Teicher:Breaking down Chiefs’ key issues as they prepare for offseason practice

[Tribal Warfare]

Breaking down Chiefs’ key issues as they prepare for offseason practice
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
The offseason practice schedule picks up for the Chiefs starting on Tuesday. That’s when they’ll hold the first of three full-squad sessions this week, with three to follow next week, four the week after that and then a three-day mandatory mini-camp the first week of June.

So they’ll be able to cover a lot of ground over 13 practices. Here are some of the more important issues they’ll need to begin to sort through:

• Branden Albert has told the Chiefs he will report to practice for the first time and they in turn have told him he is their left tackle. So far, so good. But is Albert really over his hard feelings that the Chiefs gave long-term contracts to Dwayne Bowe and Dustin Colquitt but not to him? He recently indicated via his Instagram account that he’s fired up to be back, another positive sign.

• The arrangement of the offensive line will be different from the lineup used by the Chiefs at their April mini-camp. At that time, Albert was absent and Eric Fisher wasn’t a Chief. They’re now the starting tackles, Albert on the left side and Fisher on the right. So Donald Stephenson becomes a backup and Geoff Schwartz and Jeff Allen, who rotated at right tackle during mini-camp, are guards. But the Chiefs also have Jon Asamoah at guard and Rodney Hudson at center, so there’s a crowd in the middle. The Chiefs need to settle on a lineup and let those five players get to work.

• Job one for the Chiefs at quarterback is to get Alex Smith comfortable as the starter. Job two is to get Chase Daniel ready to play. But Tyler Bray showed well enough at the weekend rookie camp that the Chiefs need to find a way to get him some snaps, too.

• Derrick Johnson is the starter at one inside linebacker spot but the other position is currently occupied by veteran Akeem Jordan, a part-time starter for Andy Reid in Philadelphia the past six seasons. But fourth-round draft pick Nico Johnson of Alabama might have more potential to make the Chiefs better defensively, at least on running downs. So the Chiefs need to find a way to get him enough snaps that Johnson is at least a viable option when the regular season begins.

[The Franchise]

Albert - Schwartz - Hudson - Asamoah - Fisher.

That was easy.

[mcaj22]

you would think the "key issues" would be a concern over the d-line depth and lack of talent or the depth at CB or the ? at safety

not the massive amount of talent and depth they have at o-line. I wouldnt be surprised if the "Javier Arenas"-trade the odd man out (cough Jeff Allen or Jon Asamoah)

[Mr_Tomahawk]

"• Job one for the Chiefs at quarterback is to get Alex Smith comfortable as the starter. Job two is to get Chase Daniel ready to play. But Tyler Bray showed well enough at the weekend rookie camp that the Chiefs need to find a way to get him some snaps, too."

They should find a way to make him the starter....or backup and very least.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Albert - Schwartz - Hudson - Asamoah - Fisher.

That was easy.

Yep.

But sacc's line of Fisher, Albert, Hudson, asamoah, Stephenson.


would work if everyone would get on board with it
Posted via Mobile Device

[Hammock Parties]

lol @ homers who thought Stephenson was gonna start.

lol

roflcopter

[mcaj22]

great use of 2nd and 3rd round picks in Jeff Allen and Stephenson who are going to be ****ing backup bench warmers

[Tribal Warfare]

Originally Posted by Mr_Tomahawk

"• Job one for the Chiefs at quarterback is to get Alex Smith comfortable as the starter. Job two is to get Chase Daniel ready to play. But Tyler Bray showed well enough at the weekend rookie camp that the Chiefs need to find a way to get him some snaps, too."

They should find a way to make him the starter....or backup and very least.

heh, wouldn't be something if Bray pulls a Russell Wilson and out plays everyone on the QB depth chart and then forcing Reid to bench Alex Smith in the process.

[Mr_Tomahawk]

When do we cut Stanzi?

[philfree]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

great use of 2nd and 3rd round picks in Jeff Allen and Stephenson who are going to be ****ing backup bench warmers

Yeah no kidding. Now we can start the season with a Kick-A O-line and then if we suffer an injury it won't immediately turn to swiss cheese because we'll actually have some good depth.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Mr_Tomahawk

"• Job one for the Chiefs at quarterback is to get Alex Smith comfortable as the starter. Job two is to get Chase Daniel ready to play. But Tyler Bray showed well enough at the weekend rookie camp that the Chiefs need to find a way to get him some snaps, too."

They should find a way to make him the starter....or backup and very least.

I disagree. Bray should not be on the field in the regular season. This is his year to study, absorb, and learn.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Hoover]

Schwartz signed a one year contract, so let's stop acting like he's a long term answer in here. Depth along the line is not a bad thing.

[Chiefnj2]

The biggest remaining issue is how do the Chiefs trade for Vernon Davis. He's the only target Smith has ever been able to find.

[Discuss Thrower]

Gotta love the lack of concern at key defensive positions.

But anyway, someone sell me on Hudson being healthy.