Tag: chiefs training camp

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: Hollywood Brown has ‘done a great job’

#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes lauded WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown during his comments to the media on Thursday.

The Kansas City Chiefs ended their mandatory offseason minicamp on Thursday, marking the last time that the team will practice together until training camp in late July.

After the team’s final workout on Thursday, star quarterback Patrick Mahomes spoke with the media. In his comments, the Super Bowl LVIII MVP detailed his thoughts on receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, who has impressed during the team’s offseason practices.

“He’s [Brown] done a great job,” Mahomes said. “It’s hard to learn this offense and I feel like he’s done a great job picking it up very fast. Obviously, you see the ability – I mean obviously I don’t know how he’s here in our place because of how talented he is.”

The 28-year-old quarterback intends to hold Brown to high standards this season and told reporters that he expects the veteran receiver to open up the offense.

“I can just see that it’s going to be a great season for him,” Mahomes explained. “[Brown will] just take pressure off of other guys and I think it’s going to help get [Travis Kelce] open, help get Rashee open, going to help get all these guys open. You’re going to have that speed threat that can run routes and do all those different things so I’m very excited to get him out there in the regular season.”

Brown has been a standout performer in minicamp workouts and has already established chemistry with Mahomes, which will pay dividends for the pair during the regular season.

Four observations from Chiefs training camp practice on Sunday

Our @Nicolas_Roesch shared his four key takeaways from the #Chiefs’ training camp practice on Sunday.

The first practice of training camp is in the books for the Kansas City Chiefs after the team ran a relatively short session that featured a lot of 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 on Sunday morning. The players aren’t wearing pads until later this week, so they were still a bit limited in what they could do. At this stage in camp, the passing game tends to play a central role in most of the team workouts.

Here are four observations from Sunday’s practice:

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes expects difficult road to Super Bowl LVIII through stacked AFC

#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is holding no illusions about how tough it will be to reach Super Bowl LVIII and win back-to-back titles. | from @LazarczykLogan

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Rookies reporting to training camp on Tuesday signifies how close we are to the 2023 NFL season, and the Kansas City Chiefs defending their Super Bowl.

Despite winning a Super Bowl last season, Patrick Mahomes understands that this year is a clean slate. They can’t hang their hat on their Super Bowl LVII win against the Philadelphia Eagles. Players, both new and old, will need to be focused if they want to go back-to-back.

 “Yeah I mean there hasn’t been a team to go back-to-back since the Patriots in I think ’03-’04. So, everybody’s motivated by that,” Mahomes told reporters on Tuesday. “You should be motivated every year in the league it shouldn’t matter what last year was, you should be motivated to do it again. When you have that parade, when you go through the offseason that I’ve been through you want to do it again. You only get those opportunities by winning the Super Bowl. So for us, we want to make sure that we can build up and try to win that Super Bowl again because that moment, that feeling is something you just want to grab every single time you get the opportunity to.”

After winning Super Bowl LIV in 2019, the Chiefs still had great success. They followed up their “Run It Back” theme with a return to the big game in Super Bowl LV. They fell short of their goal in that game and Mahomes wants to be more buttoned-up this time around when it comes to defending last year’s Super Bowl title.

“I don’t think we laid off the little things, but just having that consistent effort every single week,” Mahomes explained. “Look at us last time after we won the first Super Bowl, we really were like 14-1 we sat the last game went to the playoffs and ended up losing in the Super Bowl. You get in that mode especially when you’re winning a lot of games where you – I don’t want to say coast – but you kind of [think] ‘this is what we do, let’s just go out, practice this way, and then win a game.’ Whereas this time I think I’m going to try to really push and motivate guys to try to continue to try and get better. Even though we’re winning football games let’s not be satisfied with just winning, let’s be satisfied with finding ways to get better every single week. And so, whenever you get to that opportunity you don’t let it squander, you really take advantage of it. It’s hard.”

Winning in the NFL is difficult, to say the least. Mahomes understands that this year especially will be a tall task, as the AFC is loaded with talent in every division.

“I think it’s going to be the hardest it’s ever been,” Mahomes continued. “I’ve said it a lot, you look at the AFC, almost every team you can see a path for them getting to the playoffs. And I know you say that every year, but I think this year it’s really real. We know week in and week out it’s going to be a challenge for us, let’s get better and try to win as many football games as possible and put ourselves in that position.”

Every team starts with the same record when the season kicks off in September and they’re all building toward the same goal. The 27-year-old quarterback is focused on improving and ensuring that this team is even better than the one they fielded a season ago.

