Offensive Line Review: Kirk Chambers

by Ron From NM on Mar 15, 2009 8:00 AM EDT in Events Comment 57 comments

With the jettisoning of Derrick Dockery prior to the start of free agency, the Buffalo Bills opened a gaping hole (Dock was a big dude) at left guard. My theory is that the Bills will swing Brad Butler over to left guard, meaning the open hole will shift to right guard. Quite a few people have wondered if the Bills will plug Kirk Chambers into this position, never mind that he's been the swing reserve tackle. Perhaps taking a look at his numbers for the season (mostly at tackle but a little at right guard as well) will help with the discussion. Chambers saw action in ten games, with significant playing time in four - Seattle, first Patriots (at right guard), Denver and the second Patriots game. He also filled in at guard during the Chiefs game.

So as not to hog up front page space, all of the nerdy numbers are after the jump.

Passing Downs
On passing downs, Chambers had 2 good pass plays, 128 decent ones, 11 bad ones and 6 killed plays which grades out as a respectable 73.8% overall. He gave up one sack in the Seattle game, one (at right guard) in the first Patriots tilt and one in the second Miami contest for a total of three. He was assisted (by a TE or RB) on three pass plays. That's not bad at all for a guy coming in off the bench, so his re-signing was a good move by the folks at One Bills Drive.

Because the talk revolving around Chambers involves plugging him in at guard, it's not a bad idea to separate his numbers based on his play at guard in order to compare them to his play at tackle. Chambers had no good pass plays at guard, 30 decent ones, 2 bad ones and 1 killed play (a sack) for a grade of 73.8%, right at his overall score. He had 2 good pass plays at tackle, 98 decent ones, 9 bad ones and 5 killed plays for a score of 73.8%, again right at his overall level. Bear in mind that my grading system makes it virtually impossible to do better than 75% on passing downs over the long haul.

In terms of pass protection, Chambers did as well at guard as he did at tackle, which is to say he did a good job at both.

Running Downs
On running downs, Chambers had 13 good plays, 99 decent ones, 5 bad ones and zero killed plays (did I mention he was a good re-sign?) for a grade of 76.4%. The zero killed plays is amazing, even though he was only on the field for 117 total rushes.

Again, let's take a look at how Chambers did at guard versus tackle. He was in for 23 total rushing plays at guard. He had 4 good run plays, 19 decent ones, no bad ones and no killed plays for a grade of 78.5%. All of his good run plays, by the way, came against the vaunted Patriots' defensive line. In Foxboro. At tackle, Chambers had 9 good run plays, 80 decent ones, 5 bad ones and no killed plays for a grade of 75.9%.

In terms of run blocking, Chambers did better at guard than he did at tackle. However, we are looking at a very small sample (23 snaps), so that doesn't mean that he should be moved to guard. It does suggest, however, that such a move is feasible and worthy of serious consideration.

Think of him as the anti-Duke Preston. Instead of merely taking up space on the pine, Chambers is capable of starting in this league. No, he's not terrific but he's a solid, dependable guy who isn't going to allow himself to be embarrassed on the field. Chambers keeps his head in the game and sticks with his assignment. I wouldn't feel bad about putting him in at guard, though Demetrius Bell had better be as adept as Chambers when it comes to filling the swing tackle role.

Just for comparison, here are the overall numbers for the linemen I've completed so far.

Running Plays Passing Plays

NAME Good Decent Bad Killed Grade Good Decent Bad Killed Sacks Grade

Peters 95 171 31 4 79.0% 10 404 21 14 9* 74.5%

Preston 24 148 97 19 69.6% 3 344 26 9 3 73.7%

Chambers 13 99 5 0 76.4% 2 128 11 6 3 73.8%

*The NFL officially charged Peters with 11.5 sacks. If a QB could have gotten rid of it (i.e. had an open receiver and time to get the ball out of his hand and/or 4+ seconds) before being sacked and wasn't absolutely blindsided (a la J.P. Losman in the second Jets game), I charge the sack to the QB. Still, 9 sacks is a lot to give up. It's no surprise that most of Peters' killed plays were sacks, given that he plays left tackle and Trent Edwards is a right handed QB.

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So how important are those very few plays that seem to make a difference between guys like peters/chambers et al? Clearly just a few plays can often define a game…Great post to make me feel hopeful, but I’m still not so sure they shouldn’t be working harder to get Peters back in the happy fold.

by Slimmons on Mar 15, 2009 9:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why is it a give in that Butler moves to RG?

