Preaseason Unit Discussions: Offensive Line

[Rain Man]

Per the discussions earlier this week, I wanted to offer an experimental concept. During the preseason, let's discuss each of the units on the Chiefs in a particular thread.

Post your thoughts during the games or between games about individual performances.

This thread is for offensive linemen. How they doin'?

[Smed1065]

Originally Posted by TEX

THIS is what concerns me. If it comes to that, they're not a playoff team.

I have been told OL doesnt matter if not bottom 5 ranking..

They forgot to tell me that is if you have a great QB.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Allen?

[Rain Man]

Given all of the teeth-gnashing about the Chiefs' offensive line, I thought it would be interesting to look at the other teams' lineups right now.


Broncos

LT - Ty Sambrailo - rookie 2nd round pick who was projected much lower. Has girl hair.
LG - Evan Mathis - veteran playing on a false contract
C - Matt Paradis - 2nd year center who was a 6th round pick. Likely to get paved by Poe and replaced by parking lot.
RG - Louis Vasquez - veteran guy, given a pro bowl two years ago by standing in front of Manning.
RT - Ryan Harris - yes, that Ryan Harris. Our RT last year.

Raiders

LT - Donald Penn - veteran guy, unattractive human being but established
LG - Gabe Jackson - 2nd year guard who was a 3rd round pick (though initially rated higher). Does not appear on the $20 bill.
C - Rodney Hudson - future hall of famer
RG - J'marcus Webb - J'failed offensive tackle who last regularly started in 2012 and is a sworn enemy of Jay Cutler.
RT - Menelik Watson - 3rd year former 1st round pick with 12 career starts. I think he's also the Egyptian god of agriculture.

Chargers

LT - King Dunlap - Veteran guy, ruler of the kingdom of Meh.
LG - Orlando Franklin - former tackle for Broncos, does not appear on $100 bill.
C - Chris Watt - 2nd year guy, unknown power and brightness.
RG - D.J. Fluker - Johnnie Troutman broke his arm in preseason, so he's apparently being replaced by DJ Fluker moving in from RT. (WTH? I thought Fluker was established at RT.)
RT - Joe Barksdale - former Rams OT, ordinary Joe.

In looking at these, it would appear that the Chiefs' line is notably superior to that of the Broncos. Basic algebra says the Chiefs' LT and RT are better, and probably C as well. The Broncos are more established at RG, and LG is a wash.

The Raiders seem to have the best combination of established guys and high-round picks. We'll see if that works out for them. And I have no idea what the Chargers' line is like.

Thoughts? Reactions?

[TEX]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Given all of the teeth-gnashing about the Chiefs' offensive line, I thought it would be interesting to look at the other teams' lineups right now.


Broncos

LT - Ty Sambrailo - rookie 2nd round pick who was projected much lower. Has girl hair.
LG - Evan Mathis - veteran playing on a false contract
C - Matt Paradis - 2nd year center who was a 6th round pick. Likely to get paved by Poe and replaced by parking lot.
RG - Louis Vasquez - veteran guy, given a pro bowl two years ago by standing in front of Manning.
RT - Ryan Harris - yes, that Ryan Harris. Our RT last year.

Raiders

LT - Donald Penn - veteran guy, unattractive human being but established
LG - Gabe Jackson - 2nd year guard who was a 3rd round pick (though initially rated higher). Does not appear on the $20 bill.
C - Rodney Hudson - future hall of famer
RG - J'marcus Webb - J'failed offensive tackle who last regularly started in 2012 and is a sworn enemy of Jay Cutler.
RT - Menelik Watson - 3rd year former 1st round pick with 12 career starts. I think he's also the Egyptian god of agriculture.

Chargers

LT - King Dunlap - Veteran guy, ruler of the kingdom of Meh.
LG - Orlando Franklin - former tackle for Broncos, does not appear on $100 bill.
C - Chris Watt - 2nd year guy, unknown power and brightness.
RG - D.J. Fluker - Johnnie Troutman broke his arm in preseason, so he's apparently being replaced by DJ Fluker moving in from RT. (WTH? I thought Fluker was established at RT.)
RT - Joe Barksdale - former Rams OT, ordinary Joe.

In looking at these, it would appear that the Chiefs' line is notably superior to that of the Broncos. Basic algebra says the Chiefs' LT and RT are better, and probably C as well. The Broncos are more established at RG, and LG is a wash.

The Raiders seem to have the best combination of established guys and high-round picks. We'll see if that works out for them. And I have no idea what the Chargers' line is like.

Thoughts? Reactions?

Other than Fish and Grubbs, the Chiefs line has many questions. Too many this close to the season. Coming off last year, there's no excuse for that.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by TEX

Other than Fish and Grubbs, the Chiefs line has many questions. Too many this close to the season. Coming off last year, there's no excuse for that.

Denver's line has far more questions to go with a statue of a QB.

San Diego and Oakland aren't exactly special, either.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by TEX

Other than Fish and Grubbs, the Chiefs line has many questions. Too many this close to the season. Coming off last year, there's no excuse for that.