“I think the theme this year is how can we keep building,” Mahomes said. “Obviously, we won the Super Bowl last year and it was amazing, but we still have a lot of young guys. We want to continue to get better and better. You look around the AFC, everyone’s gotten better. So, you want to continue to build and build and not be satisfied with what we did last year and see if we can take that next step.”

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Creed Humphrey optimistic Chiefs’ offensive line can be even better in 2022

The #Chiefs’ offensive line set high standards last season. Second-year center Creed Humphrey thinks they can be even better in 2022. | from @EdEastonJr

The horrors of the pressure Patrick Mahomes faced in Super Bowl LV will forever remain in the minds of Kansas City Chiefs fans. Mahomes spent most of that game scrambling and being helped off the turf from big hits.

In the ensuing offseason, the Chiefs’ brass decided to revamp the offensive line with young players via the draft. One of the young players was Oklahoma center Creed Humphrey, who was impressive in his rookie campaign, anchoring a much-improved line. Humphrey discussed his teammates in the trenches, who are informing his sophomore season and the high expectations they have heading into the new year.

“It’s nice having guys like Joe (Thuney), Orlando (Brown), Andrew (Wylie) on the line that has been in that position,” Humphrey told reporters on Monday. “They have come in that second year, have done that second year, so it’s been nice to talk them about it and everything. For me, it’s really just I’m continuing to focus on my game and try to get my weaknesses better and my strengths better, so really, that’s what I’m focused on right now in camp is improving how I play game.”

The Chiefs’ offensive line has come a long way since the struggles that plagued their 2020 Super Bowl run. The unit was recently ranked the best offensive line in the league by ESPN’s offseason metrics. The accolades haven’t stalled the competitive nature of each player, especially the hunger to get better during training camp.

“It’s been very competitive these past couple of weeks,” said Humphrey “We’ve had some hot days, really humid hot days; everybody’s been pretty moist out there just getting after it, though, competing every play. So it’s been really good. You kind of see the mental toughness of what we have in the group and what the defensive line has in the group, so it’s been really fun to see. We have some very talented guys who are also in love with the game, they want to continue to be great and become better, so it’s always a good thing when you have that in the room.”

Humphrey has quickly garnered respect on the team and around the league for his gritty play. He was snubbed for Pro Bowl and All-Pro spots last year, but he will again be on the radar for both accolades this season.

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Here’s what Chiefs DE Mike Danna worked to improve this offseason

#Chiefs DE Mike Danna worked on a number of facets of his game this offseason, but one spent most of his time working to improve one specific area. | from @EdEastonJr

The defensive line has always been the backbone of defensive success for the Kansas City Chiefs. Whether it was Buck Buchanan, Derrick Thomas, or Tamba Hali rushing the passer, the defensive line has always featured a strong pass rush.

Heading into this season, the team had some big questions along the defensive line to answer. They used free agency and the draft to potentially answer those questions. They also could have an answer in a veteran member of the defensive line as Mike Danna is poised to take a step forward in his development in 2022.

Danna is entering his third season in Kansas City and has shown steady improvement throughout his career. In 2021, he played all 17 regular season games and started in six. As he enters a pivotal season, Danna has spent the offseason focusing on various aspects of his game that he thinks will make him a better player when it comes to rushing the passer.

“Making the game slow down, man in the sense of pre-snap keys, o-line indicators, working my eyes,” Danna told reporters on Monday. “Then from fundamentals and technique, I did a lot of pass rushing. A lot of flipping the hips, worked on a lot of power. It’s a combo of things and also from the run standpoint, anchoring down. Being able to hunch your feet, play the box, read blocks. But the biggest thing for me was just reading pre-snap keys so I can get a jump on the snap or, you know, an advantage when it comes to the snap of the ball.”

During the team’s first padded training camp practice on Monday, Danna had plenty of work with the first team defense alongside Frank Clark and Chris Jones. He had some successful pass-rushing snaps too.

The 24-year-old appears ready to prove he deserves consistent playing time in the edge rush rotation. The addition of veteran pass rusher Carlos Dunlap will make things tougher on Danna, but it will also push everyone on the team to step their game up in order to secure more time on the field.

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Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo praised rookie CB Joshua Williams’ competitiveness

#Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo likes what he’s seen from CB Joshua Williams during training camp. | from @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs are in full swing at training camp as players and coaches continue to acclimate ahead of the team’s first preseason game. Coaches are noticing more from the recent group of rookies as they show their value on the football field.

Joshua Williams gained traction early in camp after opening up with the defensive starters. The fourth-round rookie out of Fayetteville State had 31 tackles with nine passes defended and three interceptions during his last season in college. His athleticism and production earned him an invite to the Senior Bowl where he impressed NFL scouts. Now, he’s making an impression on the coaching staff in Kansas City.