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on Mar 15, 2009 9:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

I confess I’m not really sure of the schemal differences between the LG and the RG.
Ron, does it help to have a larger player on the blind “side” guard?

by Dyl on Mar 15, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

For the past 3-4 seasons Buffalo has paired up their ‘best’ guard with Peters. They were hoping Dock would be that guy—and certainly paid him that way—so he was the left guard. With him off the roster I can easily see the team move Butler from right guard to left as he’s likley to be the best available option.

The team could choose to leave him at right instead of moving him as Butler has been the guard most likely to pull in order to lead a running play. A lot will depend on who Buffalo gets for that other guard position. Chambers can pull but we’d have to see a lot more of it before it was clear whether he was better/as good/worse at it than Butler.

by Ron From NM on Mar 15, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It also isn’t just the Bills who play their best guard on the left side. Hutchinson, Faneca, Mankins, Steinbech, etc …. All play the left guard spot.

I don’t think size matters as much as talent does. Like you point out the left side is the blind side and while Trent should be able to still see or feel what is coming if someone beats the LG, it’s still a factor. The biggest factor is a simple one. With Jason Peters being your best run blocker and with other teams regularly lining up smaller, quicker DEs who are better pass rushers than run stoppers across from Peters, you are going to run left more often than you are going to run right. So you maximize your talent at guard by playing the better one on the left side.

by kaisertown on Mar 15, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Kaiser and Ron

I get the logic, and I really like Butler, but I guess we’ll see and I’ll keep my eyes on it. Perhaps Walker is a better teacher as well, considering the personality differences between he and Peters. Walker seems more accessible, and Peters not so much

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on Mar 15, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Once again thank you Ron

I love that you track this stuff!

One thing to bear in mind is that Chambers has those numbers without the benefit of all the practice time. Imagine when he becomes a guard and only practices that position, I would expect a slight improvement in those numbers.

I expect OBD to go after 1-2 linemen in this upcoming draft, which would be perfect, it would give us many options going into this season.

Pettigrew, Peters, Butler, Hangartner, Mack, Walker
or
Pettigrew, Peters, Butler, Hangartner, Unger, Walker
or
Pettigrew, Peters, Butler, Hangartner, Chambers, Walker

Either way you slice it, the line looks good for 2009. If the FO do not get an offer worth a top 5 pick for Peters, then I hope they resign him. If they can get an offer that bundles a bunch of picks that amount to 1500-1800 then I hope they pull the trigger. With guys like Oher & Britton available in the teens and the possibility that Andre Smith fall to 11, it would be well worth it to trade Peters and I don’t think that our line would suffer that much knowing that Chambers is a solid “stop-gap”. So I agree with you that based on these numbers, re-signing Chambers was a great move!

Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!

by keysh67 on Mar 15, 2009 10:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd much rather keep Peters

and what makes you think that Pettigrew is a lock to be drafted by us? Unless we trade downm it’s not going to happen.

That being said, I like your third option the best out of all the 3, Chambers would make a good RG IMO

by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 15, 2009 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Unless we trade downm it’s not going to happen.

Never say never, friend.

Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more

by Brian Galliford on Mar 15, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thats what scares me

by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 15, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We could do far worse than Pettigrew at 11

Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!

by keysh67 on Mar 15, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes but we can do a lot better as well

by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 15, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trading down is a perfectly legitimate option. Teams do it all that time to their benefit. It’s a normal part of the draft system. The advantage to the Bills in doing it this year would be that they would gain an extra second round pick, and they have three vital positions to fill (assuming they sign Cato June or some other OLB in FA) — namely, TE, G, and DE. Since all of the best DE’s for a 4-3 defense will be available in the second round, trading down would seem like a very smart strategy.

by Macktruck on Mar 15, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

Ayers or Barwin would be great 2nd round pickups for us

Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!

by keysh67 on Mar 15, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or Paul Kruger or Jarron Gilbert or possibly Sidbey. There should be a lot of good choices available

by Macktruck on Mar 15, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or we could do what we THINK is better

Half the guys chosen above our slot in the draft will be busts. While the draft is happening, all the guys taken befor our slot will most likely get the nod of approval from the talking heads and everyone else. Great Pick! Only over the next few years will it all get sorted out.. As far as Pettigrew, he very well could be a solid pick at #11, just for the fact that he has a higher probability of sticking on a roster and perhaps doing well. Especially defensive ends have a tendency to either turn out great, or bust drastically. Also, I would imagine that a “speed” defensive ends’ career arc follows a path similar to the RBs. Very hard to live up to the hype. TE’s on the contrary take a lot less of a beating, are usually used for blocking for the most part so they get time to find their fit in the passing game. The more Pettigrew gets mentioned, the more I actually like the pick. They should try to trade down, yes, but if it doesn’t happen they should probably take him at 11 anyway. They won’t get any flak from anywhere on it, everyone has us taking him there anyway. Immediately he would improve our running game, and probably by the second half will start improving our red zone offense. Imagine if Hardy is coming around by then too? We’ll line up the all smurf Bills no longer.

