Chiefs Teicher: Chiefs rookies Allen, Stephenson get in line

Coogs · 05-13-2012, 08:58 AM

Chiefs rookies Allen, Stephenson get in line

The Chiefs would rather have draft picks Allen and Stephenson sit and learn this season.

By ADAM TEICHER

The Kansas City Star

Chiefs offensive linemen Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson were side-by-side at this weekend’s rookie camp, and the team hopes they will be that way for years to come

The Chiefs unveiled at their weekend rookie camp what could be the left side of their future offensive line. Jeff Allen, their second-round draft pick, was the left guard while Donald Stephenson, their third-round choice, was next to him at tackle.

It’s not a reach to believe both players could someday be starting in those spots for the Chiefs. The incumbents, left guard Ryan Lilja and left tackle Branden Albert, are heading into the final season of their contracts.

The Chiefs just hope that someday won’t come this year. They would like Allen and Stephenson ready to play in case of injury to a starter, but would rather for now they sit and learn.

“All things being equal,” coach Romeo Crennel said, “I’d rather have veterans everywhere.”

Even without Allen and Stephenson, the Chiefs will have a couple of new elements on their offensive line. Rodney Hudson, a second-round draft pick last year, will take over from Casey Wiegmann at center. Eric Winston was signed as a free agent to play right tackle.

Lilja, Albert and right guard Jon Asamoah were starters last year. The Chiefs appear in no mood to tinker any more with their offensive line.

“With that position group, the more they work together, the more they will jell,” Crennel said. “I think everybody knows that. The sooner you can get the guys that you have working together, the better chance they have to jell. They will jell because the nature of that group is that they like to hang out together, they like to do things together. But you’ve got to keep them together to make that happen.”

That’s particularly important for the Chiefs, who are getting younger on the offensive line. Among the five starters, Lilja is the oldest at 30 and the only one over 28. Hudson will be in his first year as a starter, just as Asamoah was last year.

Lilja, who once helped the Colts win a Super Bowl, qualifies as a veteran. But having joined the Chiefs only in 2010, he’s not a long-timer in the sense of Wiegmann or Brian Waters, who was released by the Chiefs last summer.

“We’ve got some of the core guys that have been here for a couple of years,” Albert said. “I’ve been here four-plus seasons, Ryan’s been here (two)-plus seasons. So it is kind of hard, but right now is the most important stage of developing our offensive line, the continuity and getting things together. We work together and as we move into (offseason practice) and minicamp and training camp, hopefully everything comes together with the new young guys that are coming in and the new free agents, that we all come together and get things going.”

For now, Allen and Stephenson figure in as depth, though soon it could be more than that.

“Basically come in, work hard, come in with the mind-set that you want to learn and get better every day,” Albert said when asked what advice he would have for his new teammates. “You’re going to have your struggles here and there and you’re going go through hard times, you’re going to hit a rookie wall but keep fighting and go to the right people for the right advice and keep striving to be the best player you can be.”

The rookie camp is just the start. The Chiefs aren’t in full pads and contact is minimal, so the Chiefs will have to wait until training camp to get a better gauge on how advanced their rookie linemen are.

“The good guys aren’t even here,” Crennel said. “When they start going against the good guys and have the pads on, we’ll see if they can hold their own. At that time, we’ll begin to have an indication.”

Allen played tackle in college at Illinois but will likely be a guard with the Chiefs.

“I felt comfortable but it’s a lot different than tackle,” said Allen, who missed Saturday’s practices to participate in graduation ceremonies at Illinois. He was scheduled to return today. “You’ve got to be less patient. It’s definitely a process. We all just got the playbooks yesterday. We were in the books last night. You’ve got to take the time to study so you can come out and play fast.

“The tempo was really fast and everyone is a really great player, so you know you have to pick it up a few notches.”

Stephenson was at home, and not just at tackle. He’s from the Kansas City area, having attended Central High and then Blue Springs before moving on to college at Oklahoma. He was a two-year starter at tackle for the Sooners.

