Chiefs Offensive Line Holding Steady in Their Mediocrity

by Chris Thorman on Oct 8, 2009 10:00 AM CDT in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

If you've been reading sports blogs long enough, you've certainly come across Football Outsiders. Basically what those guys try to do is take some of that Sabermetric baseball stat thinking and bring it into the NFL. The stats don't always translate into hard facts and personally I found the stats to be inaccessible to the normal fan but it's still interesting to see what these guys come up with.

Through the fourth week of the NFL season, here's what Football Outsiders has to say about the Kansas City Chiefs offensive line:

Ranked 31st in run blocking
Ranked 28th in pass protection
Ranked 19th running to the left end
Ranked 6th running at the left tackle
Ranked 31st running up the middle
Ranked 32nd running to the right tackle
Ranked 7th running to the right end

Now I'm assuming right and left ends means running outside of where the tackles are lined up. The Chiefs don't show much of a preference in which side they choose to run the ball at, running both left and right about equally so far this season.

While these Football Outsiders NFL stats are nice to have, I still prefer our method of tracking the Chiefs offensive line improvement, or lack thereof.

Our tracking numbers are after the jump.

Stats	+/- Change	Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4
Sacks	2	3	2	3	5
Rush yds	6	29	173	99	105
Rush TDs	0	0	0	0	0
Rush 1st downs	2	1	10	4	6
Penalties	-2	1	6	4	2
Tackles for loss by def.	5	8	6	5	10
QB Hurry	2	2	6	5	7
Stuffs	-2	6	3	8	6

Of course, the caveat (and there always seems to be at least one or two) is that the Giants have the #1 ranked defense in the NFL. So keep that in mind as you discuss these numbers.

It's tough to see zero rushing TDs so far this season but we're used to it. In 2007, the Chiefs didn't get their first rushing touchdown until Week 6.

One bright spot is that despite the Giants having one of the better if not best defensive lines in football, the Chiefs were able to reduce the number of rushing stuffs by their running backs.

Also, offensive lineman penalties continue to drop which is a HUGE relief. Brandon Albert and Brian Waters both had false starts last week and that was it.

The floor is yours APers, unless you're already burnt out on o-line talk. If that's the case, I'm going to be doing this post earlier in the week so it's more relevant.

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Comments

Hey Chris, Don't Rush to Judge the Chiefs Offensive Line.

"What?!?! I aint no Obama for the weed!"
-Turk McBride

by HIV 2 Elway on Oct 8, 2009 10:14 AM CDT reply actions

Let's see how the O line plays

against Dallas and Washington with O’Callaghan at right tackle. These next couple of games should tell the tale.

by G.L. on Oct 8, 2009 10:19 AM CDT reply actions

"unless you're already burnt out on o-line talk."

thats where im at on this

by redmedicone on Oct 8, 2009 10:25 AM CDT reply actions

O'Call definitely seems to help on that side...

Now we just need to replace Goff with Ndukwe and get a new Center. THEN we’ll be in business.

I’m about ready to try Alleman or Wade Smith at center. I don’t know if they are any better than Rudy or not but, what the hell. It can’t be much worse.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Oct 8, 2009 10:30 AM CDT reply actions

I am halfway through the Giants game

for the 2nd time. I have been payin gparticular attention to O’Callahan. Through the first quarter at least he did a fantastic job. On one play where Goff pulled to the left, O’Callahan did a fantastic job of blocking two guys. He took on the guard for a second and took him out of the play, then just as LJ was getting the ball, OCallahan quckly backed up a step and got a good shove on the rushing DE to buy LJ the extra second he neeeded to get out of the back field.

Showed nice awarness on that play, which is what has been lacking on the line.

In other news, Goff sucks.

Be sure to check out the Arrowhead Pride weekly Power Rankings

by Patrick Allen on Oct 8, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions

"In other news, Goff sucks" ... this is NEWS???

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!

by upamtn on Oct 8, 2009 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions

There was a running joke on Saturday Night Live

years and years ago. It went something like this……. “This just in, Francisco Franco (fascist dictator of Spain) is STILL dead.”

I think the news on Goff is somewhat the same. Goff departs from San Diego (sucks). Goff arrives in Kansas City (still sucks). Goff has great work habits and works hard at training camp (still sucks). Goff gets to start on the KC offensive line (still sucks). Etc.

