Good Guard Almighty! PLUS: LIVE GAME THREAD

Last Saturday’s first game of the preseason came and went with several storyline dominoes falling, which have some overlooking what so many of us have been waiting all offseason to find out: are the Chiefs offensive guards any good? Dare I suggest that the Kansas City Chiefs guards will be way above the norm? That would make this… GOOD GUARDS ALMIGHTY!

To be certain, one drive, does not a season make. Especially a preseason drive. However, these are the Seattle Seahawks were talking about here: the NFC representative in the Super Bowl two out of the past three seasons. Plus, the players that the Chiefs Guards were facing… were the Seahawks first team defensive front seven… for the most part.

So, how did they do? The answer is… admirably!

Two or Three Seconds In

Jason Seibel has already debuted his weekly Wednesday morning special called, “The Anatomy of a Touchdown.” Here, I’ll share with you what the Kansas City Chiefs offensive guards did to help set that touchdown up. What I’ll also do is give you screenshots of the offensive linemen… two or three seconds into the play… because so much can be learned from that point in time.

Guard Play One (GP1)- The Set-up

The Kansas City Chiefs first drive began at the Seattle 49 yard line due to a terrific return by Knile Davis and a face mask penalty by Seattle.

GP1: 1st and 10 at SEA 49

The first play from scrimmage was a completed pass to TE Demetrius Harris who ran an 11 yard hook pattern in the middle of the field. As you can tell from the graphic below, a pocket can’t look any better than this. The length of the play was designed to be a bang-bang play and it succeeded. Here, both Ehinger and Duvernay-Tardif not only hold their own but remain in the U-shaped formation which is a strength of pocket protection.

Upon closer reflection, I know it’s hard to see here but if you look closely, you can see #76 LDT in a squatty stance with his butt dropped while Ehinger is in a bit of a standing position. This is what is often referred to has not keeping our pad level low. Now, look at the man Ehinger is blocking and the defender’s helmet is lower than his. However the result was a positive one.

Next Up

LG Parker Ehinger will need to work on his technique going forward. That up-and-down style of blocking will be exposed against the Los Angeles Rams top notch unit.

GP2: 2nd and 5 at SEA 44

On the second play was another completed pass over the middle to #88 Travis Ross this time. To begin the Chiefs not only give Seattle the look of play-action in the backfield, but you can see Parker Ehinger pulling as if they’ll be attempting to open a hole on the right side. The line as a whole gets a good push here and so no Seahawks defensive lineman appear to get any penetration. Once again, coach Reid has designed plays to begin a game that are high percentage plays (have a high likelihood of working) and so this is another bang-bang play on a slant over the middle to another tight end.

One of the scouting reports on Parker Ehinger says he’s good in run support and is quick with his hands. You may have heard me talk about focusing on a lineman’s hand and feet when evaluating them. However, it’s not only about hands and feet. When a prospect comes to an NFL team they often go back to what they feel “got them there.” In Ehinger’s case that may be his “quick strong hands.” It seems clear that he’ll have to “adapt” to make it as the Chiefs starter. In other words, he’ll have to develop new strengths… or at least strengthen his weaknesses.

Next Up

While Parker Ehinger may have more success run blocking against the L.A. Rams, it will be an opportunity to truly measure how far LDT has come facing such a formidable front four.

GP3: 1st and 10 at SEA 33

RB Spencer Ware runs the ball up the middle, on LDT’s side for a 9 yard gain. LDT is looking like a Pro Bowler so far this offseason… after 3 whole plays. Oh, yeah, I said it.

NEXT UP

This may sound like a broken record but Parker Ehinger will have to keep his head and pad level lower to be a success against the Rams… and 75% of the rest of the league as well. Notice how high his head is compared to the defender.

GP4: 2nd and 1 at SEA 24

RB Spencer Ware gains 2 yards up the middle on this play. Parker Ehinger fires out strong and gets a good block on his man pushing him to his right and out of the way for Ware. LDT is stood up at first and is basically in a stalemate until Ware passes by then he is able to complete his block.

GP5: 1st and 10 at SEA 22

Parker Ehinger gets a good initial block on one defender then moves upfield to hit a linebacker. LDT is stood up a bit at first then pancakes his man. It appears that other Chiefs linemen can’t hold their blocks so Spencer Ware is held to no gain on this play.

GP6: 2nd and 9 at SEA 21

Alex Smith is in the shotgun formation but the snap is high so he gets the ball and runs to his left. Parker Ehinger (and Mitch Morse) whiff on Seahawks rookie DT Quinton Washington. LDT does a god job of keeping his defender away from Smith, who keeps running to his left and ends up throwing the ball away and out of bounds.

GP7: 3rd and 9 at SEA 21

This is the broken-play pass to Jeremy Maclin down to the one-yard line where everyone is of the belief that Mac and AS11 are all Zen with each other. After all, Maclin simply adjusted his route, Alex threw the ball and Maclin adjusted again… or was it that Alex adjusted, threw the ball, then Maclin…. OH WHATEVER, IT WORKED!  The protection on this play is a thing of beauty. However, the Seahawks initial coverage is better so once again, Alex Smith rolls to his left and flicks a wobbly pass to Maclin who has just eluded his man. As you can see, Ehinger and LDT are stellar on this play.

GP8: 1st and Goal at SEA 1

The Seahawks had their “12th Man” on the field so the ball was moved to the ½ yard line to begin this play. The design of this goal line play was nothing short of brilliant. In this shot you can see Ehinger and most all of the offensive line blocking the whole play to the right which is a perfect play against a team like the Seahawks who like to over-pursue. LDT is pulling to his left, and so is Travis Kelce, which helps to open up a lane right down the middle of the field.

Next Up

You should look for more of these kinds of plays especially against teams like the L.A. Rams who like to not only over-pursue but try to dictate what’s going on in the trenches. Against teams such as these Andy Reid likes to put his linemen in the best possible scenarios just as he did in Houston for the playoff game against the Texans. So, look for a jet-sweep to keep those linemen honest and away from their shooting the gap too often.

What do you think Chiefs fans? Is there anyone else out there as pleased as I am with the Chiefs guards?