Thursday Night Football: Andy Reid Homecoming Kansas City Chiefs vs Philadelphia Eagles

8:25 PM ET, September 19, 2013

Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA

59^°Low

Partly Cloudy

Chance of rain: 10%

Wind: SSW at 2 mph

Humidity: 83%

 

Question of the Day:

Match up to Watch:

Chiefs defense against Eagles up tempo offense:

It’s pretty obvious since in 2 games, nobody has been able to stop Chip Kelly offense. It will be a tough task for Bob Sutton since it is a short week for them to prepare but the Chiefs has only given up 18 points in 2 games….now neither are the offense of Eagles.

Players to Watch:

Kansas City Chiefs:

Tackle- Eric Fisher

Running Back- Knile Davis

Philadelphia Eagles:

Tackle- Lane Johnson

Tight End- Zach Ertz

#72 Eric Fisher: 6’7 306, Central Michigan

1^st round 1^st pick, Position- Tackle

Strength:                 

+  Will take the defensive lineman momentum out of play.

+  Athletic and can get to the second level and square up the linebacker.

+  No quit and does not  give up on a block.

Needs Improvement:

–          Hand placement needs to get better if he wants to be an effective blocker.

–          Way too high at times. Struggles to get low and drive his lineman back.

–          Has been hurt a lot early in the season….is it sign to come???

–          Albert was hurt and taken out of the game, the coaching staff didn’t trust him enough to move him over to LT to replace him.

#34 Knile Davis: 5’10 227, Arkansas

3^rd round 96^th pick, Position- Running Back

Strength:

+  Very useful out of the backfield and can catch the football.

+  Special kick returner.  Another weapon you can add on special teams.

+  Already a back up for Jamaal Charles in his rookie season.

+  For someone his size, is very elusive.

Needs Improvement:

–          Not very smooth in switching the football to the other side.

–          Too indecisive when he runs with the football.

–          Major fumbling issues. Make sure he secures the ball before he runs.

#65 Lane Johnson: 6’6 306, Oklahoma

1^st round 3^rd pick, Position- Tackle

Strength:                 

+  Very athletic and can get to the second level quickly.

+  Maintains his block throughout the play.

+ Can collapse the defense and cause them to be mush together.

Needs Improvement:

–          His footwork cause him problems with the inside move.

–          Stops his feet in pass protection and gets himself in trouble.

#86 Zach Ertz: 6’5 249, Stanford

2^nd round 35^th pick, Position- Tight End

Strength:

+  Soft hands and catches anything that comes his way.

+  Great field awareness and zone understanding.

+  Best route runner in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Needs Improvement:

–          His base will get too wide and cause him to miss his blocks.

–          Work on high pointing the ball and catching the ball.

–          Has to block at the second level better.

Preview of Preseason Game Kansas City Chiefs vs Pittsburgh Steelers

Kansas City Chiefs Rookie Scouting report:

#72 Eric Fisher: 6’7 306, Central Michigan

1^st round 1^st pick, Position- Tackle

Strength:                                          Needs Improvement:

+ Will take the                                          – Hand placement needs to

defensive lineman                                     get better.

momentum out of play.                          – Will get too high at times.

+ Athletic and can get                                 Struggles to get low and

to the second level and                              drive a lineman back.

square up the linebacker.                       – Did get hurt early in his

+ No quit and does not                               career…..is it signs to

give up on a block.                                       come?

 

What to Watch for:

1. Can he stay on the field???
2. How was his hand placement???
3. Was he able to handle the pass rush???

 

Knile Davis: 5’10 227, #34, Arkansas

3^rd round 96^th pick, Position- Running Back

Strength:                                          Needs Improvement:

+ Very useful out of the                          – Too much stutter steps and

backfield and can catch                            indecisive when he runs the ball.

the football.                                             – Not very smooth in switching

+ Special kick returner.                             football into the other side.

Another weapon you

can add on special teams.

 

What to Watch for:

1. Did he step up as the #2 back???
2. Was he able to catch the ball out of the back field??
3. Did he have any fumbles in the game???

 

 

Nice Johnson: 6’2 248, #57, Alabama

4^th round 99^th pick, Position- Linebacker

Strength:                                          Needs Improvement:

+ Nice job to communicate                    – Covers too much grass when

to his defense and put them                     he is in zone coverage.

in the right position.                               –  Needs to work on picking

+ A very sure tackler.                                  up his knees and staying

+ Does a good job in man                     – Takes poor angles on tackles.

to man coverage on a RB.

 

What to Watch for:

1. Was he the leader of the defense like in college???
2. How was he in coverage???
3. Did he rack up a lot of tackles???

 

 

Pittsburgh Steelers Rookie Scouting Report:

#95 Jarvis Jones: 6’2 245, Georgia

1^st round 17^th pick, Position- Outside Linebacker

Strength:                                          Needs Improvement:

+ Good motor. Plays                               – Seems to go for the pass rush,

until the whistle is                                     no matter what down it is. Does

blown.                                                          not maintain in run support.

+ Takes on blocks. Does                        – Weak in pass coverage.

not wait for the block to                       – Does not play the double team

come to him.                                              well and gets pushed back to

+ Very aggressive. Will fly                        the second level.

all over the field to make

a play.