Goff may have been competent at one time, but time has passed him by. He is washed up.

by G.L. on Oct 8, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions

yes ... that

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!

by upamtn on Oct 8, 2009 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions

that's ... Generalissimo Francisco Franco

I remember the shows well

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!

by upamtn on Oct 8, 2009 6:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, I watched all of the Pats games.

Preseason and regular season, and in the preseason O’Callahan did the little smart things that are encouraging and a play to play basis. I was particularly impressed with a goal line series on the one or two yard like where he really lead the right side of the Patriots line and got a nice push for them to punch it in.

I think these next couple of games will decide the long term future of O’Callahan with this team. I’m hoping he solidifies himself at the position and never looks back.

by jcru on Oct 8, 2009 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions

but on the bright side: zero penalties (so far) this week!

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!

by upamtn on Oct 8, 2009 10:33 AM CDT reply actions

I really hope

that when KC drafts a NT in the top 10 instead of a OL, that the fans can stay positive….all I keep reading is we cant take another DT due to mcbride dorsey blah blah blah….

I say look at that titans D without haynesworth
I say look at the SD D getting gutted without jamaal williams

3/4 needs a dominant nose tackle, would instantly make our DE’s(yes top 5 picks) into what they should be, and the LB’s would have a much easier time as well.

We need a better o-line but if OCallaghan can be a starter…Im more than comfortable going for a guard in the mid rounds, or a LT in the second and move albert inside…

we just dont have a NT that can be dominant…Tank is a backup.

by SDChief on Oct 8, 2009 11:09 AM CDT reply actions

Wasn't Tank a 2nd round pick???

From what I have seen from Tank, he is outperforming Dorsey and T-Jax. I have to disagree with you on this. I think Tank is playing pretty damn well.

Do you have to be a top 10 pick to be a dominant NT???

by Chiefsfan1970 on Oct 8, 2009 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions

Tank was 3rd. Turk was 2nd.

About the Chiefs: I'd rather be a realist than a pessimist

by Red N Gold Beast on Oct 8, 2009 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks RNGB. I wasn't sure.

I still think Tank is playing pretty good ball. I don’t see us needing to draft a NT this year. As the play of Dorsey and T-Jax develops, the D-line should be REALLY good by this time next year.

I will take the O-line over another top 10 defensive player. If we do draft defense, it should be on one of these stud safeties I keep hearing about. Then, we can address the line with BOTH of our second round picks. If there is a stud OT available when we pick in the first round, I agree that we should take him and move Albert. I wouldn’t have said that a month ago but, he really hasn’t played that great. I may change my tune by end of season if his play improves.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Oct 8, 2009 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree

Tank has been a bright spot so far in out dreary little world. Since we drafted Tank, he’s been questionable. He’s not performed well, and through the off season, I was sure he was on the bubble. Apparently he responed. As my post below points out, he’s tied for 2nd in tackles in the league among DL.

I agree with drafting OL next year. I hope that KC plays it safe and drafts either a LB or OL in the first round. They have the highest success rate in the NFL, and we can’t afford to gamble on more WRs and DLs. If Tank pans out, we won’t have to worry about it though. We’ll see.

About the Chiefs: I'd rather be a realist than a pessimist

by Red N Gold Beast on Oct 8, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions

yessir

Tank is solid… 3 consecutive top 5 picks on the 3 man front would be overkill, IMO.

I prefer one of the Safeties… berry or mays
OR one of the big time LBs… spikes or ?

But, I’d be happy with a stud LT, and going for LB in the 2nd or 3rd.

NT? Well, if they feel that it needs to be addressed, FA or a later round draft pick would suffice

* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season

by stagdsp on Oct 8, 2009 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Sooo, Stag, are you saying we will be picking in the top 5 again this year???

by Chiefsfan1970 on Oct 8, 2009 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Tank:

Is currently tied for 2nd for tackles by D-Linemen in the entire NFL. He’s not playing like a back up.

About the Chiefs: I'd rather be a realist than a pessimist

by Red N Gold Beast on Oct 8, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Puzzled

Why was B.Albert so good last year & is having trouble this year?Anyone?

John Soellner

by chiefs63 on Oct 8, 2009 11:12 AM CDT reply actions

Maybe...

