ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The Chiefs’ Jamaal Charles sounded off on the ineptness of his offensive line last season following Wednesday’s practice, a rare departure from the normally buttoned-up running back.

Charles acknowledged the hodge-podge of bodies the Chiefs had block for him was a big reason why his productivity dipped last season. It was also one of the reasons the Pro Bowl running back spent most of the season in the trainer’s room.

“It was rough, know what I’m saying? But at the end of the day, this is the National Football League. You get paid to do your job,” Charles said. “It was really rough last season, but at the same time, we won (nine) games with an average line.”

Kansas City lost starting guard Jeff Allen to a season-ending injury in Week 1, then had to make do with fill-ins Mike McGlynn and Jeff Linkenbach the rest of the way. But not only is Allen back, the Chiefs traded a fifth-round pick to the New Orleans Saints to land former Pro Bowl offensive guard Ben Grubbs, giving the line a much-needed veteran presence.

Throw in another year of experience for left tackle Eric Fisher, the former No. 1 overall draft pick, and Charles suddenly has a bit more bounce to his step.

“When you have a line, that gets you excited,” he said. “You want to stay on the field. You want to give your all, because they’re going to give you all they have to win the game. I’m glad we went out there and got some experience on the line.”