Tag: quote

Khalen Saunders takes credit for Juwan Johnson’s TD: ‘I got triple teamed’

Khalen Saunders took some credit for Juwan Johnson’s touchdown catch, having drawn a lot of coverage from the Bears defense on Sunday:

Now this is funny. The New Orleans Saints added a new element to their offense in recent weeks by working nose tackle Khalen Saunders into short-yardage sets as a fullback. And on Sunday, they took things a step further by having Saunders run a route in scoring position after he had previously worked as an extra blocker. The play was designed to flow to him with Tayson Hill dropping back to pass.

But the Chicago Bears didn’t take the bait. They weren’t about to be the first defense to allow a touchdown pass to the big man, with linebacker T.J. Edwards and safety Eddie Jackson both running with him in coverage. The extra attention freed up Juwan Johnson on the other side of the field, so Hill simply looked the other way and connected with him on a too-easy touchdown pass.

And Saunders rightfully wants everyone to know about his role on the play. It wouldn’t have happened without him forcing the defense’s hand.

“Binkatron, that’s my new nickname. I feel like Calvin (Johnson) out there,” Saunders told reporters after the game, referencing his nickname of “Binky” and Johnson’s famous “Megatron” moniker. He continued, “I looked up, had to turn around and count each one of them to let them know, ‘Y’all got three people on a D-lineman right now.’

“I got triple teamed. Count them. Binkatron,” Saunders added.

There were other defenders in the area and just two were covering him, but we won’t hold it against Saunders. Whether it’s two or three opponents covering him, he’s still commanding respect from the defense, and it’s helping the team. Saunders should continue drawing attention given his resume.

He didn’t get many opportunities to play offense with the Kansas City Chiefs, but he scored touchdowns as both a runner and receiver in college at Western Illinois, and he’s been playing both ways dating back to his high school career at Parkway Central in St. Louis. He isn’t someone defenders can overlook. But here’s hoping he gets his own touchdown someday.

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Chiefs TE Travis Kelce clarifies comments on Chris Jones’ holdout

#Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce clarified his comments on Chris Jones holdout after addressing the lineman’s absence on his podcast last week. | from: @EdEastonJr

The start of the 2023 NFL season is this Thursday, with the Kansas City Chiefs kicking things off at home against the Detroit Lions. The Chiefs have the opportunity to defend their Super Bowl title with many returning players, one of whom likely won’t be on the field this week due to his ongoing holdout.

Chiefs All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones remains absent from the team, with negotiations regarding his contract still an issue. Fellow All-Pro and teammate Travis Kelce made a suggested plea for Jones to return to the team during the most recent episode of his New Heights podcast with brother Jason Kelce. During Monday’s press conference, Kelce addressed his comments on the podcast and revealed his last communication with Jones.

“I was more so just trying to have some fun with talking about the situation. Try and bring light to it just trying to be funny,” said Kelce, “But at the end of the day, you know, Chris has his situation. He has his reasons. It ain’t none of my business. I’m trying to win football games, and hopefully, we can get him back as soon as possible because I know how great of a player he really is.”

Jones joined the Chiefs tight end recently in filming a commercial for DIRECTV, which is ironically the last time they both spoke, according to Kelce. He didn’t want to pry into his business and explained to reporters his reasons.

“I don’t know what his situation is,” Kelce explained. “I stay out of everybody else’s situation in terms of that, just so I don’t wrap my head around. You know what I’m doing but or what they’re doing based off of my intentions.

“I just, I just keep it moving, man. Hopefully, like I said, we can get it back. And we can just be the best football team we possibly can. But I never based someone else’s situations or their decision-making off of, you know, things that I may have done. I just don’t think it’s fair.”

Kelce did mention that he had a blast working with Jones on the comedic commercial during the offseason.

Grayland Arnold reflects on role with Texans after celebrating 26th birthday

Grayland Arnold reflected on his role with the #Texans and his NFL journey in comments to the media after his 26th birthday.

On Monday, Houston Texans defensive back Grayland Arnold celebrated his 26th birthday. He received gifts from various family members and friends, but the one that stood out the most came a week prior from the Houston Texans organization and the coaching staff: a spot on the 53-man roster.

Arnold went undrafted in 2020 before eventually signing with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was released in September 2021 and was immediately signed by the Texans. After spending time on the practice squad, the former second-team All-American was elevated to the active roster against the Seattle Seahawks last December.

“Man, you don’t know how good it felt not to get that call,” said Arnold of earning his spot on the Texans’ roster. “Getting it for the first three years of my career makes me cautious once this time of the year comes around, but things worked in my favor, and here I am.”

Good fortune wasn’t the only thing that worked in Arnold’s favor during training camp; his hard work and dedication stood out to former defensive coordinator and first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans.

“With Grayland [Arnold], he’s another player who’s done a really good job all off-season of just handling any role that we’ve given him,” Ryans explained during his press conference on Monday. “Grayland has done really well, done a great job on special teams. I can show highlights of Grayland every single day in our team meeting because he does it exactly like we teach it. He shows up; he makes the plays.

