Chiefs’ Eric Fisher determined to bounce back after miserable half at Philadelphia

[Tribal Warfare]

Chiefs’ Eric Fisher determined to bounce back after miserable half at Philadelphia
By TEREZ A. PAYLOR
The Kansas City Star
By the time the first half of the Chiefs’ 26-16 win over Philadelphia was over Thursday, you could understand if Eric Fisher was a little discouraged.

Sure, the Chiefs led by 10 points. But but Fisher, the rookie right tackle who was taken No. 1 overall in April’s NFL Draft, committed one holding penalty and was beaten for a sack and two hurries by Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin and defensive end Fletcher Cox in 22 first-half passing attempts by quarterback Alex Smith.

It was, perhaps, the worst half of Fisher’s three-game professional career. Pro Football Focus, which grades every NFL player in every game, assigned Fisher a three-game grade of minus-6.7, which ranks worst on the Chiefs and and 52nd out of 55 NFL tackles who have played 75 percent of their team’s snaps.

Fisher, however, is hardly the only highly touted rookie tackle dealing with a learning curve. Pro Football Focus has also assigned negative grades to the four other right tackles drafted in the first round: Jacksonville’s Luke Joeckel ranks 36th at minus-1.9 and Philadelphia’s Lane Johnson and the New York Giants’ Justin Pugh are tied for 48th at minus-5.2. San Diego’s D.J. Fluker has only played two games due to a concussion, but checks in at minus-1.4.

“It’s been tough mentally, physically, emotionally,” Fisher said of his adjustment to the NFL. “You’ve just got to keep your composure. There’s a lot that comes with this game and you roll with the punches.”

Fortunately for the Chiefs, Fisher seemed to do just that in the second half against the Eagles. He was called for one more penalty — a hold on Cox during a running play — but didn’t allow another sack, hit or hurry in 13 pass attempts. He was also a part of an offensive line that helped the Chiefs rush for 98 yards in 21 carries during the second half, effectively putting the Eagles away.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid lauded Fisher, 22, for hanging tough and showing flashes, despite his somewhat uneven transition from left to right tackle.

“I appreciate his effort out here,” Reid said. “He’s just trying to do everything the right way and he battles. Sometimes he gets in awkward positions, and he has the athletic ability and fights his way out of it. It’s not the prettiest picture, but it ends up being a productive play and I appreciate that from him. That you can work with as a coach.”

Reid said the Chiefs will also be able to bulk up Fisher’s 6-foot-7, 306-pound frame.

“Normally they put on about 10 pounds by the time you get to the next season, and he’ll do that,” Reid said, “He has a big frame that he can add some weight to. He’ll get in the weight room with Barry (Rubin) and he’ll have a whole year to do that part.”

Reid, however, stopped short of saying the extra strength alone would rectify some of the negative plays Fisher has made.

“I don’t think it’s all that,” Reid said. “Some of it is just he wants to go attack, which is a good thing — you’d rather have it that way than the other way — he wants to go attack and he’ll over settle, but he’ll learn just to kind of calm himself down a little bit.”

Guard Geoff Schwartz also noted that Fisher has been targeted because of his draft status and the presence of established veteran Branden Albert on the opposite side.

“You’ve got to think, the Eagles and any other team, really, they’re gonna come after that guy,” said Schwartz, a six-year veteran. “Are they gonna come after B.A., or are they come after Fish? They’re gonna come after the young cat. So, that’s the way it is. He knows that, we know that.”

Fisher still managed to make a few impressive plays Thursday. He had a textbook reach block that sprung running back Jamaal Charles for a 3-yard score in the second half, and also drove a linebacker 12 yards downfield on another second-half run.

“There’s definitely different things you see in there that give you hope,” Schwartz said. “Really, some of his issues have been pass blocking and that just comes with time, knowing space, knowing angles, stuff like that. There’s no worry … we’re 3-0.”

Second-year tackle Donald Stephenson hopes the Chiefs’ overall record helps Fisher shrug off his individual defeats, which he found to be the key for surviving as a rookie.

“Because you know it’s going to happen,” said Stephenson, who played in 16 games and started seven last season. “The first thing the vets told me was it’s not college — you’re going to get your butt whupped, sometimes. It’s how you handle it and how you respond. That’s what I tried to do, I just kept my head up and brought it the next game, next play.”

Stephenson and Schwartz said that’s exactly what Fisher has done, as well.

“Everybody struggles that rookie year, and he’s handling it pretty good,” Stephenson said. “He’s always in here working on days off, watching extra film … he’s already acting like a vet. That’s going to pay off for him. The effort is there.”

Fisher seems to understand that for most, the journey toward becoming a good NFL player is not an easy process.

“Everyone makes mistakes in this game,” Fisher said. “I look at the film, I look at my assignments and I learn from those mistakes and do my best to not make them again.

“Everyday, I’m going to be a stronger player.”

[O.city]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Because Kendrick Lewis has shown the unique ability to get injured on fluke plays and miss stretches of games at a time.

My hope is that Sanders Commings comes off of short term IR and steals the starting spot.

Also, two tight end sets with competent players would be preferable to one guy off the streets.

Yes, but were pretty set at safety it seems.


Agree with the te though.

[Eleazar]

Originally Posted by Pablo

There's been absolutely nothing so far to show that he has that sort of potential. Not even really any dominating flashes so far.

Just a bunch of 'meh' mixed in with a healthy does of 'WTF' and 'shit'.

The book isn't written by any means; but there is no data to show that sort of optimism at this point.

Really dude. He's played 3 games.

He didn't come into the draft being touted as Orlando Pace. He was a high ceiling project, an ascending player who it is hoped would develop into a top player a la Joe Staley, who came out of the same school.

Fisher was not even really a reach because he was the top player in the draft at a premium position. It wasn't like teams had him graded as a second round pick and we grabbed him a full round too early. He was a no-doubt top 10 pick.

I don't understand people holding him to this standard that makes no sense, that he should make the pro bowl this year or whatever, just because of where he was drafted. He can't help that. He's the same man whether he was drafted at #1 or #10 or anywhere else.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by SNR

I've been saying exactly what Reid was quoted in the article-- a full offseason in the NFL training program will likely do wonders for Fisher.

It's still bullshit, though, that the #1 overall pick would need a full year in the weight room and work on his technique before he's even adequate.

I'm really tired of that excuse and we've heard it about Dorsey and Jackson, two other Top Five picks.

If the guy can't play at a high level immediately, don't draft him.

And from the looks of it, Kyle Long is playing quite well. What's his excuse?

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Cochise

Really dude. He's played 3 games.

He didn't come into the draft being touted as Orlando Pace. He was a high ceiling project, an ascending player who it is hoped would develop into a top player a la Joe Staley, who came out of the same school.

The difference being that Staley was like #26 overall, not #1.

[Ace Gunner]

looking at Fisher's style in college, he's a mauler in pass protection -- he's that LT guy that, once he gets his hands on you, he's got control of you and he does it the way refs like. But his techniques in getting to a guy aren't good -- he has no hand techniques for that initial contact and he plays too high, needs to bend the knees and get better lateral quickness.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Cochise

Really dude. He's played 3 games.

He didn't come into the draft being touted as Orlando Pace. He was a high ceiling project, an ascending player who it is hoped would develop into a top player a la Joe Staley, who came out of the same school.

Fisher was not even really a reach because he was the top player in the draft at a premium position. It wasn't like teams had him graded as a second round pick and we grabbed him a full round too early. He was a no-doubt top 10 pick.

I don't understand people holding him to this standard that makes no sense, that he should make the pro bowl this year or whatever, just because of where he was drafted. He can't help that. He's the same man whether he was drafted at #1 or #10 or anywhere else.

We're not blaming Fisher. We're blaming Dorsey.

He and Reid's mantra in pre-draft interviews this offseason was, "the most important thing about the #1 pick is that you get it right."

