Oakland Raiders Versus The AFC West: Offensive Line

Dec 7, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) is pressured prior to being sacked in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Chiefs 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs of course, are putting the rosiest spin on it they can. But you don’t lose a center of Rodney Hudson‘s abilities – he was ranked in the top three at his position by Pro Football Focus last season – and not feel the pain.

Bleacher Report astoundingly – and ridiculously – ranks the Chiefs as the 16th best offensive line in the league. They rely on the fact that over the past two seasons, Kansas City ranked tenth in the league in rushing yards per game. It’s a fine statistic to be sure, but it also has as much to do with Jamaal Charles running the ball as it does the play of the offensive line.

The offensive line was dealt a pretty big blow when Hudson signed with their rival Oakland Raiders. The Chiefs – and the Bleacher Report – can put as positive a spin on it as they want, but Hudson was the anchor of that line and helped pave the way for Charles in the running game. His loss is going to be keenly felt as Eric Kush, though he may be fine, won’t be on par with Hudson, who is universally recognized as one of the best in the game at his position.

The more telling statistic about Kansas City’s offensive line woes last season is the fact that the team gave up 49 sacks – one of the highest totals in the league last year. And that was with Hudson on the line.

The one thing the Chiefs have going for them this season is some relative continuity. But that may not be a good thing. Returning as starters on the line this season are Jeff Allen, Donald Stephenson, and Eric Fisher. Brought in to replace Hudson is Kush, and replacing Jeff Linkenbach is Ben Grubbs, acquired in a trade with the Saints.

With Charles in the backfield again this season, Kansas City will likely have a strong running game – though that is dependent upon how well this unit performs without Hudson and Linkenbach. But given that this is essentially the same starting unit that was letting QB Alex Smith get hammered on every other play, they could be in for even more trouble this coming season.

Grubbs and Kush aren’t going to be the saviors of this offensive line and eventually, Andy Reid is going to have to acknowledge the fact that losing a player of Hudson’s caliber hurt his team something fierce.

Next: A Jekkyl And Hyde Routine