The Kansas City Chiefs offensive line has been perhaps the biggest disappointment this season. From the running game to the passing game much of the blame is being heaped on the guys up front. For most of us, an offensive line upgrade usually includes the center, right guard and right tackle, in varying order of important.
Chiefs C Rudy Niswanger is one of the tougher players on the team but he has repeatedly been referred to by pundits as a player who could potentially be upgraded via the draft or free agency.
It almost wasn't like that though. Last year, veteran center Justin Hartwig entered free agency and narrowed his list down to two teams: Chiefs and Steelers.
"When I hit the free agent market," Hartwig told 610 Sports today, "it pretty much came down to the Chiefs and the Steelers. The Steelers persuaded me to come to Pittsburgh."
Hartwig is a KU grad so he had local connections.
"It would have been nice to be in my backyard in Kansas City but, obviously, things really worked out for me last year," he said.
Hartwig played all 16 games last season for the Steelers Super Bowl season. Prior to that, he had been on four consecutive losing teams.
He also said he's hoping the Steelers run the ball more against the Chiefs. The Pittsburgh offense has gone 82 rushing attempts, dating back to week six, without a rushing touchdown.
That's currently the longest streak in the NFL....now that the Chiefs finally scored a rushing touchdown last week.