Chiefs Mid-Season Report Cards: Offensive Line
The Chiefs are just over the half way mark of the season so, just like in school, were handing out a few midterm report cards. Today, we will be taking a look at one of the youngest offensive lines in the NFL.
The Chiefs entered this past offseason with a ton of questions, particularly with their offensive tackles. Branden Albert was in contract lingo with the Chiefs, taking it down to the wire on slapping him with their franchise tag. They were sitting with the number one overall pick and were likely looking to take a tackle in case Albert was moved. There were trade rumors swirling all over twitter about if or where, Albert could be traded to. Then the draft came.
Oct 6, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; The Kansas City Chiefs offensive squad huddles in a game against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at LP Field. The Chiefs beat the Titans 26-17. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City selected tackle, Eric Fisher, with the number one overall pick. With Albert still on the block, we began to wonder how this whole deal would turn out. If Albert was moved, would that mean Donald Stephenson at left? Fisher at right? Or the other way around? The Chiefs had also made a great signing with veteran lineman, Geoff Schwartz. Some speculated that Schwartz would make a run at one of those tackle spots this year as well, but he has seemed to settle in at guard.
Things fell into place nicely when the Chiefs decided they couldn’t work out a deal to move Albert. This meant for sure that Albert would stay at left for at least one more year, and rookie first round pick, Eric Fisher, would have some valuable starting time on the right side. Along with those two things, the Chiefs would finally have some solid depth along the line with Schwartz and Stephenson, something they had lacked over the last few years.
With the Chiefs at 9-0, lets take a look at each player on this offensive front and see how they grade out through these first nine weeks.
Click “Next” so see the report cards.