NSLU: An Aggregate View of the Chiefs Offensive Line

NSLU: An Aggregate View of the Chiefs Offensive Line

NSLU — No Stone Left Unturned — David Bell

Quick Opener

After the preceding weeks looking at the defense, I want to do a brief on the Chiefs offensive line. The game is won and lost in the trenches on both sides of the ball and the Chiefs have an offensive line that, in the previous season was at least rated in the top half of the NFL. Now, that rating function is derived from PFF and I look at what they do and present to us and I know that some this FUBAR. Still, the functionality of the offensive line was indeed ranking them about right… in the middle.

Since the previous articles delved into defense, we learned that Chris Jones was on the PUP due to a scoped knee. It caused a bit of uproar and worry. He has tweeted it will be a 4-6 week deal and he will be ready. Cease worrying type tweets.

The Chiefs hired NT Roy Miller for $1.4M. Are we seeing a shift for a starter? Miller is experienced and add benefits if he can play with a modicum of efficiency. I’m not seeing him as a starter. Think back on the exposure of not having a tandem at NT when Dontari Poe was here. Now that this one-NT system is alleviated, presuming Miller fits to become integral in taking snaps at NT… and the Chiefs should be better up front defensively.

Back to the offensive line

The Offensive line starters are set. There may or may not be movement in the second level players. We have to wait and see on that. Left to right, as of right now, the offensive line starters are:

• LT- Eric Fisher
• LG- xxxxx
• OC- Mitch Morse
• RG- Laurence Duvernay-Tardif
  
• LT- Mitch Schwartz

We don’t know the status about second-year man Parker Ehinger’s return. However, when he does return, that should strengthen the “Front Five”. What I look for among a 2^nd tier player is: can they start and have they started in the NFL? For the Chiefs, that can be answered in the positive with an exclamatory list of adjectives I image.

More Than Acceptable

Mitch Morse – OC

Morse is far under-rated in the NFL. He is a leader on this team by default but he fulfills the role. He did not allow a sack in 2016. Whether he gets the nod or not, he plays at the Pro Bowl Level.

Mitch Schwartz – RT

Schwartz was a very important signing to the Chiefs by GM John Dorsey. He also is one of the best tackles in the game. He now has a season under his belt with the Chiefs. In 2016, he played through a high ankle sprain and has no limitations.

Eric Fisher – LT

Eric Fisher has, after his initial injury problems his first season in the NFL. Each season his play has improved. He has not met the Pro-Bowl level of rating but he is solid and belongs in this category. Yes, I think he will improve even more this season.

Acceptable (Above a Journeyman)

Laurence Duvernay-Tardif – RG

Laurent has improved with each season and in 2016 we saw a significant improvement in play. I am not ready to get him up into my top rating level – YET. But I think 2017 will be his telling moment for his career. He may never be All Pro. But he will be “More than Acceptable”, More than a Journeyman.

Unknowns (Wait-n-see)

At this point, you reach the journeyman level and the unknowns. Situationally for the Chiefs, we have several players that fit that rating at the very least(or, perhaps, the very most that they will do with the Chiefs offense).

Parker Ehinger – LG

He won the starting role, lasted four games and then was injured and out for the 2016 season. He is not a failed draft pick and I don’t believe he will be. Four games is not enough to understand what he did but the coaches last season indicated that though he lacked the strength he needed, he was stronger than he looked. I believe his play reflected this and this is why he won the starter role. In 2017, it is wait-n-see. I believe in John Dorsey and his scouting crew. He brought Ehinger into the fold and it had to be the belief that he would be an efficient NFL Player. He has something that others lacked. If Ehinger’s off season allowed any strength training at all, it will be to his benefit. Right now on the PUP, we just don’t know.

I would posit that the reason that the next man is on the roster is due to Ehinger’s injury and recovery.

