It's no secret that Eric Fisher, the Kansas City Chiefs No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, has struggled in his short time in the NFL. That was to be expected considering the leap he's making from the MAC to the NFL. But, still, watching him get beat multiple times on Friday night against the San Francisco 49ers (evidence here) was concerning to Chiefs fans.
So should they be concerned? 810 WHB asked Chiefs GM John Dorsey what his analysis of Eric Fisher is to this point.
"I'm very happy with Eric," Dorsey said. "I think he is demonstrated everything that we thought he would be.
"He is very smart, he is physically gifted in terms of his explosive power movement. He technically has to learn angles. He hasn't played on the right side in three or four years so he's getting used to that transition there.
"Then he's been slowed with nicky-nacky -- they're not nicky-nacky -- but he's got some hand and finger issues that are preventing him from clamping down and stopping some of these physical bull rushes.
"I will say over time people will be very pleased with him. Right now everybody wants to make an instant judgment but it takes a little time here. This is the National Football League."
About those injuries...
I know Chiefs want to see more mental toughness from No. 1 overall pick Eric Fisher in performing despite minor hand, shoulder injuries
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) August 22, 2013
That is not a feeling that anyone inside the Chiefs has shared publicly. I have wondered about it though.
As noted, Fisher obviously struggled on Friday night. He was also obviously hurt given that he had his hand wrapped during the game and the fact that he missed the first practice after the game with a shoulder injury. When given the chance to dismiss Fisher's struggles as an injury thing, Andy Reid didn't bite. He just pointed out that he's a rookie and it takes time. Maybe that's just how Reid operates -- no excuses and all that -- but I did find that interesting. I can't speak to what Werder is reporting here but now I'll pay attention to that angle more.
I'm of the mind that it's very early to be judging Fisher. Sure, we'll point out where he has struggled but I'm not ready to make any complete judgments on him yet. Give me until about Week 8.