Worrisome things: Offensive Line

[OldSchool]

While we were already one of the youngest offensive lines last year, we got even younger this year:

First our Starters:

Eric Fisher (23)
Jeff Allen (24)
Rod Hudson (24)
Rishaw Johnson (25)
Donald Stephenson (25)

Backups (not all of these guys will make the roster obviously, but these are the main ones including the new picks):

Rokevious Watkins (25)
Jeff Linkenbach (26)
Eric Kush (24)
Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff (23)
Zach FUlton (22)

Holy Shit! I don't think I've ever heard of any team in the league running with an offensive line that is this young and this inexperienced. With the defensive front 7s that we have to face next year (Rams, Seahawks, Niners, Jets, Cardinals, Bills, Steelers, Patriots), how do they expect this offensive line to hold up well against that? I really hope that they are going to sign a veteran or two to help these younger guys develop and also serve as quality depth or even starters at OG or something.

Here is a taste of the pass rushers/DLs we will face next year:

SF:
Aldon Smith - Justin Smith - Ray McDonald - Ahmad Brooks

St. Louis:
Robert Quinn - Michael Brockers - Aaron Donald - Chris Long

Arizona:
Sam Acho - Calais Campbell - Darnell Dockett - Daryl Washington (MLB blitzes) - John Abraham

Buffalo:
Mario Williams - Marcell Dareus - Kyle Williams - Jerry Hughes

Here are two guys that are still out there who can help.

1. Uche Nwaneri, 30 - He's a solid NFL guard who still plays at a sufficiently high level. He shouldn't cost too much at this point and would go a long way towards improving this OL.

2. Daryn Colledge, 32 - At this point of his career, he's good as a back-up with starter ability and the ability to play either guard position. He offers position versatility and a good amount of NFL experience.

I just think that Dorsey and Reid are playing with fire if their goal is to have our OL learn and develop through trial and error without a single solid veteran presence to help guide the younger guys a long the way.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think that we'll be fine against the schedule that we have?

[TEX]

Everyone concerned about the KC O-Line is justified in their thinking. Far too many questions to expect all to work out. It did not have to be that way. Its going to be the biggest reason for the step backwards this season.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by jd1020

Joe Mays' cap hit next year will only be 900k less. Keep trying to act like Schwartz got a monster deal and we couldn't have possibly fit him in the budget.

Cut Mays next year, save $3mil. Cut Schwartz next year, save $2.5mil.

Just already.

Yep! I did the math also back when Schwartz signed with NYG and KC signed Mays and just shook my head in disbelief. The Schwartz contract is not out of line and had KC retained him, they would be much better off. Choosing not to sign Schwartz was the wrong decision for many reasons. Had they kept him and not lost out on the Sanders deal, KC would be in business.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Good to see we already have the scapegoat determined in the event this team only wins 6-7 games.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Good to see we already have the scapegoat determined in the event this team only wins 6-7 games.

Shit, we identified that scapegoat in late February of LAST offseason.

[CallMeSquidwad]

I'm waiting for week 5 when all of you tools flip flop and fall in love with our o line.

[SPATCH]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Eric Fisher HAS to be better.

If he plays better, they'll be ok.

If he plays anywhere near his potential, they could get VERY good.

I certainly think that putting him back at his natural position will make him better.

I was impressed that Fisher improved as an RT as the season went along. It was a square peg/round hole situation to begin with but he worked at it enough to become serviceable. To me, that says a lot.

I expect Fisher to perform well. Stephenson has already proven himself to be a legitimate NFL OT (on both sides). Hudson and Allen have another year under their belt. And it's time for Rishaw Johnson to test his mettle.

I think we're fine.

[Hoover]

I think the rookie contracts have changed the face of the NFL.

High dollar positions like QB, OT, OG, and pass rushers, are at a premium early in the draft because they would break the bank if you wanted to sign a stud in free agency. The same goes if you have a good player who's at the end of his contract. Just look at Oakland, they let Houston walk and then drafted Mack. Smart move, Mack is obviously younger, more talented, and cheeper. Houston's cap hit this year is over 5m, and increases to 7m for the following 3 years, and the final season is 9m.

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by jd1020

Joe Mays' cap hit next year will only be 900k less. Keep trying to act like Schwartz got a monster deal and we couldn't have possibly fit him in the budget.

Cut Mays next year, save $3mil. Cut Schwartz next year, save $2.5mil.

Just already.

Again, you are only looking at the first year of the deal, i.e. a car payment instead of the total cost.

[Hoover]

The main thing Schwartz wanted was a multi year deal. I don't blame him, but there was no way he was going to be signed to another short term deal by the Chiefs.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by Hoover

Again, you are only looking at the first year of the deal, i.e. a car payment instead of the total cost.

You're dumb.

A football contract is not a baseball contract. A football contract is worth as much as its guaranteed money. In this case its $2mil for Mays and $4.7mil for Schwartz.

Keep acting like Schwartz got a huge deal.

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by jd1020

You're dumb.

A football contract is not a baseball contract. A football contract is worth as much as its guaranteed money. In this case its $2mil for Mays and $4.7mil for Schwartz.

Keep acting like Schwartz got a huge deal.

Yeah, over twice as much. I don't agree with giving Mays a 2 million signing bonus, seems extreme, but Schwartz wanted a multiple year contract.

[Easy 6]

My biggest concern for the line is Fishers health, if that elbow and shoulder hold up I believe he'll be fine back at his natural position, he graded as a true first rounder for a reason and as long as he's working hard he'll live up to that IMO.

Whats nice is that if he pans out like I think, we'll have pretty damn decent bookends.

[jd1020]

"Over twice as much"



$2.7mil is just too much to spend to keep practice squad players off the starting line. Much better to save that miniscule amount of money and go buy the bum Joe Mays. Nevermind that both players can be cut next year and the teams save damn near the same amount of money.

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by CallMeSquidwad

I'm waiting for week 5 when all of you tools flip flop and fall in love with our o line.

Hope that happens, but I'm not holding my breath.

[mcaj22]

the thing is there's no continuity with this line

next year we could (will) have a new center. They can't afford to keep Hudson no different than they couldnt keep Asamoah or Schwartz

following year Stephenson will be overpaid in FA.

Jeff Allen is also gone in that span

So in the next 2 years we could (will) have a new center, new starting tackle and a new LG. The only guy really under control is Fisher lol.

This is the problem with the Chiefs being so close to the cap, they wont be able to afford any of these guys because there will be more important players on the roster to spend money on. The lines going to look completely different in 2 years again.