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Figuring out the KC "Big Nasties"...

There is no greater question mark on this team than our current offensive line, which according to OL coach Bob Bicknell himself, Waters is the only certainty -- even though we're not even sure what position he'll be at. As of now there is nothing close to a consensus as to who will play where. Not with Albert, not with Richardson, not with Niswanger or Adrian Jones or McIntosh or Svitek or anybody.

The closest we've got is the Star's Adam Teicher, who guesses in a recent article as to what the line might look like in September:

Edwards wouldn’t talk about his plans, but the Chiefs will probably line up with rookie Branden Albert at left tackle, Waters at left guard, Rudy Niswanger at center, Adrian Jones at right guard and Damion McIntosh at right tackle.

Now, Teicher has more connections than me inside the Chiefs organization (to this date, I've compiled approximately zero inside sources). Nevertheless, this particular lineup sounds fishy to me.

First off, the love for Adrian Jones comes from leftfield, considering that Jones doesn't have the look of a smashmouth lineman (at 6'4", he's listed at a fairly light 296 lbs). Jones' resume isn't that stellar either, having struggled for playing time under Herm himself in New York, and in 2005, the one year he was a starting tackle all 16 games for the Jets (13 games LT, three RT), he allowed eight sacks, was busted for false starting thrice, and was flagged for holding four times. Granted, the entire Jets team was patchwork at that point, and those aren't horrendous statistics, but they don't instill in me a lot of confidence in Jones. Did I mention the team's yards per rushing attempt were 3.5 in 2005? I'm not sold on Jones.

Second, there's a popular myth going around that McIntosh somehow might make an adequate RT. I'm not sold on this scenario, particularly because McIntosh is a finesse tackle rather than a smashmouth tackle. He's not a mauler. If McIntosh belongs anywhere on this team, it's at LT, or backup LT.

Now, the best philosophy possible regarding building an offensive line is that you take your five best players, and you fit them on a line in any way you can. Are Albert, Waters, Niswanger, Jones, and McIntosh our five best? I'm not sure... Allow me to float a few ideas out there of what our OL could look like.

After the jump, of course.

Star-divide

The following are in no order of preference, all the lineman are arranged from LT to RT.

1. Albert/Waters/Niswanger/Richardson/Taylor

This is a sheer power unit. Instead of worrying about fitting McIntosh in somewhere, why not place in five of our toughest, strongest OL and install the mauling run game this offense requires to succeed. As I've detailed before, I'm not sure if Albert is LT material, but he's much tougher than McIntosh and why not just throw the boy into the fire if we expect him to succeed there?

Niswanger impressed most fans in his short stint on the field last year as being technically sound and stronger than expected. He could become the classic undrafted no-name whose smarts and technique elevates him to a longtime starting job. The gigantic and powerful Richardson is likely getting a shot on this team, but the Chiefs may want to try him out at guard before moving him out to RT. Taylor, meanwhile, impressed late in the season in garbage time at RT and LT. If he continues to improve he could clamp down our right side.

2. McIntosh/Waters/Niswanger/Richardson/Albert

This is the classic "let's bring our rookies along one step at a time" Carl Peterson move. Even though we clearly drafted Albert for LT, and Herm has indicated he's eyeing Richardson for RT, it's possible they keep McIntosh at LT so Albert can learn the ropes of tackle first, then bringing him in as a LT in 2009. Same thing here with Richardson, who has the tools but many question his mental toughness. So why not try his toughness out on the inside and if he thrives, move him out as Albert switches sides.

I personally would like to see Herb Taylor get another shot at LT rather than using McIntosh, our classic stopgap. But that's very unlikely at this point.

3. McIntosh/Albert/Waters/Niswanger/Richardson

The Chiefs flirted with the idea of moving Waters inside to center soon after the season ended, and I thought I'd toy with it here. Center is a position of extreme importance on the OL; if LT is supposed to be the physical freak, C is supposed to be the intellectual leader. The center is responsible for line calls, eyeing blitzes, and loads of nonverbal communication with the quarterback. Waters could fill that role for a season as Croyle learns the ropes and as the line is decorated with young, inexperienced players.

If this happens, watch for Albert to replace Waters at LG, so that Larry Johnson has a guaranteed hole in the defensive line he could run through. Niswanger has too much potential to keep out of the lineup, so expect him in at the other guard position if he can't play center. Richardson could be tried out at RT, and McIntosh will play at least one more season on the left flank.

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#3

I really like the third option the best… at least for now. And since Herm likes running it up the middle so much… you know, like on 3rd down and 9 or something like that…. the hole between Waters and Albert sounds pretty nice. Plus D-Mac will hopefully have Cottam helping him out over there, so it should be pretty solid.

by Vince D on May 16, 2008 1:25 PM CDT reply actions  

MacIntosh is too slow

I didn’t like him on the outside last year (not that we had a choice). I think he’s powerful enough to run block – but lacks the speed, finesse, footwork (call it what you want) to defend outside left. I seem to recall Herm saying in a post draft interview that he felt Albert could play outside left and that that’s where they wanted to work him. Perhaps if Mac works on his conditioning this offseason perhaps he’ll improve and prove me wrong. It’s a tough spot to play especially since whomever plays there isn’t going to get much help from L.J. who has shown again and again he has no desire (or is it ability ?) to block for his QB.

