Chiefs Training Camp and NFL Deadlines – The Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp has hit the Twilight Zone… long before any player reaches an End Zone. The team was off yesterday but we are now exactly 35 days away from the reigning Super Bowl Champions playing their first game of the year, and beginning the defense of their crown.
Below is a picture showing exactly where the Chiefs are holding their Training Camp this year and it’s proximity to Arrowhead Stadium:
Head Coach Andy Reid is leading the way, not only for K.C. but for the rest of the league in how to handle the pandemic. From awesemo.com, Chiefs players:
- have their temperature checked and a health questionnaire on the way into the facility
- every player (and support staff) carries a little tile that knows who is supposed to be around each other, so if a team member — Level 1 — spends too much time around a — Level 3 — staffer, their tile will start beeping
- report to meal areas, meeting rooms, and locker rooms that have been re-made to promote social distancing
- are now housed in multiple locker rooms broken down by position groups, with six feet of space between each
Locker room celebrations will presumably be a thing of the past, which means we’ll have to wait for a vaccine to see Andy Reid dance with his team again. The blows just keep coming. Seriously, though, huge props to the people putting these plans together and implementing them in all facilities.
Training Camp Arrivals FAIL
In years past, the first day of Training Camp was the day that veteran Chiefs players arrived, made memorable by dramatic entrances, or colorful dress wear — think Anthony Sherman — of certain players. The circumstances of training camp taking place at Arrowhead without public access was a real absentee moment for fans.
Chiefs Camp Notes and Quotes
- Andy Reid says they are working hard to get Clyde Edwards-Helaire (CEH) ready to play.
- CEH says the playbook is not that hard. A rare comment coming from an offensive rookie.
- Frank Clark said that winning the Super Bowl was “cute” but that no one (referring to the coaches, players, and staffers) cares about that now.
- Kelechi Osemele said he likes playing with a mobile QB because it gives him a chance to be more aggressive. He also said he thinks Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz can teach him some things about technique intimating they’ll make a nastier unit this year.
- CB Charvarius Ward, who had lasik surgery this offseason, said he thinks he can be one of the best corners in the game. He wants to be a leader and a top dog. While I’m excited to see just how good Ward can be in 2020, I’m also high in anticipation for the progress Rashad Fenton will show from his first season to his second. Plus, I think rookie L’Jarius Sneed will eventually prove to be a great slot corner, freeing up Tyrann Mathieu to do what he does best, and that’s everything.
Gives Me the Willie’s
I’m also excited to see what Willie Gay can do to make the Chiefs defense, a shut-down defense, in 2020. So, when I say he “Gives Me the Willie’s”… those will be good goosebumps, not bad!
AFC West Notes
- · Derek Carr, Raiders QB, said recently, “I’m being completely honest, I’m tired of being disrespected.” He also went on to say he’s going to do everything he can to win a Super Bowl and hang a banner in their new beautiful stadium… then do it again… then do it again (holding up three fingers). Carr is 2-and-10 against Andy Reid’s Chiefs since he came into the league in 2014 and he has yet to beat Patrick Mahomes, so… if he really wants some respect….
- · Courtland Sutton said Drew Lock’s five games (4-and-1) last year will give them a “mini head start” on this year. In those games the Broncos: best the Chargers (23-to-20), beat the Texans (38-to-24), lost to the Chiefs (23-to-3), beat the Lions (27-to-17), and beat the Raiders (16-to-15).
- · Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn points to Derwin James’ leadership: “His enthusiasm, it’s just contagious. People want to be around him and listen to him. Very rare for a young man to be that young and be the leader that he is.” Derwin Derwin was 24 years old this week.
- · From vegasinsider.com, “2020 AFC West Title Odds
- Kansas City (-400)
- Denver (+800)
- LA Chargers (+900)
- Las Vegas (+1000)
When we get to the season win total numbers for these AFC West teams a little later this will become clearer, but there really shouldn’t be a challenger to the Chiefs throne in this division. The Broncos, Chargers, and Raiders are all going to be fighting for something like a 8-8 SU record as their ceilings, not anywhere near the territory the defending Super Bowl champs expect to reside in.
One of KC’s rivals likely will get to that .500 mark or even beyond, but as long as you believe the Chiefs will avoid significant injuries, it’s more of a matter of whether or not you want to lay the -400 price. All things remaining equal, the Chiefs should win this division in 2020, but nothing ever remains equal in the NFL.“
The Throw-Off Challenge
Do you really care if Patrick Mahomes can throw a football further that Josh Allen?
I just don’t want to see Mahomes hurt himself straining to throw a football 85+ yards. In the end, who cares? He’s still the best QB in the league.
Laddie Morse — ArrowheaedOne
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