“It’s faster,” Stephenson said. “I expected that. The mental part of it has increased. It’s the NFL. It’s going to be tougher. So I have to be tougher and I have to be smarter.”

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/12...#storylink=cpy

Saccopoo · 05-13-2012, 09:03 AM

I still don't understand why, if they were drafting the future starting guard (Allen) as high as the second round in this past draft, don't you just take the best guard (far and away) in the first round (DeCastro) and be done with it versus trying to convert a guy from tackle to guard and use a second rounder doing it.

I don't get it. At least to me, it seems pretty ****ing stupid.

stonedstooge · 05-13-2012, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

I still don't understand why, if they were drafting the future starting guard (Allen) as high as the second round in this past draft, don't you just take the best guard (far and away) in the first round (DeCastro) and be done with it versus trying to convert a guy from tackle to guard and use a second rounder doing it.

I don't get it. At least to me, it seems pretty ****ing stupid.

Scotty thinks he's the smartest man in the room. Patriots Way

Coogs · 05-13-2012, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

I still don't understand why, if they were drafting the future starting guard (Allen) as high as the second round in this past draft, don't you just take the best guard (far and away) in the first round (DeCastro) and be done with it versus trying to convert a guy from tackle to guard and use a second rounder doing it.

I don't get it. At least to me, it seems pretty ****ing stupid.

Because we had a huge need at NT.

Direckshun · 05-13-2012, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

I still don't understand why, if they were drafting the future starting guard (Allen) as high as the second round in this past draft, don't you just take the best guard (far and away) in the first round (DeCastro) and be done with it versus trying to convert a guy from tackle to guard and use a second rounder doing it.

I don't get it. At least to me, it seems pretty ****ing stupid.

Because guard isn't really a hole on this team, nose tackle truly was, so you can invest a 1st on a player at the more important position with elite upside and get away with it.

Direckshun · 05-13-2012, 09:17 AM

Best offensive line we've had since Vermeil, with much better depth.

LT: Albert, Stephenson
LG: Lilja, Allen
C: Hudson, Hudson
RG: Asamoah, Allen
RT: Winston, Stephenson

**Tribal Warfare** · 05-13-2012, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Because guard isn't really a hole on this team, nose tackle truly was, so you can invest a 1st on a player at the more important position with elite upside and get away with it.

and it would be absolutely awesome if Poe quickly learns his role effectively this season (and I'll say it again) in the Casey Hampton/ Ted Washington mold.

Direckshun · 05-13-2012, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

and it would be absolutely awesome if Poe quickly learns his role effectively this season (and I'll say it again) in the Casey Hampton/ Ted Washington mold.

I really don't know. He truly is a wildcard.

He carries his weight like only one person in the NFL I've ever seen, Ngata.

If that's his future, then we've still got a bit of a NT hole, but we've got a really interesting replacement for Dorsey.

KurtCobain · 05-13-2012, 09:21 AM

I dunno why everyone thinks this line is going to be so great. You have two tackles who are known to be good at their position. Outside of that, we really don't know. Hudson may such at center. Asamoah may not pan out so well, either. Lilja is broke and the others are rooks. We're counting chickens before they are hatched.

**Tribal Warfare** · 05-13-2012, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

I really don't know. He truly is a wildcard.

He carries his weight like only one person in the NFL I've ever seen, Ngata.

If that's his future, then we've still got a bit of a NT hole, but we've got a really interesting replacement for Dorsey.

Ngata is a ****in beast and future HOFer and it would be unfair to hold Poe to that standard. If he can become like him then he would become one oft he steals in his draft.

Direckshun · 05-13-2012, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KurtCobain

I dunno why everyone thinks this line is going to be so great. You have two tackles who are known to be good at their position. Outside of that, we really don't know. Hudson may such at center. Asamoah may not pan out so well, either. Lilja is broke and the others are rooks. We're counting chickens before they are hatched.

Asamoah has development to do, but he's proven he knows what he's doing.

Lilja, Albert, and Winston are known quantities. You're getting above average play there.

Hudson's the only mystery -- and he's shown very well during the 2011 season.

