O-Line Change?

by thehulk on Nov 6, 2007 9:18 AM CST Comment 15 comments

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/348355-p2.html

One sentence at the very bottom of an article is all I've got for you guys, but apparently Rudi Niswanger is going to take some playing time from John Welbourn in the upcoming game. Given that it takes time for an o-line to gel, what's the deal with the change in playing time mid-way through the season? Not saying that our line has "gelled" into anything close to greatness, but still, rotating a new lineman in for only parts of a game just seems to be asking for trouble. My question is:

Poll

Niswanger getting some of Welbourn's playing time is

an indication that Niswanger is developing well and deserves a shot w/ the big boys.

5 votes

a one-time experiment for the Broncos game only, think nothing of it.

0 votes

nothing more than an indication that Welbourn is so bad anyone could potentially play better.

8 votes

the white flag. There's no hope for our o-line, it pretty much needs a complete replacement, and no-one in the pipeline is going to cut it.

1 votes

14 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.

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Comments

Any change

is good at this point, I guess.

I don't think switching players around on the line will do anything.

They have had all season to gel and haven't so why would it be any different now?

by Joel Thorman on Nov 6, 2007 9:21 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

exactly

I feel like what's happening here is what all of the Brodie supporters make as their best (and, at this point, I think completely convincing) argument: It sure isn't working well, probably not going to get any worse, might as well make a change and see if things will get better.

I would LOVE to see us plug in a younger guy and have him work out, and there's only one way to find that out: get him some playing time. (this goes for Niswanger as well as Croyle)

by thehulk on Nov 6, 2007 9:37 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Not a one time experiment

Niswanger came in for several "series" (one 1st down does not a series make) against Green Bay...maybe played 20 snaps or so...I think Edwards saw something he liked. In all of our conversations on the downfall of the o-line this year, has anyone mentioned that they have a new coach...I mean, sure the loss of Roaf and Shields has hurt us, but Solari was one of the best o-line coaches in the league. Now that he is devoting his time to designing new ways to throw the ball for 2 yards, he doesn't have time to take care of the boys up front. Who is our new o-line coach anyway?

by PVChiefsfan on Nov 6, 2007 9:41 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yes

I have been wondering the same thing. I'm sure an o-line coach is pretty important. I, admittedly, don't know a whole lot about it.

Let's wait for Big Bear to weigh in...

by Joel Thorman on Nov 6, 2007 9:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Grunny

This morning I listened to Grunhardt's show in the morning, and he was talking about the O-Line. He said the guy from TCU (drawing a blank) may get some time b/c he is a big huge guy, and if they are going to stuff it up the middle - then that's the kind of guy they need.

Cheers!

You play to win the game!

by tailgateandwin on Nov 6, 2007 11:01 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Herb Taylor

was our 6th round pick out of TCU this year...he is listed at 6'3", 295 lbs. but is a tackle...I would think that stuffing it up the middle would be more of a guard/center thing (though I guess off-tackle could still technically be an "inside" run)

by PVChiefsfan on Nov 6, 2007 11:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Coaches

Offensive Line - John Matsko

John is pretty well known in the league and was a player not all that long ago.

I think the idea now is trying to fill a blocking gap.

too many D's are pushing through the line. hindering decent protection.

I think we need to face the fact that this is a "teambuilding" year and they are going to do the best they can with what they have.

there is no cohesiveness as a unit currently, so switching guys in and out isn't going to cause that big of a disruption.

once they find players who can stand on their own this season and in the offseason, they can try to build a unit.

Big Bear

by bigbearomaha on Nov 6, 2007 11:17 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

The good thing is that

I think Edwards knows that a strong o-line (not the strongest o-line) is the last major piece the Chiefs are missing from being if not a Super Bowl contender at least a consistent playoff team. With his success in the draft so far, we may be able to make major strides in the right direction with 1 or 2 o-lineman out of, I'd say, rounds 1-4. Vermeil was spoiled with one of the best o-lines in the history of football and didn't adequately prepare for the departure of those guys. We also had less than great drafts under Vermeil, while Edwards has yet to have a first day bust (Croyle TBD), so if we grab a franchise LT in Round 1, there is a good chance he will develop into a Pro Bowler instead of following in Ryan Sims footsteps.

by PVChiefsfan on Nov 6, 2007 11:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Uh

You do know that King Carl drafts the players, right? Im guessing recent improvement in the draft came from better scouting, not any influence Herm or Dick have had. This is most likely due to the growing influence of Lynn Stiles and Bill Kuharich.

by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Nov 6, 2007 1:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Uh, you do know that the head coach

has some influence on the decision, right? That doesn't mean Carl Peterson will listen (like in the case of LJ) but I didn't think our scouting personnel have changed too much...regardless of who is responsible, the change has been for the better. something has to be said for the majority of the last two draft classes already contributing compared to only 3 players from the 4 draft classes from 2000-2003 still playing for the Chiefs.

http://www.databasefootball.com/draft/draftteam.htm?tm=KAN&lg=NFL

by PVChiefsfan on Nov 6, 2007 1:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Head coach has a big say in it. 00-04 and 05-06 are a huge difference.

by Joel Thorman on Nov 6, 2007 2:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

oh yea

herm in kuharich basically run the draft IMO, with carl just getting the final say.

that is at least how i interpreted the situation.

regarding niswanger, i definitely saw him in there for a decent amount of snaps on sunday.

bench huard. start croyle.

by rockchalk on Nov 7, 2007 12:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah right

a superbowl contender ,first we need to get a
QB playing well, mabye get some play in Special teams, develop our recievers and then mabye we could be a Superbowl contender!

Derrick Thomas- G.O.A.T

by D Thomas on Nov 7, 2007 1:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

QB playing well

is not necessarily a requirement, though it helps...see 2000 Ravens and Dilfer. And I just said we could at least be a consistent playoff team, though it would be nice to be a Super Bowl contender.

by PVChiefsfan on Nov 8, 2007 8:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't like that argument

Yeah, the Ravens didn't have a QB in 2000, but they also had (arguably) the greatest defense in the history of the NFL. And that was pre-Patriots dynasty.

by Joel Thorman on Nov 8, 2007 8:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs