Larry is happy with the new talent on the Chiefs' offensive line. via ESPN.com
| Player | G | GS | Pen | Yds | False Start | Holding | Sacks Allwd | Yds |
| T Damion McIntosh | 12 | 12 | 3 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 56 |
| T Branden Albert | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.5 | 22 |
| C Rudy Niswanger | 12 | 12 | 3 | 23 | 0 | 3 | 2.5 | 19.5 |
| G Adrian Jones | 9 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| C Wade Smith | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| T Herb Taylor | 12 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| G Brian Waters | 12 | 12 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| T Barry Richardson | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Inspired by the comments in this FanPost, I compiled some data on Kansas City Chiefs offensive line. Last year and heading into this season, the Chiefs' offensive line was the biggest worry out of the entire roster.
This year, the offensive line has quietly come into its own. No rushing meltdowns. Fewer "disintegrations" in pass protection. We've hardly complained about the line this year.
A couple notes about the stats:
Yes, the offensive line is playing pretty well this year. Part of that is the increased talent. Part of that is the scrambling ability of Tyler Thigpen and his ability to dodge defenders in the pocket.
We can sing their praises but the reality is that the Chiefs likely need to replace McIntosh and Niswanger. Brian Waters is playing quite well and will probably be around for at least three to four more years. He doesn't get injured really at all.
Who do we scrap on the offensive line and how early do we pursue a linemen in the 2009 draft?
0 recs | 26 comments
No doubt
McIntosh and I say 3-4 round
Lanier63 - December 3, 2008
He's going to have double duty now?
RB and QB? Lord help us.
;-)
THE_TRUTH - December 3, 2008
Get rid of Sack
Earlier rounds, look at Branden Albert, early round pick, early round production.
Eric Allen - December 3, 2008
Sack is out for sure
But, I dont know about Niswanger just yet…
Don’t get it twisted, I’m not saying that he’s played outstanding at Center, but I’m not all that sure that he wont get another year to prove himself.
R2J_24 - December 3, 2008
And Don't Forget About Jones
I don’t think Waters will be this good for three or four more years (few offensive linemen can stay good until they’re 35 or 36) but I think he’ll be fine for two, maybe three more years. But we definitely need to find a RG who can step in and start. That’s even more of a disaster area than center right now. Adrian Jones is not the answer, neither is Wade Smith or Herb Taylor. In fact, pretty much the entire right side of the line needs to be scrapped. Or they’re going to get Thigpen (or whoever starts at QB for us) killed.
UCrawford - December 3, 2008
Mankind Texas Tech
RG that moves well can get out in space to block, granted it is college, but Harrell has all day to throw back there.
Eric Allen - December 3, 2008
Wade Smith
What led you to that conclusion?
Just wondering, because I watched the DVR’d Raiders game twice since Sunday, trying to evaluate O-line play (god, McIntosh SUCKS!) and Smith looked pretty good to me – he’s better than I expected him to be at knowing when to stay on the double and when to move to the LB…
PVChiefsfan - December 3, 2008
Smith's Not Horrible
Neither is Taylor for that matter. But neither are a long-term answer at guard. Smith’s better suited as a reserve.
Jones, on the other hand, is terrible. And it pains me to say it, because he’s a Jayhawk, but he’s just not good.
UCrawford - December 3, 2008
I just had my eyes opened comparing McIntosh to a former Chief RT
John Tait. I had thought Tait was a very good RT, but after looking at his stats, I am not so sure he is that much better than McIntosh.
McIntosh
111 games – 42.50 sacks allowed – 328.00 yards
Tait
144 games – 57.75 sacks allowed – 363.75 yards
Lanier63 - December 3, 2008
Tait
Played LT with the Bears for a while…
Joel Thorman - December 3, 2008
And McIntosh Played LT For Most Of His Career
So Tait doesn’t get an edge there.
UCrawford - December 3, 2008
Good point
Joel Thorman - December 3, 2008
He Wasn't A Great RT
But he was serviceable…gave up about 6 sacks in a year.
UCrawford - December 3, 2008
Right tackle
We need to spend a second round pick on a RT so we can have two quality bookends for the next five to six years. Since it wil be a high second rounder he should be an elite tallent. I think this is a position you don’t get through free agency (Sackintosh), you gotta draft em.
Wildcat2180 - December 3, 2008
Jason Smith
from Baylor. Mark my words – he’ll still be on the board when we’re drafting secound round…
KansasCityShuffle - December 3, 2008
Andrew Carnahan
Do the coaches think he looks pretty? Why did we sign him if he’s not at least given a chance? If they believe he’s THAT much worse than Macintosh, then he probably shouldn’t be in the NFL. ; ^ ) But seriously if we have other RT’s on the roster lets look at them before we start drafting…
KansasCityShuffle - December 3, 2008
Alex Mack
I like what I’ve been reading about Alex Mack. He’s a Center (6’4, 315 lbs) that they are predicting him being a late 1st round or early 2nd rounder… as a Center.
