Tag: Noah Gray

Chiefs OC Eric Bienemy shares impressions of rookies Noah Gray, Cornell Powell

#Chiefs OC Eric Bienemy revealed his early impression of rookies Noah Gray and Cornell Powell. | from @EdEastonJr

The bark of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy can famously be heard on most days during training camp. The intense words may come off aggressive, but they strongly support the talent he is coaching.

As the new rookie class continues to learn and showcase their ability in the Chiefs offense, they will have eyes all over them constantly evaluating. Two of Kansas City’s top picks on offense, Noah Gray and Cornell Powell, have plenty of potential in Bienemy’s offense. The Chiefs’ respected offensive coordinator revealed his impression of the duo of rookie receivers during Monday’s press conference.

”Those guys are working hard every day,” said Bieniemy. “They’re doing a hell of a job. Are they right where we need them to be? Not quite, but I will say this, every day, I’m seeing them improve upon something.”

Both Gray and Powell have seen up-and-down moments at training camp, but that’s part of the process for a young player in the NFL. What Bieniemy is out to ensure they both do is learn from their mistakes in practice.

“Now, are they making mistakes? Yes, mistakes happen,” Bieniemy explained. “And like I said, you want to encourage them because when they do make a mistake, it’s not about that particular play; it’s what are they going to do the next time they have an opportunity to get out there. So, the good thing is that both of those guys are working their tails off. They’ve found a way to make plays each and every day, and so the thing that we want them to do is just to continue to strive to be at their best.”

Bienemy’s offense has been heralded as the best in the NFL over the past few seasons. The young additions are expected to help keep that trend going in a positive direction during the foreseeable future.

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Chiefs rookie TE Noah Gray credits teammates for early development

Travis Kelce, Blake Bell, Jody Fortson, Nick Keizer and Evan Baylis have all played a role in #Chiefs rookie TE Noah Gray’s early development.

One of the earliest standout rookies during the offseason program for the Kansas City Chiefs has been fifth-round draft pick Noah Gray.

He’s impressed Chiefs HC Andy Reid and built a repertoire with star QB Patrick Mahomes, combining for a number of standout moments during team drills at practice. The former Duke Blue Devil isn’t taking much credit for his offseason success, though. He first noted that having Organized Team Activities (OTAs) made all the difference in the world — a luxury that last year’s rookies didn’t have.

“OTAs was really a blessing for us,” Gray told reporters on Saturday. “I don’t know how the rookies last year did it, so I think we’ve got to give a lot of credit to those guys who are sophomores now in the league. But going through OTAs really helped just from a knowledge standpoint, just understanding the basic concepts that this offense asks you to know. So, it was definitely a huge help from that perspective.”

On top of acquiring all that extra knowledge at OTAs, Gray credits his teammates with helping his early development. To this point, the Chiefs have mostly engaged in what Andy Reid describes as “passing camps.” Meaning, the team hasn’t yet worked on blocking. That’s an area where Gray knows he’ll need improvements. He’ll continue leaning on his peers in those moments.

“What I need to work on, just everything,” Gray said. “Out here today there were a lot of things that in OTAs I was asked to work on that I need to keep building on. Route-running, blocking—we haven’t put pads on yet but when blocking comes that’s going to be something that’s going to need to continue to progress. But there are a lot of things in the route-running game that I still need to get better at. I’m still asking questions. Jody (Fortson) has been phenomenal, when Trav (Kelce) gets back he’s been a great teacher and mentor, and really all the other tight ends like Nick (Keizer), all those other guys, Evan (Baylis) and Blake (Bell), they’re just really a blessing to be teammates and be a part of. So, really a credit to those guys for helping me progress along this journey.”

Gray didn’t get a chance to go to Travis Kelce’s inaugural Tight End University Summit this offseason because he was hosting a football camp of his own. The thing is, Gray gets a chance to get on the field and work with Kelce often in practice. The rookie isn’t taking that fact for granted and is doing his best to gain as much knowledge from the veteran as possible.

