Tag: Playbook

Xavier Worthy opens up about making NFL debut vs. Jaguars

Xavier Worthy opened up about making his NFL debut in the #Chiefs’ loss to the #Jaguars during comments to reporters at training camp. | @EdEastonJr

As the Kansas City Chiefs’ first-round selection in this year’s NFL draft, Xavier Worthy knows his performance will be watched closely.

He shared his thoughts with reporters after practice on Monday on adjusting to life in the NFL, including training camp, the playbook, and his first pro game.

“The toughest challenge for the camp, I feel like, (is) just the playbook. I feel like I got really adapted to it. I’ve been in the playbook really all day (and) all night,” said Worthy. “Understanding the little bits, the formations, the motions. Understanding what everybody else has just so I could – what if I am in that position? So, just understanding all of that, I feel like that really helped me in this training camp.”

Worthy didn’t record a catch during Saturday’s preseason loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he did experience the speed of an NFL game.

“Coming into the league, it’s different speeds at all levels. High school has their own speed, college has their own speed,” Worthy explained. “Obviously, in the NFL, everybody is smarter; they move, (and) they adjust better. So just me knowing that I kind of just – if I feel like I had more plays, I’d be able to get a rhythm going into the game, but I feel like I adapted to the game speed pretty well.”

Worthy won’t have long to wait before he can play another game as the Chiefs return to action on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium against the Detroit Lions.

Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy on learning Andy Reid’s playbook: ‘It’s been fun’

Xavier Worthy told reporters that he has had fun learning Andy Reid’s playbook at the #Chiefs’ rookie minicamp this weekend.

The Kansas City Chiefs were one of six NFL teams that held rookie minicamps this weekend, and the team’s first-round selection, Xavier Worthy, stole the show both on the field and in press conferences with the media.

Worthy spoke to reporters after his first practice in a Chiefs uniform on Saturday, explaining his thoughts about Kansas City’s playbook, and how he will fit in Andy Reid’s offense.

“It’s been fun, learning the new offense and seeing how they run stuff, and just getting the flow of things,” Worthy said. “It reminds me a lot of Sark’s [Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian] playbook, a lot of similarities, just a lot of different names to it. It’s going to be fun to play in this offense.”

Every rookie has goals for their first week of team meetings and practices. The 21-year-old receiver wants to start with the fundamentals and establish a familiarity with the Reid’s system.

“[It is] just [about] establishing the playbook,” Worthy explained. “Getting a firm understanding of the playbook so I know where to line up come training camp, so I’m already affiliated, know what I’m doing, know where I’m lining up, and know the plays I’m running.”

Worthy could be thrust into early action in the Chiefs’ offense, given the uncertainty surrounding Rashee Rice’s availability for the start of Kansas City’s 2024 campaign.

Andy Reid notices Doug Pederson taking pages out of his playbook

Andy Reid told the media he has noticed that Doug Pederson applies lessons learned from the time they shared with the #Chiefs and #Eagles

Chiefs coach Andy Reid will face off against his former offensive coordinator, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson, for the third time in his career this Sunday.

Pederson learned under Reid’s regime in Kansas City from 2013 to 2015 and in Philadelphia (with the Eagles) from 2009 to 2012. Once Pederson moved on to coach a team of his own, he naturally (and figuratively) took a few pages of Reid’s playbook with him and incorporated pieces into his own plan.

Reid has, of course, noticed this.

“Everywhere you go you kind of take a piece [of what you’ve learned],” Reid said during Wednesday’s press conference. “I think he’s probably put his own flair on things, but yeah, there are certain things that he does that I’m sure he probably got from here too. He and I were together a long time, so it goes both ways that way.”

Anyone who has watched the Jaguars recently can see that Reid had a strong influence on Pederson’s tendencies as a play-caller. However, this upcoming Reid-Pederson matchup will be different from the past three: This time, Jags offensive coordinator Press Taylor will be calling the plays.

How Taylor’s calls will affect the Jags’ performance against Reid remains to be seen, but Jacksonville is hoping it’ll be for the better, as Pederson-coached teams are 0-3 against Reid.

How will Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury impact Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII playbook?

With #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes still dealing with a high ankle sprain, Eric Bieniemy weighed in on how it could impact the playbook Super Bowl LVII.

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes came out on the other side of the AFC Championship Game in good shape concerning his high ankle sprain. He felt as if he didn’t take any steps backward in his recovery by playing against the Cincinnati Bengals and the team has indicated as much as well.