“When it comes to the defense, Grayland is versatile enough where he can play the safety; he’s done a really good job at safety. We saw that against the Saints in the preseason. Now, he’s getting some reps as well at the nickel position, so we’ll see where he can handle. Grayland is a good football player, and as many good football players as we can get out on the field, that’s what we’ll strive to do.”

Arnold stood out in training camp and the preseason, especially in Houston’s final game against the New Orleans Saints when he had an interception in the end zone and nearly had another one on the middle of the field late in the game.

His opportunity came when the Texans cut veteran slot corner Desmond King, who had spent two years with the team. The move will afford Arnold more playing time at nickel back, a position that the natural safety has played in his career.

“The only difference is the eye progression,” Arnold said of playing both positions. “That is one of the most important things is the eye progression. You are seeing different things, and things are happening faster whether than slower at safety. At the end of the day, I try not to overthink it and let it be football.”

With a short practice on Monday, Arnold planned on spending some downtime with his family to celebrate his birthday. The only thing missing is the cake from his daughter, who made one for him but decided to eat it herself.

Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco names himself as a top-5 rusher all-time

#Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco didn’t lack confidence in his recent comments on the All Things Covered Podcast.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco wasn’t hesitant to name himself as one of the top-five running backs of all time during a recent podcast appearance.

Pacheco, who rose to prominence as Kansas City’s leading rusher during the Chiefs’ march to Super Bowl LVII earlier this year, was asked to name his five favorite running backs during his time on the All Things Covered podcast and started his list with the same names many fans would expect.

“I [haven’t] watched football that much,” Pacheco explained, “but I know that I’ve watched highlights. Barry Sanders was on my highlights, A.P. [Adrian Peterson] was on my highlights, LaDainian Tomlinson, and then I’m going to get a little bit into this era, Saquon Barkley. Then… myself.”

With this kind of talk before his sophomore campaign in Kansas City has even begun, Pacheco will have a lot to prove if he intends to make fans and his peers agree with his rankings at season’s end.

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Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes reveals thoughts on his latest jump pass

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes reveals thoughts on his latest jump pass attempt in the first half of Saturday’s victory. | from: @EdEastonJr

The game not counting in the standings doesn’t seem to factor in Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ mindset. The reigning MVP was close to adding another incredible highlight moment to his already impressive catalog.

Mahomes was sharp and efficient during his brief stint on the field in Saturday’s victory over the Arizona Cardinals. He had noteworthy plays, but none more prominent than one pass that failed to connect with wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Mahomes’ first-period incomplete cross-body pass in midair going out of bounds was a fingertip away from being a possible Play of the Year nominee.

The two-time Super Bowl champion explained his mindset while trying to make the throw during his post-game press conference.

“I was either gonna throw it away or kind of give a receiver a chance, and I tried to give Marquez [Valdes-Scantling] a little bit of a chance. I don’t know if he knew I was gonna still throw it cuz I was so close to the sideline.” said Mahomes. “It’s good work. Just being able to scramble around and work that scramble drill. I thought we did a good job of that on a couple of occasions today. So I mean, like, you’re in the preseason game to get good work in. I thought we did a good job today.”

Mahomes would also say that head coach Andy Reid wasn’t too impressed with the attempt.

“Yeah, he told me after the fact that I should have just ran out of bounds. But I was like; I wasn’t gonna get hit. So I mean, as long as I’m not taking any hits, I mean, I can try some stuff out.” Mahomes explained. “You see, the other quarterbacks tried some stuff out too. And so I thought everybody did a good job today. And we definitely had a bit of urgency out there.”

Mahomes has a creative way of approaching the game that it is nearly impossible to predict his decision-making. He has found ways to create a viral moment over what could have been.

Chiefs WR Skyy Moore ‘way more comfortable’ in Andy Reid’s offense ahead of 2023 season

Skyy Moore told reporters that he is “way more comfortable” in the Chiefs’ offense ahead of Kansas City’s 2023 campaign. | from: @LazarczykLogan

Andy Reid’s complex system can cause issues for rookies coming into the NFL as members of the Kansas City Chiefs offense. Skyy Moore was one such rookie last season, as he struggled to find a rhythm for much of the team’s 2022 campaign.

During Wednesday’s press conference after practice, Moore explained what exactly makes Reid’s system so difficult to grasp.

“It’s just very detailed,” Moore explained. “Coach [Andy] Reid wants you in a specific spot, specific alignment, so everything is not as detailed from the offense that you were coming from [in college].”

After being in the system for a year, the 22-year-old receiver is much more comfortable in his role and understanding of the offense.

“[I’m] way more comfortable. I have that year of experience,” Moore continued. “I feel like certain things that I already know. I went through a whole season. I shouldn’t have to be coached on – where to align – anything that happens before the snap, I don’t need to get coached up on. It’s more of how I beat the guy, instead of what route do I run.”

Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be depending on Moore’s services this season, as the Chiefs’ receiving corps is filled with exciting yet unproven talent. Moore’s performance in training camp has given coaches and players hope that he can step up this season and become a star in Kansas City’s offense.

Matt Nagy on training camp prep: Chiefs are ‘at the peak’ in St. Joseph

Chiefs offensive coordinator told reporters that Kansas City is ‘at the peak’ of their preparation in St. Joseph. | from: @LazarczykLogan

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy knows how to get the most out of his players, and is looking to build on the team’s Super Bowl LVII victory heading into the 2023 season.

He spoke to reporters after practice on Thursday, and made his expectations for the Chiefs’ receivers clear, telling the media that their workload is nearing its peak at training camp in St. Joseph.

“We’re at the peak of our volume of plays at training camp, and there’s a lot of carry-over from other installs,” Nagy explained. “We have a lot of different rules within the offense. It is a little bit of an overload right now, which stresses them mentally, which means physically they really [have to] take it to the max. So, when we get to preseason, we pull back a little bit, and in that mode, we’re able to let them play fast because there isn’t as much volume. But we are kind of at the peak right now.”

Like last season, there are a number of players that are new to the Chiefs’ offensive system, especially within their wide receiver corps. Players like Justyn Ross, Nikko Remigio, and Rashee Rice are all being challenged daily at Kansas City’s training camp practices, and in time, will develop into seasoned pros with Nagy’s careful guidance.

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Heisman winner Caleb Williams shrugs off comparisons to Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes

Heisman winner Caleb Williams dismissed comparisons of himself to #Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in a recent podcast interview.

Heisman winner Caleb Williams shrugged off comparisons to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during a recent podcast interview, telling the Ringer’s Kevin Clark that he hasn’t won enough big games to put himself in the same league as the NFL’s reigning MVP.

“I am my own self,” Williams explained in his interview with Clark on the Slow News Day podcast. “The man [Mahomes] has two Super Bowls under his belt, and I have not even [won] one national championship.”

While Williams is correct in asserting that Mahomes has proven his worth at football’s highest level, he may have sold himself a bit short after winning college football’s most coveted award last season.

Williams will be in the conversation to be the first-overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft next year, and with a Heisman trophy to show for his efforts at the University of Southern California, he certainly has the potential to rival Mahomes in the coming years if his skillset translates to the pros.

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DC Steve Spagnuolo credits Nick Bolton, Bryan Cook for Chiefs’ improved zone coverage

Steve Spagnuolo credited two #Chiefs for his defense’s improvement in zone coverage after Monday’s practice.

The Kansas City Chiefs defense has taken a back seat to the team’s prolific offense in recent seasons, but coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is out to prove that his unit can turn the tide in 2023.

He spoke to reporters on Monday about the Chiefs’ improvement in zone coverage during training camp and credited two young leaders on Kansas City’s defense for their efforts in practice that have helped his unit turn a corner.

“There’s tighter coverage,” Spagnuolo explained. “We’re a zone match team, I think our guys are doing a better job of that. That’s a credit to the guys in the middle that are leading it like Nick [Bolton] and Bryan Cook, they are kind of in the middle of the whole thing and then our corners are playing pretty tight. I think rep after rep after rep we get a lot of passes thrown at us here, so we better get good at it because we certainly get plenty of work.”

Spagnuolo will do his best to ensure that the Chiefs’ defense doesn’t take a step back over the next month before the regular season.

Kansas City will face its first live-action competition on August 13th when they square off against the New Orleans Saints, who will look to undo the progress that the Chiefs’ defense has been making in workouts.

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WR Rashee Rice putting ‘pressure’ on himself to learn Chiefs’ offense

Rookie receiver Rashee Rice told reporters on Monday that he is putting “pressure” on himself to learn the #Chiefs’ offense. | from: @EdEastonJr

The next evolution of the Kansas City Chiefs offense is in progress, with Matt Nagy taking over the helm as offensive coordinator and a host of new players to help the team defend their Super Bowl LVII title. The team’s significant amount of young talent at the receiver position is a hot topic relative to the team’s potential for success this year.

Many eyes will be on rookie Rashee Rice in 2023 after he dazzled fans in the first week of training camp. He is seeking a prominent role in Kansas City’s high-octane game plans and spoke with reporters following Monday’s practice session about the additional compulsion he feels to learn the Chiefs’ offense quickly, which hasn’t necessarily been forced upon him by coaches or teammates.

“Honestly, I put pressure on myself every day just to come outside and come to practice and get better,” Rice explained. “But, it’s not necessarily pressure from Pat [Patrick Mahomes] or Travis [Kelce] or anything like that. They [are] real welcoming, and they understand that I’m new to the system, so they’re just gonna help me, you know, catch up to their speed so I can be a [veteran] as soon as I can [be].”

The confidence Mahomes has in Rice is evident from the cache of highlight plays the pair have already made during camp and their offseason workouts before the NFL Draft. The duo’s ability to build chemistry on the field will do wonders for the team as the 2023 regular season approaches.