Moves that can (and should) be made immediately

[yashi]

We talk too much about what we should or shouldn't have done in the past. That doesn't help us now. Here's two moves that I think can make us a better football team immediately.

1. The offensive line needs to be completely blown up. Now.

For whatever reason, Pioli didn't land us a single impact offensive lineman in free agency. No point in harping on it at this point. Let's talk about what he can do now.

I'm pretty convinced that Brandon Albert is not an NFL left tackle. There's a reason that throughout 2008 draft preparation the experts were saying that he could be a pro bowl Guard, and can also play tackle. So let's just move him to Shields old spot and let him go to pro bowls, instead of be a liability at the most important position in football.

Start Alleman over Niswanger at C. Why not? Niswanger hasn't done anything positive.

Sign Jon Runyan and start him at RT within 2 weeks.

Sign Langston Walker to play LT. Hell, the Bills suck but they obviously saw something in him that made them think he'd be a pretty good starter at LT since they traded theirs to the Eagles.

Walker / Waters / Alleman / Albert / Runyan

Alternately, I wouldn't kill myself if we didn't sign Walker and went this route:

Albert / Waters / Alleman / Ndukwe / Runyan

Boom, new offensive line. Can't be any worse than our current one. Do it.

2. Jamaal Charles should be starting over LJ.

I don't care what anyone says. Charles has been a better running back than LJ from the moment he was drafted.

- He had 5.3 yards per carry last season to LJ's 4.5.
- He has 4.4 yards per carry this year to LJ's 2.5.
- He's a better pass blocker than LJ.
- He's a better pass catcher than LJ.
- He's faster and is a threat to break free.
- He's younger and will actually be on this team 2 years from now, unlike LJ who will definitely be cut at some point because of his contract versus his production.

Everyone says he has this major fumbling problem. Guess what? LJ had a fumble for every 20 attempts last season. Charles had 1 for every 35.

The other thing I hear is that he's a change of pace back and not a starter. Guess what? In his only significant action last season he had 18 carries for 106 yards (5.9 YPC).

Charles should be our Chris Johnson and LJ should be our LenDale White. Do it.

[pbatrucker]

Good post! CHANGES MUST BE MADE!! O"Callaghan has been moved into starting RT. Agree that LJ has lost a step, give the young guys a shot.

[yashi]

Good post! CHANGES MUST BE MADE!! O"Callaghan has been moved into starting RT. Agree that LJ has lost a step, give the young guys a shot.

I just saw that with O'Callaghan... hopefully he doesn't disappoint.

[josh1971]

Good to see that O'Callaghan has been moved up to starting RT

But we're not only losing games based on LJ (hardly HIS fault) and the O-line. A knitting grandmother could feel safe in the pocket against our front 7. And since we seem to be expert marksmen at shooting ourselves in the feet with penalties, there's more going on than just blocking and running.

We pretty thoroughly suck. Maybe Haley *did* get 22 guys off the street...

Honestly, DJ has played great this year, and been treated like Doo-doo by the coach. It's kind of odd.

And how many times have we heard him say that you want to have the players on the field that give you the best chance to win. Well... do that, and let them run plays that will give us a chance to win.

[kilobytes]

If LJ actually tried 100% the games would be closer. I think is definitely better than Charles who is injury prone btw. LJ needs more screen passes. This way we are less predictable. LJ can be really good if we gave him the ball more often. Charles is only good in spurts like Sproles.
I completely agree with your O line statement and think its a great idea. I didn't know Albert was a Guard.

[drstandley31]

So, Albert's not an NFL tackle.. Well good thing we traded Allen for the draft pick! God knows we had too many DE's hanging around.

[rbedgood]

Just a thought....but if you want to move Albert into the middle and have a pro bowl Guard, why not give LJ a chance behind a road grader...that's what he needs to break loose is a guy to clear the middle. DEs are ineffective at stopping an up the middle run if the middle is cleared.

[HAILTO]

MADD thanks to all of you! I am a rookie on the Practice Squad. However, I know a few things about Football, and I will never stop working to serve Our Chiefs.
Cassel is not our man. Watch his mannerism when he takes a Sack and when his receiver fails to make the catch. In either case, Cassel is discouraged. Thiggy is our man.
Tyler does not get discouraged, rather Tyler steps up!
If you disagree, bring it! I am just a rookie on the Practice Squad.

[honda522]

We need a really freakin center.

[honda522]

MADD thanks to all of you! I am a rookie on the Practice Squad. However, I know a few things about Football, and I will never stop working to serve Our Chiefs.
Cassel is not our man. Watch his mannerism when he takes a Sack and when his receiver fails to make the catch. In either case, Cassel is discouraged. Thiggy is our man.
Tyler does not get discouraged, rather Tyler steps up!
If you disagree, bring it! I am just a rookie on the Practice Squad.

[kilobytes]

MADD thanks to all of you! I am a rookie on the Practice Squad. However, I know a few things about Football, and I will never stop working to serve Our Chiefs.
Cassel is not our man. Watch his mannerism when he takes a Sack and when his receiver fails to make the catch. In either case, Cassel is discouraged. Thiggy is our man.
Tyler does not get discouraged, rather Tyler steps up!
If you disagree, bring it! I am just a rookie on the Practice Squad.

I agree the QB position should have been a fair fight. Thigpen was impressive last year. Just folded under pressure but that stuff gets better the more experience you have. Plus Thigpen is a better suit for the team right now. Very durable and a good scrambler. The Cassel trade I was furious with. Way too much money for someone who is possibly not any better than what we have.