I apologize. Ran into time constraints and this is what I could come up with in a very short period of time. The result gives the reader some impressions of Coaches and players from their own words.
Reid on Karlaftis
“…I’ll tell you, it looks like he’s got a nice feel for the game. Yeah, he goes 100 miles per hour.”
“Walkthroughs, everything, we had to slow him down…but, I’ll tell you, it looks like he’s got a nice
feel for the game. We put some fire zones in yesterday, and he moves around well when he’s in space.
He’s got good hands, it looks like. . . but that motor is probably the thing that jumps out at you.
He goes and goes.”
Reid on McDuffie
“Yeah, well, he’s smart, and he’s smooth, he moves around well…Good hips and good hands. I like the
part of being smart when you’re playing that position. Leverages become important, how you do those.
Size — how are you going to handle different-sized players. We’ve got some big receivers that we
go against. How are you going to take care of that?”
Reid on Skyy Moore
“Well, I’m curious to see how he does. I didn’t get much of a look here. The thing I liked in college
was that he was strong, physically strong. The things they did with him, he was very good at. Whether
it was the short, intermediate game or whether it was the long game, he could do it all. He has good
speed. He’s got good hands — huge hands. 10-inch plus hands and long arms. He’s strong, you guys can
see it on the field out there H he’s put together well. I look forward to seeing him play, he seems
like a smart kid.”
Reid on Kinnard
“Yeah, I kind of like him…Strong. He’s put together. Long arms, big, thick. He moves well. He looked
competitive for what we’re doing out here. I liked what I saw there. He seems like a really sharp kid,
though. He picked everything up very easily…I kind of liked him. Yeah. Strong. He’s put together, now.
Long arms, big, thick, move well. He looked competitive for what we’re doing out here.”
Reid on Ross. Reid was asked if anything caught his eye about Ross during his Monday press conference.
“Yeah, so I kind of did. Big kid that’s smooth and runs well enough. He was kind of feeling himself out
here just a little bit, having been hurt before, the last couple of years. Sure has a lot of talent there.
Smart kid. Smart enough to pick everything up.”
Not only did he have to recover from the spinal surgery, but he also ended his 2021 season early to have
surgery on his foot — something that likely prevented him from running at the combine. He ran a 4.63-second
40-yard dash at Pro Day, per Dane Brugler of The Athletic.
It’s still a process of getting him back to where he was as a freshman or sophomore in college, and coach
Reid agreed with that sentiment when asked about it specifically.
“I’d probably tell you yes. “He was knocking the rust off here, but you can see the skill there.”
“He’ll see all the running that the receivers are expected to do. He’ll have a chance to talk to the guys.
And then he’ll have training camp. We’ll see how that all rolls, but right now, he’s good to go. He did well
with it.”
Reid on Fortson
update on TE Jody Fortson (Achilles): “There’s a chance you get him in phase 3; we’ll just have to see
how that goes. If not, training camp. He’s done very well with his rehab.”
McDuffie:
“You guys know (former Chiefs safety) Tyrann Mathieu – not a very big guy, but we make plays. And that’s
something that I go on to the field every day just knowing that I wanna be that guy that, I call it just
like the spark guy – the guy you always see flashing on the screen here and there. And just all effort.
I mean, that’s what I can control is my effort, and so just being able to control that and show the coaches
that I’m going to run around all over the field with my hair on fire each down is something that I’m going
to put on tape.”
Joshua Williams:
“We’re working on everything, not to say I’m awful at everything. But everything is completely more complex
and at a whole different level. Everything is really just technique, making sure that we’re doing it their
way and not the way we’re used to. Or breaking bad habits and making them into professional habits and good
habits.”
Mike Rose:
“I think it definitely came as a surprise to me. A lot of waiting — but I think every team had their different
reason for passing up on me. But I’m just super glad to have an opportunity here at this great organization.
I’m just looking forward to doing my thing in minicamp and making the 53.”
“I think all of the minicamp we kind of just locked into one (spot) and did that. The plan going forward, we’ll
probably bounce around a little bit. I’m really not sure yet. SAM, MIKE, WILL. I mean, my thoughts going into
it is to learn all three and be versatile. I feel like I’m able to play all of the positions.”
“I’ve had good conversations with Coach (Brendan) Daly, the linebackers coach…I think this organization has
done a lot of good things — you can see it over the years — and I felt like there was an opportunity for me here.
I think all those things together were the main reason I decided to [sign with Kansas City].”
Nazeeh Johnson:
“I was actually at the nickel position and the strong safety position during this camp.
“That’s exactly what I did in college. I played free safety and nickel on certain downs. It’s the same thing
here. They see my talent and they’re putting me in the positions to best succeed.”
