With the first pick of the 2013 NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select… Eric Fisher, offensive tackle from Central Michigan University.
I’m going to be as nice as possible, because we all need to give the coaching staff, and even Eric Fisher, the benefit of the doubt.
Eric Fisher has always played left tackle, but in his first year in the NFL, he was thrown on the right side. In an interview with Randy Covitz of The Kansas City Star in May 2013, 12-time Pro-Bowl lineman, and former Chief Will Shields commented on the move from left to right tackle.
"“Some people make it more complicated than it can be…It just depends on how good you are as an athlete. How are you going to work at it to make yourself work on both sides.”"
“Some people make it more complicated than it can be… It just depends on how good an athlete you are”- All-Pro Lineman Will Shields
"“In high school, I played left,” Shields continued. “Then, all through college, I played right. It depends on your mental makeup of ‘Hey, can I switch sides’ What are you going to do to win a job, that’s what it comes down to.”"
This comment, with the benefit of hindsight, is a scathing performance evaluation of his first year. But, let’s give general manager John Dorsey and head coach Andy Reid the benefit of the doubt.
Dorsey and Reid have turned the Chiefs into playoff contenders each of the last two years, winning more over their first two years than any other duo in Kansas City history. Let’s trust their judgement.
At the beginning of the 2014 season, Terez Paylor of The Kansas City Star interviewed Reid about the shoulder injury Fisher sustained at the end of his first season, and how it affected his offseason training and his performance in the preseason.
"“Anytime you’re coming off a significant injury, you’ve got to continue to battle through,” Reid said. “That’s what this preseason has been for him. He’s coming off shoulder surgery. You saw how he started the game — he started like gangbusters and then that arm gets tired and he has a tendency to not shoot it quite as fast as when he would when it’s fresh.”"
Reid played in the trenches on both sides of the ball at Brigham Young University, so he has a general understanding of what is needed at the position.
Reid seems to be happy with Fisher’s development, and has full confidence in the young lineman’s ability. Yet, in both of Fisher’s first two seasons, he graded out as one of the worse lineman in the NFL. Still, there are a couple credible and substantial supporters, namely, Dorsey and Reid, who believe he’s had a few legitimate excuses.
But when do the excuses end and the production begin?
"“I weighed in this morning at 314,” Fisher said, in an interview this offseason with Kansas City Chiefs reporter BJ Kissel. “Honestly, I cut like 20, 30 pounds of body fat. I’m feeling really good. I think I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in in my life, especially at that weight.”"
Fisher continued, discussing the difference between this offseason and last offseason.
"“Last year, not being able to work out and do the things I wanted to do for six months. It probably wasn’t the best weight I put on last year. I did get up there into the teens, but this year I’m feeling really good. My body is feeling good, mind is feeling good, and I am ready to go.”"
Alright, the first year he was out of his element, the second year, hindered by injury, but Fish, this is the last straw. This season, the Chiefs Kingdom is putting its collective foot down: flip and be productive for our team, or flop and let our team make the needed changes.
Sound off, Addicts!