Chiefs Training Camp: Exciting, Concerning, Intriguing, Deceiving – It’s hype season in the National Football League. Every undrafted WR, who looks good, is the next Adam Thielen. Every QB who throws an interception will be awful, and ‘that one guy’ is finally going to put it together, this year. A lot of news has come out of training camp so far, some of it genuine cause for concern, some of it reason for excitement. Some developments are truly intriguing, while others might just be deceiving, but all of it holds some meaning, for the 2019 Kansas City Chiefs, and their Super Bowl aspirations.
Exciting: Mahomes and Company
If you’re a Defensive Coordinator in the NFL, the last thing you want to hear is that QB Patrick Mahomes is getting better. Unfortunately for them, the reports just keep pouring out of training camp, saying exactly that. Mahomes is smoother, more accurate, and a better leader, taking full command of the offense. His supporting cast remains one of the best, in the NFL, and rookie WR Mecole Hardman has acquitted himself well, thus far. Even with his development being ahead of schedule, he’ll have to battle Demarcus Robinson and Byron Pringle for snaps, as both players are solid, in their own right. This offense doesn’t look like it’s taken a step back, but has made strides forward. That’s the definition of exciting.
Exciting: Attitude Adjustment
If you haven’t had the chance, read Terez Paylor’s piece on Frank Clark, Clark is an absolute monster. He’s been giving Fisher a heck of a time, and letting him know about it. This attitude is infectious, and the offense, has struggled to run the ball, against the first string defense. This attitude change isn’t limited to the players, as defensive coaches have been noticeably more animated.
Frank Clark is one of the 5 most entertaining Chiefs I’ve watched in 6 years covering camp in St. Joe. No cap.
In fact, Clark’s swaggering practice Monday provided a glimpse of the edge he and Tyrann Mathieu plan on bringing to the NFL’s 31st-ranked D:https://t.co/eaajm5aBrH
— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) July 29, 2019
For a fan-base that’s used to a… bend and break defense… Clark and company represent a welcome change. Players are rallying to the ball, and holding each other accountable. This defense has a ways to go, but their heart is 100% in the right place.
Concerning: RT Mitchell Schwartz
Schwartz left practice with a back spasm. That’s the last thing you want to hear about your best Offensive Linemen. While it’s a relatively minor thing, at the moment, back issues are always cause for concern, especially with big guys. The Chiefs lining up with Cam Erving at Right Tackle, are not the same team. Kansas City’s Super Bowl dreams hinge on Mahomes health, and Schwartz plays a big role in that.
Concerning: Cornerback Depth
A thumb laceration held Bashaud Breeland out of practice for a couple days, then Keith Reaser tore his Achilles and Chiefs got a very unpleasant look at a possible future. Add to this the fact that Kendall Fuller is moving to a full time Slot Corner (meaning, he’s not on the field in base downs), and that group is a significant concern. Chiefs made a minor addition to the group, in Michael Hunter Jr., but also subtracted Tremon Smith who, at the moment, HC Andy Reid is trying out at RB.
Intriguing: Tremon Smith Offensive Weapon
Smith played well as a Kick Returner last year, but struggled in his only action as a CB against Seattle. With an injury to RB Damien Williams, the Chiefs have decided to try Smith out at RB. This is an interesting move to me. He’s undoubtedly dangerous, in the open field, with the ball in his hands. Smith is lightning fast (running a 4.3 – 40 yard dash), and only adds to a speedy offensive cast that already contains Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, and Sammy Watkins. Whether he’s able to smoothly make this transition, who can say, but rather than cutting him loose, as a failed CB, it makes sense to keep him around as a De’Anthony Thomas style offensive weapon, who can back up Darwin Thompson.
Intriguing: D’Montre Wade
The chaos at CB may have just revealed a diamond in the rough. Wade has made the most of his reps with the first team defense, snagging a couple of interceptions. His ascendancy could simply be a symptom of the general lack of depth, but at the very least, he’s worth keeping an eye on. If the Chiefs found two starting CBs, in Ward and Wade, at minimal expense, give Brett Veach a bonus. That’s some seriously great work.
Deceiving: Depth Chart
It’s always dangerous to take too much away from the beginning of camp. Daniel Sorensen may be playing with the 1s, right now, at Free Safety, but don’t buy it. He’ll be a backup come September, and Thornhill will be starting. When you start to see multiple national writers hype a guy, take notice: and Thornhill is getting that treatment.
On OL, Kahlil McKenzie has been relegated to the third team. This seems like a bad sign for a guy you’d hope would be progressing, but it’s actually just because they want him to get reps at Center. Jimmy Murray has been taking the 2nd team snaps at Center because he’s more likely to back that position up during the season. K.C. wants McKenzie to have the versatility to play C, but he’ll make the roster as a Guard.
Players with great potential, like CB Mark Fields, and WR Cody Thompson, won’t get a lot of attention at this point. As an Undrafted Free Agent, you’ve got to show up, on the field, during the first preseason game… or wind up buried on the depth chart. As excited as fans may be to see these guys play, coaches aren’t anxious to seed valuable practice reps to guys they’re barely invested in. Show up on game day and then, they’ll climb the depth chart.
Deceptive: Offensive Highlights Reflecting Poorly On Defense
Will the offense be great? Without question. They’re absolutely better, this year, than they were, at this point, last year. Still as you see the offensive highlights roll in, remember something: there are no sacks in training camp. Once Chris Jones, or Frank Clark, knifes their way through the line… they has to let up, just to keep the MVP clean. Enjoy the offense, but don’t worry about the defense too much. You’ll see what they can really do when the QB, on the other side of the ball, isn’t wearing a yellow jersey. Those hits, over the course of a game, take a toll.
Week One of Training Camp, has given us plenty of data to process:
- Mahomes, if possible, seems even better.
- The defense finally has that killer drive that’s been missing.
- Cornerback is looking a little thin.
- Schwartz’ back is looking a little rough.
- Depth chart analysis is fun.
- Wade is getting first team reps for a reason.
Don’t take too much away from any of it… until you see the first preseason game. The tweaks that get made after that game you can take to the bank. Chiefs are in love with speed on offense. I’m not sure Tremon Smith can make the transition, but putting three players out there with who can run the 40 in 4.31 seconds, or less, will give opposing Coordinators migraines. I can’t wait to see it. Go Chiefs.
Ransom Hawthorne — ArrowheadOne
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