eraser 722 Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 Center for the Chiefs is a Kushy job - part 2 Andy Reid on the progress of Eric Kush by Laddie Morse Last summer is when Andy Reid began to notice the difference in Eric’s ability to perform at a high level. Performance wise, from year one to year two, Kush was like a typical before and after picture. Andy Reid explains, “The effort would have been there” last year, Reid said. “But the ability to hunker down and drop your weight and get in that strong position? He couldn’t.” When the new and improved Eric Kush showed up last offseason and Reid was asked if he noticed a difference in his play he stated, “Oh, he has. He has, he’s put on some weight. You see that with linemen. Normally you get about a 10-pound increase that first year on the average, so he has done that. He looks strong, more physical. He is not getting thrown around like he did when he was lighter.” That’s Reid making reference to Eric Kush not getting thrown around by 6-foot-3, 336 pound nose guard Dontari Poe in his second offseason practices. High Character, Strong Rep You can’t depend upon almost any player to tell you how good they are… and there are plenty enough of those guys in the NFL. It’s safer and often more accurate to listen to what others say about a player. Quarterback Alex Smith should know somethingabout whether or not Eric Kush is going work out at the center position. “I’ve had Kush here the last couple years. To be honest, it’s been very, very seamless. Rodney is a heck of a player and is missed, and he moved on. To be honest, it’s been very, very seamless — I haven’t really missed a beat. Kush has stepped in, he knows the offense, he knows what we’re doing, (and is a) really good communicator up here. He and I have a really good rapport together.” “Seamless.” That’s a pretty solid compliment coming from Alex Smith. Eric Kush has seemingly surfaced as the Chiefs leading Center candidate without fanfare. In May following an OTA, Herbie Teope interviewed new left guard Ben Grubbs and asked about Eric Kush. Grubbs said, “Kush is very knowledgeable. He has a good foundation of the playbook and he’s been helping me out – him and Fish (Eric Fisher), they’ve been doing a great job. I don’t want to be a burden too much, but there are some things that I just haven’t quite gotten the grasp of and they’ve been doing a really good job bringing me along with them.” Many fans have the perception that the Chiefs will be strong on the left side of their line with first round selection Eric Fisher (assuming he progresses) and Pro Bowler Ben Grubbs manning their respective posts. However, I believe you can add the center position to that list of offensive line strengths. There’s an old saying, “Don’t fix it, if it ain’t broke.” While many will argue that the offensive line is broken… and I would not at all disagree if you’re talking about right guard or right tackle… I don’t believe that includes the center position. Eric Kush has shown all the leadership you could hope for from a veteran and he hasn’t even started a meaningful regular season game yet. Certainly the camp battle along the offensive line will focus heavily upon the right guard and right tackle positions but will there be a real battle for center? The Chiefs need a solid backup center so it won’t be unreasonable to see Mitch Morse plugged in from time to time — he’s going to have to get some snaps for Andy Reid to feel comfortable with designating him the backup center — but unless Eric Kush gets hurt, the job appears to be his to lose. Some are projecting the center position to be a position of weakness in 2015. I’m projecting the opposite, that Eric Kush has already made it a position of strength. All indicators are positive that Mr. Kush will produce… because he’s already producing. Beyond that, he also seems to be everything you’d want in a teammate. As Eric Kush enters his third season in the same offensive scheme and turns 26 years old the week before the seasons begins, he brings a maturity not often seen in most first year starters… more reasons why, playing center for the Chiefs in 2015, will be a Kushy job. What do you say, Addict fans? Do you buy into the idea that Eric Kush is the heir apparent at center for the Chiefs? Or, do you think it’s still a 50/50 open competition between him and Mitch Morse? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilkie 1,518 Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 Not a fan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMO 6,811 Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 Why not a fan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xen 1,010,220 Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 Why not a fan? Because it's wilkie and he doesn't use his brain for anything but fantasizing about kansas basketball players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eraser 722 Posted July 27, 2015 Author Share Posted July 27, 2015 Practicing against our DL, especially Poe, will either expose him, or make him better. At this point its like reading tea leaves. Everyone has an opinion, but on what basis? He could be an enormous schlub, but this will be found out relatively soon. The physical and athletic attributes argue against that happening. People want to cry about how athletic, and fast is Hudson, but the stats indicate different. On paper, Kush is bigger, stronger, quicker, faster, and has better knee bend. If that works out on the field, then we won't miss Hudson much at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West 6,713 Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 If he has impressed Reid and Sutton, I have to give him the benefit of the doubt.... w Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xen 1,010,220 Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 We'll see. I'm rooting for him but I'm skeptical. The odds say most 6th round picks don't make it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer 8,686 Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 I dont like Body builder football player types..remember that clown that played in the Clint Eastwood Heart Break Ridge..he flamed. Tony Mandrich? How bout that WWE Bozo..nope I have a feeling he'll be my new pissing post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mugsy 225 Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 I dont like Body builder football player types..remember that clown that played in the Clint Eastwood Heart Break Ridge..he flamed. Tony Mandrich? How bout that WWE Bozo..nope I have a feeling he'll be my new pissing post "SWEDE!!! SWEDE!!! SWEDE!!! SWEDE!!!