Four Thoughts Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp: Day Five

Jul 26, 2014; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) signs autographs after practice during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

4. No News Is Good News On Eric Fisher And The Offensive Line

Not a lot of talk is coming out of camp about the offensive line through one week, and that’s a good thing.

Some have tweeted some positive things about Zach Fulton (performing well, showing versatility as a backup center), Jeff Allen (bigger and stronger), and there was one stray tweet about Fisher holding up well against a stunt from Tamba Hali. It is not a lot to go on, but it is far better than the alternative of tweet after tweet of pass rushers getting to the quarterback or runs being halted in the backfield.

We really will not know where the Chiefs offensive line stands until we’ve seen some preseason games where the opposing defense is doing everything in their power to get to the quarterback. The last thing the Chiefs need is to lose a quarterback or a key player because of an overzealous pass rush so evaluating the offensive line as a unit is somewhat difficult.

Then there is the issue of injuries. Eric Fisher hasn’t been participating in one-on-one drills in camp as the Chiefs are trying to get him back in shape and healthy. Plus Eric Kush and Donald Stephenson have missed time due to minor (we are told) injuries.

The narrative says the Chiefs are losing three starters from a year ago and panic is necessary. But by the same logic that allows for the “losing three starters” argument the Chiefs are returning four starters from last season’s offensive line. Kansas City received 49 starts between Eric Fisher, Jeff Allen, Rodney Hudson, and Donald Stephenson. Stephenson started the same number of games as Geoff Schwartz, and Schwartz received most of his starts after the benching of Jon Asamoah.

Certainly there are reasons to be concerned about depth, if Zach Fulton or Rishaw Johnson can hold down right guard, and if Eric Fisher can transition well to the left side. All of these are valid questions. But it must be noted that the starting offensive lines that hung 56 points on Oakland and 45 points on Washington featured Fisher, Allen, Hudson, and Stephenson. This group has started together in regular season games before and have had success.

Just something to keep in mind, anyway.