Tag: Juan Thornhill

Chiefs defense faces unique challenge in preparing for 49ers WR Deebo Samuel

#Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo and safety Juan Thornhill shared their thoughts on slowing down 49ers WR Deebo Samuel. | from @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs travel west to battle the San Francisco 49ers in a game that will feature many players familiar from the team’s most meaningful game in the last decade.

One of those players is Deebo Samuel, who has since developed into one of the best offensive players in the league. Samuel was a rookie when these two teams faced off in Super Bowl LIV, rushing twice for 53 yards, a Super Bowl record for a wide receiver, and catching five passes for 39 yards during the 49ers’ 31–20 loss.

That night was only a preview of his talents, as he is fresh off a first-team All-Pro 2021 season and the focal point of San Francisco’s offense. Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo shared his thoughts on slowing down Samuel during Thursday’s press conference.

“Sometimes when he’s out there, you have to consider him a running back, and sometimes when he’s out there, you have to consider him a wide receiver because he’s both,” said Spagnuolo. “I’ve never seen a guy break as many tackles as he does. But he’s unique. We haven’t faced anybody like this before. The challenges that they have when they put him in the backfield when he’s not in the backfield when they’re moving him and motioning him, they’re all a challenge for us. We’re working on it, and hopefully, we can find a way to limit his explosive plays cause they’re really effective when he’s explosive.”

Samuel ended last season with 77 receptions for 1,405 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns. He impressed on the ground with 59 carries for 365 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Figuring out how to handle him in situations when he’s lined up in the backfield is at the heart of the challenge for Spagnuolo and his defense.

“You’ve got to make some conscious decisions of what you want to do,” said Spagnuolo. “Do you want to play, man? Are you going to put a linebacker on him when he’s in the backfield? Are you going to put a DB on him? If you do that, it changes the structure of everything else you’re doing. We’re going to pick our spots, but that’s obviously why they (play him at running back and receiver).”

One of the players in the Chiefs’ secondary that will be working on Samuel will be Juan Thornhill. The Chiefs starting safety spoke with reporters regarding the coverage plans for Samuel on Sunday.

“I mean – it’s obvious because of the fact that he’s not just a receiver and he’s not just a running back – he plays both positions,” said Thornhill. “You don’t see a lot of guys that can do that, and he is very effective in both spots, so that’s what makes him really effective and a really good football player.”

The Chiefs will look to limit Samuel’s effectiveness to throw off San Francisco’s rhythm and force them into a one-dimensional game plan, but it will admittedly be a tough task given his versatility.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbwa53mtds520q2 player_id=none image=https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=138956]

Juan Thornhill, Willie Gay Jr. detail Chiefs’ defensive growth during preseason

Juan Thornhill and Willie Gay Jr. shared their thoughts on the #Chiefs’ defensive growth during the preseason. | from @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs defense has changed quite a bit since last year’s AFC Championship Game. The addition of multiple rookies in the secondary and speedy young linebackers has revamped a unit seeking respect around the league in 2022.

The departures of longtime Chiefs players like Tyrann Mathieu, Daniel Sorensen, and Anthony Hitchens have opened the door for new leadership to take root. Juan Thornhill and Willie Gay Jr. have been vocal throughout training camp about their desire to help lead the team this season. The duo shared their thoughts with media members on the team’s growth so far during preseason.

“Yeah, I’ve been seeing a bunch of good things with us being out there in these preseason games,” said Thornhill. “We haven’t had the most reps but at the same time, when we’re out there we’re making the most of every single rep that we have. Guys are making plays. We’re getting stops on defense, so that’s always a good thing when the offense isn’t scoring.”

Thornhill has relished the opportunity to serve as a mentor for the young secondary and is focused on building the rookies’ confidence.

“I’ve seen the guys grow each and every day, honestly,” Thornhill explained. “Just looking at Bryan (Cook), at first, he wasn’t being super vocal, but now he’s taking the leadership role when he’s on the field. Like if he’s out there with the two’s or the one’s, I always notice him making the calls and that’s a good thing with a rookie being able to step up and take leadership like that.”

Both Thornhill and Gay Jr. are entering seasons where they are expected to be full-time starters and produce consistently. They’re also expected to help to foster success for the entire defense.

