Chiefs offensive line shaping up?
By Ben Almquist
Aug 28, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints guard Ben Grubbs (66) prepares to block Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan (97) during the first quarter of their game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
It has been one of the top questions all offseason: ‘What will happen with the right side of the Kansas City Chiefs offensive line?’ While the answer really isn’t any clearer at this point, there has been a recent development that may hint as to where the Chiefs are headed with that question.
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For the last several practices, the Chiefs have gone with a new look from center to right tackle that may indicate just who the team plans on starting this year. Mitch Morse has replaced Eric Kush at center, Zach Fulton has filled in at right guard for Jeff Allen, who in turn has moved outside to replace Donald Stephenson. Each of these moves is important as there is plenty to read from each of them.
Reid says the OL combo of Fish, Grubbs, Morse, Fulton and Allen seems to be working right now.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) August 10, 2015
Mitch Morse – The second-round pick has been getting time with the second team throughout the offseason, but is now cracking the starting group. This is good news for the Chiefs as it indicates they might be getting some early returns from a high draft pick for the first time since…wow, this would actually be the first time for this regime.
Zach Fulton’s improvement is one of the most important factors in the Chiefs offensive line for 2015. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Zach Fulton – There might not have been any position more unsure than right guard. Fulton is the incumbent entering his second year in the NFL. And while he did flash some promise last year, it was clear that he still had a ways to go. The Chiefs have rotated almost every lineman on the roster through this spot, and until recently it appeared Jeff Allen would take over starting duties. But if Fulton has done enough to win his job back against that much competition, then there may be something to work with there.
Jeff Allen – At the beginning of the offseason, Jeff Allen appeared set to return to his position at left guard and give the Chiefs a much needed upgrade over Mike McGlynn. However, the Chiefs had other plans and instead traded for Ben Grubbs to fill that spot. This left Allen in a sort of limbo as he would now have to compete for a job at another spot on the line. Allen started training camp as the first team right guard, but has now moved to right tackle. I, for one, actually feel a lot better about Allen at right tackle than right guard because he has much more experience there and the Chiefs had a similar idea about putting him there last season.
Next: What does this mean for the rest of the OL?