Grant’s Slants: KC Chiefs-Browns prediction and o-line comparisons

The K.C. Chiefs set out to create a top-tier offensive line in 2021. While it may be a good line, it will never be any match for the Kansas City o-line of the early 2000s.

You’ve heard it 400-500 times by now: K.C. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach is at it again.

The offensive line is brand new and polished for the ’21 season after Veach overhauled a group that struggled last season to try to turn it in to a strength. Orlando Brown was acquired in a pre-draft trade with the Baltimore Ravens. Joe Thuney was signed to a big sum of money during free agency. The Chiefs drafted Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith to take over starting roles. Lucas Niang, who Chase Young described as the best blocker he faced in college, is taking over the right tackle spot after opting out of 2020.

Needless to say, the Chiefs will improve from an injury-ravaged and backup-caliber offensive line from a season ago. In fact, when the season is all said and done, it may be regarded as one of the best in the NFL. Even if that becomes reality, this offensive line pales in comparison to the line that Dick Vermeil and the Kansas City Chiefs built circa 2003. The offensive line was constructed in this way:

• Left tackle: Willie Roaf (Hall of Fame)
• Left guard: Brian Waters (2 time All-Pro)
• Center: Casey Wiegmann
• Right guard: Will Shields (Hall of Fame)
• Right tackle: John Tait

At first glance it is easy to notice that there were two Hall of Fame players on that line. Will Shields and Willie Roaf as a tandem was tough enough. When you consider how good John Tait’s short career was and how durable and effective Wiegmann was at the center position, you quickly realize that this offensive line was a legitimate force. Jason Dunn was an excellent blocking tight end to boot.

The eye test would confirm this fact. Personally, I can remember feeling like quarterback Trent Green could stand in the pocket, make himself a sandwich, eat it, and then throw the ball. Often times, Green’s jersey would look cleaner to end the game than to start. Additionally, running back Priest Holmes could run through holes that you could drive a dump truck through.

Statistically, the Chiefs offense was electric in 2003. While offenses have evolved to favor the passing game, the Chiefs were exceptionally dominant in both facets of the offense. Green was armed with a receiving corp that featured Tony Gonzalez, Johnnie Morton, and Eddie Kennison. The ground game featured a heavy dose of Priest Holmes and Tony Richardson. Bear in mind that this group of players is not as talented as what some teams in the NFL has now, but the offensive line (and Dunn) made the offense what it was.

The Chiefs offensive unit was the best, statistically, in the NFL. The unit went for a league-high 5910 yards. Trent Green and the passing offense accounted for 4,039 passing yards, which was second in the league. Priest Holmes averaged 4.4 yards per carry, went for 1,420 yards, and 27(!) touchdowns on the ground. If not for how putrid the Chiefs defense was, (30th in rush defense and 20th in pass defense), the Chiefs may have had a shot at a deep playoff run.

Green, Kennison, and Holmes are historic Chiefs players to whom many fans have attached sentimental value. With the exception of Gonzalez, who is a Hall of Famer, the skill position players that Kansas City had were average (or slightly above average). What made the year 2003 so special was the Chiefs’ monstrosity of an offensive line. I would argue that this is one of the greatest combinations of offensive linemen in the history of the NFL, even if it did not last long.

This year’s offensive line will not be as good as this group, but it may be the closest thing that Kansas City has had since 2003. That is certainly worth celebrating.