As an aside, does anyone else think there is a dearth of sure-fire studs in this draft class? I’m not saying there isn’t any, just it seems after the say top 10, the rest of the first round is what’s usually 2nd round talent. Maybe that totally justifies Pettigrew at 11. We can hem and haw about trading down, but in most drafts, especially this one, there might not be a proper partner because the teams can keep their pick and get their guy, just for 20-25th pick money, not 11th.

by syrbillsfan on Mar 16, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, this could very well be a Donte Whitner signing.

by Dyl on Mar 15, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We are SO much better off with a Brown/Maybin in the first and a Cook/Coffman type in the second than if we took Pettigrew in the first and DE/LB in the second. The gap between Pettigrew and the next 4-5 tight ends is not that great. We need a difference maker on defense with our #1 pick. I will be SO disgusted if Pettigrew is chosen at 11.

by CBATL32 on Mar 15, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How can you be sure? Are you Brown/Maybin's ACL?

by syrbillsfan on Mar 16, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think Peters is signing with us.

I’m sure everyone has heard that the two sides are millions of dollars apart. We are most likely getting a late 1st round pick for him. What a shame.

by TrentEdwardsHoF2018 on Mar 15, 2009 10:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Really? How many teams who are negotiating with players who are already under contract are close right now? The Bills are far apart because it is early in the negotiations and not because they are unwilling to get a deal done. That fanpost here should harldy have been considered news. If the two sides are still that far apart in a month, then I will start to think a trade is an actual possibility. I think it is much more likely that Buffalo keeps him than they do trade him.

by kaisertown on Mar 15, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have a question...

Who is tabulating these stats? How do we know for sure that Jason Peters is responsible for 14 bad pass plays?

by TrentEdwardsHoF2018 on Mar 15, 2009 10:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The author of the article is tabulating the stats. He tapes every game and assigns a grade for every play. That’s how we know for sure Peters is responsible for 14 bad pass plays.

Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more

by Brian Galliford on Mar 15, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ris is a genious when it comes to stats

Since I joined the Rumblings, thee isn’t a single statistical question that Ron hasn’t been able to answer. Seriously, I honestly think he could do this proffessionaly.

by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 15, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't mess with the best my friend!

We are like at BR to have such a dedicated rumbler who does it consistently throughout the season.

Your ability to control the LOS is directly linked to your ability to win football games!
FEED the BEAST!

by keysh67 on Mar 15, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He needs to contact WGR...

They would have him on for a 10 – 15 minute segment once a week.

by TrentEdwardsHoF2018 on Mar 15, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nobody wants to listen to me drone about line stats for 10-15 minutes. Ever. Let alone once a week.

by Ron From NM on Mar 15, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

I’d listen to that segment.

You don’t give yourself enough credit. you really don’t

by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 15, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wrong. Dead wrong.

Sports has been built on stats. The folks over at WGR keep commenting on how “bad” a year Jason Peters had and how it was a sham that he made it to the pro bowl. Someone like you calling up and giving a stat line on Peters is very interesting. Of course you would have to spice it up by mixing in your opinion but you would be great on that show.

by TrentEdwardsHoF2018 on Mar 15, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutly!

Give it a try Ron, what do you have to lose?

by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 15, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sports is built on exciting stats

Touchdowns, yards after contact, sacks, cheerleader measurements, INTs….

by Ron From NM on Mar 15, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

cheerleasder measurement

love that stat

by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 15, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There’s a weekly analysis column we’re severely lacking….

John Madden told me 90% of the game was half-mental...

by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Mar 15, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The depth of analysis Ron provides would make the sportscasters heads explode. The media isn’t about depth anymore…it’s about 10 second sound bites and soap opera drama.

"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban

by NJBill on Mar 15, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

CBF is right Ron, I would listen in happily to hear you break down game tape on the line

regardless of the time, you do a fine fine fine job, and I don’t understand why someone hasn’t contacted you about it from the Bills or other source.

