Chiefs line wasn’t as strong as it appeared

The Kansas City Chiefs hosted Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung this past Wednesday. Okung is the top offensive line prospect for the NFL draft.

The 307-pound Okung is impressive, but it’s not his ability that’s being questioned, at least not by me. What’s being examined by fans is should the Chiefs take Okung with their fifth pick. The general opinion hasn’t changed, most fans still say no.

There was improvement from the offensive line, but Jamaal Charles was the reason why. Unlike Larry Johnson, who appeared to need lots of help, Charles had the abilities to make things happen. He had the speed to get around the edge and the vision to utilize whatever daylight the line created. Charles was the right guy at the right time for an offensive line who was struggling.

Charles gave the Chiefs a threat something the opposing defense wasn’t used to seeing. It was obvious to me that he made life easier for lineman who had received zero help before. I think a lot of fans agree, so they’re not being lured into a false sense of security when it comes to the shape of the offensive line.

ESPN’s Bill Williamson is convinced the line is the Chiefs’ biggest need, and he’s not wrong in his thinking, but when do they address it? In the first round or with one of their two second-round picks?

After April 22nd, we’ll all know for sure.

BERRY BUZZ: What about fan favorite safety Eric Berry from Tennessee?

He visited the Chiefs on Tuesday of this past week, but the Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers want a peek too. The one team that could be taking a harder look at Berry is the Redskins, who have the fourth pick in the draft.

I’m hopeful, so a Berry visit makes me happy, but that’s what teams do with someone who’s a possibility. The thing that sticks out most to me since the last time I talked about Berry was a recent comment from Scott Pioli. It wasn’t very encouraging for people like me.

Atlanta GM Thomas Dimitroff was quoted on SI.com with Peter King. The subject was Berry and whether a safety should be taken with a top pick in the draft – the same puzzle fans have been trying to piece together on message boards for several weeks now.

“It’s been on my mind a lot lately,” said Dimitroff, “and I realize I’m speaking out of both sides of my mouth here, but Berry’s a really good player. It’s been on my mind quite a bit recently. You want the good hitter with hip movement, able to turn and run, but then reality sets in. I was talking to (Kansas City GM) Scott Pioli about Berry, and I said, ‘Scott, this guy’s your pick.’ And he said, ‘You know how I feel about safeties that early.’ And I understand.”

After that comment, I think the odds of Berry donning a Chiefs hat just went up!

TERRENCE CODY: Another player the Chiefs have scheduled for a visit is Cody, a 6-foot-5, 349-pound defensive tackle from the University of Alabama. He’ll get a personal workout with defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel.

An important part of the 3-4 defense is the nose tackle, a piece the Chiefs struggled to find last season. More teams are switching to the 3-4, which leaves a lack of guys who can play the position.

This turns Cody into a player of high value in the draft. I have to believe it’s a priority for the Chiefs and if Cody is there, I’d hope the Chiefs would get him. Cody’s a big body who played for a good defense, but with a big body comes weight, which is a pet peeve of Todd Haley.

At the Senior Bowl Cody was lethargic and looked out of shape, but he weighed 380 pounds. He dropped 30 pounds before Alabama’s pro day and his stock has risen because of it.

He’s an interesting guy. With his weight, he could be a bust. But he also could be the answer to this defense. I think he’s worth a shot.

LARRY JOHNSON: I know, like you keep wanting to hear about Larry Johnson, but I have to. Just give him enough time and he’ll find a way to step in it. If you didn’t know by now, Johnson is with the Redskins, whose new coach is Mike Shanahan.

The NFL version of the odd couple, Johnson told reporters he now has a coach who cares.

“I just had to be with a coach who cares and knows what has to be done to put our team in the best situation to win,” Johnson told the Associated Press. “Being in that situation really wasn’t the best for my career or the best for the organization.”

Aw, that’s sweet.

And with that …

Good day, Chief fans!