Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Following the death of Don Shula, the NFL’s all-time leader in coaching victories, let’s take a look at his win total and those who rank behind the Miami Dolphins legend. Totals include playoff and Super Bowl/League Championship Game wins.
Following the death of Don Shula, the NFL’s all-time leader in coaching victories, let’s take a look at his win total and those who rank behind the Miami Dolphins legend. Totals include playoff and Super Bowl/League Championship Game wins.
Shula has the most victories (347) ever, Shula won an NFL-record 347 games, including playoff games and two Super Bowl victories, and guided the Dolphins to the league’s only undefeated season (17-0) in 1972.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Tyrann Mathieu shares his thoughts on how the defense can improve for the upcoming season.
[sendtonews_embed video_id=”nHS2Pc2Cs4-710811-7498″]
The Kansas City Chiefs defense took significant strides last season, improving considerably from the 2018 season. The new defense led by coordinator Steve Spagnuolo benefitted from the addition of veteran defensive end Frank Clark and All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu.
Mathieu was an outspoken leader on last year’s defense, in what was also his first season with the Chiefs. He has never been shy in regards to his thoughts on the team’s progression and responding to critics. His latest response is to head coach Andy Reid’s belief that the defense is better than what they displayed last season. Mathieu ironically agreed with his head coach expressing more thoughts on the topic while speaking with the media.
“I agree, we could’ve been so much better,” said Mathieu.“Especially the production at the ball. I think I dropped eight interceptions by myself. Just understanding that if you make certain plays, it would’ve completely changed how well we played. I thought we played well but it could’ve been great. So, I think that’s the motivation this year that we know we can really get better.”
It’s hard to imagine the Chiefs’ defense improving much more than they did in 2019. The Chiefs defense went from statistically being ranked No. 31 in total defense 2018 to being ranked No. 7 heading into the postseason in 2019. It was quite the jump spearheaded by players like Mathieu, Clark and others.
One way that Mathieu is hoping to improve his own game this offseason is by studying players on other teams at the various positions he plays. He hopes to add a piece of their game to his own.
“Most offseasons I always study offenses,” said Mathieu. “I try to see what teams are going to be on the schedule that year then try to get a jumpstart on them. But lately, I’ve been studying other guys and I think that’s really starting to help my game, too. Watching other guys play the position I play because I play a lot of additional positions. At times my technique can start to slip because I’m all over the place, so I think it’s good to kind of watch other guys play certain positions. Guys like Chris Harris Jr., (Richard) Sherman, Patrick Peterson, Kevin Byard, Derwin James. I watch these guys’ film and we’re all different, but I try to take something from that. I think that’s where I’m at this offseason. I think I’ve had a lot of time to really do that this year.”
Mathieu has, in just one season, carved a legacy in Chiefs history by revitalizing the defense with his fiery playstyle. The 2020 defense already sounds promising for the many critics hoping for last year to be a fluke.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and QB Patrick Mahomes both took time to discuss Alex Smith ahead of his E:60 documentary premiere.
As ESPN’s weekly magazine show, E:60, prepares to grant unprecedented access to Alex Smith’s injury rehab and recovery in “Project 11,” Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid and QB Patrick Mahomes are expressing support for the former Chiefs quarterback. As a veteran NFL coach, Reid has had many players in his locker room who have left an impact, but perhaps none more impactful than Smith. Reid took time to discuss Smith some ahead of Friday night’s debut:
“Injuries are part of the game,” said Reid, “But the injury that he had, it breaks your heart because you know how much he loves the game. This guy, he’s a good-looking guy, people get tied in up in the way he looks – he’s got the quarterback look – good looking guy, speaks well, does all that stuff. But underneath that is a tough, tough guy that is highly competitive and has this drive that is ridiculous. So, you know how much the game means to him. He doesn’t just play the game because of the money or how he looks in a uniform or all that stuff, he plays it because he loves the game. When a guy like that gets an injury like this that’s potentially career-ending, especially when he’s playing as well as he was, it breaks your heart, it rips your heart out. Everybody is pulling for him, his teammates are all pulling from him, I think you’ve heard that from them.
Smith played four seasons under Reid in Kansas City, earning three Pro Bowl appearances. He was traded to Washington to allow current Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes the opportunity to lead the franchise.
“If anybody can come back from it, if he wanted to come back, he’d be the guy. You look at those stinking pictures and you go, ‘Woah, how’s that going to happen?'” said Reid, “But like I said, if anybody can do it, that guy can do it. And if he chooses to go that route, we’re all pulling for him.”
Smith also had a tremendous impact on Mahomes, mentoring him from the moment he was drafted into the league. Mahomes spoke about his current relationship with Smith, and his continued support throughout the intense rehab process.
“We actually talk probably every two or three months at a time,” said Mahomes, “We’ll text and have a few conversations. Mostly it’s about how the families are doing. Building that relationship that I had with him for a year, seeing him every single day, and then getting to go out to eat with his family and him with mine, we built a great relationship. Obviously, I knew a lot of the stuff that was going on as far as the surgeries and when he had the infection and everything like that, but the perspective of seeing the actual pictures, it even increases the magnitude to me. Knowing the person and the attitude that he has, I can see that he has made so much more improvement because he has the mindset of going out there and being the best person he can be every single day.”
Mahomes also mentioned that Smith was one of the first people to congratulate him after the Super Bowl LIV victory.
”I’ve talked to him a couple times,” said Mahomes. ”I talked to him after the Super Bowl. He congratulated me and everything like that. He was one of the first text messages I got. That’s just the type of guy he is. I think he’s doing really well right now, and I can only imagine the progress he’s going to continue to make as he keeps getting after it every single day.”
Despite his intense rehab, Smith was always thinking of others, which just shows the type of person that he is.
“Project 11” premieres on Friday, May 1, at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.
Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid comments on the Tuesday arrest of CB Bashaud Breeland.
[protected-iframe id=”0f398e4127466a77757c1f323f5ed2e3-105974720-107785976″ info=”https://share.tmz.com/videos/042920-nfl-arrest-4776844-0-7xcmc8n4/” width=”560″ height=”395″ frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen=””]
Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid briefly spoke on the arrest of cornerback Bashaud Breeland during a press conference on Friday. This is the first time that we’ve heard from the organization since Breeland’s arrest on Tuesday. Reid said that he’s spoken with Breeland since the incident and he sort of laid forth what the Chiefs’ plan to do moving forward.
“Yeah, I have [spoken with Breeland],” Reid said. “I’ve talked to him. Right now, it’s a little bit of what Brett (Veach) mentioned yesterday. Just that, we’ll let it play out with law enforcement side of things and evaluate it from there.”
The team won’t be rushing to judgment, they’re going to let law enforcement do their job and make a decision. They’ll let that decision inform their next actions in regards to Breeland.
Reid also noted that he has seen the video of the incident, taken by an observer, which was released by TMZ Sports today. You can see that video at the top of the page. The video shows an officer drawing his firearm on Breeland as he attempts to get into his vehicle.
“What we do with this, Herbie (Teope), is we’re just going to let the law enforcement part of it take its course,” Reid said. “Let’s see what exactly went on with the situation. I know there is video out there. I’ve seen the video, I’ve talked to (Bashaud Breeland). Let’s find out what the base of this thing was and what caused everything to take place. I’m curious to see that part, as we all are I think. Then we’ll evaluate it from there. We’ve always done this. We’ve always let law enforcement kind of take it and we go from there.”
In the event that any decisions are made that would lead to Breeland’s suspension or release, Reid also mentioned that Brett Veach has, “done a nice job of loading up” at the cornerback position. He believes that the team is in a good position to handle any losses at that position from a disciplinary standpoint, injury or otherwise.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid spoke about adjusting to the digital offseason, including this year’s draft.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the world tremendously, changing the way people interact due to fears of the virus. The NFL was forced to change their original plans of having the draft in Las Vegas with a large crowd to an impromptu virtual draft with franchise’s drafting from home.
The process would seem ideal for many younger coaches that often rely on technology. The veterans, such as Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid are quickly getting up to speed on the virtual aspect of the offseason. Reid spoke about adjusting to the digital offseason, including this year’s draft.
