Tag: short yardage

Andy Reid on Chiefs’ short-yardage struggles: ‘We’ve been practicing it’

Andy Reid told reporters that the #Chiefs have been working to bet better in short-yardage situations.

The Kansas City Chiefs lost their Week 1 matchup against the Detroit Lions for a multitude of reasons, but the team’s inability to convert third downs in short-yardage situations was among the most crucial.

Head coach Andy Reid was asked about Kansas City’s struggles to get back to first down in a press conference this week and made it clear that he and his staff are trying to find a fix while preparing for the Chiefs’ Week 2 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“Yeah, we’ve been practicing it,” Reid said. “You know, they got us from inside and so normally if there is going to be a breakdown, you’re thinking off the edge or something but definitely not inside. You want to have the guy to be able to dart on the inside if he needs to and whether it’s the B gap or the C gap, but you know, we just over set that thing too far. You can’t do that.”

Kansas City can’t afford to drop a second-straight game to start its 2023 regular season, so fans should expect Reid to get creative in figuring out a solution to help his offense convert third downs in short-yardage situations better moving forward.

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Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes eager to utilize quarterback sneaks in short-yardage situations

Kansas City #Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is eager to utilize the quarterback sneak on short-yardage plays this season. | from: @EdEastonJr

The health of a team’s starting quarterback is vital to the success of many franchises pursuing the ultimate Super Bowl goal. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has suffered his fair share of lower body injuries over the years, as he’s rarely avoided using his legs to make plays.

A notable injury in 2019 to his knee cap on a quarterback sneak cost the two-time league MVP multiple games that season. According to Mahomes, the situation may have changed the offense’s approach to short-yardage situations as he spoke with reporters following Thursday’s practice.

“[The difference is] probably because my kneecap was on the side of my leg,” Mahomes explained, “I think we were doing pretty good until that. No, we were good into we were really good at it until last year. I mean, last year, we didn’t do very well at it. So we didn’t get the one in the first one. This is the preseason. So we’ve kind of we’ve went back and kind of evaluated it. And hopefully, by the time season comes around, we can get back to converting those.”

The Chiefs failed to convert on a fourth and short play in the first period of Sunday’s loss in New Orleans. Mahomes continues to push by doing more quarterback sneak annual plays on short yardage but has been held back by Reid to avoid injury.

“I’ll always want to because I always say that I haven’t got stopped yet.” said Mahomes, “Because even the one that my knee I got hurt on, I still got the first down. But I’m pretty sure he’s [Andy Reid] not gonna let me do it unless it’s like for the Super Bowl. And so I might have to call my own number in the Super Bowl if we get there.”

The Chiefs are seeking another trip to the big game this season, so there is always a chance that Mahomes will get to do one of his favorite plays.