Sep 8, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) yells to the offensive line during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
One week from now we will be discussing actual football things as opposed to rehashing the same topics over and over again. How refreshing it will be to have something new to talk about.
In an effort to get us to training camp a little bit faster we have been discussing some of the questions surrounding each player group that need to be answered by the end of August. The offensive line is the final part of our series.
Kansas City lost two starting offensive linemen and a key backup to free agency in March, which means there will be some shuffling of roles on the offensive line. Eric Fisher will move from right tackle to his natural left tackle position, Donald Stephenson will handle the right side, and a competition will determine the starting right guard.
Depth will also be an issue to watch during camp. The sixth round of the draft may have produced the Chiefs starting right guard (Zach Fulton) and reserve swing tackle (Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff), but both are still unknown properties at this point. Jeff Linkenbach was brought in as depth but the Chiefs are in trouble if they have to count on him for an extended period of time. Rishaw Johnson will be in the mix for guard depth, too, and may end up being the starting right guard.
With so many unknowns, the Chiefs offensive line is inherently loaded with questions. Here are three that need to be solved before the start of the season.