“Listen, it’s been interesting. For us old guys, coaches-wise at least,” said Reid. “It’s been an opportunity to learn all this technology. They’ve got a setup here in my basement that’s crazy good. And we’ve been able to work through it. I’ve been impressed with the draft and kind of how it’s gone off, there haven’t been too many glitches. You get a unique opportunity to get into peoples’ homes and see them, kids, you get to see them. My wife, after our first pick, she got a bunch of text messages after our first pick that she never would have gotten before. So, it’s little things like that that have been a bit different. My hat goes off to Brett (Veach) and his crew for gathering information, setting up all the chats that we had with the players where you have to actually orchestrate. Not everybody sits in a nice house and has access – Willie [Gay, Jr.] being one of those. You’ve got to time it up where you get Willie to be able to drive into town, get someplace where he’s got access, and then talk in his car, in that case. So, everybody’s got a little bit of a unique situation, but the guys have powered through that. We’ve done the same thing with our players. I gave the coaches last Monday to just kind of get the technology figured out with their players and then I called all of them to check on it and I jumped in on a few of the chats with the players and they all had it figured out. They were in and going and it’s been really pretty smooth going here.”
The 62-year old head coach won his first Super Bowl last season after over 20 years in the league. He began his soon-to-be Hall of Fame career as an offensive assistant for the Green Bay Packers in 1992.
“Hopefully we can get back to it, I think we all want to do that right, within being smart and safe,” said Reid. “We’d all like to be able to get things back to normal. But that might take a little bit and if it does, then we keep pounding it out the best we can do and we’re always going to try to maximize that with a positive attitude. Put on the Tommy Bahama and let’s go Vahe (Gregorian), doggone it, you just feel a little bit better.”
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach shared his thoughts on not being able to have a typical offseason, possibly affecting team continuity.
“Well yeah, certainly when you have the chance to return so many players and you have a coaching staff stay together, and have a group that went through a long season and played right through February,” said Veach. “We’ll see what happens moving forward. But I think it certainly plays in your favor for the continuity and knowing the playbook and knowing what’s expected. Whenever we get back into the swing of things with camp, whether it be shortened or whether we start at the original start date, I think guys just knowing how things operate and knowing the terminology and the playbook, I don’t see how it could be a disadvantage. I think it would certainly put us in a good position here. We’re certainly looking forward to that. Hopefully, we get this thing started on time, but I think that the guys are ready to go, and we’ll be in a good position this year to have a chance to repeat.”
The world continues to adjust and await word on improvements regarding the virus. The Chiefs along with the rest of the NFL are hoping for the best so next season won’t be affected in the slightest.
The difference between John Lynch’s war room and David Gentleman’s is hilarious.
The coronavirus pandemic is changing the NFL draft. There will be no gathering of owners, coaches, general managers, scouts and other team staffers. That group typically comes together in what is called a war room, where teams make draft decisions. It’s typically a hectic process, with NFL teams calling one another to make trade offers. The team that’s on the clock has to make a decision, weighing trade offers along with deciding on the different prospects on the board. But with the NFL practicing social distancing, team staffs have to manage these challenges while working apart.
That could make for an interesting — and even more chaotic — draft. But some general managers are doing what they can to prepare for the rigors of a virtual NFL draft. Here’s a look at a few different in-home war rooms.
An impressive and organized space in San Francisco.
My at-home war room is almost like I’m at the @SAPSports Performance Facility. Thanks to our IT and video teams + our scouts and coaches we’re ready for the #NFLDraft this week. #IGYB pic.twitter.com/ytuZKY9Bk4
— John Lynch (@JohnLynch49ers) April 20, 2020
Here’s what Pace told Bears.com about his in-home war room:
“I basically have two XOS computers with downloaded video on them,” Pace told ChicagoBears.com. “My third computer is my Microsoft Surface tablet that I’m doing all my reports on and I can access our scouting database and all our Skype interviews. And then I also have an iPad.”
“By the time this process finishes we’ll have done 100-plus Skype interviews with college prospects, each one lasting an hour,” Pace said. “With the inability to have the 30 visits at Halas, we’ve done a lot of things that I think going forward in future years that we’ll take advantage of.”
“During the draft there will be someone from IT here, just if something happens,” Pace said. “But I don’t expect that. We’ve got a lot of fail-safes and fallbacks and preventative measures in place.”
L.A. is monitor city, apparently.
If you were an NFL GM like Tom Telesco, what would your home “war room” look like for the #NFLDraft?
For me, I’d probably be working two laptops, and iPad and… wait for it… a pair of master big boards on paper with a red and black pen. I’m a little old school. pic.twitter.com/7IwLMkoupf
— Ryan Heckman (@RyanHeckmanFS) April 15, 2020
OK, what are we doing here? This is supposed to be a technology-driven, virtual draft and Gettleman is working with one laptop and a binder. He is looks like the this-is-fine meme. But what can we expect from him. He may be second-to-last only to Bill Belichick in computer literacy.
#Giants GM Dave Gettleman working from home during the coronavirus pandemic #GiantsPride pic.twitter.com/WVpwy0fl2h
— Giants Today (@NYGToday) April 13, 2020
The photo is at 2:30 in the video.
#NFL GMs have been posting pics of their home #NFLDraft war rooms, much to our delight:#Chiefs #Chargers #Giants pic.twitter.com/HEWQZIgCaT
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) April 16, 2020
[vertical-gallery id=910266]
LeSean McCoy says he would love to return to the Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles currently have two running backs on the roster and the franchise’s all-time leading rusher would like to add his name to the mix.
While chatting with Ian Rapoport on WestwoodOne Radio, McCoy opened up about his exit from Philadelphia and his yearning desire to finish with the team that drafted him out of Pitt.
“It’s not a secret. Everybody knows it was a special place for me there when I was playing for the Eagles. I started there, they kind of changed my life for the better. I was 20 years old, you know? Coach Reid brought me up.”
“A lot of my best friends I played with, we’re still good friends. I just talked to Fletcher Cox, what, yesterday, just texting him and messing around. A lot of my good friends are still there.”
“So it would mean a lot for me to play back there when I’m done – to finish, I should say, my career out there.”
McCoy is coming off a healthy scratch in the Chiefs Super Bowl win over the 49ers and the market for him looks dry at this time.
With Howie Roseman and the Eagles proclaiming a youth movement, McCoy simply may not fit in the plans at this time.
McCoy is the leading rusher in Eagles history, with 6,792 yards and could choose to retire as an Eagle is he can’t find any free-agent suitors.
Chiefs defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon has provided a creative source of relief with his unique Easter Eggs that look like Andy Reid.
The holidays don’t seem normal this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and most of the country remains under mandatory stay at home orders. Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon has provided a creative source of relief with his unique Easter eggs that are painted to look like head coach Andy Reid.
The former 2017 draft pick has taken the fun activity of coloring eggs to another level with the Reid designs. The Chiefs’ social media accounts posted photos of the eggs, and Kpassagnon shared a nice locker room quote from Reid to go along with them.
Reid has let players show their personalities on and off the field throughout his career. It was a big reason that Kpassagnon had his best season yet in 2019, recording four sacks during the championship season while playing the most snaps of his young career.
“Let your personalities show men”-Coach Reid https://t.co/GPjmJcWx1m
— Tanoh Kpassagnon (@Passinyo) April 12, 2020
As for the festive Easter eggs, Reid is no stranger to poking fun at himself as he celebrated his Super Bowl victory with a big cheeseburger, much to the delight of reporters. Now, Kpassagnon is the one spreading joy on this Easter Sunday, providing a smile and some laughs throughout the Chiefs Kingdom.
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) April 12, 2020
Now with a Super Bowl under his belt, Andy Reid is all but a shoo-in for the NFL Hall of Fame somewhere down the road.
We have all shared the conversation regarding who could be the next member of the Kansas City Chiefs to go into the hallowed halls of the NFL Hall of Fame. Most recently, two former greats who suited up in a Chiefs uniform got inducted in 2019. Johnny Robinson and Tony Gonzalez were both inducted as members of the 2019 class. Prior to this year, it is well documented that the Chiefs had won only one Super Bowl and it was 50 years ago. A Lombardi Trophy is an obvious boost to one’s Hall of Fame resume, so with a fifty-year hiatus from the biggest game in football, it was never a guarantee that a player would make the cut.
All that changed and now that the second Super Bowl victory in the organization’s history is in the books, we can comb through the roster and look at who’s Hall of Fame likelihood improved. Let’s start with the most obvious and most deserving, the man at the top, head coach Andy Reid.