1. maybe it is the soph. Jinx
2. maybe we ran the spread and Thigpen ran for his life every play so we could not see him in a conventional offense.
3. maybe we did not play the best 3 pressure teams in the NFL the first 4 weeks.
4. maybe the new offensive line coach cannot communicate the new system an he is confused.

Bewsaf

by Bewsaf on Oct 8, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions

could it be...

the weightloss….maybe he’s still not comfy playing at a lighter weight. maybe playing at a lighter weight exposes the weak spots in his game. im guessing he relied on his weight too much last year instead of technique. the truth may be that he just doesnt have the ability to have that technique or has never developed it being that he switched positions just last year. as for me, i dont have a lot of hope in any lineman herm drafted.

by MountainManMike on Oct 8, 2009 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions

There's game tape on him now?

I don’t know for sure. That’s an excuse I heard from one of our local talk show geniuses. There’s no particular reason for it, I don’t think. Playing the BAL, PHI and NYG defenses was kind of rough though. The opposition has been strong.

About the Chiefs: I'd rather be a realist than a pessimist

by Red N Gold Beast on Oct 8, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm thinking it's the defenses faced

and somewhat the new offensive scheme…

I think the whole line is struggling with picking up protections, blitzes, etc.

They are thinking too much, and not in the right positions.

by stagdsp on Oct 8, 2009 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions

I still have no idea why

Goff and Rudy are still starting… I think we’ve seen enough of them to atleast try some other guys in there, I already know the outcome with them in the line-up. What’s the worse that can happen? I think we’ve been watching that all season.

2009-10 Predictions:
1. Chiefs will win ATLEAST 6 games, which is a big improvement over 6 wins in 2 seasons
2. Succop will bring stability to the K position for the first time in years
3. Chiefs D will atleast double the number of sacks form last season
4. Cassel will be a top 15 QB
5. Todd Haley won't make a poster and jump around holding it up welcoming the Chiefs players to summer camp, I mean TRAINING camp

by Chiefs_KC on Oct 8, 2009 11:47 AM CDT reply actions

Maybe...

1. They have focused on the RT position first and now will go to the next problem
2. Maybe as much as Rudy should be a guard and not a center…no one can beat him out. They did bring in some guy from the Bengals to challenge but it looks like that guy fell short. Maybe the only one that could beat out Rudy is Waters, and that would just be creating a hole at LG.
3. Maybe they think Goff is just missing the mental part of it and when things start to gel he will do better.
4. Maybe they are just dumbsh**s and just don’t see a problem.

Bewsaf

by Bewsaf on Oct 8, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions

Goff/Rudy

I think they like Goff’s leadership and Rudy’s smarts…

But sooner or later, they probably realize an upgrade is needed.

I’m still praying for the Ndukwe to RG move…
that would go a long way in my book.

Let Rudy finish out the year, and draft a C in the 2nd-4th round or so.

by stagdsp on Oct 8, 2009 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions

1) Albert has faced

some of the best pass rushers in the league so far. 2) That goofy ass offense that Gailey ran helped the O-line NO doubt about it. 3) Cassell is mobile but Thigpen is that personifed. So I think the jury is still deliberating him.

Goff is not as bad as some say! He’s serviceable like I said in the first O-Line thread of the day. Niswanger is the absolute weak link in this chain.

IF the Chiefs can shore up that Center position, this line could be much improved, but they still have to have guys ready to take over for Waters and Goff in the near future.I’ve been calling for the Waters move to Center since Peterson ran Wiegman off, and still think that’s a plan for next season if (Can’t recall his name and to lazy to look it up now) the guy drafted outta M0. can step in to that left Guard spot or one of the two guys the Chiefs got from Miami.

But “at the end of the day” the Chiefs will go into this draft with a talent deficit on both sides of the ball. That’s when I’ll expect to see Pioli live up to all the hype and add a bunch of good football players to this team .

by JohnNdallas on Oct 8, 2009 12:03 PM CDT reply actions

by Scaryclouds on Oct 8, 2009 1:02 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

You probably don't want to know...

regardless of our opponents, this line has sucked pretty bad. Center & RG need to be addressed. I am pretty happy with O’Call after one game. Hope fully, he can be a long term solution at RT.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Oct 8, 2009 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions