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Do The Kansas City Chiefs Have A Problem At Guard?

By Lyle Graversen

Nov 1, 2015; London, United Kingdom; Kansas City Chiefs offensive linemen Jah Reid (75), Laurent Duvemay-Tardif (76) and center Mitch Morse (61) defend against Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) during game 14 of the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; London, United Kingdom; Kansas City Chiefs offensive linemen Jah Reid (75), Laurent Duvemay-Tardif (76) and center Mitch Morse (61) defend against Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) during game 14 of the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans nose tackle Vince Wilfork (75) battles Kansas City Chiefs tackle Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (76) during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans nose tackle Vince Wilfork (75) battles Kansas City Chiefs tackle Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (76) during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Guard Contender #2: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif or LDT, is also entering his third NFL season. Unlike Fulton, LDT did not play his rookie season. The Canadian medical student essentially redshirted his rookie year while trying to adapt to the massive jump in competition from Canadian college ball to the NFL. In his second NFL season LDT overtook the previously mentioned Fulton for the starting right guard spot. I wouldn’t describe LDT’s first season as a starter as a huge success, but he did at least show some upside.

LDT is listed at 6-foot-5 and 321 pounds. He has shown an intriguing mixture of strength and athleticism, especially for a man his size. I’m guessing it’s that upside that has the Chiefs willing to give him starting snaps because his execution has left a little to be desired. Last season I felt that LDT was still struggling with proper technique and the speed of the NFL game. Now, that’s understandable given where he was coming from. Canada isn’t exactly known for churning out NFL caliber players so the fact that he was starting in the NFL just two years removed from playing at McGill University in Montreal is impressive. However, you can’t use that excuse forever. Eventually LDT will need to show he can pick up the NFL game enough to validate starting or the Chiefs will need to look elsewhere.

While LDT’s game film will certainly show his fair share of mistakes it also shows some promise. When he gets his hands on defenders and uses proper technique he has the strength to win at the NFL level. You can find plays where he stops bull rushers in their tracks and drives defenders out of the way on running plays. LDT is also much more natural on the move than Fulton is. His feet don’t seem so heavy and he looks much more comfortable leading the way for a running back at the second level or pulling around the end on an outside run.

My hope is that in his third season LDT can begin to clean up some of his mistakes and put his physical tools to better use. If he can, he has the highest ceiling of any guard on KC’s roster. That is probably why he was running with the starters in OTAs at right guard. Let’s cross our fingers and hope that his play warrants him staying there all season.

Next up let’s take a look at Jah Reid.

Next: Jah Reid

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