Still, Mahomes is dealing with an injury that typically takes several weeks to recover from. While he’ll be closer to 100% during the Super Bowl, he’s still going to be feeling that ankle injury during the game. How that exactly impacts Mahomes remains to be seen.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy was asked about how Mahomes’ ankle injury might affect the playbook in the Super Bowl. Will they be catering things based on Mahomes’ ankle or will they have the full allotment of plays available to them?

“I think it’s a mix of both,” Bieniemy said. “But, we want to make sure that everything we’re putting in, that we can bring it into next week’s game. And so, you guys know Pat (Mahomes). Pat’s not going to shy away from anything. And it’s our job more than anything to protect him from himself. And so, our job is to make sure that we’re putting together the right game plan that’s going to help us to be at our best. But on top of that, making sure that we’re looking out for Pat in the meantime. So, we’re not going to change anything. We know that Pat will be at his best when his best is needed. You guys know him, he’s a competitor. He’s not going to shy away from anything.”

As we saw in the AFC Championship Game when Mahomes scrambled and was hit late out of bounds, he’s not going to shy away from doing what he needs to do to win. It’s a safe bet that Andy Reid and Bieniemy won’t be calling any speed option plays with their quarterback, though. They’re not going to actively put him in harm’s way or subject him to hits. They certainly don’t want to waste any time installing plays that won’t be run.

The Chiefs’ decision-makers are going to make sure that they’re balancing protecting Mahomes with putting together a winning game plan against a tough defense that likes to get after the quarterback. It won’t be easy, but rest assured that Mahomes will communicate to the coaching staff about what he’s comfortable with and what he’s not.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbwa53mtds520q2 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

[listicle id=146348]

Myles Gaskin hoping to lead in ‘much different’ Dolphins playbook

Myles Gaskin hoping to lead in ‘much different’ Dolphins playbook

For much of the 2021 offseason, the narrative around the Miami Dolphins’ running back room was that a change was needed. Miami, who struggled at times to run the football in critical game situations last season, was perceived to be a hot destination for several of the top running backs available in the 2021 NFL draft — including first-round selection Najee Harris and early second-round pick Javonte Williams. Neither, of course, materialized — which leads us to the incumbent lead back, Myles Gaskin.

Gaskin met with the South Florida media yesterday amid the team’s first organized team activities (OTAs) and spoke candidly on a number of fronts, which may elicit some conflicted emotions for some Dolphins fans who were mentally ready for a different lead back. Gaskin is still very much gunning to be the top back in this offense and his biggest point of emphasis in 2021 is staying healthy to endure the wear and tear of the pro game. How? Pilates served a big role this offseason.

“I work on knee health, ankle health, things like that (to stay healthy). Work on stability, just being more like sure – just work on those small muscles. I did a lot of Pilates when I went back home to Seattle, and I think that helped my body just working on those small muscles, working on awkward movements,” said Gaskin.

“And moving your body like I said, moving your body awkwardly – just new things I haven’t done in the past, I think that’ll take my game to the next step.”

And to be completely fair to Gaskin, he averaged just short of 100 yards from scrimmage per game played last season — he was productive on a per-game basis. So while many may have hoped for a new back in 2021, Gaskin is hoping to stiff-arm the competition and hold the featured role. But the offense he’ll be playing in is apparently going to look “much different” according to Gaskin — which should excite everyone regardless of their rooting interest in Miami’s future at the running back position.

“I feel like for the running backs that were here – myself, Pat (Laird), Salvon (Ahmed) – just kind of seeing the playbook, it has changed. It’s much different than last year’s but us being around (Eric Studesville), we kind of see his offensive mind sitting in the room with him. You see his offensive mind kind of clicking, kind of moving, so I feel like me, Pat, ‘Salv’ kind of had a good – not that we understood what it was going to be, but what it was going to look like, if that makes sense, coming in and just being able to kind of get the terms and stuff like that down now,” said Gaskin.

“Obviously it’s super early. It’s still the first one, so it was just like very basic stuff; but just kind of seeing what ‘E’s’ input has been on it along with George (Godsey) how they came to bring one offense together, I think obviously surprised with some things, excited for some things, but at the same time, I’ve been around ‘E’ for a while so I know what he likes and what he wants things to look like.”

