Chiefs First-string offensive line still isn’t put together, and it shows against Seahawks - Page 3

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-22-2015, 01:11 PM

Chiefs’ first-string offensive line still isn’t put together, and it shows against Seahawks

Reasonable minds can disagree on this, but for me, the moment of certainty that the Chiefs’ second preseason game would be a giant waste of time for the first-string offense came on their second drive.

Maybe you remember this. Things were looking up, actually. The Chiefs had just picked up a first down on a short pass — did you just snicker? — to Jamaal Charles. Then came trouble.

Paul Fanaika, who — bless his heart — was starting at right tackle against the Seahawks, was pushed straight backward until K.J. Wright released to tackle running back Knile Davis for a 6-yard loss. That was bad enough, but you know, one bad play.

Then came the clincher. The Chiefs called a screen pass, which was a good idea with their line overmatched, and Charles may have been able to make something of it. But Laurent Duvernay-Tardif — and while we’re at it, bless his heart, too — tackled Charles. Yep. He tackled him. He didn’t mean to, we should make this point clear, but that’s what happened. Duvernay-Tardif ran into Charles, and Charles went down.

Impressive play, actually. Charles is very good in space.

Now, obviously, we can have fun here. It’s preseason football. This exists mostly for five reasons: the owners make money, regular players can find rhythm, the owners make money, coaches can fill the bottom of their rosters, and last, but definitely not least: the owners make money.

We’re supposed to include scores when we write about games, so the Chiefs ended up beating the Seahawks 14-13 on Friday at Arrowhead Stadium. If there is any preseason game worth analyzing, it’s the third one, next Friday against the Titans, when the starters will likely play into the second half.

But we are sports fans, which means we don’t need things to actually matter to pay attention to them, so it’s nothing but good, clean, wholesome fun to watch these preseason games and find something to talk about.

Only, here, for the Chiefs, there is nothing.

Not for the first-team offense, anyway.

“We’re missing a few guys,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid understated when asked if he knew who his regular-season offensive line would be. “We have a pretty good idea. We’re missing a couple of guys.”

The defense has earned trust. The offense is another matter. The Chiefs themselves know this. That’s why they signed Jeremy Maclin to play receiver, and why they worked to upgrade the offensive line. If there is an area Chiefs fans would particularly like to see progress in before the season starts, this is it.

It’s just that the line is making that impossible.

This is nobody’s fault, really. It’s not even a real reason to worry, at least not yet. The Chiefs played against one of the NFL’s best pass rushing defenses with the previously mentioned Duvernay-Tardif and Fanaika mismatched with the first team instead of the injured Eric Fisher and Jeff Allen. The results were, let’s be kind here, not great.

“I still have a lot to learn,” Duvernay-Tardif said. “It was good to have reps with the ones. You get to experience the real speed of the game. I made a couple of mistakes. I need to get better.”

That’s two-fifths of the line taken up by guys who won’t play in the regular season unless something goes very wrong, which meant Seahawks star Michael Bennett could practice his sack dance and Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith could practice his prayers. On Saturday, he can practice getting treatment on what will be way more aches than a preseason game should cause.

The starters played until halftime. They’ve now had eight drives: one touchdown, one field goal, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), three punts, and one Hail Mary at the end of the half.

That’s less than ideal, obviously, but with the offensive line only vaguely resembling what it will look like once the season starts — Fisher and Allen are both expected to be healthy by then — it’s hard to evaluate.

“It can be tough sometimes,” Donald Stephenson said of not being able to play with the likely regular-season starters. “But that’s O-lineman play. Everything’s tough about what we do. They don’t say our name when we play well. You hear our name when we don’t play well. We’re the guys who tough it out through the good and the bad.”

The offensive line is this team’s biggest concern. Particularly on the interior, they showed a bad habit of getting beat on stunts last year.

Fisher made some nice progress as the season went on, and looked solid in the first preseason game, but he is still a young left tackle who has not earned the benefit of the doubt. Stephenson played sparingly last year. Mitch Morse is a rookie. Ben Grubbs is a proven veteran, but this is his first season with the Chiefs. Jeff Allen missed all but the first game last year.

Maybe the line would struggle even at full strength. Maybe it will struggle once the season starts. But there’s no way to know that now, and what’s worse, it’s affecting how everything else can be viewed. It’d be nice to see a clearer comparison between Davis and Charcandrick West for the No. 2 running back job. It’d be nice to see if Maclin can get downfield. It’d be nice to see if Smith will throw it downfield.

But with an already questionable offensive line weakened by two key injuries, all of that is clouded. The play-calling has to change. Smith’s interception was a rotten throw directly into coverage, so no excuses, but this was not a realistic environment.

