Gutcheck: Rising up for Chiefs’ critical contest
By Ryan Tracy
Aug 15, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Ben Grubbs (66) blocks for quarterback Alex Smith (11) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL football game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Addressing Immediate Need: the Line
The two biggest areas of concern look like night and day.
The Offense has been a work in progress since Andy Reid and Alex Smith arrived in Kansas City. It was expected to be any area that still needed to develop. Its no surprise.
The offensive line has to come together. Rookie Mitch Morse and veteran Ben Grubbs have been the core of this line since the second week of training camp. With instability at the other three line positions, they have been the anchors. Morse is more that solid at center. In fact, He is the Chiefs best offensive lineman. That may sound strange to hear because it is strange. He has given up just two QB hurries, zero sacks and zero QB hits. Grubbs has to rebound from a bad outing in Green Bay. He had been playing well the first two weeks of the season.
The tackles have been up and down. Fisher played well in his first action of the year and Stephenson has been above average outside the state of Wisconsin. Fisher is an upgrade to solidify the right tackle position. If he can play at an average level the rest of the season, the Chiefs can be in position to run this offense effectively.
The issue comes down to the right guard position. To say Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has struggled doesn’t cover it.
CPP – Clean Pocket %
– stat compiled by Ryan Tracy
LDT has played every offensive snap to this point of the season. He has given up three sacks and ten total pressures. No one has given up more. While Reid may be tempted to leave him in the starting lineup and allow him to progress, there is another option.
Jeff Allen is back practicing. His knee has progressed to the point where he can play. Allen must be given the shot to take over the right guard duties. The argument over whether he’s best there or at tackle is a waste of time right now. He can upgrade the right guard and give the line a chance to be solid in front of Alex Smith. Smith showed sign it he forth quarter in Green Bay. With less pass rush, the line held and Smith completed 12 passes for an average of 12.9 yards per completion as he led the comeback attempt.
Next: Can Next-Man-Up fix the Defense?