It’s time to review a bit about the success of the new Chiefs Offensive Line. When the 2020 Season ended in failure, getting knocked around in Super Bowl LV with an Offensive Line that could not block their way in the run game and which failed to protect QB Patrick Mahomes in the Big Bowl, it was obvious that there were problems across the trenches. The kluged together Front Five of the season failed when it counted most. For most of the season, Kansas City had been without their stellar ROT, Mitch Schwartz who was lost due to a back injury. In Mitch’s case and due to his age, he would end up being cut from the team as would his bookend partner, LOT Eric Fisher who suffered a knee tear in the AFC title game. Fish found the end of his season come with a knee tear that ultimately would cost him the Super Bowl and resulted in his career with the Chiefs ending far too soon.
Setting the Table for the 2021 OL Rebuild
The Chiefs starting Offensive Line in Super Bowl LV looked like this, per FOXnew.com:
- Mike Remmers (LT),
- Nick Allegretti (LG),
- Austin Reiter (C),
- Stefen Wisniewski, (RG),
- Andrew Wylie (RT)
Due to the outlook for both Offensive Tackles being counted out for the 2021 season, both Fisher and Schwartz were released on March 11, 2021. Andrew Wylie was demoted. New Hires were brought on board. Many people were sad and I am one of those because since Mitch Schwartz arrived, teamed with Eric Fisher, the Chiefs didn’t have to worry about the tackles on either side of the line. Now, they had big problems. Looking even deeper at what was going on, the Chiefs were counting on two players who did not live up to expectations: At Andrew Wylie at RT and Austin Reiter at Center. At RG problems existed as well with Stefen Wisniewski showing signs of aging, and he ultimately retired. Mike Remmers did not play up to expectations at LT and the overall line just had no continuity.
What surprised me, with all the 2020 problems, the Chiefs offensive Line was still ranked eleventh (11th) in the NFL by PFF.
As 2021 unfolded, the team altogether seemed at times out of sync. Then after week 7, things came into high focus which resulted in a 6 game winning streak, interrupted by the Bengals who eventually knocked the Chiefs out of getting to the Super Bowl. However, the failure of the second half was not the fault of the offensive line. It was not the fault of run blocking. It wasn’t the fault of protecting Patrick Mahomes. In my view, it was also a dismal failure of the coaching staff to use what worked in the first half, intersperse and vary plays while employing the run game. In the first half, the Chiefs moved the ball effectively in this manner. In the second half, the run plays were sparse and far between, and this was especially awful because the Bengals were In a 3 man front. Yeah. That’s me, pointing the finger at the culprit(s): Bieniemy and Reid.
It’s done, I have accepted it, so let’s take a look at the Offensive line.
Low to High! I love these guys
I want to start at the low end and move to the high end so I will start with the Right Offensive Tackle.
Right Tackle
Lucas Niang (64.6): Niang was mostly followed by Andrew Wylie in 2021, when Niang was injured. Niang struggled early, but by week 4, he had settled in.
Let’s not forget what Niang did in college, because we haven’t seen the best from him yet. Between his Junior and Senior seasons at TCU, PFF worte this about Niang:
“Lucas Niang didn’t allow a single sack last season and
is the highest-graded returning pass-blocker in the Big 12.”
In 2021, Niang suffered an injury in week 9. He had pancaked his man, but unfortunately, while making his block, Chiefs RG Trey Smith was knocked off his feet, falling directly on Niang’s arm. Charles Goldman wrote of Niang:
“Mike Remmers would get the opportunity to start in Week 6 and 7 as Niang dealt with a minor injury. Niang would reclaim his starting role in Week 8 before suffering a rib injury against the Green Bay Packers [week 9] that would cost him several weeks. In total, Niang would appear in 12 games this season and start nine of them.”
After week 9, Andrew Wylie was the starting LOG, and his work as Niang’s replacement was admirable — so much so to the point that I think he should be retained on the 2022 team due to his 2021 season, but also for his versatility. I believe Niang will be ready to rock n’ roll by opening day.
Left Tackle
Orlando Brown, Jr (PFF: 76.8): I hear a lot about Brown that is irrationally negative. He moved from the Ravens to the Chiefs where he swapped positions from ROT to LOT. He was faced with Andy Reid’s complicated playbook and a QB that tended to drop deep causing a few problems in the outside blocking for both he and his rookie bookend tackle on the right side, Lucas Niang. Brown achieved an 80.0 rating during the season and never fell below 73.5. His run blocking stats were his 2nd highest and his PFF Pass proficiency rating was 97.0. Brown accomplished this while moving from his native ROT role to the left side. Pass blocking for our future GOAT is an enigma that must be solved by the Offensive Linemen from snap to snap. Brown appears on track.
Right Guard
Trey Smith (PFF: 72.4) – A rookie Veach stole away in the 6th round, became a NFL All Rookie Team member. At times Smith was so dominate that it appeared to be violence and mayhem in action. I love this player.
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Left Guard
Joe Thuney (PFF: 86.8) – the year before we acquired Joe Thuney, I wrote to Laddie Morse, “If there is one OG that I dream the Chiefs should acquire, it is Joe Thuney.” Low and behold, Brett Veach brought him to KC. In one game, Thuney fractured his hand and played through it. In subsequent games he then he played in a cast and you could not detect any fall off in his performance level… at all.
One ‘big bad man’ is how he should be thought of and he is a Kansas City Chief! Not only that, but Thuney stood in for Brown in one game and did admirably when Orlando had to sit.
Offensive Center
Creed Humphrey (PFF: 94.1): If any player was snubbed with a pro bowl nomination, Creed Humphrey was that player.
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Not only that, but he should have been NFL rookie of the year in my opinion but he was not a player who handled the ball which precluded such consideration. Here, take a look at Creed making a pancake:
Conclusive Outlook
Sure, Niang was hurt and the Chiefs were fortunate to have Andrew Wylie stand in. There certainly are other players to mention, such as Austin Blythe and Nick Allegretti and possibly Kyle Long. It’s true that we do not know how quickly Lucas Niang rehabs, but I believe that the alternate players that will be on the roster will handle the job across the Front Five, including Andrew Wylie, if he is needed to be the starter.
If you think back, as Veach progressed through to camp and beyond, LDT was projected as the starting ROG and Mike Remmers was projected at ROT. Things immediately shifted. Then Kyle Long was presumed to be the starting ROG and then was hurt. Trey Smith stepped in and never looked back. The way I saw a line where the Chiefs were starting 3 rookies: Humphrey, Smith and Niang (essentially a rookie).
The Chiefs offensive line, as constituted from the noted starters, will have had a full season together. The Four C’s (Consistency, Cohesion, Continuity, and focus on Communication) will certainly come into play even more. The depth players added to the mix will once again be a huge plus for 2022. Dang, I love this offensive line!
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David Bell — ArrowheadOne
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