“Just constant growth each and every week,” said Gay Jr. “Each and every day. Again, you see the young guys add on and come in. They know the defense well; we didn’t have to slow it down for them or anything. So, to see that and to get those guys adding on to the defense on the back end, defensive ends, linebackers, they added on a great piece to this whole defense.”

The Chiefs enter the last preseason game on Thursday with many players still trying to make the team or solidify their roles. The continued growth of the defense between rookies, newcomers and veterans will be crucial as the team works its way back to Super Bowl contention.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbwa53mtds520q2 player_id=none image=https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=134737]

Juan Thornhill thinks Chiefs’ young secondary has uncapped potential

#Chiefs S Juan Thornhill feels there are no ceilings for the team’s young secondary: “The sky isn’t the limit — we can go past that.” | from @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs are two weeks into training camp, and players are already beginning to separate themselves from the pack.

The secondary has been rebuilt over the offseason with rookies from the draft and new veterans added via free agency. Chiefs safety Juan Thornhill remains a mainstay of a defensive unit that has gone through many changes.  Thornhill appears to be past his nagging injuries that have hampered his production over the past few years. Now, he’s taken a mentorship role in a secondary full of young and talented players.

“I mean, I was once a rookie at one point,” Thornhill told reporters. “I know that it takes time to, like, pick up on that playbook. Because (Steve Spagnuolo’s) defense, like it’s not a joke. So I think the guys are doing a heck of a job. I mean, it shows that they’re studying. They’re making a lot of plays on the ball. They’re not making a lot of mistakes on the field. And then that’s the main thing is, just that they’re playing with confidence. So I like that group a whole lot. And I’m just excited for them.”

Thornhill is just 26 years old and is entering his fourth season with the Chiefs. He says he didn’t change anything about his preparation when it comes to being a leader, he just naturally has taken up the mantle, leading by example as a veteran player in the room.

“I don’t really feel like I did anything different,” said Thornhill. “Just being more vocal to the guys. Guys come to me, ask questions, and they look to me to give them the right answer if they don’t have the right answer. So that’s the only thing that I have been doing—just trying to be a leader and lead by example. If they have any questions, just ask me. I’m not doing anything different.”

While Thornhill has already promised an All-Pro-worthy effort from himself this season, he feels that his teammates in the safety room can be very good too. Asked about the potential of the group, Thornhill was unwilling to put a cap on the possibilities.

“The sky isn’t the limit — we can go past that,” Thornhill said. “I feel like we have a really good safety group. Guys can make plays on the ball and we’ve been showing it each and every week. Guys can tackle, they’re physical. And like I said before, we’re going to be one of the most feared defensive back units in the NFL.”

[listicle id=133593]

Chiefs S Juan Thornhill selected in first round of PFF’s 2019 NFL re-draft

#Chiefs S Juan Thornhill was selected in the first round of PFF’s re-draft of the 2019 NFL draft. 👀

Pro Football Focus writer Trevor Sikkema recently went back and re-drafted the 2019 NFL draft after three seasons. Given what we know about the players in that draft class right now, things would have turned out much differently across the board.

One of the most significant changes for Kansas City is that they don’t end up trading away their first-round draft pick to acquire DE Frank Clark. PFF instead has the Chiefs keeping pick No. 29 and selecting Delaware S Nasir Adderley (Chargers). Why did they take Adderley, though? Because Juan Thornhill was already made a first-round draft pick by a division rival.

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Thornhill at pick No. 27, which is where they actually took Jonathan Abram. Here is what Sikkema had to say about the Raiders scooping Thornhill in Round 1:

“I once again think the Raiders were on the right track with the position they targeted, they just drafted the wrong player. Abrams was an athletic thumper, but time proved what Las Vegas really needed: an athlete on the back end with good range to play free safety. That is what Thornhill, who has earned two 70.0-plus grades across three seasons, could have brought them.”

During Thornhill’s rookie season, he posted 58 total tackles, three interceptions, five passes defended and a defensive touchdown before suffering a torn ACL in the final game of the regular season. He hasn’t quite had the same success since his injury, but he’s aiming to have a big year in 2022. He was selected in the second round at pick No. 63 overall, so this is a pretty big jump for him in terms of his draft slot.