Good post !!!

by Cat Stabber on May 16, 2008 1:57 PM CDT reply actions  

I still contend

that we drafted Richardson as a project for LT, but if he ends up at RT, I won’t be upset

by PVChiefsfan on May 16, 2008 2:25 PM CDT reply actions  

Either way

I’d be great to see him work out. He is a big chunk. Realistically though, it appears that this is setting up as more of a “practice” year for these (rookies) guys to develop their potential. Hopefully Brodie will live though it !!

RT would be good – then when Carl drafts a lefty we don’t start over again :)

by Cat Stabber on May 16, 2008 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions  

I Think It Goes...

LT – Albert
LG – Waters
C – Niswanger
RG – McIntosh
RT – Svitek/Richardson

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on May 16, 2008 4:42 PM CDT reply actions  

Agreed !!

It’s got run left written all over it !!

by Cat Stabber on May 16, 2008 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions  

Hmmm...

Why Svitek over Taylor?

by Vince D on May 16, 2008 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions  

I Think Taylor's Future Is At Guard

He just seems like one of those guys who goes to guard because he doesn’t have the skill to play anywhere else. And I think Svitek is a short-term starter at RT until they either groom Richardson or draft another tackle.

Of course this is all dependent on the Chiefs getting their draft picks signed and into camp as quickly as possible.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on May 16, 2008 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions  

Why all the love for Herb Taylor?

I will never understand people that fall in love with guys they have never even seen play.

Last year the Chiefs had a HORRENDOUS offensive line from Center to RT. Both the starter and backup RTs (Terry and Turley) were abysmal. Now combine this with the FACT that Herm Edwards is all about putting young players out there and giving them a shot, even if they are late round picks or even undrafted.

So I ask you, why, with all of the above being true, did Herb Taylor not even get on the football field until the last game or two of the season? Something smells fishy to me. There must be something the coaches saw in practices they didn’t like. Maybe his work ethic sucks. Maybe he has a hard time getting plays down. There must be SOMETHING that was keeping him out of games last year considering how horrible Welbourn, Terry and Turley were.

So every time people start penciling in Herb Taylor as a starter, I’ve got to bring this up. I sincerely hope he can jump in and do well. But I’m reserving that judgment until, you know, he actually works himself into a game or two.

by ChiefDJ on May 16, 2008 10:33 PM CDT reply actions  

...

People been smokin’ too much “Herb” Taylor

by Ochophosphate on May 17, 2008 1:11 AM CDT up reply actions  

Great post

My guess is that they didn’t start bringing people in sooner because even though the line was awful, they didn’t want to break it up mid-season. I’m sure they were hesitant to screw up the unit that had the most playing time together (even though they were trash). So, I don’t think that reflects badly on Taylor.

Everything I’ve heard about him says that he was solid in what little playing time he got and that he’s got some real potential as a starter. Plus, I have some real faith in Herm’s drafting skills (beyond kicker), so I’m confident he can make the cut.

I like scenario #1 the best. I’ve been calling for Albert-Waters-Niswanger-Taylor-Richardson, but that would be fine too. I think #2 is probably the most likely, but I’m praying for #1 or mine.

TOUCHDOWN! KAN-SAH-CITY!!!

by TheScootness on May 17, 2008 8:01 PM CDT reply actions  

Good start

but I think we should really focus on what this year really is, a rebuilding year, and really focus on the development of these players, not just throw them to the wolves. Putting Albert at LT or Richardson at RT would be doing just that, so for the time being, we should probably go with a much more conservative line. A more conservative line, as previously stated, would look something like this:

LT- Damion McIntosh/Some other stopgap
LG- Brian Waters
C- Rudy Niswanger
RG- Barry Richardson
RT- Branden Albert

I like a line like this because it doesn’t force Albert and risk pushing him too quickly and it also allows us to see whether or not Richardson and/or Niswanger are permanent fits on our line. That being said, assuming Albert, Richardson and Niswanger all pan out, and that is a big “if”, I would like to see Albert return to his natural LG position, Niswanger of course at C, Waters to shift over to RG, as his career will be in its twilight and Richardson at RT. Taking that into account, we would still have an opening at LT. However, would could fill that hole in next year’s draft with a cornerstone LT, possibly Andre Smith at Alabama or Michael Oher at Ole Miss, especially after our conservative/developing line this year results in a dismal 1-15 season and lands us the 1st pick in the draft.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84-MwAbj7uw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjDhsJm5Q1M

Both of those videos are of Andre Smith. Does anyone know of any of Oher?

by ArrowheadRed5658 on May 18, 2008 3:36 AM CDT reply actions  

Exactly

There’s no reason to bring them along slow. This is the season to throw them in and see if they can handle it. If so, then they get the whole year of playing experience and will be that much better in the position next year. If not, then you know without a doubt what positions need to be addressed in the draft in 09.

TOUCHDOWN! KAN-SAH-CITY!!!

by TheScootness on May 18, 2008 2:11 PM CDT reply actions  

Agreed

I site for example – one Mr. Tony Ugoh of the Indianapolis Clots. Granted, the rest of their line was in pretty good shape, so he wasn’t getting thrown in with a new group. But they didn’t hesitate to let this guy start from day 1 defending one of the best passers in the league.

I just hope that once we land on a starting line, we can keep them healthy. Imagine our hopes and optimism plummeting to the Earth if Albert (or any other projected starter for that matter) goes down in camp.

by Ochophosphate on May 19, 2008 7:24 AM CDT up reply actions  

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