Arguments for a Left Tackle in the 2010 Draft.

[Saccopoo]

While the vast majority of drafturbators around here think that Branden Albert is doing a remarkable job and had a great last half of the season, some people believe that adding a competent offensive left tackle would be a prudent and viable selection for the Chiefs with their first pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Some supporting arguments for a left tackle:

Wes Bunting: Well, after Suh, McCoy and Berry, Russell Okung's a pretty safe pick. Sure, he might not be the sexiest of guys, but honestly Branden Albert was one of the highest rated guards I'd seen and yet he hasn't yet had the type of career because he's be a run-of-the-mill tackle. You'd be surprised how quickly that offensive line would improve if you got a legit offensive tackle in there and kick Branden Albert inside. Some good things could happen.

From Walters 2010 Mock:

Fortunately, Pioli, who is a big believer in positional value, can take Okung without sacrificing too much of his team's payroll into the left tackle position. Albert makes less than $1 million in each of the next two seasons, and was a guard at Virginia anyway.

Okung is the real deal. He could take the Chiefs' offense to the next level, though the team will ultimately struggle in the playoffs because of Cassel's limitations.

From Walters/Matt McGuire's Mock:

Russell Okung - This pick is a no-brainer and barring a huge screw-up, I think we can all be 99-percent assured the Kansas City Chiefs are handcuffed to taking a left tackle at this pick. It will be interesting to see whether it ends up being Okung, Anthony Davis or Bruce Campbell, as the battle for the No. 1 tackle spot is one of the best storylines of the 2010 NFL Draft.

Okung was the most consistent lineman in the nation this year and he will test out on a very high level athletically.

From Draftcountdown:

The Chiefs have plenty of needs and could go in a number of different directions here but their offensive line play has been particularly troubling. In fact, Kansas City ranked among the worst in the league when it comes to sacks allowed. Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung isn’t an elite prospect in the mold of Tony Boselli, Jon Ogden or Orlando Pace but he has clearly emerged as the top offensive tackle in this class and will likely be a Top 10 pick. With good size, long arms, great strength, above-average athleticism and feet as well as top-notch intangibles, Okung is just a very good all-around blocker. Okung could slide into the starting lineup at either left or right tackle for the Chiefs and any investment in keeping franchise quarterback Matt Cassel upright is money well spent.

From Mel Kiper:

I think the Chiefs could use help at safety as well, but Berry likely won't fall this far, and they'd be reaching on either of the two other safeties with first-round grades. Okung could solve two problems, making him a good value -- he could step in at LT and allow the Chiefs to move Brandon Albert to the right side. A pick that can pay immediate dividends for the Chiefs.

From Don Banks/Sports Illustrated:

If Berry should get this far, the Chiefs would be the benefactors, but Okung seems like the right fit in the right spot for Kansas City. The Chiefs have tons of needs, but in Okung they would be getting a franchise left tackle, allowing them to shift Branden Albert back to his more natural right tackle position.

It's damn near a cultural universal!

Also in opposition to people who believe that Branden Albert had a very good last four games, in the Buffalo game, he was penalized three times (tied for most in a game in 2009) and gave up a whopping five quarterback pressures. In the Cincinatti game, he was penalized twice and allow a hit on the quarterback. In actuality, taking out the fluke Denver game, which was a drive block fest as Jamaal Charles racked up a Chiefs single game rushing record, Albert did not perform well in the last quarter of the season. Yes, he didn't give up any sacks, but there were a lot of qb pressures and penalties.

[WildTurkey]

I just hope that Berry somehow falls to us and we don't have to worry about this shit

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by BossChief

how many first round olinemen do those teams have, combined?

Why?

Because those two teams were mentioned as a response the asshats assertion that defense wins championships.

However, I can go you one better - how many first round draft picks do either of these teams have at linebacker? At safety?

[Mecca]

Okung is nothing like Ferguson, if you want to compare a player to Ferguson this year it's Charles Brown.

Brown is not nearly as ready or experienced as Ferguson was but they are/were both light coming out, athletic and have no other position than LT because they aren't dominant power blockers.

Also after losing weight Albert would not remotely make for a good guard unless you like watching guards get manhandled by guys that are now 50lbs heavier than him.

[Saccopoo]

Oh, by the way, these teams (Saints and Colts) have a combined one player on the offensive line that was taken in the first round of the NFL draft.

And just to save you from digging, neither team has a linebacker or safety that was taken in the first round.

So, 1 - 0.

[Mecca]

Jammal Brown was the only one and he's on IR should you really be counting him he hasn't played a single snap this year?

And technically Vilma was a 1st rounder just not by that team.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by Mecca

Also after losing weight Albert would not remotely make for a good guard unless you like watching guards get manhandled by guys that are now 50lbs heavier than him.

Probably just as painful as watching him get overpowered by DE's or out quicked by OLB's in his current state.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by Mecca

Jammal Brown was the only one and he's on IR should you really be counting him he hasn't played a single snap this year?

And technically Vilma was a 1st rounder just not by that team.

So it's a wash...

[Mecca]

Albert should get another year, it's pretty hard to rail a guy who has all the talent that has had 2 different coaching staffs, 2 different schemes and a coach that thought making him lose weight was important all while switching positions in a 2 year span.

[Mecca]

I can sit here and start listing off how many really good teams have built with playmakers early and linemen mid to late.

The Colts are a perfect example of a team that valued playmakers early in the draft.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by Mecca

I can sit here and start listing off how many really good teams have built with playmakers early and linemen mid to late.

The Colts are a perfect example of a team that valued playmakers early in the draft.

Dez Bryant it is.

[Mecca]

And I'm not really a proponent of using a top 5 pick on Rolando McClain but it's something Pioli would do.

[RustShack]

I'm sorry jackass, but the Chiefs made the commitment of going to the 3-4 and this team is going to be build around the defense. Unless they think Okung can play NT he won't be the pick. This team is full of Parcells disciples, Parcells who built his team around the defense. Pioli's Super Bowl runs with the Patriots were because of their great defense. Todd Haley grew up around the Steelers, another defensive team. He went on to coach with the Bear and Cowboys, defensive teams. He was hired by Wisinhunt from the Cardinals, from the defensive Steelers. Weis has always been apart of teams where his offense managed the game and their defense won games. Your a ****ing idiot if you think our entire staff and front office is going to go against their roots.

[RustShack]

The Colts and Saints both have a great safety. It doesn't matter where they were drafted, because they are up there. I will take Saunders or Sharper over John Tait.

[Mecca]

So you're saying the Chiefs are going to take Dan Williams?

[RustShack]

Whats even more funny though, the three highest picks Pioli has ever had.. #2 overall went to a Safety when they were with the Browns, #6 went to a DE(DT at the time), and #10 went to a LB. Oh and how can I forget, last years #3 went to a DE. I wonder if its a coincidence? I wonder if he will continue to follow his patterns of using the majority of the high round picks on defense or if he will completely change his ways because Sacapoo is an idiot and doesn't know what hes talking about?

Hmmm now thats a mystery.