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo shared his thoughts on the HBCU standout while speaking with media Thursday.

“Yeah, I’ve got some young dudes back there,” said Spagnuolo. “I’ll tell you what to be honest with you, that’s an exciting thing for me personally. I like working with these young guys. I’m not so sure I want so many at one time that we’re basically relying on, but I think Joshua (Williams) has done a very nice job. The one thing that Joshua does is that when we ask him to do something a certain way technique-wise, he goes right out there and tries to do that and he’s been doing it all the way through. There’s a learning curve there and there are going to be mistakes. I love the way he competes though.”

Williams has quickly garnered respect around camp with veteran safety Justin Reid’s making comments earlier in the week. The high praise from Spagnuolo at training camp is a positive for the rookie cornerback, but he’ll need to keep his foot on the gas throughout and continue to make positive strides during the preseason.

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Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco ready to play any role needed this season

Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco is ready to play any role this season. | from @EdEastonJr

The start of every NFL player’s career has its share of challenges and obstacles to reaching the pinnacle. A player selected in the late rounds of the NFL draft is usually facing an uphill climb to not only make a name for himself but also make the team.

The Kansas City Chiefs selected Rutgers speedster running back Isiah Pacheco in the seventh round of this year’s draft, banking on his impressive ability. The new No. 10 for the Chiefs expressed his willingness to play any role if called upon by the coaches this season. He’s recently used the hot weather in his hometown as motivation for training camp and discussing with reporters on Saturday.

“Training in South Jersey is really hot out there right now in the hundreds,” said Pacheco. “So just taking advantage of the heat, practicing back at home, getting prepared for the camp, is something I took advantage of.”

Pacheco was a team captain during his tenure at Rutgers, showcasing his skills on the field but also his determination and toughness. He is open to adapting to new positions and starting on special teams to help the team succeed without changing his character.

“Nothing makes me different,” said Pacheco. “Just be the same guy, like I did before at Rutgers. And, you know, be a team player, whatever coach wants me to do, I’m gonna do it. And take advantage of any opportunities. Coming from an offensive coach at the running back position, coach Augie (Hoffmann) definitely prepared me for the next level, and I feel like I’m at a good size to where I could take on blocking.”

Pacheco has the right attitude to start his first training camp and will be pushing to carve a consistent spot on the team. The arrival of veterans soon will be another measuring stick for the rookie running back.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid pleased with unconventional 2020 training camp

2020 presented a lot of challenges for NFL training camp. Now that it’s over, how does Andy Reid feel Chiefs camp went?

NFL training camps were faced with multiple challenges in 2020 but with camps starting to wrap up the question is how well did they go? The Kansas City Chiefs will be transitioning away from the training camp schedule to a regular daily practice schedule after completing their final practice on Saturday.

“Today’s kind of really the last official day of training camp for us, we’ll start regular practices here next week as far as the schedule goes,” Chiefs HC Andy Reid said. “So, I thought it went smoothly. We had a good plan for it, and we were able to get the stuff in that we needed on both sides of the ball and special teams, so I came out of it feeling pretty good. We’re relatively healthy and we’ll be ready to go.”

A lot of people working together were necessary to pull off training camp all across the league. Protocols and safety measures were put in place in order to keep players, coaches, and personnel safe. Reid praised the collaborative effort that it took from everyone to make training camp go without a hitch.

“Well, there was some responsibility that took place with the players taking care of themselves and the coaches taking care of themselves, just physically with the virus surrounding the different areas,” Reid said. “So, we were able to work our way through it and I thought we got things accomplished. And the guys stayed focused on the job at hand. So, I was proud of it and proud of the guys for the way all of us handled it.

“The organization, the plan that they had—Rick Burkholder, Mark Donovan, Mitch Reynolds and Kirsten (Krug) was involved with it—these people gave up their summers to make sure that we could pull this off safely—Rocco (Mazzella), who’s in charge of our facility here and his crew. It’s important though that we don’t pull the pedal off the gas here, that we continue on in all the directions that have been presented this camp and that we continue to focus on all the things we need to do, not only to play the Texans but also going forward, obviously with the racial situations.”

With training camp now in the rearview mirror, the emphasis for Kansas City moves to the regular season, defending their Lombardi Trophy and pursuing a brand new one. Like training camp, the upcoming season will be unconventional in many ways. It too will require a collaborative effort so that the team may successfully and safely navigate the various challenges they face.

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Chiefs’ Greg Lewis sees bright future in depth at WR position

Kansas City Chiefs WR coach Greg Lewis is getting the most out of a deep WR group.

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The Kansas City Chiefs have a ton of speed in their receiving corps, but what may not be as evident is the depth of the group.