Direckshun · 05-13-2012, 09:28 AM

That said -- they're still going to give up a ton of sacks, because of Cassel.

Coogs · 05-13-2012, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KurtCobain

I dunno why everyone thinks this line is going to be so great. You have two tackles who are known to be good at their position. Outside of that, we really don't know. Hudson may such at center. Asamoah may not pan out so well, either. Lilja is broke and the others are rooks. We're counting chickens before they are hatched.

I think it is because both Asamoah and Hudson were considered to be top of the shelf at thier positions (G) comming out in their draft year. Now granted, Hudson was listed as a top center prospect while playing guard, but this seems like a very good way to build the O-line... grabbing top talent at ther positions in the 3rd and 2nd rounds respectively.

Now the guys have to live up to their potential, but I believe that is why everyone thinks this line is going to have a chance to be great.

Saccopoo · 05-13-2012, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Because guard isn't really a hole on this team, nose tackle truly was, so you can invest a 1st on a player at the more important position with elite upside and get away with it.

Ted Washington was elite upside at the nose tackle position. A 6'5" 365 lbs. giant that was exemplary at playing with leverage that was a proven commodity on the field during his college years.

Poe had fantastic combine measurables but they did not translate to the field, where he basically turned into a rag doll once he got two bodies on him. As well, he plays high and tries to push. He is strong in his upper body. He is fast in a straight line. That's about all you get at this point. He is a massive project with certain physical traits you want out of the position, but he's not "elite" in a number of things that you really look for in a 34 nose.

In addition, it's a two down position that simply demands a guy who ties up a two gap. They aren't asked to penetrate, stunt, etc. It's not a glory position and it's why you see a lot of the top 34 NT prospects in any given draft drop into the mid rounds, e.g., Chapman and Ta'amu in 2012 and Powe in 2011.

And it's not like they drafted Allen in rounds 4-6. They used a high second rounder on him.

DeCastro & Chapman/Ta'amu

or

Poe/Allen

?

Besides, if you wanted to take a elite NT prospect in the first, they should have done it next year with Starlite Lotulelei. The guy was already considered the best defensive lineman in the PAC 12 (over Alameda Ta'amu). That's they elite prospect you draft in the first - not the major project guy.

Like I said, it seems pretty ****ing stupid.

Pasta Little Brioni · 05-13-2012, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

I still don't understand why, if they were drafting the future starting guard (Allen) as high as the second round in this past draft, don't you just take the best guard (far and away) in the first round (DeCastro) and be done with it versus trying to convert a guy from tackle to guard and use a second rounder doing it.

I don't get it. At least to me, it seems pretty ****ing stupid.

