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What's The Future Of The Kansas City Chiefs Right Tackle?

Right tackle.

There are lots of opinions in Kansas City on that position.

The Chiefs currently have Barry Richardson and Ryan O'Callaghan at the position. Richardson was a sixth round pick in 2008 and O'Callaghan was signed off the street last year (and became a starter). O'Callaghan was expected to become the starter in 2010 before an injury knocked him out of the lineup seeing him replaced by Richardson, who never gave the position up.

Pro Football Weekly characterizes the Chiefs right tackle situation as a "mess" in 2010. For me (who is most definitely not a scout), it's hard for me to describe the Chiefs right tackle situation because both players -- O'Callaghan and Richardson -- overachieved at some point in the last two years.

There is an argument to upgrade the position, though. Richardson had his moments in 2010 where he looked like, well, a sixth round pick. I'm also a firm believer that, when in doubt, upgrading the offensive line is always a good move, especially with an offense predicated on running the ball and avoiding mistakes (like sacks). 

Both players are without a contract for 2011 and it remains to be seen (depending on the new labor deal) if either or both will be back in 2011.

Throw right tackle into the group of positions we'll be hearing about more and more as the NFL draft gets closer. As it is every year, we'll see the Chiefs connected to multiple offensive linemen heading into April.

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