Chiefs potpourri: Three things I’m thinking

Parker Ehinger and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif are the keys to offensive line success

If I asked you which two offensive line positions present the most uncertainty, I’m confident you’d cite the guard spots with little hesitation. With an improved Eric Fisher at left tackle, an ascending Mitch Morse in the middle and arguably the best right tackle in football on the opposite end, the only remaining question marks are wedged between them. Rookie Parker Ehinger’s been a mainstay at the left guard spot throughout phase four of the offseason program. French import Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has asserted himself as the front runner on the right side of the line.

The success of this group depends largely upon how quickly Ehinger can acclimate himself to the next level and how much LDT has evolved since his rookie season. On the surface, they’re polar opposites. Ehinger’s strengths are in pass protection. He has the ability to mirror a defender and enough athleticism to recover if a man gets a step on him. The former Bearcat also has good balance and a decent punch. Duvernay-Tardif’s a lunger that often loses his feet and can get washed in pass pro very quickly if he’s not properly set. His strength, at the moment, is in leading the way in the run game. If one or both of them can just play serviceable football in 2016, the Chiefs’ passing offense could take a big step forward.

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