Kansas City Chiefs first-round draft pick, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, is looking like the guy at the running back position for 2020 now that Damien Williams opted out of the season.
There has been a lot of high praise for Edwards-Helaire’s work ethic since he joined the team this past March. The coaching staff has finally got some time to work with him and he’s getting rave reviews. In a recent interview with 610 Sports Radio’s Bob Fescoe, Chiefs HC Andy Reid revealed a new comparison for the rookie running back. It’s one that fans in Kansas City should be a bit familiar with too.
“I think when you get to know him, he reminds me of Eric Bieniemy when Eric was young,” Reid said. “I had him in Philadelphia toward the end of his career there. But I competed against him, we all did, we all saw that from Missouri and Kansas when he played at Colorado. He’s wired that same way, where he’s mature for his age. He’s smart, he’s tough and he shows that — the veteran players see it and then he’s got skill. Those guys normally, barring injury, they normally work out for you OK. Now he’s lucky that he’s also got other guys who can play in that room and create competition. He’ll have to stay on top of his game. This is a demanding position in the best league there is in the world. He’ll have to adjust to that, but he sure is wired right to do that.”
Reid had Bieniemy for the last season of his NFL career in 1999. Bieniemy also played for the University of Colorado from 1987-1990. He remains the all-time leader in rushing yards (3,940) and rushing touchdowns (41) for the Buffaloes. He also coached there, serving as running backs coach from 2001-2002 and offensive coordinator from 2011-2012.
Reid was with the Missouri Tigers in 1990 as an offensive line coach when Colorado faced Missouri. Bieniemy rushed for 217 yards that game, breaking the rushing yards record that he still holds for the Buffaloes. Now, Bienemy is a Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator in Kansas City.
Reid seems to compare Edwards-Helaire to a younger Bieneimy in a handful of areas. First, he spoke about his maturity, which is essential when you’re a rookie coming into the NFL. Edwards-Helaire clearly knows how to handle his business and treat the NFL like it’s a job, which it is. Next, Reid pointed out Edwards-Helaire’s smarts, toughness and skill. A blend of those three things is precisely what you need to have a long and fruitful NFL career.
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