Please make it stop

05-13-2012, 08:58 AM
Coogs In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northern Kansas Casino cash: $1324349	Teicher: Chiefs rookies Allen, Stephenson get in line Chiefs rookies Allen, Stephenson get in line The Chiefs would rather have draft picks Allen and Stephenson sit and learn this season. By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Chiefs offensive linemen Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson were side-by-side at this weekend’s rookie camp, and the team hopes they will be that way for years to come The Chiefs unveiled at their weekend rookie camp what could be the left side of their future offensive line. Jeff Allen, their second-round draft pick, was the left guard while Donald Stephenson, their third-round choice, was next to him at tackle. It’s not a reach to believe both players could someday be starting in those spots for the Chiefs. The incumbents, left guard Ryan Lilja and left tackle Branden Albert, are heading into the final season of their contracts. The Chiefs just hope that someday won’t come this year. They would like Allen and Stephenson ready to play in case of injury to a starter, but would rather for now they sit and learn. “All things being equal,” coach Romeo Crennel said, “I’d rather have veterans everywhere.” Even without Allen and Stephenson, the Chiefs will have a couple of new elements on their offensive line. Rodney Hudson, a second-round draft pick last year, will take over from Casey Wiegmann at center. Eric Winston was signed as a free agent to play right tackle. Lilja, Albert and right guard Jon Asamoah were starters last year. The Chiefs appear in no mood to tinker any more with their offensive line. “With that position group, the more they work together, the more they will jell,” Crennel said. “I think everybody knows that. The sooner you can get the guys that you have working together, the better chance they have to jell. They will jell because the nature of that group is that they like to hang out together, they like to do things together. But you’ve got to keep them together to make that happen.” That’s particularly important for the Chiefs, who are getting younger on the offensive line. Among the five starters, Lilja is the oldest at 30 and the only one over 28. Hudson will be in his first year as a starter, just as Asamoah was last year. Lilja, who once helped the Colts win a Super Bowl, qualifies as a veteran. But having joined the Chiefs only in 2010, he’s not a long-timer in the sense of Wiegmann or Brian Waters, who was released by the Chiefs last summer. “We’ve got some of the core guys that have been here for a couple of years,” Albert said. “I’ve been here four-plus seasons, Ryan’s been here (two)-plus seasons. So it is kind of hard, but right now is the most important stage of developing our offensive line, the continuity and getting things together. We work together and as we move into (offseason practice) and minicamp and training camp, hopefully everything comes together with the new young guys that are coming in and the new free agents, that we all come together and get things going.” For now, Allen and Stephenson figure in as depth, though soon it could be more than that. “Basically come in, work hard, come in with the mind-set that you want to learn and get better every day,” Albert said when asked what advice he would have for his new teammates. “You’re going to have your struggles here and there and you’re going go through hard times, you’re going to hit a rookie wall but keep fighting and go to the right people for the right advice and keep striving to be the best player you can be.” The rookie camp is just the start. The Chiefs aren’t in full pads and contact is minimal, so the Chiefs will have to wait until training camp to get a better gauge on how advanced their rookie linemen are. “The good guys aren’t even here,” Crennel said. “When they start going against the good guys and have the pads on, we’ll see if they can hold their own. At that time, we’ll begin to have an indication.” Allen played tackle in college at Illinois but will likely be a guard with the Chiefs. “I felt comfortable but it’s a lot different than tackle,” said Allen, who missed Saturday’s practices to participate in graduation ceremonies at Illinois. He was scheduled to return today. “You’ve got to be less patient. It’s definitely a process. We all just got the playbooks yesterday. We were in the books last night. You’ve got to take the time to study so you can come out and play fast. “The tempo was really fast and everyone is a really great player, so you know you have to pick it up a few notches.” Stephenson was at home, and not just at tackle. He’s from the Kansas City area, having attended Central High and then Blue Springs before moving on to college at Oklahoma. He was a two-year starter at tackle for the Sooners. “It’s faster,” Stephenson said. “I expected that. The mental part of it has increased. It’s the NFL. It’s going to be tougher. So I have to be tougher and I have to be smarter.” Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/12...#storylink=cpy
Posts: 21,637

05-13-2012, 09:03 AM	#2
Saccopoo Kindness in words... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Zion Casino cash: $10025483	I still don't understand why, if they were drafting the future starting guard (Allen) as high as the second round in this past draft, don't you just take the best guard (far and away) in the first round (DeCastro) and be done with it versus trying to convert a guy from tackle to guard and use a second rounder doing it. I don't get it. At least to me, it seems pretty ****ing stupid.
Posts: 15,450

05-13-2012, 09:17 AM	#6
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4183447	Best offensive line we've had since Vermeil, with much better depth. LT: Albert, Stephenson LG: Lilja, Allen C: Hudson, Hudson RG: Asamoah, Allen RT: Winston, Stephenson
Posts: 59,314

05-13-2012, 09:21 AM	#9
KurtCobain legend Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Independence, MO Casino cash: $-1747903	I dunno why everyone thinks this line is going to be so great. You have two tackles who are known to be good at their position. Outside of that, we really don't know. Hudson may such at center. Asamoah may not pan out so well, either. Lilja is broke and the others are rooks. We're counting chickens before they are hatched.
Posts: 28,382

05-13-2012, 09:28 AM	#12
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4183447	That said -- they're still going to give up a ton of sacks, because of Cassel.
Posts: 59,314