Three Questions: Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Line

Sep 19, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Donald Stephenson (79) during the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 26-16. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

How much improvement can we expect from Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson?

Both Allen and Stephenson spent time working with former offensive lineman LaCharles Bentley over the offseason, which should perk Chiefs fans attention. Bentley is known for helping linemen maximize their potential by getting them into healthier bodies, breaking down film, and teaching them technique. His program was enough to get Geoff Schwartz, who was unwanted in March of 2013 and signed a contract to be a backup in Kansas City, to be one of the premier offensive line free agents in March. Schwartz went from a one-year, $700,000 deal to making $4 million per season with the Giants. That’s a nice pay jump.

What will working with Bentley mean for Allen and Stephenson?

The two hold crucial roles for the Chiefs. Allen has been something of a flood gate against powerful defensive linemen. Running up the middle has been very difficult for the Chiefs the last few seasons because Kansas City really hasn’t been very stout up the middle between Allen, Rodney Hudson, and Jon Asamoah. With a new starter at right guard and Hudson in his contract year, Allen is going to have to take his game up a notch to help solidify the interior of the offensive line. Especially with Fisher making the jump to the blind side.

Stephenson moves into the starting role made vacant by Fisher’s switch. When he was drafted he was considered to be a guy who could end up developing in to a solid starting lineman, but potential and production are two very different things. Kansas City needs as much stability as they can get from the offensive line. If both of their edges become freeways to Smith then there is no chance of offensive improvement.