SHhhh...Listen...Is that the Sky Falling?
by Bewsaf on Apr 26, 2010 1:20 PM CDT
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This Kansas City Fan went out to his deck at 5:30 CT Thursday, turned his head, and cupped his ear with his hand. Listening. Wondering. Anticipating a slow dull roar of of what might be the end of the world.
SHhh...Listen...Is that the sky falling? I thought to myself.
On day one of the NFL draft Scott Pioli and company selected Eric Berry as their number #1pick in the 2010 NFL draft: a great player to be sure. The moment they did I had mathematicians and astrologers working feverishly around the clock to calculate and prognosticate the probability that the sky was now falling because the Chiefs did not strengthen their forward line of troops.
Oh the inhumanity of it all...Aaaahhhhhhh! (goes running into the night)
But it did not fall.
The reality is that the Chiefs did a good job with what they had. Yea, they didn't get Okung but lets be realistic. You can't strengthen every hole on a three-peat defeat-ed team.
So I won't be a chicken little.
What I WILL do, however, is be realistic. The Chiefs cannot just set by and let this offensive line dissolve like it did a few years ago. The current condition of the Kansas City Chiefs is adequate. That is it.
Kansas City fans should not settle for slight improvements just because this franchise has been floundering for years. One year bandages are not good enough. Fans should expect championship moves and championship offensive lines. It is not realistic to expect the line to be playoff quality in one year. But fans of the trenches should demand to see the resurgence of the KC line of old.
Casey Wiegmann, whom I love as a player, is only a one year bandage at best. Brian Waters has two, maybe three, good years left. was an adequate, not great, but adequate right tackle left guard in 2009. All those indicators point toward a future problem on the offensive line unless plans are made and young players are developed.
| Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Line 2010 |
||||
| B. Albert |
B. Waters |
C. Wiegmann |
B. Lilja |
R. O'Callaghan |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The above might or might not be the lineup on opening day, 2010. If it is then Scott Pioli did a decent job, not great, but a decent job at building a line that can make the Chiefs successful in 2010. But what about the future?
The future of the Kansas City Chiefs is now in the hands of players like Jon Asamoah and Colin Brown
| Jon Asamoah |
|
|
| *Very athletic* *Nice feet* *Good use of hands* *Quick* *Leader* |
Jon Asamoah was the third round pick that is projected to play either guard or center. He has good quickness, a nice motor, just stout enough to hold off those big NT he will be facing in the NFL, and will fit well in an NFL zone scheme. (Just what the doctor ordered)
It is not clear which position the Chiefs envision Asamoah playing. What is for certain is that Pioli picked up the second best guard (or center) in the 2010 NFL draft in the third round. That is great value and a great pick.
| Colin Bronwn |
|
|
The jury is still out on Colin Brown. Are the Chiefs going to be able to bring Colin along to the point that he could be a starter 2 years from now? Only time will tell. But if he does not develop then the Chiefs are back where they ended up 3 years ago...looking at players getting old and no young talent to take their place.
What about Rudy Niswanger?
| Rudy Niswanger |
 |
I don't want to leave out Rudy because I think he made a lot of improvement by the end of the season last year. Niswanger has value because he can play both center and guard, is athletic enough to play in a zone scheme, and has a little stoutness to him.
Whatever is in the cards for Niswanger, starter or backup, he will be a part of the future health of the Kansas City offensive line.
But is all this enough?
Do we need more competition at right tackle? If Asamoah is a center then will Colin Brown be able to step in for Waters when he retires?
There is still work to be done.
Past Bewsaf Posts:
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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Brian Waters played RT in 2009?
I thought he played Left Guard, either way I like our OLine now. It is adequate but you are right we still need more work. Hopefully Brown is ready to play and Asamoah gets time at Center this year behind Weigmann
Are we the team to beat in 2010? I sure think so! Go Chiefs.
Thanks for the correction....
fixed.
I am having some doubts about Colin. But then again, I didn’t see him do anything last year.
Bewsaf
Pioli stashed him
on IR so nobody stole him from the practice squad.
Your right
not much to compare him to. Im just hoping that he will step it up and be ready for when Waters moves on or retires. I think the core of our Oline is leaps and bounds ahead of where it was this time last year.
Are we the team to beat in 2010? I sure think so! Go Chiefs.
My Prediction
LT – Albert, ??? (I’m a little worried about this, Richardson?)
LG – Lilja, Niswanger
C – Waters, Niswanger
RG – Asomoah (this guy is NFL ready, he needs to get on the field), Nudukwe
RT – O’Callaghan, C Brown
Call me Red or IBR for short
I dont see Waters at Center
Weigmann will get the nod unless Asamoah can beat him out in camp. Waters will stay LG, and will start grooming Brown who is going to eventually replace him.
Are we the team to beat in 2010? I sure think so! Go Chiefs.
In my opinion
Waters is the best center on this team right now. We got to get our three best interior lineman on the field right now. (Waters, Lilja, Asomoah)
Call me Red or IBR for short
by I_Bleed_Red. on Apr 26, 2010 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Weigmann went to the pro bowl last year in a ZBS
I think he would be our best center. Waters hasnt played the position in over 5 years. I say leave him at LG and let Weigmann hold down the Center position.
Are we the team to beat in 2010? I sure think so! Go Chiefs.
That's definetly a possiblity
And the RG position was a nightmare last season b/c of Goff and no suitable depth behind him. But unlike the RG position last year, we have Rudy and now Asomoah that can play Center if Casey does fall off the proverbial cliff
by Fourstrike89 on Apr 26, 2010 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions
We do
have some good versatility this year, with Niswanger and Asamoah both being able to play guard and center.
That’s why, at this point, I see Niswanger over Ndukwe.
Bewsaf
Niswanger is way over Ndukwe
Niswanger will be this years version of Wade Smith, not as good as Wade Smith but he can fill in for us if need be.
Are we the team to beat in 2010? I sure think so! Go Chiefs.
i doubt he will
Weigmann is going to play with everything he has this year to give KC his last hurrah. He wanted to be a Chief again bigtime and I hope he plays with all his heart and soul.
Are we the team to beat in 2010? I sure think so! Go Chiefs.
I have no doubt he will give his all
but i assume Goff also gave his all last year to prove to his former team that he still had it.
by Fourstrike89 on Apr 26, 2010 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions
I think Goff was playing injured
And the whole not standing up on the field goal thing, uhh yeah, dont expect that out of Weigmann.
Are we the team to beat in 2010? I sure think so! Go Chiefs.
I'm sure he was injured.
Hence the falling off of a cliff in his performance. You get old, you get injured. There is absolutley no reason to think the exact same think could not happen to Casey
by Fourstrike89 on Apr 26, 2010 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't see Waters going to center now either
If there is a lineup other than the one I put in the post then my guess would be…
LT – Albert
LG – Waters
C – Asamoah
RG – Lilja
RT – O’Callaghan
Bewsaf
Bews, very well done post, and I agree completely, as usual ... BewsAid is good stuff, helps one see things more clearly
I think the lineup you have there is about it … Asa or Weigmann at Center … Brown and Asa can both learn a lot from Waters and Weigmann and Lilja … I think the line is adequate (for now) with the knowledge they do have Asa, Brown and (in theory) more guys NEXT year
still not thrilled about lack of NT but so it goes, Secondary should be vastly improved (duh) and a certainly more speed in PR/KR and whatever McC lines up as (scatback? slot rec?) … a little help for both sides of the ball (front line, and LB, at this point looking like the most glaring needs that remain)
with the better coaching (esp Crennel) and a full year of nonsense long gone, everyone should be on the same page from the get-go, the guys that were here last year should a handle on it schemewise on offense, I’m thinking 8-8 is reasonable and very attainable this year, and I don’t think a lot of us would complain TOO much about that … more tweaking next year and we could be looking at playoffs in 2011 … which wouldn’t be a bad deal at all
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
Whitlock Rocks!
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
I think the lineup you have there is about it … Asa or Weigmann at Center … Brown and Asa can both learn a lot from Waters and Weigmann and Lilja … I think the line is adequate (for now) with the knowledge they do have Asa, Brown and (in theory) more guys NEXT year
It might be the case that Weigmann starts the season and then Asamoah gets his feet wet and plays more toward the end.
There are a lot of experienced lineman that can tutor the younger guys (if we can get the right younger guys.)
Bewsaf
not to mention
didnt we sign 3 UDFA Lineman as well? Seems like camp this year is going to be interesting. Hopefully we will keep a few of them on the practice squad.
Are we the team to beat in 2010? I sure think so! Go Chiefs.
still not thrilled about lack of NT but so it goes, Secondary should be vastly improved (duh) and a certainly more speed in PR/KR and whatever McC lines up as (scatback? slot rec?) … a little help for both sides of the ball (front line, and LB, at this point looking like the most glaring needs that remain)
I agree with the NT statement. Wondering if Pioli has something up his sleeve or if we are putting it on our list for next year.
Secondary is getting closer. We will see if they can bump and run a little more so we can get more blitz packages going.
Still need those LB upgrades.