 

What to Watch for:

1. Did he create a pass rush against the 1^st round pick???
2. How many turnovers did he create in the game??
3. Was he on 1^st team defense???

 

 

 

#11 Markus Wheaton: 5’11 182, Oregon State

3^rd round 79^th pick, Position- Wide Receiver

Strength:                                          Needs Improvement:

+ Disguises his job                                    – Weak in jump ball situations.

so well, that a DB                                        Doesn’t high point the ball.

can not read anything                              – Lets the ball come into his

off of him.                                                     body and not his hands.

+ Coaches have taught                             – Work with his coaches on

him well on the sideline                             his route running.

drill.                                                              – Struggles to get past bump

+ Shows good effort in his                           man coverage.

blocking. Does not quit on

any play even if he doesn’t

get the ball.

 

What to Watch for:

1. Did he have a connection with the quarterback???
2. How much punt return yards did he have???
3. Can he play well against press man coverage???

 

Preview of preseason game Kansas City Chiefs vs San Francisco 49ers

Kansas City Chiefs Rookie Scouting report:

Eric Fisher: 6’7 306, #72, Central Michigan

1^st round 1^st pick, Position- Tackle

Strength:                                          Needs Improvement:

+ Will take the                                          – Hand placement needs to

defensive lineman                                     get better.

momentum out of play.                       – Will get too high at times.

+ Athletic and can get                               Struggles to get low and

to the second level and                            drive a lineman back.

square up the linebacker.                       – Did get hurt early in his

+ No quit and does not                               career…..is it signs to

give up on a block.                                       come?

Travis Kelce: 6’5 255, #87, Cincinnati

3^rd round 63^rd pick, Position- Tight End

Strength:                                          Needs Improvement:

+ Able to be an                                          – Was not able to be a factor.

effective pass blocker.                                Does not make the tough play.

Knile Davis: 5’10 227, #34, Arkansas

3^rd round 96^th pick, Position- Running Back

Strength:                                          Needs Improvement:

+ Very useful out of the                          – Too much stutter steps and

backfield and can catch                            indecisive when he runs the ball.

the football.                                             – Not very smooth in switching

+ Special kick returner.                             football into the other side.

Another weapon you

can add on special teams.

 

 

Nice Johnson: 6’2 248, #57, Alabama

4^th round 99^th pick, Position- Linebacker

Strength:                                          Needs Improvement:

+ Nice job to communicate                    – Covers too much grass when

to his defense and put them                     he is in zone coverage.

in the right position.                               –  Needs to work on picking

+ A very sure tackler.                                  up his knees and staying

+ Does a good job in man                     – Takes poor angles on tackles.

to man coverage on a RB.

San Francisco 49ers Rookie Scouting Report:

Eric Reid: 6’1 213, #35, LSU

1st round 18th pick, Position- Safety

Strength:                                 Needs Improvement:

+ Knows how to break on                                     – Takes bad angles so he

the ball.                                                                      will miss out on tackles

+ If he is part of a gang tackle                             – Does not have good football

then he will rip the ball out.                                   IQ and will get himself beat.

+ Really knows how to set                                   – Doesn’t wrap up, Always going

the edge.                                                                  for the big hit.

What to Watch for:

1. Did he play strong safety or free      safety
2. Can he cover the Tight end in the      game
3. Does he fill the shoes of Ghoston      or is he overwhelmed

Vance McDonald: 6’4 267, #89, Rice

2nd round 55th pick, Position- Tight End

Strength:                                                      Needs Improvement:

+ Able to sustain his block                                 – Too many body catches

throughout the play.                                             and dropped passes

+ Strong lower body let him                             – A little slow out of his break

break many tackles                                             and defense can key on it.

+ Got some toughness in                                 – Hands tend to slip outside

him and likes to go hit                                        of the pads.

What to Watch for:

1. How many times does he drop the ball???
2. Was he able to get open with his route running???
3. Can he sustain his block in the NFL???

Quinton Patton: 6’0 204, #11, Louisiana Tech

4th round 128th pick, Position- Wide Receiver

Strength:                                 Needs Improvement:

+ Amazing in the open field.                               – Did play in offense that

Can make a small play into a                               is very simple and no route

big one.                                                                        progression.

+ Has great hands. Catches                                – Got to add some bulk so

everything that comes his way.                           he can absorb some contact.

+ Can win any one on one battles.                   – His blocking has to get better

He is great for a guy his size.                                 if he wants to help the run.

What to Watch for:

1. Crabtree is hurt, can he step up???
2. Where do the 49ers play him, slot or flank???
3. Was he asked to return kicks???

Preview to the Preseason game “Kansas City Chiefs vs New Orleans Saints”

Kansas City Chiefs

Eric Fisher: 6’7 306, Central Michigan

1st round 1st pick, Position- Tackle

Strength:                                                     Needs Improvement:

+ Very smooth hips which                   – Needs to get lower at times

allows him to pull and get                     Must get his butt down so he

to the second level.                                can get lower.

