Chiefs Offensive Line Thoughts

My breakdown on the offensive line from last season...what I think of them now...and how they will translate to the new system.  Thanks for reading.

Branden Albert

With Albert it's a catch-22...as great as he is as a pass blocker...he's limited as a run blocker.  Albert is an athlete that happens to play Left Tackle...and it translates to one hell of a pass protector.  You would be hard pressed to find a LT with the range that Albert has.

The issue has always been his versatility as a run blocker, namely his power in the running game.  In terms of setting an edge for the outside run it's mediocre along with his ability to reach and sustain blocks.  Albert has a tendency to get washed as a run blocker when action is to his side...doesn't get beat but rarely establishes base...his block is typically moving down line of scrimmage.

With Albert the Chiefs are getting a truly premier pass blocker, while getting a mediocre run blocker.  With Andy Reid in the fold that is something to consider...while I believe a Jake Long/Luke Joeckel may be better overall...I don't see either being better in space.  The dilemma w/ Albert will be scheme...and although I see Albert as the inferior run blocker...I can still envision him being a better fit for Reid.

Eric Winston

From a purely physical standpoint there is little difference between Winston and former Chief Barry Richardson...both are limited in that department.  Neither were overwhelmingly powerful nor athletic enough to match the speed of opposing defensive ends.  What separates Winston from some of the  RT's at the bottom of NFL is his technique.

Winston is great at using his hands to engage...keeps hands engaged...and use his footwork to keep between man and ball.  Unlike Albert who has the range to execute several different blocks...Winston is limited in space.  Also unlike Albert who has issues sealing the edge...Winston has no problem at that.  Part of what makes Winston a good player is how clean his edges are in the run game.

Another contrast with Branden Albert is Winston's skill set translating to Reid's system...of all the O-lineman I believe Winston will have the most difficult adjustment.  Under Daboll's system Winston was afforded help...with Reid and his use of WR's that will create more situations where Winston will be isolated in space.

Jon Asomoah

It's not saying a lot, but after Jamaal Charles I see Asomoah being are 2nd best player on offense.  Last season the Chiefs featured Asomoah as a primary lead blocker on many running plays.  Asomoah is the lone player that can block for power in-line and still execute at a very high level on blocks in space.

Last season I would find myself watching Asomoah and just remember being in awe of his ability.  That doesn't happen often...that an interior lineman gives me pause.  Wether climbing to the 2nd level...pulling to lead on a run outside of the hashes...driving a defender off the ball...Asomoah can do it all.

Reid is fortunate to have him and I see him playing a big role in Andy Reid's system because of his ability to make blocks in space.  I can see Asomoah being a vital cog in the screen game as well as the horizontal running game.  Asomoah is a player that can play in any system at an equally effective level...can't say that for any other Chiefs lineman.  He will continue to excel under Reid.

Ryan Lilja

I thought Ryan Lilja turned in his best performance as a Chief this past year...but still there is a lot left to be desired.  Lilja on the inside is similar to what Winston is to the outside.  Physically Lilja is limited, but somewhat makes up for his physical limitations with good hands, decent leverage, and great footwork.

Lilja's main issue has always been power...his ability to sustain blocks is solid...but even when engaged loses ground and can't drive a block.  In terms of range...even at guard...rarely got asked to leave the LOS.  In 2011 while exclusively at guard...most of the double teams were on his block (indicating that team recognized power deficiency).

If he does return he gives the Chiefs a serviceable option...but an upgradeable one at either the C/G spots.  In Reid's syster (or any system) he offers no real advantage...not athletic enough to play in space, not strong enough at the LOS.

Rodney Hudson

At this point I view Hudson as a disappointment.  In limited time he hasn't shown that he is a better alternative than Wiegman, Lilja, or even Darryl Harris (in his brief stint at C in 2011)...I could argue he has been a worse alternative.  The door isn't closed on Hudson, and he can be better than all of them...but I can't see it being significantly better at C position.

Hudson is not physical, nor is he really athletic...but he has displayed great use of hands.  The issue with Hudson is sustaining blocks...he can engage defensive lineman, but they don't stay engaged.  At this point he hasn't displayed the average to below-average strength shown by the aforementioned Centers that have manned the spot over the past few years.

The key with Hudson will be the offseason and becoming stronger at the point of attack.  The technique is solid and it's NFL ready...rivals the technique of veterans Lilja/Wiegeman.  In Reid's system Hudson will be able to get away with some of his issues...but he can't get around not getting stronger at the point of attack.

Donald Stephenson

The talk that will surround Stephenson will be Russell Wilson for a long time...but the silver lining...Stephenson is a solid player in his own right.  In the absence of Albert the Chiefs didn't miss much...which speaks to Stephenson's athletic ability.  In many ways he is similar to Albert...a great athlete playing LT...moreso than a traditional LT.

Albert is a premier pass blocker and Stephenson isn't there...but Stephenson is more explosive out of his stance than Albert in the run game.  While Albert sustained blocks better...Stephenson did flash good range in space similar to Albert.  Wilson was a steal...but in Stephenson...Chiefs got a good athlete at a very critical position.

Stephenson will be a better fit with Reid than he was under Daboll.  The things that I talked about with Albert rings true with Stephenson.  Stephenson has ample range to execute a lot of blocks in space.  Save the Dwight Freeney game...Stephenson has shown that he can be isolated v. the speed rush.  Given Reid's preference to use more pass catchers...lineman that can operate in space will be critical.

Jeff Allen

I wasn't very high on Jeff Allen during the draft, but he proved to be valuable towards the end of the year when the injuries piled up.  What surprised me with Allen was his range as a blocker.  He showed the ability to be isolated at times in space at LT...and also showed decent range in space.

The issue with Allen was he got beat terribly against the bull rush in some games...and also missed his fair share of blocking assignments.  It was too early for Allen to be thrust into the line-up where he displayed questionable leverage.  But he looked much better when moved outside and matched up vs. speed...adequate in that regard.

Allen shares a theme with many of the Chiefs offensive lineman...lacks power at LOS...much better in space.  Daboll called for a lot of power in his scheme...Reid will depend more on range.  This should benefit Allen moving forward...but similar to Hudson...must increase power and improve leverage at LOS.

Overview

My criticism for several years is the Chiefs inability to address power on the offensive line.  As a whole it's a good pass blocking unit...and good run blocking unit in space outside the tackle.  Part of the problem with Chiefs inability to score...is out inability to drive block at the LOS. Currently Asomoah is the only consistent player we have in that department.

The positive is collectively Reid's system is a better compliment to the skills of the offensive line than Daboll's was.  Reid's system will put the lineman in space and won't require as many blocks that are reliant on power...rather technique and athleticism.  But a critical issue is still interior power...ability to covert 3rd and short also in the red zone.

As great as Jamaal is...we still have issues with situational football because of the limited skill sets collectively on the line...namely lack of power on the offensive line.  Much of these issues should be masked in Reid's system, but if not fixed will still be an achilles heal for the team.