Chiefs Still Lack Answer At Right Tackle

General manager Scott Pioli and head coach Todd Haley have much work to do. By virtually ignoring the right tackle position since arriving in Kansas City, they’ve put themselves in a bit of a pickle. Right tackle was the most glaring position in need of improvement after a dismal 2-14 record in 2008, save quarterback, of course.

The draft went by, and the Chiefs added only one offensive lineman - local product Colin Brown. With the third overall pick in April’s draft, they passed on every tackle in the pool except Jason Smith, who’d already been taken by the Rams. The Chiefs nabbed a much needed 3-4 defensive end in Tyson Jackson, but there was still no significant change at right tackle.

Free agency hit, and fans had several offensive linemen circled on their wish list. Pioli inked veteran guard Mike Goff, but still no savior at right tackle. The preseason has passed and now, every right tackle candidate that was on the roster prior to training camp is off the active roster.

Brown was moved to right guard and is now on the injured reserve list. McIntosh, Herb Taylor and Barry Richardson have all been cut. Pioli swapped an undisclosed draft pick for Ike Ndukwe and Andy Alleman, but those moves weren’t enough to keep the $63 million man, Matt Cassel, healthy.

Pioli brought in another candidate Sunday, claiming former Patriots tackle Ryan O’Callaghan off waivers. O’Callaghan saw action in 26 games for the Pats in ‘06 and ‘07, starting seven. He missed last season due to injury.

“Teams looking for a right tackle might inquire on Ryan O’Callaghan, who has looked solid in preseason games,” wrote the Boston Globe’s Mike Reiss before the Chiefs inked the tackle. By no means was Reiss’ evaluation a signing endorsement, but could anyone honestly say any of the Chiefs’ other right tackle candidates looked solid?

The move to bring in O’Callaghan probably won’t be Pioli’s last before the Chiefs kick off Sunday in Baltimore. Haley has been adamant about his desire to constantly improve the team through all channels possible.

The Chiefs also announced the addition of seven players to their practice squad:

CB Jackie Bates
TE Tom Crabtree
DE Dion Gales
DE Bobby Greenwood
G Darryl Harris
RB Javarris Williams
WR Rodney Wright