You never answered my question from a previous thread.

"There's no excuse for that."

What the **** was Dorsey supposed to do?

[thabear04]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Given all of the teeth-gnashing about the Chiefs' offensive line, I thought it would be interesting to look at the other teams' lineups right now.


Broncos

LT - Ty Sambrailo - rookie 2nd round pick who was projected much lower. Has girl hair.
LG - Evan Mathis - veteran playing on a false contract
C - Matt Paradis - 2nd year center who was a 6th round pick. Likely to get paved by Poe and replaced by parking lot.
RG - Louis Vasquez - veteran guy, given a pro bowl two years ago by standing in front of Manning.
RT - Ryan Harris - yes, that Ryan Harris. Our RT last year.

Raiders

LT - Donald Penn - veteran guy, unattractive human being but established
LG - Gabe Jackson - 2nd year guard who was a 3rd round pick (though initially rated higher). Does not appear on the $20 bill.
C - Rodney Hudson - future hall of famer
RG - J'marcus Webb - J'failed offensive tackle who last regularly started in 2012 and is a sworn enemy of Jay Cutler.
RT - Menelik Watson - 3rd year former 1st round pick with 12 career starts. I think he's also the Egyptian god of agriculture.

Chargers

LT - King Dunlap - Veteran guy, ruler of the kingdom of Meh.
LG - Orlando Franklin - former tackle for Broncos, does not appear on $100 bill.
C - Chris Watt - 2nd year guy, unknown power and brightness.
RG - D.J. Fluker - Johnnie Troutman broke his arm in preseason, so he's apparently being replaced by DJ Fluker moving in from RT. (WTH? I thought Fluker was established at RT.)
RT - Joe Barksdale - former Rams OT, ordinary Joe.

In looking at these, it would appear that the Chiefs' line is notably superior to that of the Broncos. Basic algebra says the Chiefs' LT and RT are better, and probably C as well. The Broncos are more established at RG, and LG is a wash.

The Raiders seem to have the best combination of established guys and high-round picks. We'll see if that works out for them. And I have no idea what the Chargers' line is like.

Thoughts? Reactions?

They move Fluker because he had a hard time with quick DE/OLB.


http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/...gram-krasovic/


D.J. Fluker's move to RG, a closer look

Two weeks into Chargers training camp, the big story is a big man's move.

D.J. Fluker went from tackle, his only spot with Alabama and in two NFL seasons, to right guard for Johnnie Troutman.

All of Fluker's work the last six practices has come at right guard, and right guard is where he figures to start the exhibition opener, Thursday night, against the Cowboys.

Timing of the move was somewhat curious, as Fluker spent most of spring camp at right tackle and stayed there for the first week of training camp.

General Manager Tom Telesco all but scoffed at a position change just two weeks ago, on the second day of camp, when asked by 1090 AM's Darren Smith if the Fluker-to-guard scenario was open or dead.

Here's what Telesco said:

This is really your guys' deal. It's not ours. D.J. was our right tackle when he got here. He was last year and continues to be. We're happy with him. I don't know where this comes from. I really don't. But we're happy with D.J. You saw what happened to us when he went out of the game against Kansas City last year. We had a hard time throwing the ball. We're happy D.J's in there as our right tackle

Troutman, who was coming off an uneven season at right guard, got off to a bumpy start soon after Telesco spoke. He missed practices with an apparent leg injury. When he took a few snaps in recent days, he labored.

D.J. Fluker's move to RG, a closer look

Two weeks into Chargers training camp, the big story is a big man's move.

D.J. Fluker went from tackle, his only spot with Alabama and in two NFL seasons, to right guard for Johnnie Troutman.

All of Fluker's work the last six practices has come at right guard, and right guard is where he figures to start the exhibition opener, Thursday night, against the Cowboys.

Timing of the move was somewhat curious, as Fluker spent most of spring camp at right tackle and stayed there for the first week of training camp.

General Manager Tom Telesco all but scoffed at a position change just two weeks ago, on the second day of camp, when asked by 1090 AM's Darren Smith if the Fluker-to-guard scenario was open or dead.

Here's what Telesco said:

This is really your guys' deal. It's not ours. D.J. was our right tackle when he got here. He was last year and continues to be. We're happy with him. I don't know where this comes from. I really don't. But we're happy with D.J. You saw what happened to us when he went out of the game against Kansas City last year. We had a hard time throwing the ball. We're happy D.J's in there as our right tackle

Troutman, who was coming off an uneven season at right guard, got off to a bumpy start soon after Telesco spoke. He missed practices with an apparent leg injury. When he took a few snaps in recent days, he labored.

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Troutman lagged last summer, too, before fighting off rookie Chris Watt.

Early in camp Fluker, at tackle, looked a bit more comfortable than in his other two camps.

Of some concern, he was 12 pounds heavier than his target weight of 330.

On the eighth day of camp, his limitations as a pass blocker resurfaced in HiDef.

Melvin Ingram beat him twice in a short span, too fast for Philip Rivers to counter. Following a touch sack, Ingram hit Rivers' arm to cause a knuckleball, one that could've been picked off.

Fluker has played only at right guard since that day.

Chargers newcomer Joe Barksdale has manned right tackle, with Michael Huey backing up Fluker.

In May, I rated Barksdale a better pass blocker than Fluker, who is more forceful at sealing defenders when he can catch up to them.

Barksdale has worked at right guard, too. He has had successes there, but his unusually high stance may pose more challenges inside where the fight starts sooner.

He, like Fluker, is a former prep defensive lineman who is visibly aggressive.

"I like that we have similar styles; we're both SEC guys," the LSU alum said.

Fluker's long arms served him well at tackle. His strong hands, hustle, and enthusiasm are valuable traits, wherever.

He has started 33 of 34 games, second-most among tackles and guards in his draft class.

His heavy feet, the cause of chatter about guard that has percolated since he entered the draft, place a premium on being ultra-fit, and superb in form and anticipation.

At 24, his best season may be ahead of him. Will it be at guard or tackle?

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Denver's line has far more questions to go with a statue of a QB.

San Diego and Oakland aren't exactly special, either.

That's what jumped out at me. Oakland is the only team in the division that seems better situated right now.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

That's what jumped out at me. Oakland is the only team in the division that seems better situated right now.

Thanks for doing the spadework I wasn't willing to do.

People are just completely ignorant when it comes to the state of OLs throughout football right now. This idea that everyone else in the league is playing behind rock-solid lines full of established veterans is just insane.

The Chiefs line is in the same boat as about 2/3 of the lines in football this year. There are a few that are even worse than ours and a few that are clearly better. 20 other lines in football have at least 2 or 3 massive question marks on them and most of those don't have the potential upside that our line has.

The OL is good enough as are the offensive weapons on this team. Andy needs to get his shit together and actually pick his 5 guys and then Smith needs to prove that he's good enough to win in this league. There aren't any more excuses for him.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Thanks for doing the spadework I wasn't willing to do.

People are just completely ignorant when it comes to the state of OLs throughout football right now. This idea that everyone else in the league is playing behind rock-solid lines full of established veterans is just insane.

The Chiefs line is in the same boat as about 2/3 of the lines in football this year. There are a few that are even worse than ours and a few that are clearly better. 20 other lines in football have at least 2 or 3 massive question marks on them and most of those don't have the potential upside that our line has.

The OL is good enough as are the offensive weapons on this team. Andy needs to get his shit together and actually pick his 5 guys and then Smith needs to prove that he's good enough to win in this league. There aren't any more excuses for him.

Until we get 2003 chiefs offensive line results, apparently it's not good enough.

But on a serious note, they need to get healthy, put 5 out there and leave them.

Levitre is getting cut from Tenessee, has he ever played RG?

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by RealSNR

1. It's stupid to kid ourselves or for the coaching staff to try to continue this ridiculous charade: Eric Kush is better than Mitch Morse right now. It was a nice try, but Reid really needs to do the right thing and let Morse wait a year.

2. LDT was also an experiment. A shorter-lived experiment than Morse, but he also needs to go away for another year. That much is obvious.

3. The offensive line will be fine. People are acting like ****ing idiots because they think this offensive line they saw tonight is the offensive line that will start the season. No, Stephenson will NOT start at LT (even though he played well). LDT will NOT start at RG. And you can bet your ****ing asses that Fanaika isn't going to start shit or even be on the goddamned team when Week 1 hits. And I hope to god that Kush is our starter at C.

If you have a ****ing brain, it's difficult to get too worked up about this OL performance tonight.

This is confusing.

Considering none of the guys who are injured now inspire much confidence in their health, let alone their ability. Not only that, but their backups, who we have seen, are dreadful.

I fail to see any reason not to get worked up.

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

It's already been stated on the Chiefs website that Stephenson/Grubbs/Morse/LDRT/Fanaika are the starting five Friday night.

His depth chart is inaccurate.

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/article...5-e35fdf6e5de3

No. Allen will be the starting RG, he's just injured, so he won't play game 3.

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

It doesn't make any sense, regardless. Allen was injured playing right tackle.

Stephenson was on the sideline.

Working as LT 2.

I think they were working guys to nail down their depth and injury lineups.

Ex. Fish goes down, Stephenson sl moves to LT, Allen slides to RT, etc.

Think they are very concerned about keeping the right mix of guys after last season.

Probably already knew their best lineup involved Allen at RG and Stephenson at RT.

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

I thought he looked solid this past preseason game. Moved well and got onto his man pretty quick.

Didn't he get Chase killed?

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by RealSNR

You never answered my question from a previous thread.

"There's no excuse for that."

What the **** was Dorsey supposed to do?

Not add turds like Fanaika. He's every bit as big a joke as McGloin was. He is proven fail. We would have been better off trying a RFA there.

Hopefully he starts enough to display his suck in 3D and gets cut so we can sign someone who might at least have some upside...