Like Dane said, if Fisher needs all this time to become the great player he's supposed to be, then it wasn't worth it. Not at #1 overall. Pick another player with just as high of a ceiling and a propensity for immediately playing well. THERE'S your best player in the draft.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by Pablo

There's been absolutely nothing so far to show that he has that sort of potential. Not even really any dominating flashes so far.

Just a bunch of 'meh' mixed in with a healthy does of 'WTF' and 'shit'.

The book isn't written by any means; but there is no data to show that sort of optimism at this point.

There is this...

Fisher still managed to make a few impressive plays Thursday. He had a textbook reach block that sprung running back Jamaal Charles for a 3-yard score in the second half, and also drove a linebacker 12 yards downfield on another second-half run.

“There’s definitely different things you see in there that give you hope,” Schwartz said. “Really, some of his issues have been pass blocking and that just comes with time, knowing space, knowing angles, stuff like that. There’s no worry … we’re 3-0.”

And his teammates don't seem to be pushing the panic button.

[BossChief]

The line is not only trying to develop chemistry, but are also adjusting to the new blocking scheme.

They should start to come together over the next 4-8 games.

[philfree]

I just sense that there are some fans who want Fisher to fail so they can say I told you so. At this point I'm pulling for every player on this team to take a step. If that happens this week the Chiefs will be 4-0. C'mon Fish, get your shit together!

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by philfree

I just sense that there are some fans who want Fisher to fell so they can say I told you so. At this point I'm pulling for every player on tis team to take a step. If that happens this week the Chiefs will be 4-0. C'mon Fish, get your shit together!

No. I want Fisher to be a badass. Unfortunately he sucks right now and I am going to be pigheaded about it because I wanted Geno in the 1st and it looks like I was right.

This fanbase needs to get it through their thick skulls: take a QB in the 1st.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by philfree

At this point I'm pulling for every player on this team to take a step. If that happens this week the Chiefs will be 4-0. C'mon Fish, get your shit together!

I would expect to see Fisher play better on Sunday, due to the ten day break and expect a another leap after the Bye week.

We shall see...

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by Ace Gunner

Albert had Brian Waters on one side and TE Brad Cottam on the outside helping him almost every ****ing snap of his rookie season with the Chiefs.

why do folks keep forgetting this.

Also, it's a changed league now, where the RT is seeing players that are pretty fast and beastly -- like, say, Justin ****ing Houston & JJ Watt.

albert was excellent his rookie season...sorry it bothers you

Fisher has already ****ed up more in 3 games than albert did in a season...again, I get it, we have to pretend we're excited about using the #1 pick in the draft on the worst RT in the league...i mean, you do, I don't

but some day he'll be the 8th best RT, and then the #1 pick will totally be worth it...because that's how 'safe' picks work

it's a tangent, and I know our draft class will improve...but jesus, right now our draft picks are a complete ****ing worthless pile of shit...

[Hammock Parties]

If Geno Smith or EJ Manuel are even simply above average QBs for 10 years, the Fisher pick is brutally bad, provided Alex Smith checkdowns his way into playoff losses.

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Lotuleili is playing well, as is Vacarro.

Vacarro and Berry would have been sick.

And Poe-Richardson and/or Poe-Lotuleili wouldn't be too far behind.

throw in DeAndre Hopkins, or hell even Eifert...i won't even start a fight by pointing out how much better Geno Smith is than Fisher...holy shit, talk about value picks

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by SNR

What Pablo said- it isn't like that argument never gets flipped around.

Oh, and there's that other thing. Where Geno Smith is a ****ing QB and Eric Fisher is not. The learning curve is astoundingly higher for the QB than the RT.

And no, before you accuse me of calling Eric Fisher a bust, he's not a bust yet. He's still got time to turn this shit around. I've been saying exactly what Reid was quoted in the article-- a full offseason in the NFL training program will likely do wonders for Fisher.

If he's still sucking wastewater at this time next year though, THEN we have a problem.

Yup.