Adderley, like Thornhill, has also seen his career hampered by injury a bit, so the trade-off here is a bit of a wash. The Raiders definitely are the big winners in getting Thornhill over Abram. The only problem is that this scenario still leaves the Chiefs without a solution at pass-rusher and all of the productive players at EDGE went in the top-15 picks. Such is life in NFL re-draft, though.

What do you think about Thornhill being a first-round pick in this re-draft scenario? Has he performed in such a way that he should have been selected in the first round? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section down below or on Facebook and Twitter.

[listicle id=131119]

Chiefs S Juan Thornhill gives progress report on rookies in secondary

#Chiefs S Juan Thornhill says the rookies in the defensive secondary are doing a good job picking up Steve Spagnuolo’s system. | from @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs secondary added multiple players over the offseason, with several rookie defensive backs and the signing of Justin Reid, providing some fresh faces for the revamped defense.

One of the few familiar faces on the roster is fourth-year safety, Juan Thornhill. At only 26 years old, Thornhill is one of the only veteran holdovers in the defensive secondary at the safety position. He spoke about all of the new additions to the secondary during the opening day of mandatory minicamp press conferences.

“Like you said, we’re loaded,” Thornhill told reporters. “We’ve got a bunch of good guys up there. I love them as people, they’re doing a great job learning the playbook. I remember, when I was a rookie coming in, it was kind of hard to pick up on. I think they’ve been doing a heck of a job competing for the ball and I really like them a lot.”

While there is still a long way to go until the season, Thornhill says the young players are adjusting well to the defense in Kansas City. Even with Steve Spagnuolo expecting some growing pains, this group seems to have come a long way in a short time. Thornhill says they’re earning playing time alongside veterans and look the part, which is always a good sign.

“The defense is really hard,” said Thornhill. “If you’re not studying your playbook, you’re not going to pick up on it. It shows that the guys are in their playbook, they’re taking this thing pretty serious because they’re not making a lot of mistakes out there. They look like veterans out there with the playbook, they’re playing with some of the older guys. And I think they’re doing a really good job with it.”

Without Tyrann Mathieu in the fold, Thornhill is a player that is being looked to as a leader and “old guy” in the locker room. The need to get the young players up to speed and adjust to life in the NFL has become a responsibility that Thornhill appreciates.

“I mean, I love it,” said Thornhill. “Honestly, just being like the oldest guy in the room with a bunch of rookies, I basically can lead the way now. Just being a leader taking on that role. That’s pretty much all I can do.”

The Chiefs added rookies Trent McDuffie, Bryan Cook, Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson and Nazeeh Johnson to the secondary during April’s draft. Thornhill says the group is already bonding as if they’d all been in the locker room together for many years prior.

“Like each and every week we’re trying to either get to someone’s house and hang out, watch a basketball game or something like that,” said Thornhill. “Just so we can keep that bond. And even here in the locker room, like guys aren’t rushing to get out to get home. We’ll sit in there just like play cards or something like that. And then if you got guys and they just want to hang with each other, you’re gonna play so much better on the field.”

Only time will tell if Thornhill becomes the mentor he appears prepared to be this season. His postseason experience could prove to be critical for a young secondary with big goals in mind for the 2022 NFL season.

[listicle id=130966]

Chiefs S Juan Thornhill aims to have All-Pro season in 2022

“I’m planning on playing my best football by far.” #Chiefs S Juan Thornhill set some lofty expectations for himself for the 2022 NFL season.

Fourth-year Kansas City Chiefs S Juan Thornhill has some lofty expectations for his 2022 campaign.

The past two seasons didn’t quite go the way that Thornhill had hoped. During his 2020 season, he was coming off of a season-ending injury suffered in the final regular-season game of 2019. He would only start eight games that season as a result of the injury. In 2021, Thornhill didn’t take over as a starter for Daniel Sorensen and play a majority of the snaps for the Chiefs until Week 6.

Entering the final year of his rookie deal, Thornhill expects big things for himself.

“I’ve got high expectations, it’s as simple as that,” Thornhill told reporters. “I’m planning on playing my best football by far, being at the top of my game. And I’m expecting an All-Pro season. I’m saying that right now.”