Football can be a complicated thing, but there is a very simple truth here: when the offensive line breaks down, everything breaks down.

As long as the Chiefs’ line is less than whole and blocking like this, it’s hard to know much about anything else.

At least, the Chiefs hope this isn’t how it will look when the real games start.

**The Franchise** · 08-22-2015, 03:00 PM

Fanaika needs to be cut immediately.

**Bob Dole** · 08-22-2015, 03:18 PM

It is amazing how many people refuse to acknowledge all the injuries up front. It's not like we had a plethora of options last night.

Hog's Gone Fishin · 08-22-2015, 06:29 PM

I think it's funny how everybody here knows more than the coaches.

Mr. Laz · 08-22-2015, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

except the 1st string offensive line didn't play against Seattle

Both starting OT's were out which is a huge issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Only two out of five played: Grubbs and Morse.

I still think the line is a work in progress and will continue to be until Game 1, which sucks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

It is amazing how many people refuse to acknowledge all the injuries up front. It's not like we had a plethora of options last night.

.

Joe Seahawk · 08-22-2015, 07:21 PM

I would happily trade O-lines with you..

**DaneMcCloud** · 08-22-2015, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Seahawk

I would happily trade O-lines with you..

Of course, what's not being talked about on Chiefsplanet is how the Seahawk's offense was kept out of the end zone last night.

staylor26 · 08-22-2015, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Of course, what's not being talked about on Chiefsplanet is how the Seahawk's offense was kept out of the end zone last night.

This defense is going to be downright scary when Smith and Poe are back

FringeNC · 08-22-2015, 07:58 PM

I think the O-line will struggle at the beginning of the year, but I think there is hope for improvement. O-line was completely different at the end of 2013 compared to the beginning. Hopefully, the young guys will improve, and the line will mesh as the guys learn to play as a unit.

**DaneMcCloud** · 08-22-2015, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by staylor26

This defense is going to be downright scary when Smith and Poe are back

They're pretty scary right now

Mother****erJones · 08-22-2015, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

They're pretty scary right now

Best all around defense in my lifetime. Too young for the early 90s

staylor26 · 08-22-2015, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

They're pretty scary right now

That's the scariest part

**Smed1065** · 08-22-2015, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stop, Chiefs

We're ****ing with RG, we're ****ing with RT, now Fisher's down for this past week.

And we're gonna change CENTER just BECAUSE as well?

Doesn't seem prudent.

Doesn't fit my agenda?

Been around so no big deal IMO.

Snapplez · 08-22-2015, 08:56 PM

Don't wanna jinx it, but Morse hasn't had any bad snaps to my knowledge. Impressive for a rookie who hasn't played Center before.

aturnis · 08-22-2015, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Seahawk

I would happily trade O-lines with you..

HA!

**The Franchise** · 08-22-2015, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snapplez

Don't wanna jinx it, but Morse hasn't had any bad snaps to my knowledge. Impressive for a rookie who hasn't played Center before.

He had that illegal snap penalty against Seattle.