"I don’t see any contest between Mack and anyone else for the title of best center prospect. In my opinion, Mack is the top lineman in 2009, period. He is already one of the most decorated college centers of all time (2-time first team All-Pac-10 selection, 2007 Morris Trophy winner and 2007 Remington finalist, among other awards and nominations) and should add to his list of hardware after this season. He has the ability to play center in any offense and should be one of the few centers ever to be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft. He considered coming out last year and would have been a day 1 pick, probably in the 2nd round.
Mack paved the way for nine 100-yard rushing games last season by Cal runners and as a team Cal averaged 165.7 rushing yards per game. The Bears allowed only 11 sacks all of last year and a measly 24 over the two previous seasons combined. Mack is again the center of attention for Cal, as Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen have racked up 540 rushing yards in 3 games while QB Kevin Riley has looked like a potential pro prospect. Best exploded for 200 yards on 14 carries against Washington State in Week 2 and the pair has 3 100-yard games through 3 games, including a combined 212 yards in the first game of the season against MSU when both runners topped 100-yards."
Tim Grunhard was a 2nd round pick and that worked out pretty well for us.
ChiefDJ - December 3, 2008
No objections here
KansasCityShuffle - December 3, 2008
I too am intrigued by Mack
There is a lot to be said about a quality center. They truly are the QBs of the O line and Mack looks to be as good as any that have come out in years. I think there are a couple of other good ones to look at that will go later in the draft (possibly 3 or 4th round): Jonathan Luigs from Arkansas won an award for last year’s top center. Antoine Caldwell is another great leader on an excellent Alabama rushing offense. Also, Max Unger is a very versatile center who could play multiple positions on the offensive line and he is having a good season. I think center definitely needs to be addressed at some point in the draft and this class looks to be a good one.
TheQ - December 3, 2008
Niswanger
What’s everyones thoughts about Rudy? Is he worth continuing to invest or should we be looking seriously at centers again? I prefer a RT largely over a C but the same with RG, I wouldn’t argue about any being drafted/signed
KansasCityShuffle - December 3, 2008
Right Tackle might already be addressed
They were looking at Richardson as a RT when they drafted him. I guess it depends on what they think of him when draft time comes along.
I don’t think Niswanger is getting any push when we are in goal line or short yardage situations. Maybe they can move him to Guard, but I don’t know it wouldn’t be the same problem there. I think if we are at a place in the draft where a good Center is there and there aren’t good candidates at other positions we have desperate need for, they should go for it. A Center that can hold his own against a 3-4 Nose Tackle without needing help from a Guard would be a valuable asset.
ChiefDJ - December 3, 2008
We also need o-lineman who
Can pass block as well as run block. The r2-p2 seems to be a thing of the past, I for one hope it stays that way.
Eric Allen - December 3, 2008
Richardson
I see what you’re saying, DJ, but if they thought much of him wouldn’t he be getting some more time by this point?
Joel Thorman - December 3, 2008
Exactly
7th round isn’t where you’re neccessarily looking for tomorrow’s tackle’s. It’s more like taking a shot at somebody to see if they’re even good enough to make a roster. I would like to see him succeed also but if he was good at all he’d be the one relieving McIntosh – not Taylor. I sure wish we would have taken Anthony Collins last year because he’d be starting right now @ RT…
KansasCityShuffle - December 4, 2008
Not necessarily
Richardson had 2nd round physical talent but almost no technique and according to Herm on the Red Zone with Soren Petro from a couple weeks ago, he said Richardson was right where they thought he would be when they drafted him, needing work.
But consider this: They have kept him on the roster all year, even though he has been inactive for almost every game. I don’t think they would waste the roster spot for someone that wasn’t constributing if they didn’t have some hopes for him down the road..
I obviously don’t know what their real thoughts are on how he is doing in practice and if they think he could be a starter next year or not, I’m just saying if they think he can, it would be nice to save that draft pick.
ChiefDJ - December 4, 2008
I don't buy that
“But consider this: They have kept him on the roster all year, even though he has been inactive for almost every game. I don’t think they would waste the roster spot for someone that wasn’t constributing if they didn’t have some hopes for him down the road..”
Andrew Carnahan? Jeff Webb? I think it’s more wishful thinking on your behalf than anything. As I said, I’d like to see him succeed too but in all likelihood he’s our next Tre Stallings. A late rounder we took a chance on but didn’t work out. Richardson in two more seasons will probably be nothing more than a memory…
KansasCityShuffle - December 5, 2008
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