If the Bills were a drug, I could only hope they were like speed so I could lose some weight as well.

by WABillsfan on Mar 15, 2009 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Peters' bad pass plays (he had 21, of which 14 were killed)

#1. Jags: pass#17 Peters allowed a sack/strip/turnover
#2. Raiders: pass#2 Peters didn’t stick with his block, leading to a sack

Raiders: pass#10 Peters gave virtually no effort which led to pressure and a ball thrown away
Raiders: pass#15 Peters was beaten like a drum by #58 for a sack/strip/turnover
Raiders: pass#21 Peters pushed his LB upfield but let him circle around and deck QB after pass was away
Raiders: pass#24 Peters was steamrolled by a LB which almost resulted in a sack
Rams: pass#3 Peters needed help with DE from Lynch, still almost led to disruption of pass
Rams: pass#10 Peters was beaten cleanly for a sack
Cardinals: pass#17 #53 blew right past him for a -12 yard sack
1st Miami: pass#1 tried to cut LB and missed which sent Lynch all the way across the field on his swing pass
1st Miami: pass#34 Porter abused him for a sack/strip/turnover/safety
1st Miami: pass#40 Peters didn’t stay engaged with DE who made tackle on screen play limiting gain to 1 yard
Browns: pass#9 Peters was driven to the QB by 95 almost disrupting throw
Browns: pass#13 Peters and Dock allowed #97 to elevate and deflect pass when they could have dumped him on his butt (on the back end the pass wasn’t going to be completed and there was a good chance it could have been an INT—it was still a bad play for Peters (and Dock) because they had no way of knowing it was going to be a poor decision by the QB)
Browns: pass#21 Peters’ illegal hands to the face penalty voided a first down via defensive holding penalty
Chiefs: pass#17 Peters’ illegal hands to the face negated a 13 yard gain by Royal for a first down
49ers: pass#21 Peters was beaten by #54 who hit QB as ball was released leading to INC
2nd Miami: pass#19 #56 beat him cleanly for a -14 yard sack which took Buffalo out of FG range
2nd Miami: pass#37 Porter beat him for the sack/fumble/turnover (The QB was sacked on pass#36 as well but that wasn’t charged to a lineman as he had 6 seconds to throw)
2nd Jets: pass#21 97 got to QB after 4 seconds (sack and fumble were on QB since he had 4 seconds to get rid of it)
2nd Jets: pass#35 The infamous whiff on the Jets’ DB for the sack/fumble/turnover/TD at the end of the game

by Ron From NM on Mar 15, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure what happened to my numbering there....

You can see that where #3 should be #1 starts over again….2 +19=21

by Ron From NM on Mar 15, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

See Ron

It’s for increadible analysis like this that you could work radio or something.

by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 15, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you call up and just read that list then you will bore people to tears...

The fact is though, that you do more research than anyone, baring Paul Hamilton, on a station like WGR. People who listen to that station would love hearing from a guy who actually has the facts to back up his statements. You should honestly look into it.

I am not kidding when I say this. There are a handful of people who I respect when it comes to Buffalo sports commentary. They are as follows…

Vic Carucci
Paul Hamilton
Sully (He doesn’t know that much about sports but enough to be worthwhile)
Ron from NM (I’m not sure if you are the only poster here who does research. If you are not then there are a handful of people here who I respect)

THATS IT. Everyone else I believe I know just as much as them and their opinions are not worthwhile.

by TrentEdwardsHoF2018 on Mar 15, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Quite a few Rumblers do research

They’re just not quite so nerdy sounding about it.

by Ron From NM on Mar 15, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see your point.

Assemble a small but nimble army of intelligent Rumbler posters. Cross the Rubicon river. Take WGR by force. Most of them will flee. The few that stay to fight will easily be slain.

by TrentEdwardsHoF2018 on Mar 15, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ron, what about leverage?

Is it me or are most successful guards in tye NFL in the 6’3" range. My concern is that with Butler at 6’7", Hangartner at 6’5" and Chambers at 6’8" that opposing DTs and NTs will be able to slip under their shoulders and gain leverage easily.

Still think our starting LG is a FA signess or 2nd round draft pick

by freddyjj on Mar 15, 2009 10:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That's a valid point

Anybody remember Mike Rockwood? 6’10"?

by Dyl on Mar 15, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You could be right about the starting guard being a trade (not FA since there really isn’t anyone just sitting around worth signing for that guard slot) or a draft pick. As to effectiveness, Butler’s numbers speak for themselves. I guess I know which guy I’m posting next…

by Ron From NM on Mar 15, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would say that your average guard is a little taller than 6’4’’ or maybe even about 6’5’’. And I bet there isn’t much of a correlation between height and success. You have players like Eric Steinbach (6’6’’), Leonard Davis (6’6’’), Alan Faneca (6’5’’) and Steve Hutchinson (6’5’’) are some of the best guards in the league. There are only a handful of great 6’3’’ guards like Chris Snee, Davin Joseph and Ben Grubbs, but there are obviously a lot of players around that height in the league. I’m not sure there are more than 1 or 2 starters at guard who are actually shorter than 6’3’’.

