Chiefs Offensive Line: Slice It, Dice It, Cut Some Thick, Some to the Bone – The Kansas City Chiefs have got to Slice and Dice the Players on the Offensive Line and come up with a complete solution and that is a tough problem due to dependencies. It’s obvious. Before we even get started, Brett Veach has a difficult task ahead of him. With 58 players under contract, the Chiefs are somewhere about $20M Over the Cap.
Thoughts on Mitch Schwartz
One of the most important pieces of the Offensive Line has been the dependable Mitch Schwartz. He was injured in week 6 and never returned. This man is a hero for me. Dependable and always present. A photo from Mitchell on Instagram:
I had previously thought that Mitchell Schwartz would not return to the Chiefs to play football. At the same time, knowing the nature of Eric Fisher’s injury, I decided that he would most likely not be able to play football in 2021. I still believe this is likely the case. Alan Haupt profiled both players to injury settlements and separation from the Chiefs.
Now? Second thoughts on Schwartz returning for 2021. It appears he is going to be ready to play, God willin’ and the crick don’t rise. I note the following; Mitch Schwartz had back Surgery on Wednesday and we are told it is not invasive and recovery/rehab quickly is very likely. The Chiefs and Schwartz had tried to postpone surgery and tried with treatment to see if he could get back and play late in the playoffs. It didn’t happen. However, the prognosis is good. Only the future will tell if the Chiefs have their ROT back in 2021. If Mitch says it will be a “go”, it will be. That would be a huge relief for the Offensive Line woes.
Eric Fisher
I still regard Eric Fisher as highly unlikely to be able to return from an Achilles Tendon tear in 2021. I have seen suggestions, such as Alan’s and others, who indicate a trade. I know this. Fisher costs a ton of money and won’t likely play until 2022 when he will be 32. Best result? Slice him out one way or another. Sorry Eric. I really appreciated our Bookend OTs. The future appears to lie elsewhere for you.
Adding Back LDT
I have wavered on this one but LDT remains very viable and has been a trusted resource along the Chiefs offensive line. Larry sat out 2020 and had injuries affect his play in 2019. I attribute the downturn in performance to those injuries. Recall that it was at this point where we were able to assess Martinas Rank on the IOL. If LDT can return to form (he has maintained an aggressive PT program all along), then his return will be truly welcome. This might be why Andy Reid did not think the OL situation was “Bleak” when he was questioned about it last week.
Huge Question – LOT & LOG
I know that Fish is a Chief. I have crossed him off my 2021 roster list. That means that it is very likely that Lucas Niang would be penciled in as the starting left tackle. He has had no NFL snaps so the question becomes: how well is Niang prepared to be a starter in the NFL. I am positive about it? I am more positive about it than I was about Eric Fisher. That said? Brett Veach should sign a Veteran Free Agent OT to compete for the LOT position and make sure the “Dancing Bear” is really ready to go with the big show. At least act as the backup. Another thought to this is to slot Martinas Rankin and give him the start. Work Niang in slowly as the SW/T. Rankin is listed as a tackle, but we all observed how well he played inside in 2020.
Okay. When Niang was selected by Brett Veach in round 3, I was ecstatic. He is a big man with feet and his arm length will add to his upcoming legend. The reason he was not drafted in round 1 or 2 was due to his surgery prior to the draft. That was fortunate for the Chiefs. I do expect a learning curve. He has not played in a game since before the 2020 draft. I have great belief in him and that’s all we’ll know until he hits the field. Below, a photo of him in a Chiefs Uni.
There has been much talk about bringing Mike Remmers back or re-signing Stefan Wisniewski. Between those two and Rankin I know we have good depth if this is the way the Chiefs decide to go. Then my questions revolves inside.
A follower of ArrowheadOne wrote the other day that he foresees a 3-year program to replace the front five across the board. I agree with this. At this point, Osemele, Fisher and Schwartz will all be across the age 32-34 age line, and replacing them has got to be a priority task over this and near future drafts. Thanks to “Merlin” for making this point.
Consequently, these 3 players are not a long term solution for the front 5.
Kelechi Osemele
I also found from following Kelechi Osemele that he has also bought into the ways of the Kingdom and is planning on a return and has stated he will be ready to play. That was the Left side of the offensive line in 2020. As noted, Fish is not going to be available and Osemele had two knee surgeries last fall. My question is: will Osemele, at age 32, be the same player? Neither of the surgeries were of the serious, invasive kind. Maybe he can indeed return and if this comes to fruition, I see a shift in draft priorities as Veach approaches the draft. As it stands, Kelechi was out and having surgery after week 5. That does stand him in good stead for a return to football by Camp.
What was obvious from the start was that it demonstrated what having a man-mover at OG could do for the Chiefs offense. Nick Jacobs has a nice video on an Osemele Pancake, here:
The above clip had me salivating to find a ROG who could match up that style of blocking superiority. Unfortunately, Kelechi was injured in week 5.
Nick Allegretti
When Nick joined the team, no one expected much, but he is a player with a very high football IQ and had the basics down as he started subbing in 2 seasons ago. He is also versatile and if Osemele cannot return, then Nick already has a full year of starting at LOG. See below for a shift in player utilization.
Shift in Player Utilization
My priority is going to be one which replaces our current center, Austin Reiter and potential Offensive Guard, Andrew Wylie. Neither of the latter two players are under contract for 2021. Both men appear to have reached their ceiling.
Result? Slice it to the bone. Allow both to take the free agent path. At this point? Draft Picks are needed. We need at least one starter quality player and I prefer that to be a Center. Now to the point about utilization, Veach needs to Draft a starting quality Center and go from there. Backup? Darryl Williams. Or Nick Allegretti. Or start Nick and work the new man forward. I know that Allegretti can play the commander role from the Center position. Nick now has bona fides. There are other offensive Linemen on the existing roster or from the 2020 group. None of them are required with the above scenario.
K.C. must improve OL play in 3 ways:
1. They cannot have or depend upon Patrick Mahomes to be the saving grace in every outing. The Chiefs must have a more balanced solution.
2. The Chiefs need a more balanced attack so our front line must be an aggressive bunch of run blockers to add to the offensive balance. K.C. cannot allow other teams to stack up two deep on their WR’s. For that matter, they need a WR who can step up and be the #3 WR who we can be depended on as well as be productive.
It’s great that Patrick Mahomes can work miracles such as shown in this video:
Here is another miracle throw from Super Bowl LV. It fell incomplete, but it was a miracle throw none the less.
3. Andy Reid has got to game plan better and more fully utilize the running attack.
I will address other cuts for the offense and defense in the next piece. There is serious work ahead. Road Construction Hazard Alert! That’s the road back to the Super Bowl.
David Bell — ArrowheadOne
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