“It’s tremendous. Like I said on draft day, I don’t think there’s anywhere else I’d rather be in the country,” Gray said. “To be able to learn under Travis Kelce, one of the best tight ends in the league, right now it’s a blessing. To come out here and to be able to gain that knowledge from him and to learn from him every day and to be able to visualize and watch him on the field, that’s been something that’s been extremely key to me coming out and being able to execute my assignment. Even guys like Blake, guys like Nick, those guys have been in the system and they’ve been tremendous in helping me out with my development and just being able to come out here and execute what I need to do.”

Even with the early success that he’s seen, Gray is doing his best not to get a big head. Mahomes had some high praise for the rookie tight end back in OTAs.

“Noah has been really good,” Mahomes said during OTAs. “I think he has a veteran-type skill set where he knows how to get himself open even if it’s not exactly what the play is designed to do. He knows how to get his eyes back and how to get on the quarterback’s timing.”

Gray’s response to these comments was quite humble and more reminiscent of something you’d hear from a 10-year veteran.

“It’s a blessing that he thinks that of me, but I also understand that I need to come out here and keep grinding, keep hitting the playbook and keep practicing hard,” Gray said. “From a mentality standpoint, it just means that I need to keep doing the things that I know that I can do. It’s great that a teammate thinks that of me, but to be able to come out here and be the best teammate that I can be, that’s what means the most to me.”

No matter the success that Gray finds at training camp over the next several weeks, he won’t be satisfied with it. He’ll keep going, doing what he’s already done to improve and stand out early on in the offseason program. He’ll be the best teammate that he can be and he’ll keep leaning on the tight end room for support and knowledge.

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Chiefs rookie TE Noah Gray credits teammates for early development

Travis Kelce, Blake Bell, Jody Fortson, Nick Keizer and Evan Baylis have all played a role in #Chiefs rookie TE Noah Gray’s early development.

One of the earliest standout rookies during the offseason program for the Kansas City Chiefs has been fifth-round draft pick Noah Gray.

He’s impressed Chiefs HC Andy Reid and built a repertoire with star QB Patrick Mahomes, combining for a number of standout moments during team drills at practice. The former Duke Blue Devil isn’t taking much credit for his offseason success, though. He first noted that having Organized Team Activities (OTAs) made all the difference in the world — a luxury that last year’s rookies didn’t have.

“OTAs was really a blessing for us,” Gray told reporters on Saturday. “I don’t know how the rookies last year did it, so I think we’ve got to give a lot of credit to those guys who are sophomores now in the league. But going through OTAs really helped just from a knowledge standpoint, just understanding the basic concepts that this offense asks you to know. So, it was definitely a huge help from that perspective.”

On top of acquiring all that extra knowledge at OTAs, Gray credits his teammates with helping his early development. To this point, the Chiefs have mostly engaged in what Andy Reid describes as “passing camps.” Meaning, the team hasn’t yet worked on blocking. That’s an area where Gray knows he’ll need improvements. He’ll continue leaning on his peers in those moments.

“What I need to work on, just everything,” Gray said. “Out here today there were a lot of things that in OTAs I was asked to work on that I need to keep building on. Route-running, blocking—we haven’t put pads on yet but when blocking comes that’s going to be something that’s going to need to continue to progress. But there are a lot of things in the route-running game that I still need to get better at. I’m still asking questions. Jody (Fortson) has been phenomenal, when Trav (Kelce) gets back he’s been a great teacher and mentor, and really all the other tight ends like Nick (Keizer), all those other guys, Evan (Baylis) and Blake (Bell), they’re just really a blessing to be teammates and be a part of. So, really a credit to those guys for helping me progress along this journey.”