While it is an advantage to be shorter in order to get good leverage, that advantage will be totally taken away if you have considerably shorter arms than a 6’5’’ or 6’6’’ DT. Having longer arms helps you get that first punch and helps you get better positioning and a firmer, stronger grip on your opponent. So guards can really excel at any height if they know how to use their strengths to their advantage.

by kaisertown on Mar 15, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great Post Ron

As always, you ability with statistics amazes me.

I think Chambers would do great at RG if he’d dedicate all of his practice time to that one position. I mean if you look at his numbers he was good to really good at 3 different positions last season, imagine what he could do if all his efforts were solely concentrated on one spot.

I say we draft a c/g in the 4th or 5th round and developpe him. Our O-Line should look like this: Peters-Butler-Hangartner-Chambers-Walker. Once again giving us the largest O-Line in the NFL, not a bad thing to have.

by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 15, 2009 11:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ron from NM

Do you do any radio talk shows? You would be such an asset to a station like WGR. Honestly, why don’t you contact someone?

by TrentEdwardsHoF2018 on Mar 15, 2009 12:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Right now the O-Line

is not as good as it was last year. I know Dockery did not play well, but he beat out the people we plan to replace him with. The FO needs to solidify the O-Line soon, hopefully before the draft. If we go into next season without Peters and a solid repacement, by that I mean someone better than we let go, I doubt Edwards makes it past game 4.

by gjv on Mar 15, 2009 12:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dock

I haven’t run his numbers yet but I don’t think Dock did anywhere near as poorly as people have made out. I suspect it was just a matter of money. Dock was paid to be a Steve Hutchinson-esque elite guard who routinely destroyed defensive linemen. He just didn’t live up to that billing. We’ll see how he grades out. I’m doing all of the linemen who saw significant playing time, even guys like Fowler and Dock. I think Butler will be next.

by Ron From NM on Mar 15, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ron from NM

Is it possible for you to get similar stats on Hangartner? Would be interesting how he would rate in comparison with the others you have mentioned.

by Billsfanstuckinthesouth on Mar 15, 2009 12:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd love to have the Panthers' games for just that reason...

The only way I could do his numbers is to get every Carolina game. I’d love to do it just because I really don’t know what to expect from the guy. Is he another Dock? A Fowler? Or maybe a Hutchinson? I’ll get data in the Bills’ preseason games but until then he’s a virtual unknown to me….which is why I’m really hoping for an interior offensive lineman in the draft. Buffalo doesn’t have a great history of free agent guards/centers…

by Ron From NM on Mar 15, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So...

Ron, not sure if you see much FBS-how stupid is that acronym-I mean college ball you get to see, but in your opinion which LT do you think is the BEST? Monroe? Jason Smith? Oher?

While you’re at it, what about the guards? Is Herman Johnson too big to play G?

Thanks and keep up the EXCELLENT work!

by BBFan4Ever on Mar 15, 2009 4:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t watch anywhere near enough college football to have an informed opinion about college players. Even if I did I’d be leery about making too many judgements about players in those games. After all, who cares if a center routinely destroys the nose tackle for St Ed’s School Of Elfin Magic? There’s just too much variation in the quality of the players from team to team.

by Ron From NM on Mar 15, 2009 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder

if the Bills would be better served having Chambers serve as a capable backup, sort of the sixth man, first one off the bench type role — or starting him in order to field the best starting line. I guess it depends on what our backup linemen end up being like. I would be concerned if Demetrius Bell was our best backup lineman.

I realize the basketball analogy doesn’t quite work because subs are not made anywhere near that quickly. It’s not subs that I’m concerned about, however. It’s injury. If we suffer an injury somewhere along the line, I’d rather not reshuffle players. We tend to think that most O-linemen can play well as utility men and it’s not true.

by Dyl on Mar 15, 2009 5:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Very true. And Buffalo has had a tendency to move guys due to absence/injury. Walker is a bad fit on the left side but he’s spent a little time there anyway.

by Ron From NM on Mar 15, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

First order of battle: no matter how small your army, always keep a reserve.

I propose that we keep Chambers in reserve and work on getting a starting guard, preferably in the draft. Or there’s always Waters via trade. But I’m getting the impression from the silence on this front that the Chiefs aren’t exactly enamored of Roscoe Parrish.

by Dyl on Mar 16, 2009 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs