Monk_Ironman
08-04-2005, 12:41 PM
Offensive front becomes a concern
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By ADAM TEICHER
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The Kansas City Star
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RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The source of Dick Vermeil’s greatest anxiety at training camp is, for the Chiefs, a most unusual one.
The offensive line suddenly is, if not in turmoil, facing some transition. Will Shields, the longtime foundation of the Chiefs’ line, hasn’t been on the practice field because of a bad back since camp started last week. The Chiefs have no solid information as to when he will return.
They will also have a new starter at right tackle, though Vermeil is more confident that situation will resolve itself favorably. The Chiefs are happy with Kevin Sampson, who will probably win the job over Jordan Black.
Still, there is uncertainty. That, combined with the Shields situation, is keeping the line at the top of Vermeil’s worry list.
“I always have a little concern about Will being ready to go and getting his stamina and getting ready to play,” Vermeil said. “When he lines up and plays against the Jets (in the Sept. 11 season-opener), you’ve got to be ready.
“It doesn’t matter how many training camps you’ve been to or how many Pro Bowls you’ve been to or how many years you’ve played. You’ve still got to be ready that day and we’ve got to get him ready.”
The Chiefs line has generally been considered the best in football. It was so dependable that Vermeil was able to spend his energies elsewhere. That the Chiefs have soared to offensive heights the last three seasons is due in large part to their line.
That includes last season, when the Chiefs fielded three Pro Bowl linemen in Shields, guard Brian Waters and tackle Willie Roaf. This year, Shields isn’t practicing and Roaf is working only half the time as a concession to his advancing age, leaving the Chiefs with two backups plus a right tackle they’re trying to break in.
At some point, the Chiefs will hit critical mass. That point would likely arrive if Shields, their right guard and a 10-time Pro Bowler, misses a significant part of the season.
“I am going to come back this year and do the best I can,” Shields said. “There is a lot of camp left. It is not like I am sitting around not doing anything. There is a lot of work I am doing. I am pretty sure I will be OK.”
If he sounded less than certain, he’s echoing the thoughts of the Chiefs. They plugged Chris Bober into Shields’ spot for most of camp so far, but John Welbourn and Brett Williams also had a chance.
The Chiefs signed Bober as a free agent last year because they liked his ability to play most of the line positions. That versatility prevented him from mastering any one spot.
“It’s difficult to be really good at a position when you don’t get a lot of practice time there,” Bober said. “Whatever position they put me at, if I get enough practice there I feel like I can go out and play well.”
The Chiefs are less stressed about right tackle because Sampson has handled himself well in camp. They are still diving into the unknown because Sampson is only in his second year and was drafted in the seventh round.
They are still eager to see Sampson and Black in the preseason opener a week from Friday at Minnesota.
“We’re pleased right now with the young kids we have out there,” Vermeil said. “But we haven’t scrimmaged anybody or played a preseason game.”
The Chiefs have made changes on their line before without losing offensive production. They added Roaf three years ago and started three different new right tackles last year.
That’s why it’s not much of an issue to quarterback Trent Green.
“A couple of guys have shuffled around a little bit,” Green said. “Willie Roaf wasn’t brought in until the second year. John Tait went from the left side to the right side. So there has been some shuffling going on, and it seems like they maintained a good, solid unit now for three solid years. Whoever is going to be the person at right tackle will have that tradition pretty much pounded in their heads.”
Sampson knows the tradition now. But he knew little about the Chiefs when he joined them. Sampson isn’t much of a football fan and confessed that he didn’t know who longtime Pro Bowlers Roaf and Shields were.
“I had to come here to find out who they are,” Sampson said. “But once I got here, I learned what kind of opportunity this was. Who better to learn from than the best offensive line in football? I can see how the best prepare, how they study, how they
http://www.kansascity.com/images/common/spacer.gif
By ADAM TEICHER
http://www.kansascity.com/images/common/spacer.gif
The Kansas City Star
http://www.kansascity.com/images/common/spacer.gif
RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The source of Dick Vermeil’s greatest anxiety at training camp is, for the Chiefs, a most unusual one.
The offensive line suddenly is, if not in turmoil, facing some transition. Will Shields, the longtime foundation of the Chiefs’ line, hasn’t been on the practice field because of a bad back since camp started last week. The Chiefs have no solid information as to when he will return.
They will also have a new starter at right tackle, though Vermeil is more confident that situation will resolve itself favorably. The Chiefs are happy with Kevin Sampson, who will probably win the job over Jordan Black.
Still, there is uncertainty. That, combined with the Shields situation, is keeping the line at the top of Vermeil’s worry list.
“I always have a little concern about Will being ready to go and getting his stamina and getting ready to play,” Vermeil said. “When he lines up and plays against the Jets (in the Sept. 11 season-opener), you’ve got to be ready.
“It doesn’t matter how many training camps you’ve been to or how many Pro Bowls you’ve been to or how many years you’ve played. You’ve still got to be ready that day and we’ve got to get him ready.”
The Chiefs line has generally been considered the best in football. It was so dependable that Vermeil was able to spend his energies elsewhere. That the Chiefs have soared to offensive heights the last three seasons is due in large part to their line.
That includes last season, when the Chiefs fielded three Pro Bowl linemen in Shields, guard Brian Waters and tackle Willie Roaf. This year, Shields isn’t practicing and Roaf is working only half the time as a concession to his advancing age, leaving the Chiefs with two backups plus a right tackle they’re trying to break in.
At some point, the Chiefs will hit critical mass. That point would likely arrive if Shields, their right guard and a 10-time Pro Bowler, misses a significant part of the season.
“I am going to come back this year and do the best I can,” Shields said. “There is a lot of camp left. It is not like I am sitting around not doing anything. There is a lot of work I am doing. I am pretty sure I will be OK.”
If he sounded less than certain, he’s echoing the thoughts of the Chiefs. They plugged Chris Bober into Shields’ spot for most of camp so far, but John Welbourn and Brett Williams also had a chance.
The Chiefs signed Bober as a free agent last year because they liked his ability to play most of the line positions. That versatility prevented him from mastering any one spot.
“It’s difficult to be really good at a position when you don’t get a lot of practice time there,” Bober said. “Whatever position they put me at, if I get enough practice there I feel like I can go out and play well.”
The Chiefs are less stressed about right tackle because Sampson has handled himself well in camp. They are still diving into the unknown because Sampson is only in his second year and was drafted in the seventh round.
They are still eager to see Sampson and Black in the preseason opener a week from Friday at Minnesota.
“We’re pleased right now with the young kids we have out there,” Vermeil said. “But we haven’t scrimmaged anybody or played a preseason game.”
The Chiefs have made changes on their line before without losing offensive production. They added Roaf three years ago and started three different new right tackles last year.
That’s why it’s not much of an issue to quarterback Trent Green.
“A couple of guys have shuffled around a little bit,” Green said. “Willie Roaf wasn’t brought in until the second year. John Tait went from the left side to the right side. So there has been some shuffling going on, and it seems like they maintained a good, solid unit now for three solid years. Whoever is going to be the person at right tackle will have that tradition pretty much pounded in their heads.”
Sampson knows the tradition now. But he knew little about the Chiefs when he joined them. Sampson isn’t much of a football fan and confessed that he didn’t know who longtime Pro Bowlers Roaf and Shields were.
“I had to come here to find out who they are,” Sampson said. “But once I got here, I learned what kind of opportunity this was. Who better to learn from than the best offensive line in football? I can see how the best prepare, how they study, how they