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Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Rams: Game Notes

By Lyle Graversen

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 20: The Kansas City Chiefs arrive at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on August 20, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 20: The Kansas City Chiefs arrive at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on August 20, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /
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Jul 30, 2016; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Charcandrick West (35) runs the ball as offensive guard Parker Ehinger (79) blocks during Kansas City Chiefs training camp presented by Mosaic Life Care at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 30, 2016; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Charcandrick West (35) runs the ball as offensive guard Parker Ehinger (79) blocks during Kansas City Chiefs training camp presented by Mosaic Life Care at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

*The offensive line had issues on Saturday. While there were some bad moments by several linemen including Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and Eric Fisher, the clear winner of the “worst performance of the night” award went to rookie guard Parker Ehinger. Now before I go off on Ehinger’s game let me make two things very clear. One, I understand that LA’s defensive line is arguably the best in the NFL and they will make most rookies look bad. Two, I don’t dislike or blame Ehinger.

I think the Chiefs are putting him in a bad spot by just handing him the starting job this year. Ehinger seems like a hard worker with some promising technique and movement skills for a rookie. If it was just inexperience holding him back then fine, let him learn on the job. There is a bigger issue though (in my opinion) and that is that Ehinger lacks the functional strength needed to start in the NFL right now.

He is simply too easily overpowered and driven right into the backfield. A player that both gets blown past by moves he hasn’t seen before and gets pushed around that easily simply shouldn’t be in the starting line up. I think KC needs to strongly consider moving Jah Reid to the starting guard spot and finding a veteran swing tackle after rosters are cut down.

If the Chiefs were in rebuilding mode maybe you live with a young guy struggling that bad but this team is built to win NOW and Ehinger looks like he needs a year in the weight room and another offseason before he can be a part of that.

Next: Smith the Gunslinger?

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