A new look playbook means one likely tailored to QB Tua Tagovailoa. And the more success Tagovailoa has, the more success everyone on offense will have. And if that all goes according to plan, Gaskin may very well force everyone to forget there was ever an issue with the Dolphins’ backfield in the first place in 2021.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_9svagErpY

Chiefs rookie LB Willie Gay Jr. says NFL game is ‘slowing down a lot’

Some insight on where Chiefs LB Willie Gay Jr. is in his acclimation to the NFL with most of his rookie season behind him.

Kansas City Chiefs rookie LB Willie Gay Jr. estimates he missed out on around 100 snaps without rookie minicamp, OTAs and a normal training camp. That’s a lot of opportunities for a young player to miss — especially one that only started six of 31 career games in college.

“Repetition is big in this league,” Gay told reporters on Friday.

Despite his lack of repetitions ahead of the season, with most of his rookie year behind him, Gay feels good about where he’s at so far. The important thing for Gay has been winning, a common theme among most Chiefs players, whether they’re veterans or rookies.

“I think it’s gone great,” Gay said of his rookie season. “You can hope for a lot as a rookie, man, but to win on a team and win on a team with great vets that are teaching me a lot and with a great head coach and coaches around me. Of course, it can get better, when we win a Super Bowl, but right now it’s going great.”

Gay’s snap count has been a constant source of debate within the Chiefs Kingdom. His season-high of 39 defensive snaps came in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos. Since then, the talented rookie has only once had more than 30 defensive snaps in a game. Even though Gay hasn’t yet carved out a  consistent role, he’s happy to play the role the coaching staff has found for him each week.

“Really, just put me in where I’m comfortable,” Gay said. “It’s not my decision, of course, it’s theirs. But really just finding a role for me every week. Depending on what a team likes to do, my role may increase, my role may decrease. They’ve been doing a real good job of getting me in whenever.”

Through his experience in his limited defensive snaps, Gay feels he’s improved in one distinct area and that’s his vision. The player nicknamed “Turbo” saw the NFL game moving a bit too quickly for him early on. That’s changed over the course of his 13 games as a professional.

“One thing I can say that I’ve gotten better at is my eyes,” Gay said. “It’s slowing down a lot for me. I can say that because, man, the first few weeks everything was like this [too fast]. Now I can see when guys pull, I can see just things happen in front of me and then I can react. That’s one of the things for sure.”

Part of his improvement is probably that he knows the playbook more and doesn’t have to think quite as much. The other part of it is that he’s mostly played in the same personnel packages, allowing him to develop a certain level of comfort.

“I think his knowledge of the playbook is really good,” Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo said on Thursday. “We’ve kept things pretty much the same in the packages that he’s in there. I think it’s getting out there and playing.”

As for where Gay is at in terms of his weekly snap count, things will likely continue to be determined by the gameplan. Spagnuolo thinks that eventually, he’ll be able to do more. It’s all just part of the natural growth process for a rookie player.

“I don’t know what his total snaps are but certainly not enough to get him to where, you know, when you have training camp and you have that base of snaps,” Spagnuolo said. “It’s going to be a growth process. We love the way he plays and he’s passionate about how he plays. He’s gone out there and made some plays for us. Little by little, we’ll just keep feeding it to him.”

[listicle id=83096]

Saints announce multiple roster moves, add Ty Montgomery

The New Orleans Saints announced the release of tight end Mitchell Loewen and the signing of former Packers running back Ty Montgomery.

The New Orleans Saints announced Friday that they released tight end Mitchell Loewen to open a spot on the 90-man roster for running back Ty Montgomery, confirming earlier reports that they had signed the versatile offensive weapon.

Loewen spent most of the 2019 season on the Saints practice squad, converting from his natural position of defensive end to tight end (where he had moonlighted in college) in a bid to compete on the fringe of the roster. The Saints reinforced their depth chart by trading up for Adam Trautman in the 2020 draft, adding him to the starting duo of Jared Cook and Josh Hill.

As for Montgomery: he should initially audition for a gadget role along with Deonte Harris, Taquan Mizzell (another returning member of the 2019 practice squad), and Tommylee Lewis, but his experience at running back is intriguing. He could be a better option to pick up Alvin Kamara’s playbook than Latavius Murray or Dwayne Washington, given his experience at lining up all over the formation and catching passes at every level of the field..

