by Chief Faithful

The problem with Tennant is he is a Niswanger clone. A tall light center that has trouble with stocky power rush DT's. Wade Smith is more of an upgrade at Center then anyone you will find in this draft.

Meanwhile there are some good guards in this draft. I would be happy with Iupati or Asamoah in the second, or Mike Johnson in the third. I don't think anyone else would be much help for 2010.

Being a light center isn't necessarily a bad thing - it hasn't hurt Casey Weigmann one bit. (And I'd suggest that losing Weigmann in Herm's Youth Movement plan was a bigger loss than anyone might have realized. Most underrated lineman of the past decade IMO.) Tennant is light years beyond Niswanger at the same stage and is as good at his position as anyone whose come out in recent memory. Sure, Alex Mack was ideal because of his size, but Tennant is a superb center who can get out and pull, a la Weigmann, is smart and tenacious. The John Estes kid of Hawaii is the same way, but because no one ever sees Hawaii play, no one is mentioning him. Athletic, smart, mobile and basically born to play the position. And if O'Dowd and Wisniewski declare for the draft, they are both high first day choices at the C position.