Gray didn’t get a chance to go to Travis Kelce’s inaugural Tight End University Summit this offseason because he was hosting a football camp of his own. The thing is, Gray gets a chance to get on the field and work with Kelce often in practice. The rookie isn’t taking that fact for granted and is doing his best to gain as much knowledge from the veteran as possible.

“It’s tremendous. Like I said on draft day, I don’t think there’s anywhere else I’d rather be in the country,” Gray said. “To be able to learn under Travis Kelce, one of the best tight ends in the league, right now it’s a blessing. To come out here and to be able to gain that knowledge from him and to learn from him every day and to be able to visualize and watch him on the field, that’s been something that’s been extremely key to me coming out and being able to execute my assignment. Even guys like Blake, guys like Nick, those guys have been in the system and they’ve been tremendous in helping me out with my development and just being able to come out here and execute what I need to do.”

Even with the early success that he’s seen, Gray is doing his best not to get a big head. Mahomes had some high praise for the rookie tight end back in OTAs.

“Noah has been really good,” Mahomes said during OTAs. “I think he has a veteran-type skill set where he knows how to get himself open even if it’s not exactly what the play is designed to do. He knows how to get his eyes back and how to get on the quarterback’s timing.”

Gray’s response to these comments was quite humble and more reminiscent of something you’d hear from a 10-year veteran.

“It’s a blessing that he thinks that of me, but I also understand that I need to come out here and keep grinding, keep hitting the playbook and keep practicing hard,” Gray said. “From a mentality standpoint, it just means that I need to keep doing the things that I know that I can do. It’s great that a teammate thinks that of me, but to be able to come out here and be the best teammate that I can be, that’s what means the most to me.”

No matter the success that Gray finds at training camp over the next several weeks, he won’t be satisfied with it. He’ll keep going, doing what he’s already done to improve and stand out early on in the offseason program. He’ll be the best teammate that he can be and he’ll keep leaning on the tight end room for support and knowledge.

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Chiefs rookie TE Noah Gray hosting youth football clinic in his hometown

This #Chiefs rookie is already giving back to his hometown.

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Kansas City Chiefs rookie tight end Noah Gray is giving back to his hometown today.

Gray is hosting the inaugural Noah Gray Central Massachusetts Football Clinic at Leominster High School’s Doyle Field in his hometown of Leominster, Massachusetts. The one-day clinic will serve local athletes in grades six through 12, providing them with expert tutelage from area coaches, former Leominster High School athletes, and Gray himself.

The goal of the camp is to help teach, inspire and motivate local athletes. It’ll also help connect those athletes with coaches for local programs. All proceeds from Gray’s camp will go to help area football programs, including his alma mater.

“Excited for the opportunity to be back in Massachusetts on Friday, June 25th for our first annual Noah Gray Central Massachusetts Football Clinic! A lot of amazing coaches and current/former players from the area will be working with the athletes during this clinic to TEACH and INSPIRE the next generation of football players in OUR communities! 100% of the proceeds are going directly to local HS football organizations!”

Gray already getting active in his hometown has caught the attention of his teammate, Travis Kelce, who is currently hosting NFL tight ends at the inaugural Tight End University summit. Expect Gray to attend next year’s summit, but also expect Kelce to attend Gray’s football clinic as well.

“Man I’m coming next year,” Kelce wrote in an Instagram post. “🙌🏻🙌🏻 this is what it’s all about!!”

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Travis Kelce provides first impression of Chiefs rookie TE Noah Gray

It sounds like the Chiefs might have unearthed a hidden gem in fifth-round draft pick Noah Gray.

The Kansas City Chiefs have a rookie draft pick in the tight end room for the first time since 2015.

The Chiefs have long sought a solid No. 2 tight end behind Travis Kelce, but to this point, they’ve struggled to find one. After five consecutive 1000-yard receiving seasons by Kelce, the team placed a renewed emphasis on finding a No. 2 tight end this season. The team traded up in the draft to select Duke TE Noah Gray in the fifth round. Typically, expectations would be low for a fifth-round draft pick, but Gray already seems to be ascending the depth chart.