The only season where Thornhill even put up close to All-Pro numbers was his rookie year, where he posted 58 total tackles, three interceptions, five passes defended and a defensive touchdown. Having an All-Pro year in 2022 would be quite the heel turn for his career after two down seasons.

Thornhill says has recovered from the injury that seemingly limited him the past two years, both mentally and physically. He’s extremely confident in his abilities heading into the new year and it doesn’t just seem to be because of the contract year, but also because of his health.

“I’m all the way back,” Thornhill said. “If you’re out there watching me right now, I’m flying around. I’m not thinking about the knee at all. My confidence is on a high and I feel like I can run and compete with anybody on the field. Like I said before, I’m going to have an All-Pro season. I’m putting it out there and if y’all want to take that down, record it, it doesn’t matter. I’m committed to doing that.”

Thornhill later triple-downed on his prediction, posting the following on Twitter:

Only time will tell if Thornhill is up for the challenge, but there’s nothing wrong with a little confidence during the offseason.

[listicle id=130925]

Chiefs defenders got together in Arizona for offseason workouts

Patrick Mahomes wasn’t the only member of the #Chiefs getting together with teammates for offseason workouts.

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and his offensive teammates weren’t the only players on the team who got together of their own volition during the offseason to get some work in.

Speaking to the media to kick off the team’s offseason workout program, Chiefs LB Nick Bolton informed local reporters of what he’s been up to this offseason. He stopped by the team facility for workouts when he was in town, he linked up with fellow LB Willie Gay Jr. for workouts and he also met up with a few defenders (and one receiver) who were in Arizona for offseason training.

“Yeah, there’s been a couple of times when I work out at the facility, there have been a couple of guys there. I’ve worked out with Willie (Gay). I know Jermaine (Carter) got in today. Also, Elijah Lee got in today. I’m looking forward to working out with those guys. In the offseason, I was actually in Arizona. Justin Reid was down there. We had a couple of guys down there. Cornell Powell, Juan (Thornhill) was down there. We all get work in, we don’t really post to social media, but we’re all getting work in together trying to improve and trying to reach the goal at the end of the year to hoist up the trophy.”

It’s important for players on the defensive side of the ball to get together and build some chemistry too. As much change as there has been at the receiver position, there’s been perhaps an equal amount of change on the defensive side of the ball.

With veteran linebacker Anthony Hitchens no longer on the team, many expect Bolton to take up a leadership role for that position group. He doesn’t necessarily feel the pressure to pick up that mantle and expects a collective effort from his defensive teammates when it comes to leadership.

“I feel like going into this year, it’s collective, it’s not just me,” Bolton said. “We’ve got a lot of new faces. I got older guys, our D-Line is kind of the vets of our defense right now. We’re going to rely on those guys as the season goes on. Us, being linebackers, we’ve just got to be vocal, make sure that everybody is on the same page, communicating. Make sure that everyone is comfortable with each other. That will come as the season goes on, guys coming in the next couple of weeks, we’ll build the foundation now so that we can go in during phase two and hit the field with trust.”

As for the foundation they’re putting together right now, there hasn’t been any specific discussion or roles as they’re still very early in the offseason. They’re still feeling things out in the linebacker room as they welcome some new players and get used to having a new position coach (former defensive line coach Brendan Daly) after having Matt House as their linebacker coach for the past three seasons.

“Most conversations are just on how we can improve as a unit,” Bolton said. “How can we be better athletes, that’s really what we’re working on. We haven’t really got into football, so we haven’t really discussed the logistics of positions and stuff like that. We’re just laying the groundwork, communicating and getting to know each other, stuff like that. We’ve got a brand new coach (Brendan Daly), so we’re communicating with him as well with the other linebackers, just introducing ourselves. That’s where we’re at right now, but we’re excited by what we’ve got going forward.”

[listicle id=126997]

Secret Superstars of the NFL’s conference championship games

Arik Armstead, Tyler Higbee, Sam Hubbard, and Juan Thornhill are four underrated players whose presence could mean a lot in the championship games.

Matthew Stafford. Joe Burrow. Patrick Mahomes. Nick Bosa. Aaron Donald. Cooper Kupp. Odell Beckham Jr. Tyreek Hill. Ja’Marr Chase. Deebo Samuel.

