We know there will be changes to the
Kansas City Chiefs offensive line via the use of free agency and/or the 2012 NFL draft. GM Scott Pioli has indicated the Chiefs have to get better at offensive line so it's one of the areas I'm keeping an eye on the closest. The Chiefs last year in free agency were connected to a few offensive linemen, including a couple of offensive tackles, so I think they know work has to be done there.
Here's the offensive line depth chart ending the season (italics are free agents):
Add in OT Ryan O'Callaghan, who ended the season on injured reserve, as well as the practice squad guys like G Darryl Harrison, C
Rob Bruggeman and G
Lucas Patterson.
So that's 12 offensive linemen and I really have no clue what will happen with about nine of them. I really only feel confident on three of those guys returning -- Albert at left tackle, Asamoah at guard and Hudson at guard or center. I think most of us are in agreement on those three.
The rest of the guys...I really wouldn't be that surprised if any of them were cut. Would it be that big of a surprise of Lilja were cut? It's not something I'm expecting to happen but it wouldn't surprise me, especially if the Chiefs were able to identify a replacement in free agency or the draft. If Richardson comes back I think it's with competition or as a reserve swing tackle. There's no way he just steps back into the starting role.
So what I'm saying is that the offensive line is pretty unpredictable right now. I don't think anyone has a really good handle on what the Chiefs will do but they could have 2-3 new pieces along the offensive line.
Why cut Lilja when he's under contract and at worst he represents high quality depth?
I think Lilja being “bad” this year is pretty overstated anyway and I would be a bit surprised if he were replaced. Maybe bring in a early/mid rounder to learn behind him for a year but considering he had to switch positions again and play next to a fading Weigmann he still graded out extremely well.
GenericBrand - February 13, 2012
Agreed
BAMFSpecialOps - February 13, 2012
yeah, i doubt he gets cut... UNLESS
they get a “DeCastro or Grubs” type upgrade…
then, Lilja would be forced to be a backup or be cut… and he might choose to go
stagdsp - February 13, 2012
I would still attempt to keep him as a back up
If he wants to go, maybe get a low pick for him who knows
BAMFSpecialOps - February 13, 2012
sure, why not
stagdsp - February 13, 2012
This
SCKSChief - February 13, 2012
if you ask that ESPN joke, Bill Williamson, Wiegs played at a consistently high level and shouldn't retire.
what the hell was he watching?!
chief Stevie_k - February 13, 2012
Not Chief games.
km230015 - February 13, 2012
Oh, he was watching Chiefs games
Just from 2003
MNchiefsfan - February 13, 2012
Denver games
GaryfromIA - February 13, 2012
My Take
or at least what I would like to see. Lilja is back but as a reserve guard to cover both sides. IF Richadrson comes back, and I could care less, it is as the reserve/swing tackle. That’s 2 starting OL to replace and doesn’t include Casey. Love the guy, and his wife is spectacular, but it’s his time to go. With 3 new stating OL, or 60%, it will take a few games to jell but we do have an off-season to work on that this year. I still have hopes for Mims but I’m afraid he’s still a year or more away.
cowboyChief - February 13, 2012
yeah, that'd be ideal
keep some veteran depth, upgrade 2 starters + Hudson (who IS ready)
stagdsp - February 13, 2012
Mims is the wildcard
IF he’s able to play RT, that really gives KC some options. (granted, it’s somewhat of a long shot)
if not… I think they have to draft one in the first 2 rounds, no question.
I think they’d be fine with Lilja… but then again, DeCastro or Grubs would be nice upgrades.
Albert-Lilja-Hudson-Asamoah-Mims would be nice
Albert-DeCastro-Hudson-Asamoah-Mims could be awesome
Albert-Lilja-Hudson-Asamoah-Reiff/Martin would be pretty damn good too
I like Richardson for depth, and Maneri for that “extra lineman” role… Lilja would be great depth… but I’m not sure he’d stick around for that role
stagdsp - February 13, 2012
Albert-Nicks-Hudson-Asamoah-Adams
After a trade down looks the best haha
BAMFSpecialOps - February 13, 2012
that'd be nice
but, until I’m proven wrong, I don’t see Nicks coming here.
I’d be happy with Albert-DeCastro-Hudson-Asamoah-Adams after a trade down :)
(hey, we can all wish, right?)
then again, I can’t see the Chiefs starting 2 rookies on the line
stagdsp - February 13, 2012
Likely take a trade up for that to happen
BAMFSpecialOps - February 13, 2012
probably
stagdsp - February 13, 2012
maybe a trade down then up
down a couple of spots, still get decastro, then trade up a few spots from the 2nd pick to get Adams
stagdsp - February 13, 2012
Would be nice
Trade down for an extra pick, use that pick to trade back up, still end up with the 8 selections
BAMFSpecialOps - February 13, 2012
Could have...
Albert-DeCastro-Hudson-Asamoah-Massie(Ole MIss..2nd)..if the Chiefs will use their first two on OL..
cyberry - February 13, 2012
Sanders>>>>Massie
BAMFSpecialOps - February 13, 2012
and, again I'll say
the Chiefs won’t start 2 rookie offensive linemen
stagdsp - February 13, 2012
Well according to some of you..
DeCastro should be given the Pro-Bowl right after pre-season…“Immediate upgrade”..I think was used.
But Lilja could start the season then be added around mid- season..
cyberry - February 13, 2012
that's my point
DeCastro WOULD start day one…
which would mean that B Rich would likely start again
stagdsp - February 13, 2012
I do understand what you mean...
I didn’t clarify myself. I meant the “finished product”…In reality even Decastro still has to beat out Lilja (we all know it shouldn’t take long..if at all)..and I’m not for Barry Richardson ever starting ever again.. In this situation I would a vet RT..that Massie must take the job away from. A step up from O"Callahan…
cyberry - February 13, 2012
Never know
BAMFSpecialOps - February 13, 2012
I read where Sanders got beat up at the Senior Bowl..
Draft stock dropped..looked like guard material..couldn’t handle defensive ends….I don’t want to draft another Barry Richardson!
cyberry - February 13, 2012
Yeah look how many ZBS prospects do not fair well in 1 on 1 drills that are usually geared towards the defense anyways
Looked much better in the game
BAMFSpecialOps - February 13, 2012
Mims' emergence would solve a lot of issues
I’m weary of all the pure RT prospects in this year’s draft. I’m not sure much of an upgrade exists out there. As for LG, I think Lilja will look better with Weigs being replaced by Hudson.
I’ve become more intrigued by Kelechi Osemele from Iowa State as a 2nd round pick recently. He has the potential to play G or RT, and I think would be a great upgrade to either Lilja or B-Rich after this season (probably an immediate upgrade to B-Rich). Considering the lack of depth at both positions, a guy like that could be pretty valuable.
jmcgoblue - February 13, 2012
And speaking of Kelechi Osemele
From Walter:
Strengths:
Very long arms
Quick feet
Good athlete
Powerful run blocker
Gritty player who plays with some fire
Versatile
Could play guard or right tackle
Good run-blocking technique
Mobility to hit blocks downfield
Recoverability
Reputation as a good teammate and leader
Very durable
Experienced
Weaknesses:
Needs to continue to work on knee bend
Will need to work on his technique in pass protection if he is at right tackle
Not a potential left tackle
jmcgoblue - February 13, 2012
yeah, i think he was exposed a bit trying to play RT in the Senior Bowl
but, he’d be a solid G from day one with the potential to develop into a T
stagdsp - February 13, 2012
I've had similar thoughts but with Cordy Glenn as OG/RT.
CatChief - February 13, 2012
I'm not really sold on Glenn
Thought I’d seen before that he has work ethic issues. Osemele is a safer pick IMO.
jmcgoblue - February 13, 2012
osemele is a beast but
I think he will excel at guard. He’s to slow and poor mechanics at tackle. Maybe with the right coaching he will be good but I would rather draft ben jones and move hudson to guard. And of course find a right tackle. Richardson would be a great third tackle option or backup but that’s it.
Brendon - February 13, 2012 via mobile
Not sold on BRich as swing OT.
He is poor Pass blocker at RT and worse on Left Side.
CatChief - February 13, 2012
He'd be okay strictly as a backup
jmcgoblue - February 13, 2012
My problem with Hudson at G is that he's less than 300lbs
our line gets pushed around so badly by big DLs, I’d much rather have Hudson stay at Center & have a bigger OG to replace Lilja.
jmcgoblue - February 13, 2012
Yeah, one pound less.
Last time I checked he was listed at 299. That’s a reasonable weight for even a power scheme, and it’s much better than the former 285 of Wiegs.
Olin Kreutz was 291 and was one of the best power blocking centers in the league, and Hudson seems to have the same mentality and play style as Kreutz.
NigerianNightmare - February 13, 2012
alberts-hudson-ben jones-asamoah-zabre sanders
That would be legit
Brendon - February 13, 2012 via mobile
and realistic
Brendon - February 13, 2012 via mobile
maybe
but, again, that’s 2 rookies starting, which I think is unlikely
stagdsp - February 13, 2012
true even if jones sat for a year id still like it
Brendon - February 13, 2012 via mobile
I personally want DeCastro and Kareem McKenzie...