On Tuesday, Kelce spoke with the Kansas City media and had a chance to provide his first impression of his new understudy. So far it sounds like Gray is ahead of where a normal rookie might be during this point of the offseason.

“One of Coach Reid’s big things is bring energy and show your personality, and so far he’s done both,” Kelce said of Gray. “It’s been a lot of fun so far. 83 (Noah Gray), he’s got a very unique way of understanding football. He’s years ahead of being a rookie, which is awesome. You can kind of give him pointers, and he’s running with everything.”

It’s been a while since Kelce was the young tight end in the room. He might not always act like it, but he’s the veteran in Kansas City now. He has some wisdom to pass onto Gray, just as former Chiefs TE Anthony Fasano passed that same wisdom onto him.

“Just the confidence of the game,” Kelce explained. “I think that’s the biggest thing that Fasano gave me, was that if you put the work in, if you understand the game mentally, you can play so much faster. I think Noah has a great understanding of the game. He has a good understanding of what defenses are being presented in front of him, and that’s half the battle, knowing what the other side of the ball is doing so you have an idea of what you should be doing. And yeah, he’s hit the ground running ever since we started.”

Gray has earned opportunities with the first-team offense opposite Kelce during OTAs and minicamp. We’ll see if that persists once the pads come on during training camp, but early indications show that Gray is carving out a role for himself in 2021.

“He’s absorbing all the information that the coaches are giving him, that he’s hearing from other players, and he’s having a lot of success out there on the field,” Kelce said of Gray. “He’s going to definitely help us this year.”

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6 players to watch at Chiefs’ mandatory minicamp

Keep an eye on these six players as the Kansas City Chiefs get mandatory minicamp underway.

The Kansas City Chiefs kick off their three-day mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.

While practices won’t be open to the public until training camp begins in July, traditionally there tends to be more information coming out of practices beginning around mandatory minicamp. Below you’ll find a quick look at some of the players that you should be keeping an eye on throughout the next three days.

Chiefs TE Noah Gray talks versatility, teaming up with Travis Kelce

Gray reflects on his multiple roles during his college career and teaming up with Travis Kelce at the next level.

The Kansas City Chiefs addressed a growing need at the tight end position behind All-Pro Travis Kelce in the 2021 NFL draft. Kansas City traded up to the 162nd pick to select Duke University standout Noah Gray, hoping that he would be effective relief to Kelce.

Gray played multiple roles while with the Blue Devils, showcasing his versatility as either a tight end, receiver, or fullback. He relished that role considerably, as he discussed Saturday with reporters after the draft.

“Yeah, I mean, I’ve played a multitude of positions when I was at Duke,” said Gray. “I’ve played tight end, I’ve played fullback, I also played a lot of special teams, which is something that I know I’m going to have to excel at and be really good at moving forward, especially with the Kansas City Chiefs. I had a lot of experience with that and I’m just thankful for my coaches at Duke, who kind of gave me that experience. My tight end coach my freshman year ended up being my special teams’ coordinator, and he continued to have me on special teams, so I’m just grateful for that. Duke used me in a lot of ways, and I’m grateful for Coach Cut (David Cutcliffe) and all the other coaches who kind of got me to this point and helped me along the way.”

Gray could see himself at fullback during some games, especially after the retirement of the always reliable Anthony Sherman. He also shared his thoughts on his new teammate Kelce ahead of meeting him.

“I’m extremely excited,” Gray said. “It’s not every day that you get to learn from one of the best tight ends in the league. It’s truly an honor. I’m excited to get there and kind of just be a sponge and just try to gather as much information watch him as much as possible, see everything that he does on the field, but even off the field. How he conducts his business as a professional, that’s something that’s extremely important, so I’m just very grateful to kind of be in that position.”

