Just wondering about the OL.

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(05-31-2022, 07:49 PM)pally Wrote: The Chiefs had 5 new starters last season and had a top 5 line according to PFF

At least I scrolled to read other posts before firing this off...

Beat me to it, Pally.

FWIW, I will add that Pollack has coached La'el Collins before, and was his first offensive line coach in the NFL.  Dave Lapham has a great podcast on "In the Trenches" where he interviews Collins and asks about his relationship with Pollack.  Collins mentions him being his first real mentor as a line coach and how much he helped him understand not only his assignment, but everyone's assignment, which helps them play as a more cohesive unit.

I know that we all puckered a bit when Cappa had his "core deal", but I have been assured he will be fine by the time training camp rolls around.  So, think about this:  In the past, we would be so excited about the one FA addition the team made on the line to help fix the problem.  A year ago, it was The Great Barrier Reiff".  We thought the line would be awesome since now we had solid bookends.  That signing might have been what truly opened the door for drafting Chase.  

One guy.  Reiff.  We were SO EXCITED.

This year?  They signed a solid PFF ranked Center that can also grade out in the high 70s as a LG.  Position versatility.  Proven winner.  A veteran that represents a significant upgrade over Hopkins (to be fair, he was one tough SOB coming off his injury that quickly).   That's one.  

They signed a veteran RG that left Tom Brady and the Bucs to play with Joe Burrow and the Bengals.  A guy that played 1182 snaps at RG and allowed 32 pressures all season on a team that loves to air it out.  Oh, and he had ONE penalty.   That's two.

We got a guy rated better than Reiff and borderline ELITE at run blocking.  La'el Collins, the new RT.  For good measure, he is an LSU alum, which can never be a bad thing to have even more bayou Bengals on the squad. 

That's three massive upgrades.  In the past, we would be talking about what a difference the one guy could make, like Reiff a year ago.  Now our biggest concern is whether Carman can show the maturity and consistency to earn the LG spot.  If he doesn't, there are no less than three guys fighting to take it from him.  Nothing will be handed to him this season, although to be fair, it was XSF injury that forced him in to action early.

For comparison sake, look at the defensive line in 2020.  They added Reader and we were all excited.  He was injured and the line was awful.  In 2021, they added Hendrickson and Ogunjobi to that line and with a healthy Reader, they proved to be very good in 2021.  

I can see the offensive line taking a similar leap in 2022.  Given that Burrow was the PFF highest rated passer in the NFL in 2021, that should scare the ever loving crap out of the league.