The Conference Championship games for the 2021 NFL season are filled with some of the league’s biggest names, and justifiably so. But every big game also has “smaller” names who rise up at the right time to make things happen when they’re most needed.

Here’s one under-the-radar player for each of the four remaining teams in the tournament, whose exploits could swing things in the directions of their franchises on the way to Super Bowl LVI.

Chiefs set to make changes on both offense and defense in Week 6

Changes on both offense and defense are coming for a 2-3 #Chiefs team looking to get back on track.

The Kansas City Chiefs are set to make some changes to their starting lineup during the Week 6 game against the Washington Football Team.

After some abysmal play through the first five weeks of the season, the Chiefs have finally decided to bench Daniel Sorensen for Juan Thornhill. That’s not the only move on the defensive side of the ball that the team is set to make, though.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Chiefs are intent on getting more speed on the field on defense this week. Willie Gay Jr., who played his first game of 2021 last week after a short stay on injured reserve, is set to get more playtime alongside rookie LB Nick Bolton.

There were times during training camp where Gay looked like the best defensive player on the field. Getting him involved with more frequency is a smart choice for Kansas City, especially if he’s feeling more like himself after his return from injury.

The changes coming on Sunday don’t just extend to the defense either. According to our friend Pete Sweeney at Arrowhead Pride, the Chiefs intend to start Mike Remmers at right tackle over Lucas Niang. Earlier in the week, Remmers was spotted in a team photo from practice, taking snaps with the starting offensive line.

Fans who watched Remmers’ performance at left tackle in Super Bowl LV are probably seething with rage over this move. But if you watched No. 75 all year long, you’ll recognize that he did a fantastic job during the regular season at right tackle. With Patrick Mahomes struggling in the pocket, and Niang coming off a game where he surrendered eight pressures, it makes sense to make the switch and add a steady veteran presence to the right side of the line. Niang still has great long-term upside, but this could be a short-term move to help stabilize the offensive line.

Another move on the offensive side of the ball this week is to ensure that Josh Gordon receives more playtime. Andy Reid said as much earlier in the week, but former Chiefs OL Jeff Allen confirmed it.

Last week, the Chiefs had planned around 20 snaps for Gordon, but they switched into a hurry-up type of offense once they started playing from behind. That took Gordon out of the game plan, but this week he’s more prepared for any in-game situation the team may be faced with.

It remains to be seen whether these moves will help, but it’s hard to imagine that they could make things any worse after Kansas City’s rough start to the 2021 NFL season.

[listicle id=105618]

Chiefs to bench Daniel Sorensen, start Juan Thornhill in Week 6

The #Chiefs are making a change at the free safety position on Sunday according to a new report.

The Kansas City Chiefs are finally making a change at the free safety position according to a new report.

Eighth-year veteran Daniel Sorensen is heading to the bench in Week 6, yielding starting snaps to third-year man Juan Thornhill per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Steve Spagnuolo hinted this change might be coming during his press conference earlier in the week, defending Sorensen in the same breath.

Sorensen has played nearly 100% of the Chiefs’ defensive snaps on the year, starting in each of the first five games at the free safety position. Through those first five games, Sorensen’s play has been severely lacking. Not only does the former undrafted free agent out of BYU lead the league in missed tackles with 12, but he leads his position group in passer rating allowed with 153.8. Last week, Sorensen surrendered two explosive plays in coverage against the Bills on Sunday night, including a 53-yard touchdown to Dawson Knox.

The Chiefs really had no choice but to make a change here. Fans have been calling for it from the beginning of the season and it has only been worse as Sorensen’s performance has declined. This change won’t cure their defensive ailments, but after the 2-3 start it was clear that a change was necessary, and that it couldn’t hurt.

A second-round draft pick in 2019, the 26-year-old Thornhill should have been starting in the first place. Thornhill unseated Sorensen as a rookie, but his late-season knee injury in 2019 seemed to have set him back a long way. He was never 100% in his return from the injury in 2020. The coaching staff insisted that earlier this season he was still working through some mental things related to his late-season knee injury. Now, he’s going to get the chance to prove that he’s all the way back, potentially providing a boost to a defensive unit that desperately needs it.

[listicle id=105618]