What “The Return of the Mack, Err, Schwartz” Does For the Chiefs – When the Chiefs were blown out by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV, 31-to-9, it looked like that was in large part due to the absence of RT Mitchell Schwartz – because of a bad back – and Eric Fisher – out because of an Achilles Injury. Much projection and speculation this offseason has been based on Schwartz not returning to the lineup, but now we’re finding out that this is not the case and indeed, Schwartz will return for the 2021 season:
What looks like is the best news of all is that Schwartz has stated:
“The recovery process isn’t too long, which is nice.
Looking forward to a healthy 2021!”
So, just how will that impact the Chiefs offensive makeup this offseason… and more importantly, the 2021 season?
The OL Lineup without Schwartz was going to require a major reboot, but with him, if he can be counted on — I hope, I hope – then the situation improves dramatically. Here’s a look at the projected starters with and without:
Even with Schwartz in the house this year, the OL looks to be in the midst of a refurbishment… if not a rebuild. The question marks seen above under Reiter’s name refers to what many are projecting will be a drafted player. Someone like, OC Landon Dickerson out of Alabama. Here’s several Centers, their sizes, and rankings at CBS Sports and DrafTek:
The man who has played the Center position for the CHiefs over the past two seasons, ever since Mitch Morse left, is Austin Reiter. Reiter goes: 6-3, 300 lbs. and that’s apr of the problem, he’s too small to take on the DT behemoths of the NFL, like Ndamukong Suh (6-4, 307) or Vita Vea (6-4, 346). While size may be an issue for Reiter, it’s his skill level that is the greatest concern. Yes, there are some aspects of his play which are positives, but the negatives far outweigh the positives. In a piece by Seth Keysor two years ago — as Mitch Morse as leaving for Buffalo — Seth wrote a piece called, “Austin Reiter film review: Can he ably start at center with Mitch Morse gone?” for the Athletic (subscription required) in which he shares a video and states:
“Here, Reiter goes up against the 31 year old, 6-4, 335 DT Corey Peters. Keysor says of Reiter:
Reiter’s lack of quickness also shows up at times in pass protection. If he gets out of position, there’s trouble…. On this play, Reiter is caught sliding the wrong direction at the snap and the defender gets the first step. He does an admirable job trying to use his punch to slow down the rusher, but isn’t able to move his feet quickly enough to get depth and can’t stop Mahomes from getting hit.
Keysor always does a good job of giving us the upside (if an upside exists), as well as the downside, for each player, which he des in this piece. However, if his criticism outweighs his credits, you must ask why are we doing this? Ketsor goes on the explain:
“Reiter’s film demonstrates why the Chiefs were willing to extend him and why they believe he can step in as the starter with Morse headed to Buffalo. He’s consistent on a snap-by-snap basis and has the tools to play at a solid level. He also is a relatively young player who should improve with more experience.”
The problem is, Reiter hasn’t progressed enough to make a difference. Especially with players on both sides of him being injured or out for the season. It looks like Reiter has reached his ceiling but Reid amy be wanting to bring him back simply because he’s familiar with him. While that appears to be a mistake, as far as I can tell, another reason Reiter looks worse than he possibly is… is that he follows both Mitch Morse and Rodney Hudson. Hudson may be the best Center in the league while Morse was/is a far better player than Reiter (even with his concussion challenges) and signed a four-year, $44.5 million deal with Buffalo. If the CHiefs don;t bring Reiter back, there’s a good possibility he won;t be signed elsewhere which tells you a lot about his value.
One of our resident genius posters, Merlin, said just yesterday:
“My feeling is that this is year one of a three year process to virtually turn over the entire offensive lineman room. Their could be a player or two left that’s on the roster now, but the rest will be a combination of draftees and veteran free agents.”
Merlin has posted articles at ArrowheadAddict, as well as here at ArrowheadOne, plus he’s worked with DrafTek… so, he usually knows of that which he speaks. My take — for the past few months — has been, that K.C. will need to rebuild their OL over the course of the next two offseasons. It seems that what Merlin is offering here may be closer to the truth. Two offseasons from now, K.C. will be totally done with both Schwartz and Fisher — if they’re not already done with Fish — and LDT is scheduled to become a UFA (Unrestricted Free Agent) in 2022. Consequently, Nick Allegretti is the only Offensive Lineman with starting experience when 2023 rolls around, and I’m not convinced he’ll be given a big extension. Although I see him as a solid OG in the meantime.
What does Mitchell Schwartz return to the lineup mean for K.C.? His prowess over Von Miller, regarded as one of the league’s best rush LBs is well known, but here’s what Miller has stated about Schwartz:
In the words of Adam Sandler: “Not too shabby.”
Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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