Duvernay-Tardif merits first official start in Kansas City

Offensive lineman will become third McGill grad to play in NFL

MONTREALLaurent Duvernay-Tardif, a McGill University medical student from St. Hilaire, Que., will start at right guard when the Kansas City Chiefs play their National Football League opener in Houston on Sept. 13. The game is slated to be televised on CBS at 1 p.m. (Eastern).

The starting lineup was announced Monday by Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, who told the media on Friday that “Larry” has “made a good case for that right guard spot. “I know that’s been kind of a question mark.’

“A year ago I probably couldn’t have told you that,” Reid said about Duvernay-Tardif being one of the Chiefs’ five best linemen. ” I’m a big McGill University fan, but the level of football there isn’t as great as their academics, if you understand what I’m saying. It’s probably equivalent to some of the upper-echelon junior colleges in our country. For him to go out and improve like he’s improved and attack it the way he has is pretty good.”

Duvernay-Tardif, a sixth-round draft pick by Kansas City last year, dressed for every game in his rookie campaign with the Chiefs but did not see any action other than in the preseason. When the 6-foot-5, 315-pound offensive lineman steps on the field this Sunday, he will become the third McGill football product to play in an NFL regular season contest, joining long-snappers Jean-Philippe Darche (Seattle and Kansas City) and Randy Chevrier (Dallas and Cincinnati).

Duvernay-Tardif earned the nickname “Larry” at McGill, where he was a two-time all-Canadian and won the prestigious J.P. Metras Trophy as the most outstanding lineman in Canada at the CIS level in 2013.  He has claimed one spot on a line that also will consist of Donald Stephenson at left tackle,Ben Grubbs at left guard, Mitch Morse at centre and Eric Fisher at right tackle. That starting unit will be charged with the responsibility of protecting quarterback Alex Smith.

Reid noted the experience for the Duvernay-Tardif pairing with Fisher on the right side was an added benefit.

“I think it works out perfectly and I feel very comfortable with this group,” Reid told KCchiefs.com. “I think Grubbs is tremendous for Stephenson. I think Fisher is tremendous for ‘Larry’, so I think it’s a good match right there. Fisher knows the offence backward and forward. He has it down and is a very, very smart kid.

“Grubbs and Stephenson have kind of hit it off there (on the left side). That’s worked. I think Grubbs is tremendous for him. You think Stephenson has played a lot, but he really hasn’t played in a lot of games. I like that chemistry right there between those four.”

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