Gray will be an immediate piece on special teams, but his versatility could see him play a number of roles in vital situations. He won’t be viewed as a Travis Kelce replica, but he can certainly learn some tricks of the trade and provide the intangibles to carve out his own unique role in the offense.

“Being in one of the best organizations in the NFL and being able to learn from some truly incredible people, that’s not something you get to see every day, and I’m fortunate enough to be able to do that,” said Gray. “So, I’m excited to get going; I’m excited to learn from all the coaches there and Travis and try to get the most that I can out of that.”

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4 mid, late-round tight ends Chargers could target in 2021 NFL draft

Even if Hunter Henry is re-signed, the Los Angeles Chargers will be in need of a reliable No. 2 option.

The Chargers should and likely will address the tight end position at some point this offseason.

Hunter Henry is set to be a free agent and even if he’s re-signed, Los Angeles needs another player to round out the positional group.

Virgil Green is a free agent and I don’t believe he will be brought back. Donald Parham is primarily a pass-catcher and Stephen Anderson hasn’t proven himself as a reliable blocker to garner consideration for the No. 2 spot.

With that being said, let’s take a look at four tight ends that L.A. can potentially target in this year’s draft, primarily focusing on mid- late-round options.

Noah Gray, Duke

Gray finished his senior season ranked second in the ACC for a tight end with 29 catches for 285 receiving yards and two touchdowns. In total, Gray amassed with 105 catches—the most by a tight end in program history—and eight touchdowns in 48 games. At this year’s Senior Bowl, Gray showed an area of improvement in the blocking department to compliment his combination of short-area quickness, leaping skills and body control, making him an ideal mismatch weapon in the NFL.

Tony Poljan, Virginia

Poljan played quarterback at Central Michigan, before converting to tight end. Upon making the positional change, he amassed 71 catches, 907 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns for the Cavaliers. Poljan has a large catch radius, soft hands, and enough speed to produce as a pass-catcher at the next level. Along with that, he is sound as a pass blocker, showing great technique and awareness, as well as the size, strength and effort in the running game.

Tommy Tremble, Notre Dame

The Chargers are interested in Tremble since it’s been confirmed by The Draft Network’s Justin Melo that the team has already had a pre-draft meeting with him. During two seasons, Tremble only recorded 35 catches for 401 receptions. However, he had a lot of success as a pass and run-blocker for The Fighting Irish. Outside of his outstanding blocking skills, Tremble has good athleticism and agility, with untapped potential as a receiver at the next level.

Tre McKitty, Georgia

McKitty was underutilized both at Florida State and Georgia, which is why the box score doesn’t justify how talented he really is. He proved himself at the Senior Bowl, however. McKitty was stout as a blocker and he was arguably the most athletic tight end in the passing game, showing the ability to separate at the top of routes with great hands to reel in everything thrown his way. With his combination of attitude, athleticism and blocking skills, the best football is still in front of him.

Tale of the Tape: Leading Receivers – Javon McKinley vs. Jalon Calhoun

The number of quality receivers Ian Book had to throw to last year was almost unfair.

The number of quality receivers Ian Book had to throw to last year was almost unfair. So when Javon McKinley is Notre Dame’s top returnee at that position, it might seem a little underwhelming, especially given his history with injuries and inconsistency. The good news is he’s had a knack for some big plays in the opportunities he’s gotten. His receptions should increase this season, so his yards per catch should decrease.

Jalon Calhoun led Duke and ACC freshmen in receiving in 2019. Though his numbers might not jump out much, it’s a testament to how evenly the Blue Devils distributed the ball. Less than five yards a game separate their top three receivers, which included returning tight end Noah Gray. The question will be whether transfer Chase Brice has developed enough chemistry with Calhoun and Gray during workouts.

Calhoun has the advantage in this matchup as far as health, chances and regular output. But for all we know, another Irish receiver not named McKinley will emerge and blow away everyone else. We’d all like that, wouldn’t we?