The marquee players like Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins are only the surface. Mecole Hardman and Demarcus Robinson are the primary third and fourth receivers, respectively, with plenty of young and talented guys nipping on their heels for playing time.

Chiefs WR coach Greg Lewis played for Andy Reid for six seasons in Philadelphia and now enters his fourth serving as one of his top assistants. Under Lewis, Hill has developed into one of the best receivers in the NFL today and a lot of people are clamoring about what Hardman could do in his second season as a professional.

“I want him to work on becoming bigger, being more explosive,” Lewis said of Hardman. “Obviously, he was explosive last year, but he has more in him and just understands all facets of the offense. I think he did a wonderful job this offseason of doing those things and coming back prepared and ready to get to work, so I’m excited where he is right now and what’s to come.”

Division II product out of Valdosta State, Jody Fortson has been one of the hotter names around training camp. His 6 foot 6, 230-pound frame is eye-catching, but his circus-like grabs are what keeps you watching. Fortson spent the 2019 season on the Chiefs’ practice squad but hopes to make the 53-man roster in 2020.

“Jody came in as a tryout guy and we released him and then he came back and he was playing tight end, then moved to receiver,” Lewis said. “So just really being able to focus on one position, understanding what’s going on with the offense at the receiver position. That’s allowed him to play faster and play more physical and let his natural talent show, and I think he’s done a tremendous job of that throughout this offseason and up through training camp thus far. He’s a guy that’s a workaholic, he wants to be great.”

Having such a deep receiving room is one thing, but making sure those players are ready to step in when an opportunity arises is another. Lewis has done a great job getting guys prepared, look no further than early on last season when the Chiefs were without both Hill and Watkins

“Well, it’s a juggling act with all the receivers that are involved here,” Lewis said. “My big thing and what Coach preaches to me is to make sure everybody knows every position because in a game situation you never know who could go down and what not and we need to continue to put the guys in position to be successful.

“So understanding everything is big and then just technique wise just making sure everybody’s on the same page and able to do the same things, some may be better than others, but we’re able to get the job done with whoever is out there.”

There are many weapons to catch passes from Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, which is why they are one of the toughest teams to slow down offensively. From Hardman to Fortson and everyone in between, it sounds like an embarrassment of riches that Reid, Lewis, and Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy will use to put a lot of points on the board.

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Andy Reid trusts Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes to make unorthodox throws

Patrick Mahomes has gained a reputation for making miraculous but somewhat dangerous throws and Andy Reid doesn’t mind.

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The 2018 NFL MVP, Patrick Mahomes, has gained a reputation for making some miraculous yet somewhat dangerous throws. The no-look against the Ravens and the scrambling left-hander against the Broncos are the most notorious. There have been times when Mahomes’ unorthodox approach has cost the offense. For instance, in the 2019 season opener in Jacksonville, Mahomes overthrew a wide-open Travis Kelce in the end zone due to an attempted no-look.

How does the man in charge feel about Mahomes’ thrilling yet breath-holding throws? Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid recently touched on the subject at training camp.

“I have seen it and my advantage is I know where the guys are going and kind of what the secondary is doing, so I can normally tell when it leaves his hand whether it’s good or bad,” Reid stated. “I trust him because he has tremendous vision and he makes good decisions. So, he’s not going to do something to hurt the team like throw interceptions – that’s just not his deal. When he moves, he’s aware of what’s going on, what the situation is in the game, which all become important – down and distance and obviously field position.”

Reid is known for his creativity and imagination when it comes to his offensive playbook. This opens up a lot of opportunities for the Chiefs’ gunslinger but it doesn’t mean it takes any less effort and work.

“I’m not sure we have one play that has one option, so normally there’s three of them and any time there’s three, it obviously keeps pressure on the defense as long as you’re reading it the right way, and normally it’s good versus just about everything,” Reid said. “So, Pat has a good feel on that. He reads quickly and accurately.

“Listen, he’s blessed with great vision. That’s the thing I keep coming back to you with is he sees, and he has a mind that is decisive with decision making. For the young guys out there, kids that are trying to be quarterbacks, nobody works harder at it. Nobody studies more than he does. So, he’s blessed with this, but he also works tremendously hard at the job.”

Mahomes and Reid are at the top of the NFL mountain right now and they are preparing to be there for a while. As defending Super Bowl champions, the target on their backs is vivid. They’ll be receiving the absolute best shot from each team they face moving forward. Reid’s trust in his young quarterback speaks volumes to the relationship the two have already built. The most exciting thing for Chiefs fans but simultaneously the scariest thing for everyone else? Mahomes will only continue to get better.

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