Bewsaf
still not thrilled about lack of NT but so it goes, Secondary should be vastly improved (duh) and a certainly more speed in PR/KR and whatever McC lines up as (scatback? slot rec?) … a little help for both sides of the ball (front line, and LB, at this point looking like the most glaring needs that remain)
I wanted to quote this above…oops
Bewsaf
my guess on NT ... and entire defensive unit ... at this point is ...
see who he can find UDFA or released FA (Henderson?) and deal with what they have in house … Smith can’t be any WORSE than what he dealt with last year, and even a marginal upgrade will help SOME … I’d imagine a LOT of blitzing from Berry and others in the Secondary … more stunts and last-second changes at the line or behind it
most likely also see more 4-3 packages … or 2-4-5 nickels on occasion, a lot of the latter, blitz secondary on a lot of obvious passing downs, but mix it up as to who and from where
major personnel changes are done at this point, though a lot of settling in and depth charting still to come, obviously … I agree Asamoah and perhaps even Brown should be seeing some playing time by last half of season, but I’m pretty comfortable (for now) with the guys we have and the depth on the line (with the understanding that it has to be a continual process year after year, on both sides of the ball, as I’m sure it will be)
wouldn’t be at all shocked to see DL and LB addressed next year’s draft, Pioli manages to do the unexpected just when you least expect it
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
Whitlock Rocks!
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Damn you, Upamtn
I was going to say the same thing, but as usual you beat me to the punch. If i remember right everyone we picked on the defensive side of the ball, are all good tacklers. Like you i’m expecting lots of blitzing from the DB and S positions.
why move Waters to RG when he and Albert are used to playing side by side?
moreover, Waters is used to playing LG with Weigmann at Center … I think (just IMNSHO) slide Lilja in at RG … but I could be wrong
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
Whitlock Rocks!
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Well the only reason i say that is because Lilja was playing LG
Either way doesn’t matter to me but Waters did start out at RG when Will Shields was playing here. I just think it would be a mistake if we put Waters at Center.
by CPT.Caveman on Apr 26, 2010 11:18 PM CDT up reply actions
not a chance of that ... that's where Weigmann plays
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
Whitlock Rocks!
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
B. Lilja?
Never heard of em’
D.J. #56 - Pay The Man & Play The Man
by KansasCityShuffle on Apr 26, 2010 1:40 PM CDT reply actions
I imagine Niswanger was as raw as a rook
as Colin Brown was. A few year’s in this system he might be starter material at RT, but unlike Niswanger he may never receive the playing time necessary in order to develop.
On a side note, what became of Barry Richardson?
D.J. #56 - Pay The Man & Play The Man
by KansasCityShuffle on Apr 26, 2010 1:42 PM CDT reply actions
He is still backing up O'Callaghan
We will see how much he progresses this year. This is a BIG year for Barry.
Bewsaf
Asomoah...
will play backup gaurd this year while being groomed to take over for Wiegmann next year. The dude will be our center for the next 10 years but won’t be ready until the 2011 season.
I can see that happening
If that is the case then Niswanger moves to guard and has to beat out Nduckwe
Bewsaf
Big BA, W's in the middle, and Ryans on the right
For this year, we’ll start with Fat Albert, Waters, Weigmann, Lilja and O’Callaghan, and that’s far better than what we started with last year. Big BA, W’s, and then Ryans on the right.
You can’t fix a 4-12 team with so many holes in just one offseason. This year we plugged center with a one or two year guy, added another starter who is under 30, and drafted one of the two best guards in the draft, while also filling a bunch of other holes in the team.
Next offseason, we’ll need to add another player or two to the OL, but we’re making good progress.
by Offense of the 70s on Apr 26, 2010 1:54 PM CDT reply actions
This has probably been asked and answered multiple times,
but was Colin Brown’s “injury” ever disclosed? If so, what was it, and has he healed? If not, is it normal for a player to go on IR and never have specifics disclosed?
it was some type of knee injury/operation ... officially
I don’t recall the specific statement, though I believe it was given … certainly as that much … sometime around Sept-ish if I remember right
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
Whitlock Rocks!
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
I don't see them going after Faneca
Waters and Lilja are there now. One could say pick up Faneca and move waters to center…but then you have Weigmann.
In other words, don’t see it happening.
Bewsaf
Any news on Colin Brown?
Has anyone heard anything on COlin Brown? Last I heard they had thought about moving him to guard but he seems to big for the CHiefs zone blocking scheme and we picked up Lilja and Asamoah. It would be greated if he panned out but the lack of any news is disquieting. ANything on him?
Brown is a RG
hes a right side oriented guy who played RT in school and projects as a RG and maybe RT in the NFL. I would therefore presume he will be lijla’s backup for now.
2010 line
Albert Waters Weigman Lilja Ocallaghan
Rich. Asamoah Nisw. Brown Ndukwe
line of the future
Albert lilja Asamoah Nis. Ocallaghan
By the way, i feel that Ndukwe is a better RT than Ocallaghan
Hi Sil
The one place I differ is on Ndukwe. I don’t think he is better than O’callaghan. He sure didn’t grade out better when he had the chance last year.
It will be interesting to see if Niswanger gets some time as guard. If so, then I can see Asamoah backing up at guard and center and Niswanger doing the same.
Bewsaf
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