But I’d be fine with Martin, Reiff in the 1st, or Adams in the 2nd and Nicks/Grubbs/Vasquez.
Imagine either of those lines. Anyone could run for 1,000 behind that, imagine what Jamaal could do!
NigerianNightmare - February 13, 2012
all those free agents would want money
So as long as hunt is at the helm don’t count in it.
Brendon - February 13, 2012 via mobile
we'll see
while I still don’t expect them to win the bidding war for the #1 big name available… I think we’ll see another quietly productive offseason, with some good FAs, and re-signing KC’s own… which is really more important
stagdsp - February 13, 2012
I'd be down with Osemele or even Glenn at RT, too.
Osemele could even potentially play guard, but Glenn’s too big for that in our scheme. And God forbid we ever become a big team. :(
NigerianNightmare - February 13, 2012
I'm not sold on either being a RT
and… Mims/Richardson even Albert would argue that KC doesn’t exclude OLinemen because they are big.
stagdsp - February 13, 2012
I have no idea what Pioli will do...
But damnit, he’d better do something serious this off-season. We’ll never be a legitimate team when our O-line is dominated in almost every game.
Scott B. - February 13, 2012
I don't know if that's entirely fair.
The Chiefs don’t have a terrible O-line. It just isn’t elite… yet.
We were spoiled by Vermeil’s line. We tried to hide from the fact they were all just about to retire, but the reality was all too real when they left us basically at the same time. But now’s our time. We have a young, talented line that just needs a few more pieces until they’re elite.
NigerianNightmare - February 13, 2012
The probem is that we need an 'elite' line for Matt Cassel to succeed (unless we're playing the weakest schedule in the league)
Put an elite QB back there & our line is probably good enough (other than B-Rich)
jmcgoblue - February 13, 2012
also true
the line REALLY looked better pass blocking with Orton as compared to Cassel
stagdsp - February 13, 2012
yep
And Bill “tell it like it is” Muir said as much to the press
jmcgoblue - February 13, 2012
This, this, this!
SCKSChief - February 13, 2012
True, did Orton even get sacked?
NigerianNightmare - February 13, 2012
1 sack in 3 games
BAMFSpecialOps - February 13, 2012
That's a 'good' quarter for Matty
jmcgoblue - February 13, 2012
I'd be TOTALLY fine with one sack in three games.
And it’s not like we were playing shitty pass-rushes, either.
Denver, Oakland and Green Bay all are pretty good at that, I believe.
NigerianNightmare - February 13, 2012
SSS
Tarkus - February 13, 2012
agreed!
they gave up 34 sacks, which is good for 14th least in the league (not terrible)
74 QB hits, which is 16th least in the league (not terrible)
15th in rushing yardage (not terrible)
26th in rushing average (not great without JC)
link
stagdsp - February 13, 2012
And again
The QB has to factor into those stats. See #7 v. Orton discrepancy.
SCKSChief - February 13, 2012
Palko didn't help in that category either
I was still amazed at how much better the line looked/performed with Orton under center.
Ochophosphate - February 13, 2012
Yessir
that makes two of us.
SCKSChief - February 13, 2012
With Orton back there
maybe the oline, or the team as a whole, knew they had chance win games and put forth the extra effort knowing t hat Orton wouldn’t hold the ball and dance in the pocket. The reason I say this is because the run blocking even looked a little better.
KingChief - February 13, 2012
Well, we sort of spit on Green Bay's defense. Running and passing.
But then again, who doesn’t?
NigerianNightmare - February 13, 2012
some of this has to be contingent on who gets hired as OL coach..
I’m sure he will have guys that he wants to go after and will have his own opinions on who stays/starts and who doesn’t.
reedeasy - February 13, 2012 via Android app
My take
They need to get younger and stronger at center and could use an upgrade on the right side. I am OK with Lilja starting but not next to Richardson again, we need a new RT. Keep Richardson as a back up if he’ll accept that role. I’d also like to see a FA center, allowing Hudson to play in certain spots but not as a full time starter yet. Maybe as the year goes on, he replaces the aging Lilja. I
n short: Albert, Asomoah, FA Center, Lilja, FA/Draft Pick at RT. With Richardson the backup at both tackle spots along with Mims; Hudson ready to step in for Lilja…
Mike Manuch - February 13, 2012
Uh Lilja next to Richardson? that was 2 years ago
Last year Lilja moved to LG, Asamoah was RG
BAMFSpecialOps - February 13, 2012
sorry
you are right, my bad
Mike Manuch - February 14, 2012
disagree
Lilja didn’t start next richardson. Hudson played very well when lilja was out. He should be the starter whether its at guard or center
Brendon - February 13, 2012 via mobile
It seems to me that woeful O-Line play shows up on 3rd down conversions. KC was dreadful.
