Chiefs Offensive Line Starters Share Common Traits

by John Unrein

The candidates vying for the five starting positions along the 2018 Chiefs offensive line share some common traits. Dr. Laurent Duvarney -Tardif, Parker Ehinger, Cameron Erving, Eric Fisher, Mitch Morse, Mitchell Schwartz, and Bryan Witzmann were all college offensive tackles at one time.

Fisher made 28 of his 34 career starts at left tackle for Central Michigan before anchoring that spot for the Chiefs since he was the first overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Ehinger, who will be competing in training camp for the starting left guard position, was a right tackle and right guard at Cincinnati before transitioning to left tackle as a senior.

Witzmann will be joining the competition for the starting left guard position after holding down that spot most of last season. He started at tackle all 49 games of his college career for South Dakota State.

Morse started 39 games for Mizzou. He shared time at center and right tackle before moving to left tackle as a senior in Columbia. He’s scheduled to return from a foot injury he sustained last year sometime during training camp. His challenger at center may be Erving, who started games at left tackle and center both during his time as a

Seminole at Florida State.

Dr. Tardif (yes, that’s awesome to say) started 26 games at offensive tackle for McGill University in Canada after opening his collegiate career as a defensive tackle. Schwartz was a model of consistency for the University of California starting all 51 games possible at left tackle or right tackle for the Golden Bears. That has transitioned into the pros where he’s started all 96 games in which he’s played for the Browns and Chiefs in the NFL, an impressive streak to say the least.

It’s obvious that former General Manager John Dorsey and current Head Coach Andy Reid valued talent that played and started a multitude of games at offensive tackle along the offensive line. The toughness and competitive experience that comes from starting games is an asset to carry as a pro. Why accumulate multiple players with experience at offensive tackle when there are three other positions along the offensive line? Wouldn’t the Chiefs have been better suited to draft players with experience at guard and center? That question may be answered by looking at the staples of the Chiefs offense. They are a zone running scheme team. They make hay or yards by executing inside and outside zone. This along with Kareem Hunt’s

special talent is why he went on to lead the NFL in rushing during 2017.

To be an effective zone running team you must possess offensive lineman with athleticism. Tackle is where teams stash offensive lineman with the most athletic prowess. You must be able to climb to the second level off a double team or reach, rip, and run to successfully execute an inside zone or outside zone block respectively. All the players competing for starting spots along the offensive line possess these attributes.

The Chiefs also attempted 543 passes last year with a competition percentage of 66.9%. This was well above their opponent’s completion percentage of 57% per ESPN. That high of a successful ability to complete passes is twofold. One was Alex Smith’s ability to scan a defense, make the correct read, and get rid of the football quickly. The other was the Chiefs ability to protect and keep their quarterback upright.

Where do teams typically line up their best pass protectors? Offensive tackle. Players who are tall, possess punch in their hands, and have feet that look like sewing machines when stopping a defender’s pass rush are the prototype for success.

It also doesn’t hurt to have long

arms, be strong, and possess the size to make it be a cab ride around you to get the quarterback.

Once again, the players challenging for starting spots along the Chiefs offensive line fit this mold. Each one is 6’ 5’’ to 6’ 7’’ inches in height, weighs over 300 pounds, and boast impressive pre-draft measurables in bench press and agility testing. Not a bad group for offensive line coach Andy Heck and his assistant Corey Matthaei to work with collectively.

The traits the Chiefs look for in offensive lineman will be put to the test this season. This group will be wearing a bullseye. They will be fighting for the success of rookie quarterback Patrick Mahomes in a league that enjoys terrorizing young signal callers.

Compounding the matter is defending Kareem Hunt’s rushing title as well as having the notoriety of being back to back AFC West Champions. The Broncos will boast a pass rush consisting of Von Miller and rookie Bradley Chubb. The Raiders have Khalil Mack. The Chargers round out the division with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. None of this is an assignment for the faint of heart. The Chiefs will have their work cut out for them up front this year.