Then again, he might just be a training camp body. The Saints have many versatile weapons as it is, and it’s tough to see how Montgomery touches the ball if everyone stays healthy. But with a long summer ahead of us, it’ll be fun to imagine the ways in which Sean Payton might draw up plays for him.

[vertical-gallery id=33239]

NFL teams to begin ‘Pre-Phase One’ of the offseason

The NFL and NFLPA have agreed to a voluntary ‘Pre-Phase One’ of the offseason which includes virtual learning and training for players.

Things are wildly different around the National Football League as the coronavirus outbreak drastically impacts all facets of life across the nation. The league, however, has been committed to going forward whenever possible, including hosting the 2020 NFL Draft in a virtual format.

Teams with new head coaches were slated to start their offseason programming on Monday, but with facilities closed, the logistics still need to be sorted out. Per Pro Football Talk, the NFL and NFLPA have agreed to a “Pre-Phase One” as they continue to finalize the details of a virtual offseason.

“The NFLPA has been in discussions with the NFL over the possibility of establishing rules which would allow for clubs to conduct classroom instruction and workouts on a virtual basis, until it is determined that it is safe to open the facilities and begin in-person training at the facilities,” reads the memo that was sent to players Monday night.

The memo makes it clear all activity will be voluntary with strict rules in place regarding initiating contact with players.

For more details and to read the complete memo, click here.

[lawrence-related id=58886]

Learning a new offense is nothing new for Broncos QB Jeff Driskel

“I’m no rookie when it comes to learning a new system,” Broncos backup quarterback Jeff Driskel said.

After spending the first four years of his career with two different teams and multiple coaching staffs, 26-year-old quarterback Jeff Driskel signed a two-year deal with the Broncos in March.

Denver’s new backup quarterback will now be tasked with learning offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s offense.

“I wasn’t able to get it [the playbook] until I was officially signed,” Driskel said during a conference call with reporters on March 26. “It just came in in FedEx. There’s going to be a big learning curve. I’ve got a lot to learn. I’ll have a lot of time to study. I’ve had to learn a bunch of offenses over the course of my football career.”

Due to COVID-19, the NFL has closed team facilities and offseason programs have been postponed indefinitely. So Driskel won’t be able to work with his teammates anytime soon but the veteran quarterback will be able to study and workout on his own.

When the Broncos get together again, Driskel will be ready to go.

“I’m no rookie when it comes to learning a new system,” Driskel said. “It will just be in a different environment this year. Hopefully, we can get out to Denver all together and go through some type of offseason program, but we’re just not really sure how that’s going to work this year.”

[vertical-gallery id=636478]

Sean Payton discusses why Josh Hill is so essential to well-oiled Saints offense

Saints coach Sean Payton values nominal backup tight end Josh Hill highly, due as much to his ability to make any block as his versatility.

[jwplayer MgrvgHyE-ThvAeFxT]

Veteran tight end Jared Cook arrived to the New Orleans Saints with much fanfare, but he’s taken a backseat to Josh Hill for much of his first season. And that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Cook’s production has not suffered for it — his 9 touchdown grabs tie All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas for the team lead. Hill has only gained 226 receiving yards this season, which trails even converted quarterback Taysom Hill (234 receiving yards).

But as Saints coach Sean Payton tells it, Hill’s ability to execute nearly any block in the playbook and experience in a variety of personnel packages explains the discrepancy between Hill’s 649 snaps played (6th-most on the team) on offense against Cook’s 502 (11th-most).

“He’s a guy we use in the run game and pass protection. He does a lot of things well,” Payton said. “He plays on special teams, he plays a lot of snaps each week and he’s done so for quite a while.” In addition to Hill’s extended time when the Saints have the ball, he’s chipped in 182 snaps on special teams (8th-most for the Saints, just ahead of kicker Wil Lutz at 180).

Payton continued, “He’s someone that has real good athleticism and it’s difficult because a lot of different personnel groups might run through him. He might be in the base, he might be in 11 (personnel). Certainly, Jared (Cook) is playing a lot of snaps. The two of them together will play a lot of snaps. He’s one of those guys that does a lot of things well.”

This isn’t the first time Payton has talked up what Hill brings to the team; earlier in the season, he likened Hill’s loss during a game to losing the front door of your home, in that you can get by, but it’s going to be significantly more difficult. Here’s hoping Hill and Cook can each remain healthy and continue to help the team as they push towards Super Bowl LIV.

[vertical-gallery id=25612]