Journeyman: can start, have started…

In this category, the Chiefs are fortunate. First, among these players you have two who have started for the Chiefs for a “season” in prior years. They are well-versed in the playbook and they are versatile with multiple position value. Capable of playing SW/T on either side of the ball as a Guard, or can back up the Center position. Meanwhile, Mitch Morse can play effectively in the guard role as well. A lot of advantage here for the Chiefs.

Bryan Witzmann — OT

This is the “sort of known” player whom we don’t know how he fits with the Chiefs in play. Sometimes getting to the correct team and mix of players allows the player to excel enough to get a starting role. Let me focus on his size: At 6-foot-7 and 320 lbs. he is another big man for the offensive line. He started out with Houston and New Orleans, had 16 appearances with the Chiefs in 2016 and he is a 3^rd year pro. The playbook should not be a problem. He remains for me, an unknown factor player – and what I mean is, that no one knows what he might be able to accomplish for the Chiefs organization. Obviously, he must have something going for him because he’s getting 1st team snaps at camp. They want to see what he can do, how well he performs.

I listed Witzmann at OT because the Chiefs put him there behind Fisher. This is one of those situations where the guy turns away from the bathroom mirror while shaving, and having opened the cabinet and encountering a man on the other side who says, “Hi guy.” He turns at the end and calls out: “Mona??”  So, Someone else pitch in. Witzmann is  6-7 and 320 and that’s a big man and he is not going to be knocked around easily. He is from the North Country, so the Chiefs knew about him and I have to believe Dorsey did, as well as his staff. Dorsey was big on that part of the country (North Dakota and South Dakota St. for example), so we will wait and see what we see in camp.

Zach Fulton — OG/OC

Fulton started a full season at guard (2014). He also has very effectively fulfilled the role of backup center. Fulton’s problem is: he has bricks for shoes and is poor at 2^nd level blocking… he doesn’t pull well… and thus far we have not witnessed that he is capable of improving in this regard. This is holding him back and may forever make him a journeyman type of offensive lineman. If so, that bodes well for the Chiefs because of his ability to play two positions at least at the basic level. I wrote two years ago that he is a better center than he is a guard and wondered if shifting Morse to guard wouldn’t be a better solution. Well, they didn’t… and Morse is the full-sized nugget at the Center position anyway.

Jah Reid – OT/OG

Not much to say about Jah Reid. He has started at OG and OT for the Chiefs. He is not going to be a starter, but he has been an effective role player. His ability to perform at two positions is the value he brings to the table.

Mike Person — OT

He is a 7-year pro, listed as 6-4, 300. He has at least the experience and support to be listed as #2 on the depth chart behind Zach Fulton, who is listed as a starter. Well, I know that this is not going to happen unless Witzmann is a no go, and only if Ehinger doesn’t come back from his rehab. Personally, I don’t have any view of his capability. Again, he is good 2^nd tier lineman. He was with the Chiefs last season, and the two previous seasons he had 30 of 32 game appearances.

Conclusion

There is no huge mystery surrounding who will be on the OL come opening day. My view of this group is, that it is deep enough to withstand injury for a week or three or even having someone knocked out of the game for the rest of the season. Behind the men I have listed are others, some rookies and here most are focused on Damien Mama from USC (6-4, 320) and someone with some NFL experience, Don Hawkins from UT (6-4, 310).

I am looking at men who have NFL experience and with the depth players, knowledge of the Chiefs organization and playbook. It appears to me that the Chiefs offensive line should improve in the ranking by the various pundits and metrics folks such as PFF.

Me? I think the line could greatly improve, but lets say that I see them shading towards 10th and better than 15th among the best offensive lines. The real question for me, is how much can they improve, and who fits best, and where in the scheme of things? Can this group break into the top 10? Possibly, I have no doubt this will be an effective group of linemen.

We will have to wait and see of course, but I see the Offensive Line as an emerging Strength. My view here isn’t so much related to stats as it is an over-all appraisal of all players as a unit. I like the size of the men in general, as well as their athleticism. Even with bricks for shoes, Fulton is an athletic, powerful man.

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