Up until February 2nd, 2020, Andy Reid was considered to be the best coach without a Super Bowl. Now that he finally climbed the metaphorical mountain and removed the proverbial monkey off of his back, it is a safe bet to pencil his name in as a future NFL Hall of Famer. Currently sitting at number seven on the all-time win’s list with 207, the only men with more wins are Hall of Famers. The exception is New England Patriots HC Bill Belichick, but come on, he might as well have a bust already prepared.
The coaches who presently outrank Coach Reid on the wins list all have at least four years on Big Red when it comes to head coaching experience. Paul Brown, founder of the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, is one spot ahead of Coach Reid but could be surpassed in 2020 with only a seven-game advantage. Brown, along with Curly Lambeau and George Halas are the only Hall of Fame coaches with more wins but fewer Super Bowls than Reid. Granted, those men have multiple NFL Championships so that statistic is a bit of a technicality.
With the first Super Bowl win out of the way and a young quarterback named Patrick Mahomes, the best quarterback he has ever coached, there’s no guarantee on when Coach Reid will want to call it a career. The Chiefs have essentially brought everyone back for an all-in repeat attempt in 2020, but at age 62, Coach Reid is among the oldest active head coaches in the league. However, he could be on the verge of the greatest stretch in his illustrious career. Regardless of when he does decide to walk away, he can do so knowing where he will ultimately end up. Once the lure of the sideline no longer calls out to him, the next stop is undoubtedly Canton, Ohio.
Reid feels that his past has prepared him for the unique times ahead.
These are unique times that we’re living through.
The NFL is on lockdown, with coaches and personnel staffers unable to work in their normal facilities and offices. With the 2020 NFL draft just a few weeks away, the show must go on for teams like the Kansas City Chiefs. As Andy Reid spoke with the media on Thursday, we learned of his temporary office space that he’s conducting the offseason from.
“I wish I could take you on a virtual tour of this thing,” Reid told reporters on Thursday. “It’s kind of classic. I’m sitting in my basement, literally, and I’ve got an arc trainer sitting here in case I want to jump on that to get a little exercise. I’ve got my monitor set up along with my computer and my iPad right next to that. I’ve got one of my wife’s antique tables here, a little coffee table, that I’m using to throw everything on. I’m in the basement, and you know what, it’s not bad.”
Oh, how the tables have turned. Reid, a Super Bowl-winning head coach, has joined the noble ranks of keyboard warriors that work from their basements. Don’t believe Reid about his setup? The Chiefs’ social media team even shared a photo.
The grind never stops for Big Red 🐐 pic.twitter.com/C178nScVHx
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 2, 2020
It appears that Reid is looking at the December game against the Denver Broncos during this picture. What he’s looking for exactly? That’s a good question.
Reid got a bit nostalgic talking about the uniqueness of this offseason. He claims to be prepared for the uncertainty he’s dealing with now. It reminds him succinctly of the times before he was a coach in the NFL, back when he was the offensive line coach for San Francisco State from 1983-85.
“I’m glad I coached at San Francisco State because we had to work through a lot of things there,” Reid explained. “It was Division II, non-scholarship and everything wasn’t easy there. To film practice, we had to have a guy climb up on a ladder to film practice. The field, we had to have the players pick up rocks on the dirt field so we could actually practice. Those experiences help you in times like these, I think, when everything is not quite perfect to make it work.”
And Reid is making things work. He’s taking things day-by-day and working as if nothing has changed.
“Like you, we stay as current as we can through information from the League,” Reid said. “We’re approaching it like we’re having a season and I think it’s two-fold. It can be a real positive energy-giver back to the country at a time of need for that. At the same time, we are very sensitive to everything going on. As far as the offseason goes, again we are out of the office until they let us know that we can get ourselves back in. So, I’ve got different plans that I’ve set up for different stages [of the offseason] and whether it’s virtual work or whether they let us back in the building for fieldwork, whatever it is, I have put together plans for that. Then we’ll just take it day-by-day and see what presents itself. My main concern right now obviously is that everybody stays as safe as they can with this thing going on and as healthy as they can.”
Whether it’s back at the Chiefs’ facilities or from the underbelly of the Reid home, there’s a plan in place to make sure things go as smoothly as possible for Kansas City this offseason.
[vertical-gallery id=62991]
