The Offensive Line

By KC_Guy

RT - Stephenson RG - Fulton OC - Kush LG - Allen, Duvernay-Tardif LT - Fisher Other Players: Henry (OG), Pughsley (OG), Sherrod (OT), Feigt (OT) Free Agents: Harris (OT), Hudson (C), McGlynn (OG), Linkenbach (OG) A General Look at the Unit: One of the obvious elephants in the room. This unit underwent a major shakeup prior to the season when three starters left the team. Stephenson's suspension and Allen's subsequent injury increased the problems of establishing a coherent unit for the new season. The necessity of bringing in a starting Left Guard (McGlynn) the day before the final pre-season game demonstrates the urgency with which the unit was patched together. Let's look at that again: FOUR of the 2013 starters (Albert, Allen, Schwartz, Stephenson) plus ONE prime backup (Asamoah) gone. That said it comes as no surprise that the OL had some serious issues throughout the season and created more issues for other units. But how come? Looking at the scenario that unfolded at the beginning of the 2014 season may help understand what to expect this offseason. The Chiefs went into the draft with an OL similar to this: RT - Stephenson RG - Linkenbach OC - Hudson, Kush LG - Allen LT - Fisher They drafted Fulton and Duvernay-Tardif in the 6th round and signed Harris prior to Training Camp. While less than ideal the Chiefs' brass seemed content with this line-up although depth is not that impressive. However, with Stephenson, Linkenbach, and Allen you have players who can play various position. Then: Stephenson's suspension and Allen's injury at a point when the Free Agent market was empty and preparations for the season should have been complete. What little depth was there - gone. Linkenbach obviously not what they thought he could be. And a road trip to Denver coming up in Week 2. Re-checking these events I'm still surprised they were able to run 5 players onto the field for 16 games. The Guys Under Contract: Eric Fischer continues to develop, however, at a pace that's still disappointing for a #1 pick. But he has yet to get a full off-season under his belt after rehabbing from injuries over the past two years. Let's hope he's good to go this year. There's no doubt he'll remain the team's Left Tackle. Jeff Allen has been blamed for a lot of OL struggles in the past - but look no further than McGlynn to see the good in him. He's at minimum serviceable. I have no clue why Donald Stephenson failed to reclaim his starting job once he returned from his suspension. Rumors are that the Chiefs continue to plan with him. While less then ideal after a year out of the game, looking at the guys currently available he's the Right Tackle (for now). Jeff Fulton had a rookie year with all the usual ups and downs. Some good, some bad, some awful. Lots of room for improvement, but I think he developed over the season and with another Training Camp he should be good to go as the 2015 Right Guard. Eric Kush, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Ricky Henry, Jerrod Pughsley, and Curtis Feigt haven't shown anything so far (at least to the public) to seriously consider them for a significant role. However, Henry has been around for two years now, so the staff obviously sees something in him. The Derek Sherrod signing is interesting. We have no clue how he recovered from injury, but before he went down that guy could play. I'll keep my breath, but I hope the Chiefs found something here. Of note: He started his first Training Camp with the Packers (back in 2011) as Left Guard before being moved to Tackle. One interesting thing I stumbled upon while doing a little bit of research for this piece: Stephenson played at Left Guard some in preparation for the 2013 season when the Chiefs thought about improving from Allen at that spot. Allen played OT in college, and I really think he played well over the last two pre-season games and into the first week at Right Tackle this year. Something to consider if you are unhappy with the "conventional" Allen/Stephenson line-up.... The guys out of: contract Of the impending Free Agents only two justify consideration for re-signing: Rodney Hudson obviously was the anchor point for the Offensive Line over the last years, and he became a really good player recently. However, he'll receive a significant contract either in KC or elsewhere. But unless Kush clearly demonstrated he's ready to step in the Chiefs should make every effort to keep him - and if just for the sake of some continuity. Ryan Harris didn't play too shabby, he knows the system, and would be a valuable backup. So if he's willing to sign a cheap contract I'd bring him back at least for camp. Mike McGlynn and Jeff Linkenbach should just be afterthoughts. Neither of them should draw serious consideration when it comes to talking about re-signings. Cap Considerations: The players on the roster are uncritical. Not much to be saved here. Hudson or another starting caliber Free Agent may be one of the bigger spendings we'll see in March. Overall Assessment: The unit requires some serious attention. First look at the pre-draft line-up in 2014 and the current projection: Only three changes: Fulton replacing Linkenbachat Right Guard, and Hudson and Harris are missing. That leaves a gaping hole at Center and qualified (in terms of proven) depth is non-existing. Unless the Chiefs are able to fill those voids from within (which I don’t believe, may be Kush has more in him than we know?) we will see some activity here. FurthermoreStephenson and Allen are in the final year of their contracts. So looking forward to 2016 the Chiefs need to build a core to re-establish continuity. KeepingHudson would be a first step if feasible cap-wise. But bringing in fresh blood to groom is important as well. Thus I expect one longer-term, starting caliber Free Agent signing (Hudson or someone else), one mid-term quality depth Free Agent signing (Harris or someone else) challenging for a starting role, at minimum one mid-round draft pick, another late around draft pick, and the usual batch of UDFA. If the Chiefs are unable to sign a quality Free Agent due to cap restrictions I expect another high-to-mid-round draft pick aiming at immediate starter quality. That leaves one critical area of concern: Right Tackle, where Stephenson is the big unknown. If he isn't up to the job I hope one of the other guys who have been around in 2014 can hold down the fort. Or Sherrod ... Coaching: I don’t blame this year’s performance on the coaches. Andy Heck and Eugene Chung were dealt a bad hand. But they made something out of it. I don’t consider any of the two a candidate for a promotion elsewhere, thus he’ll likely stick around. 2015 OFFENSIVE LINE PROJECTION: RT - Stephenson, Sherrod RG - Fulton, mid-round draft pick OC - Veteran or high/mid-round draft pick, Kush LG - Allen, Duvernay-Tardif LT - Fisher, Veteran