I can see Pioli addressing this in a big way but doing it by moving back for an extra 2nd rounder. Trade back and still get a 1st round DE/DT like Brockers, Thompson, Cox, Still or Coples then go O-Line for some folks like RT Zebrie Sanders and OG Zietler with two 2nd round picks.
Just don’t see Pioli spending a high pick on Interior Line or RT. Doubt any LT prospects will upgrade Chiefs as much as some other positions. Only O-Line guy I like that high would be DeCastro if still available; Otherwise, I would like to see a trade back.
CatChief - February 13, 2012
id like to trade back to take hightower
Then collect a another second or third and get big on oline. Maybe a Te a rb too.
Brendon - February 13, 2012 via mobile
Yeah
I think Hightower would be such a neat pick. Not only a freakish player, but by all indications, he seems to be another tremendous leader.
higgige7 - February 13, 2012
Read my sig...
Couldn’t agree more…
OnlyKCFanNVA - February 13, 2012
After reading this post...
I now realize o-line is our biggest weakness. Although I’m drawn to a guy like Hightower in the first (despite the effectiveness or possible effectiveness of guys like Belcher or Siler), I could see us pulling an NY Jets draft strategy when Mangini was there his first year. They grabbed Ferguson then traded back up (I think) to get the C. If we could get DeCastro and somehow get another talented tackle, I would do cartwheels.
higgige7 - February 13, 2012
Who?
Tarkus - February 13, 2012
He means Darryl Harris
Kevin Reed - February 13, 2012
Why not just draft DeCastro and put him at RT? He's a 6'5" beast.
Kevin Reed - February 13, 2012
and sign Grubbs or Nicks.
Kevin Reed - February 13, 2012
doesnt' make sense to try and force a position change with a top 15 pick
stagdsp - February 13, 2012
Brandon Albert says hi :)
MNchiefsfan - February 13, 2012
he was projected as an OT in the NFL
DeCastro isnt
stagdsp - February 13, 2012
I bet he'd still be a better RT than B-Rich
Not that I advocate drafting DeCastro to play RT
jmcgoblue - February 13, 2012
Albert was a hell of a good G prospect in his own right
Word was he could make the transition but it was still a gamble
BAMFSpecialOps - February 13, 2012
I don’t remeber seeing the FA class of tackles being anything terribly inpressive. I would be shocked if we didn’t take a RT in the first round this year.
Topchief1 - February 13, 2012
agreed
stagdsp - February 13, 2012
how about trading back with cincinatti for their 17 and 23
Then we could have Albert, decastro, Hudson, asamoah, and a first round right tackle. Lol no chance it happens but trading for cincinattis two first founders is my dream scenario
Dakota23 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
I think everyone is hoping for those 2 picks
people seem to assume they’ll want Richardson enough to trade up
stagdsp - February 13, 2012
I just wanna say...
Comment threads like this are the reason AP is the best football blog on the web.
Thank you for informative, relevant arguments that do not revolve nicknames, conspiracies, or the definition of a true fan.
That said, I’m officially on the DeCastro train. As you’ve said, don’t want two rookie starters o the line, so if I get just one, he’s the best week 1 play. IMHO.
juvatbull - February 13, 2012 via mobile
Agreed on everything u said here
NJChieffan16 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
Let's remember, that unless the Chiefs draft an O-lineman in Rd 1
any player they draft in rounds 2 onward are likely to sit for a year. Hudson sat, Asamoah sat, Richardson say a couple seasons. The Chiefs are likely only able to find 1 immediate starter from this draft IF they go O-line round 1.
Dagda - February 13, 2012
Asamoah and Hudson only sat because the Chiefs had someone else they could plug-in ahead of them as a stop gap.
If the Chiefs go RT in round 2, you can almost be assured he’ll be the starter.
MtHammer - February 13, 2012
I'm with Dadga
I don’t see them starting more than ONE rookie on the OL.
and that’s probably the first rounder… unless they don’t take an OL until the 2nd round.
They’ll be fine starting Lilja one more year…and (anticipating lightning bolts) I wouldn’t be shocked if they started Richardson as well, at least until the rookie was “ready”
stagdsp - February 13, 2012
Agreed.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Pioli’s only immediate change to the starting O line is Bicknell.
Brsrkr - February 13, 2012
Trade down with Cincy at 21 and pick up their 2nd rd choice.
With pick 21 bet Cordy Glenn who can play either RT or LG.
With 2a pick QB Wheeden and 2b get Fleener or Charles.
In the third rd. get OG Ziegler.
Albert-Lilja/Zietler-Hudson-Asamoah-Glenn
Mustang fever - February 27, 2012
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