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieHard 2,061 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 I hope he does. I was not a big Huddon fan although I am in the minority. Just like to see Morse compete at RG. I think Stephenson will do well at RT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATLchief 3,126 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 He looks like a fucking chucklehead. Hopefully he doesn't play like one. All of this shit that comes out in the offseason, OTA's through training camp, needs to be taken with a big grain of salt. Maybe a salt-lick. How many times have you heard about some receiver tearing it up in training camp, never to be heard from again? This is the time of year when the bullshit flows most freely. Show-me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer 8,686 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 the guy could not get on the field last year & now "he's the man"? I have my doubts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FANATIC 852 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 the guy could not get on the field last year & now "he's the man"? I have my doubts Me too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMO 6,811 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 the guy could not get on the field last year & now "he's the man"? I have my doubts Meh. He was a developmental guy that needed to get stronger. He deserves a shot. If he falls flat, so be it. Chiefs are only out a 6th if he is never more than a backup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calichief 3,016 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 the guy could not get on the field last year & now "he's the man"? I have my doubts He wasn't taking Hudson's job on a line of shit. It's just like Kendrick Lewis starting over Abdullah We'll see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer 8,686 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 He wasn't taking Hudson's job on a line of shit. It's just like Kendrick Lewis starting over Abdullah We'll see couldn't make it as guard either..like you said it was a shit line ..how did he turn into "the man" in the off season? Dont get me wrong I hope he kicks ass but I have my doubts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FANATIC 852 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Meh. He was a developmental guy that needed to get stronger. He deserves a shot. If he falls flat, so be it. Chiefs are only out a 6th if he is never more than a backup. Yes I agree he deserves a shot. The question is who replaces him if he stinks? We need to get it done , playoffs, now not later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mugsy 225 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 I am surprised so many have written Fulton off at RG. He got better as the year went on. What about Allen at center? I know he played tackle and guard in college. Wonder if he'll see some snaps there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FANATIC 852 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Its easy to think all the o-line from last year is not good because they were not except for Hudson. So new faces sound good to me. I tired of the others. Does not mean I am not rooting for each because I am. Also does not conclude that I know anything about OL because I do not. I just want to get to at least the AFC Championship game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMO 6,811 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 I think Fisher improved as the year went. Not first pick improvement, but adequate. With a full offseason to work, he will improve more and hopefully can become what he was drafted to be. Morse was definitely drafted as competition for Kush, and for his experience across the line. Don't be surprised if he is the starting Center come week one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calichief 3,016 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 couldn't make it as guard either..like you said it was a shit line ..how did he turn into "the man" in the off season? Dont get me wrong I hope he kicks ass but I have my doubts. Kendrick Lewis was "qb" of the defense remember?? He was easily one of the most overrated secondary players in the history of KC. That guy sucked. I'm not saying Hudson was that bad, but it's not so easy to take over for a starter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calichief 3,016 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 I think Fisher improved as the year went. Not first pick improvement, but adequate. With a full offseason to work, he will improve more and hopefully can become what he was drafted to be. Morse was definitely drafted as competition for Kush, and for his experience across the line. Don't be surprised if he is the starting Center come week one. Fisher looks like a 3rd round pick. I assume morse is starting center week 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieHard 2,061 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Fulton did good for what he was. I would like to see him develop, but writers seem to think he has a very low ceiling. I am not sure why. As for Hudson, he must have been pan caking people when I was in the bathroom. I thought he and Fulton were pretty average. Fisher was a little better and tha rest were a complete set of swinging gates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liquidfriend 1,151 Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 Fulton was not good and the change from Scwartz to him was hilariously noticable. Kush can be an adequate starter, but yes there should be concern. His legs do look thinner than you would like to see from an offensive lineman. Sure he couldn't beat out Hudson, but Hudson played like a top league guy last year. Fisher still sucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calichief 3,016 Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 Fulton was not good and the change from Scwartz to him was hilariously noticable. Kush can be an adequate starter, but yes there should be concern. His legs do look thinner than you would like to see from an offensive lineman. Sure he couldn't beat out Hudson, but Hudson played like a top league guy last year. Fisher still sucks. Fisher looks bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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