Kansas City Chiefs: Five Takeaways From OTAs

Aug 9, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) on the bench with quarterback Alex Smith during the fourth quarter of their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive tackle Eric Fisher has yet to live up to expectations immediately given to number one overall draft picks.

In his first two seasons, according to an article from SB Nation, Fisher has allowed an average of seven sacks and 40 quarterback pressures per year, “both among the worst totals for left tackles.”

Fair or not, Fisher came to Kansas City with the burden of being the first player taken in the 2013 NFL Draft. It was somewhat of a surprise, especially considering some experts didn’t even think he was the best offensive lineman in the draft, but it is a label he always will carry with him.

Now, after two up and down seasons, Fisher began practicing with the second team during OTAs, something that caught the attention of ESPN’s Adam Teicher who reported on the “demotion.”

However, Teicher said Reid told reporters it was nothing to worry about, only that the Chiefs were “moving people around.”

From Teicher’s article:

"The latest move came on Thursday, when Donald Stephenson was starting at left tackle instead of Eric Fisher. Stephenson, normally the starting right tackle, is Fisher’s top backup and Reid said he wanted Stephenson to get some work on the left side."

That my be all well and true, but guard Ben Grubbs and center Eric Kush took all snaps at practice with the first team in their respective positions. You would think if Fisher had the starting role sewn up, he wouldn’t have spent so much time with the second unit.

Reid went on to say in the article that he just wants “the best five guys” in the lineup. It’s clear at this point, he isn’t sure if Fisher is one of them.

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