Chiefs Counting On Offensive Line To Improve In 2016 | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

Chiefs Counting On Offensive Line To Improve In 2016

The off-season signing of Mitchell Schwartz will bolster a struggling line.

13
Chiefs Counting On Offensive Line To Improve In 2016
rotoback.com

According to Pro Football Focus, the 2015 Kansas City Chiefs offensive line ranked No. 22 among all 32 teams in the National Football League.

They finished a dismal 30th in pass-blocking and a mediocre 14th and 18th in run-blocking and penalties, respectively. What's the explanation for this?

Right tackle Jah Reid may have been the biggest to blame for the struggle when quarterback Alex Smith dropped back to pass. Bleacher Report ranked Reid No. 32 out of 35 right tackles at the conclusion of the 2015 season. They had this to say about the lineman from Central Florida:

"Where Reid does impress is in his ability to post up and take away inside moves after he counters an outside move. Still, in 760 snaps last season (playoffs included), Reid allowed 23 hurries and five sacks and consistently struggled against outside pass rushers (3-4 outside linebackers or wide defensive ends) who forced him to work off his spot."

The AFC West has no shortage of defensive lineman and linebacker cores that can make any offensive line fearful. The Chiefs really struggled on the offensive line, failing to provide any substantial consistency for Smith to work from.

So what did general manager John Dorsey decide to do? Well, he went out and signed one of the league's perennial right tackles in Mitchell Schwartz.

Schwartz, who spent his first four NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns, signed with the Chiefs on March 3 and is guaranteed $15 million over five years. The 37th overall pick in the 2012 draft, Shwartz has not missed a single snap in his career and has started all 64 games while in the NFL.

The signing of Schwartz shored up one of the biggest question marks for Kansas City heading into this year and provides stability on the offensive line, particularly in pass-blocking. Schwartz acknowledged after his signing that his skill set will be a pleasant addition to the depth chart this season. "Yeah, well, I guess I didn't know the extent of (their struggles)," he said. "I mean, obviously they were looking for an upgrade or I wouldn't be here."

Chiefs second-year center Mitch Morse is a key building block for the Chiefs, also. Coming off a rookie season in which he started 15 games, Morse will likely carry the load at the center position in 2016.

A three-year starter at the left tackle position, Eric Fisher will have to take his play to the next level for the Chiefs to make a major improvement on the line. Fisher has the talent and capability to do it. The tackle positions are vital to the success of Alex Smith, who struggles to handle pressure.

Great offensive line play is imperative in the NFL now, as a great offense is needed to make a run at the Super Bowl. And since Kansas City hasn't won a championship since 1969, premier play will be expected all around to get this team to the promise land once again.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

13472
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

2602
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1595
black marker on notebook

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments