Chiefs tackles Eric Fisher and Donald Stephenson have something to prove this season

It has become clear that Eric Fisher and Donald Stephenson, two of the Chiefs’ young tackles, have at least one thing in common as they continue their offseason training.

Neither has any desire to dwell on the past.

During a conference call with reporters Tuesday, both Fisher, 24, and Stephenson, 26, spoke about burying the frustrating moments of 2014, though the nature of those struggles were different for each.

Fisher finally made it through a full 16-game season after an injury-marred rookie campaign, but he struggled in pass protection during his first year at left tackle because of a lack of strength and technique.

“Honestly, when you’re thinking about the plays you got beat, those plays you wish you could have back, it’s just motivation to work harder, be that much better, to do that extra work or get extra film study — you just try to eliminate those as your career goes on,” said Fisher, who yielded seven sacks and 24 quarterback hurries in 2014.

“This year, I’m hoping to cut those way down.”

Stephenson was projected to start at right tackle before he served a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs to start the season. He returned after four games, but not to the starting lineup, even though the Chiefs had issues in pass protection and have chosen not to re-sign the player who replaced him, veteran Ryan Harris.

“I’m just focused on this year coming up,” Stephenson said when asked about 2014. “That’s all in the past. I’ve got an opportunity to compete for a position this year … so I’m going to take advantage of it.”

Chiefs general manager John Dorsey told The Star in March that Stephenson was getting a “clean slate” for 2015, and Chiefs coach Andy Reid echoed that sentiment last week.

“He will be back on the offensive line,” Reid said. “I think he’s had a good offseason so far, to this point. I think he’s in the right frame of mind. He wants to prove to people that he deserves to be a starter so we should have a little competition in there as we go. It should be healthy.”

Stephenson insists he’s doing all he can to seize the job this time. He said he’s been “working his butt off” down in Houston with fellow Oklahoma Sooners products Adrian Peterson, a running back for the Vikings, and Trent Williams, a tackle for Washington.

“Been doing a lot of different things — boxing, cycling, a lot of lifting and running,” said Stephenson, who trained with those players at Williams’ behest. “He’s a great player; I wanted to figure out what he was doing during the offseason to get to where he is today. I got with those guys, I felt like I was at home, but I think it’s going to work out good.”

The 6-foot-6 Stephenson said he is currently at 320 pounds, roughly five more than his 2014 weight. He is bigger than his primary competition, Jeff Allen, who is listed at 6 feet 4 and 307 pounds.

“I just want to prove that I can be reliable — that’s the biggest thing for me,” Stephenson said. “I know what I can bring to the table, and you guys will see it if I get the opportunity.”

He’ll have to beat out Allen, or whoever else the Chiefs bring in. Both were taken in the 2012 NFL Draft, which means both are entering the final year of their rookie deals.

Stephenson said this won’t affect their friendship.

“We know that’s just the nature of the business,” Stephenson said. “You have to work for what you want.”

That’s a notion that Fisher certainly agrees with. Fisher, a 6-foot-7 third-year pro, said he currently weighs 314 pounds, which is one pound less than his listed weight in 2014, but insists he’s remade his body over the last four months.

“Honestly, I cut like 20 or 30 pounds of body fat,” Fisher said. “I’m feeling real good. I think I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in in my life, especially at that weight.

“I definitely changed my body.”

A big part of that, he said, can be attributed to the introduction of boxing into his regimen.

“I got into boxing huge — I think that’s really helped my body development,” Fisher said. “I really never boxed before, but I know my punch is one of the things I really needed to develop. I couldn’t believe the workout you can get from boxing and hand work and hand quickness.”

Fisher said his hand speed has probably “doubled” because of the boxing workouts, and he has no intention of stopping them anytime soon.

“I’ve been keeping it going,” he said. “You see we have a couple of heavy bags out there on the turf field. I brought my gloves back with me and I’m sticking with it.”

Games aren’t won in April, but this is the time when the seeds of victories — respect, in Fisher’s case, and a job, in Stephenson’s — are planted.

“Just being healthy strong and experienced, those things are going to take my game to the next level,” Fisher said. “It feels so good to finally have the body healthy. I’m looking forward to getting to work.”

This story was originally published April 28, 2015 at 7:55 PM with the headline "Chiefs tackles Eric Fisher and Donald Stephenson have something to prove this season."