+ Great in pass protection.                 – Will go for the knock out block

College team was the lowest                 sometimes and will miss.

in allowing sacks.                                 – Needs to work with his coaches

+ Quick off the snap and                      on his hook block.

always ready.

What to Watch for:

• Do the Chiefs play him in different areas of the Offensive line
• Was he able to pull out in the screen game
• Can he stay under control the whole game

Travis Kelce: 6’5 255, Cincinnati

3rd round 63rd pick, Position- Tight End

Strength:                                                     Needs Improvement:

+ Strong upper body and                     – Work with his coaches on

will not get knocked off his                    his footwork in route

route.                                                         running.

+ Good footwork when he                  – Stops his feet when he is

is blocking and stays in front                blocking.

of the defender.                                   – Need to watch game tape

+ For a big guy, he is elusive and        and understand zone d

can make people miss.

What to Watch for:

• Was he able to get the ball in the open field
• Did he improve on his blocking
• Is he understanding all of his assignments

Knile Davis: 5’10 227, Arkansas

3rd round 96th pick, Position- Running Back

Strength:                                                          Needs Improvement:

+ Good pass catcher out                            – Injury prone

of the backfield.                                          – Has to take care of the football

+ Strong lower body and is                         better. Too many fumbles

able to rack up YAC.                                    – Bounce to outside rather than

+ Sets up his blocks well by                         take what the defense gives you

flowing the defense one

direction and cutting back.

What to Watch for:

• Did he run in between the tackles
• Can he protect the quarterback on 3rd down
• Did he have any fumbles in the game

New Orleans Saints

Kenny Vaccaro: 6’0 214, Texas

1st round 15th pick, Position- Safety

Strength:                                               Needs Improvement:

+ His play recognition is                  – Will leave his feet to

the best part of his game.                 to make a tackle.

+ High motor. He is all over           – Miss times his jump

the field.                                             and makes him weak

+ Does a nice job covering              against jump balls.

a slot receiver.                                 – Gets way too high when

                                                             he tackles.

What to Watch for:

• Does he play all over the field like Troy Polamalu
• How well did he cover a slot WR
• How many times does Rob Ryan blitz him

Terron Armstead: 6’5 306, Arkansas Pine-Bluff

3rd round 75th pick, Position- Tackle

Strength:                                                        Needs Improvement:

+ Such a strong upper body,                  – Base will get too wide

he is able to throw a pass                        and can not create a

rusher down.                                              push in run block.

+ His footwork in pass                            – Has trouble squaring

protection is amazing!                              up the linebacker at

+ Was hurt throughout the                      the second level.

season and pre draft work                     – Will get too high at

out but toughen it out.                              times, Need to keep

that butt low.

What to Watch for:

• Do the Saints use his athletic abilities
• Did he get better in run blocking
• Can he step up to tougher opponents

John Jenkins: 6’4 346, Georgia

3rd round 88th pick, Position- Defensive Tackle

Strength:                                                             Needs Improvement:

+ He is a stonewall.                           – Got to take on cut blocks better

Can not move him                            – Need to use leverage better. Can

from his spot.                                      get too high at times and can’t any

+ Stays in his gap,                               push.

will not fall for the                             – Weak motor. Hot and cold in effort

window dressing.                                on the field.

+ For as big as he is,

can get skinny and

shoot the gap.

Eric Fisher #1 Pick for Kansas City Chiefs

Eric Fisher

Position: Left Tackle

Height: 6’7 Weight: 305  Arms: 34 1/2 Hands: 10 1/2 40 time: 5.05

If i told you about player A, only got two scholarships offers in the state of Michigan……not from Michigan or Michigan State. He also came to the school at 240 and was a 2 star recruit as a lineman. Would you think he would be the #1`draft pick 4 years later?

Eric Fisher went to Central Michigan, only getting offers from CMU and Eastern Michigan. He was a 4 year starter and played left tackle, right tackle, right guard and even in a spring game, he played center! Gained honors as 2012 Second Team All-America (SI.com), 2012 Third Team All-America (Associated Press), 2012 First Team All-MAC and 2012 Senior Bowl All-Futures Team. He was selected #1 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs beating out left tackle Luke Joeckel from Texas A&M.

Strength:

+ Amazing feet, always keep them moving.

+ Very smooth hips so he can pull and get to the 2nd level

+ Very quick off the snap

+ Can pull from his tackle position and get to other side to the right tackle. Very athletic

+ Does a great job shadowing his defender. Always in front

+ Great in pass protect. Team was at top for “sacks allowed”

+ Collapse well on the defender. Would be good in the a zone blocking scheme.

Needs Improvement:

– Needs to get lower. Is too high sometimes

– Defender are always in his chest. Unable to drive them back.

– Needs to work on his hook block.

– Will go for the knock out block but will whiff at times and be out of position.

Summary:

I hate it when people say, “oh a left tackle is a safe position.” If he is the best player in the draft then you take him. In my opinion, Eric Fisher was the best player in the 2013 NFL Draft. He is very athletic and great in pass protection. He is a building block for the future. When you come in your freshman year at 240 and wasn’t highly recruited but worked so hard at your craft and become the best player 4 years later….who knows what he could accomplish next.