08-22-2015, 01:11 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $742813	First-string offensive line still isn’t put together, and it shows against Seahawks Chiefs’ first-string offensive line still isn’t put together, and it shows against Seahawks Reasonable minds can disagree on this, but for me, the moment of certainty that the Chiefs’ second preseason game would be a giant waste of time for the first-string offense came on their second drive. Maybe you remember this. Things were looking up, actually. The Chiefs had just picked up a first down on a short pass — did you just snicker? — to Jamaal Charles. Then came trouble. Paul Fanaika, who — bless his heart — was starting at right tackle against the Seahawks, was pushed straight backward until K.J. Wright released to tackle running back Knile Davis for a 6-yard loss. That was bad enough, but you know, one bad play. Then came the clincher. The Chiefs called a screen pass, which was a good idea with their line overmatched, and Charles may have been able to make something of it. But Laurent Duvernay-Tardif — and while we’re at it, bless his heart, too — tackled Charles. Yep. He tackled him. He didn’t mean to, we should make this point clear, but that’s what happened. Duvernay-Tardif ran into Charles, and Charles went down. Impressive play, actually. Charles is very good in space. Now, obviously, we can have fun here. It’s preseason football. This exists mostly for five reasons: the owners make money, regular players can find rhythm, the owners make money, coaches can fill the bottom of their rosters, and last, but definitely not least: the owners make money. We’re supposed to include scores when we write about games, so the Chiefs ended up beating the Seahawks 14-13 on Friday at Arrowhead Stadium. If there is any preseason game worth analyzing, it’s the third one, next Friday against the Titans, when the starters will likely play into the second half. But we are sports fans, which means we don’t need things to actually matter to pay attention to them, so it’s nothing but good, clean, wholesome fun to watch these preseason games and find something to talk about. Only, here, for the Chiefs, there is nothing. Not for the first-team offense, anyway. “We’re missing a few guys,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid understated when asked if he knew who his regular-season offensive line would be. “We have a pretty good idea. We’re missing a couple of guys.” The defense has earned trust. The offense is another matter. The Chiefs themselves know this. That’s why they signed Jeremy Maclin to play receiver, and why they worked to upgrade the offensive line. If there is an area Chiefs fans would particularly like to see progress in before the season starts, this is it. It’s just that the line is making that impossible. This is nobody’s fault, really. It’s not even a real reason to worry, at least not yet. The Chiefs played against one of the NFL’s best pass rushing defenses with the previously mentioned Duvernay-Tardif and Fanaika mismatched with the first team instead of the injured Eric Fisher and Jeff Allen. The results were, let’s be kind here, not great. “I still have a lot to learn,” Duvernay-Tardif said. “It was good to have reps with the ones. You get to experience the real speed of the game. I made a couple of mistakes. I need to get better.” That’s two-fifths of the line taken up by guys who won’t play in the regular season unless something goes very wrong, which meant Seahawks star Michael Bennett could practice his sack dance and Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith could practice his prayers. On Saturday, he can practice getting treatment on what will be way more aches than a preseason game should cause. The starters played until halftime. They’ve now had eight drives: one touchdown, one field goal, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), three punts, and one Hail Mary at the end of the half. That’s less than ideal, obviously, but with the offensive line only vaguely resembling what it will look like once the season starts — Fisher and Allen are both expected to be healthy by then — it’s hard to evaluate. “It can be tough sometimes,” Donald Stephenson said of not being able to play with the likely regular-season starters. “But that’s O-lineman play. Everything’s tough about what we do. They don’t say our name when we play well. You hear our name when we don’t play well. We’re the guys who tough it out through the good and the bad.” The offensive line is this team’s biggest concern. Particularly on the interior, they showed a bad habit of getting beat on stunts last year. Fisher made some nice progress as the season went on, and looked solid in the first preseason game, but he is still a young left tackle who has not earned the benefit of the doubt. Stephenson played sparingly last year. Mitch Morse is a rookie. Ben Grubbs is a proven veteran, but this is his first season with the Chiefs. Jeff Allen missed all but the first game last year. Maybe the line would struggle even at full strength. Maybe it will struggle once the season starts. But there’s no way to know that now, and what’s worse, it’s affecting how everything else can be viewed. It’d be nice to see a clearer comparison between Davis and Charcandrick West for the No. 2 running back job. It’d be nice to see if Maclin can get downfield. It’d be nice to see if Smith will throw it downfield. But with an already questionable offensive line weakened by two key injuries, all of that is clouded. The play-calling has to change. Smith’s interception was a rotten throw directly into coverage, so no excuses, but this was not a realistic environment. Football can be a complicated thing, but there is a very simple truth here: when the offensive line breaks down, everything breaks down. As long as the Chiefs’ line is less than whole and blocking like this, it’s hard to know much about anything else. At least, the Chiefs hope this isn’t how it will look when the real games start.
Posts: 42,138

08-22-2015, 03:00 PM	#31
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $2935047	Fanaika needs to be cut immediately. Last edited by The Franchise; 08-22-2015 at 03:05 PM..
Posts: 92,209

08-22-2015, 03:18 PM	#32
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas Casino cash: $2414497	It is amazing how many people refuse to acknowledge all the injuries up front. It's not like we had a plethora of options last night.
Posts: 48,632

08-22-2015, 06:29 PM	#33
Hog's Gone Fishin Fish are scared of me Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1540477	I think it's funny how everybody here knows more than the coaches.
Posts: 40,376

08-22-2015, 07:21 PM	#35
Joe Seahawk This place entertains.. Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Seattle Casino cash: $6764435	I would happily trade O-lines with you..
Posts: 5,503

08-22-2015, 07:58 PM	#38
FringeNC MVP Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: NC Casino cash: $1626014	I think the O-line will struggle at the beginning of the year, but I think there is hope for improvement. O-line was completely different at the end of 2013 compared to the beginning. Hopefully, the young guys will improve, and the line will mesh as the guys learn to play as a unit.
Posts: 10,173

08-22-2015, 08:56 PM	#43
Snapplez Starter Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Ft. Worth, TX Casino cash: $10027795	Don't wanna jinx it, but Morse hasn't had any bad snaps to my knowledge. Impressive for a rookie who hasn't played Center before.
Posts: 588