Justyn Ross:
“It was frustrating, but I’ve never had anything easy for me. I’ve had to push through a lot of stuff. It wasn’t
too bad for me.”
On his way to being completely recovered, Ross didn’t land in Kansas City by accident. As an undrafted prospect,
he was able to sign with the team of his choosing — and he targeted the Chiefs.
“Having Patrick Mahomes, great quarterback and Andy Reid, great coach, and a good receiving group; it feels like
a family,” Ross explained of his decision to sign in Kansas City. “I’ve only been here for a day, but they treat
me like family.”
He also acknowledges the way coach Reid and company used another former Clemson wide receiver for a few seasons.
“I’ve seen it. I’ve seen players like me be used — like Sammy [Watkins], who came in here and excelled in this
offense.”
However, he didn’t think of Watkins’ name when asked for a player comparison of his. Instead, he went to a divisional
rival: “I like (Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver) Keenan Allen,” Ross revealed. “I like to model my game after Keenan
Allen a little bit… He’s a pretty tall guy, 6 feet 2 or 3. He can move real good, run good route.”
From Ross’ perspective, he’s excited about this opportunity — but he isn’t overstepping his role. He’s grateful to
be in this position.
“Of course, I’m ready to prove everybody wrong, but I’m just trying to play my spot, fill my spot on the team.
Just see what I can do over this summer. With what I had going on, you never knew if I was going to be out here
, period. So it felt real good.”
Pete Sweeney on Josh Gordon: I mentioned this yesterday, but Anthony Gordon looks a little more polished than
Dustin Crum, but Gordon had advantage of being with KC before. This was Crum’s first pro crack. Chiefs currently
have 5 QBs on the roster, which feels like one too many entering the next phase.
On defense during team, CB Jaylon Monroe and LB Jack Cochrane had pass breakups. Cochrane also had a near-interception.
DT Joe Wallace had a would-be sack. DB Joshua Williams, LB Mike Rose and CB Jascha Moore each had a pass breakup
in 7-on-7 work. WR Justyn Ross may have had a touchdown near the right of the end zone but tough to see if he got
his feet in from my vantage point. I was impressed by a catch made by WR Dionte Smith in the back right of the end
zone in stride as he fully extended his hands and still got his feet in bounds.
DB Joshua Williams, LB Mike Rose and CB Jascha Moore each had a pass breakup in 7-on-7 work. WR Justyn Ross may have
had a touchdown near the right of the end zone but tough to see if he got his feet in from my vantage point.
The best player at rookie camp Sunday was not a rookie; it was second-year defensive end Malik Herring, who was
consistently relentless. He made the play of the day during the team blitz period when he batted down a ball at
the line and made a diving play for an interception.
Pete Sweeney @pgsween
Speaking of relentlessness, defensive end George Karlaftis continues to impress throughout the workouts.
The No. 30 overall pick stands out, appearing almost too good for this camp. Looking forward to seeing him
with the rest of the team during OTAs.
Pete on Spags
Pete Sweeney
@pgsween
·
@pgsween
I caught defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo calling over both Karlaftis and later No. 21-overall pick,
cornerback Trent McDuffie, for one-on-one instruction during the team blitz period. As it should, certainly
feels like team is preparing these guys to be day-one starters.
Pete Sweeney
@pgsween
·
May 8
Just out of #Chiefs rookie minicamp Day 2 — some notes on this thread
Pete Sweeney
@pgsween
·
May 8
The best player at rookie camp Sunday was not a rookie; it was second-year defensive end Malik Herring, who was consistently relentless. He made the play of the day during the team blitz period when he batted down a ball at the line and made a diving play for an interception.
Pete Sweeney
@pgsween
·
May 8
Speaking of relentlessness, defensive end George Karlaftis continues to impress throughout the workouts. The No. 30 overall pick stands out, appearing almost too good for this camp. Looking forward to seeing him with the rest of the team during OTAs.
Pete Sweeney
@pgsween
·
May 8
I caught defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo calling over both Karlaftis and later No. 21-overall pick, cornerback Trent McDuffie, for one-on-one instruction during the team blitz period. As it should, certainly feels like team is preparing these guys to be day-one starters.
Pete Sweeney
@pgsween
·
May 8
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was working closely with the quarterbacks, second-year QB Anthony Gordon and UDFA QB Dustin Crum, ensuring they were spitting the plays out right in the huddle. Gordon has looked like the more polished QB, likely to be expected.
Pete Sweeney
@pgsween
·
May 8
Wide receiver Skyy Moore (hamstring) continues to be limited, but he described the issue as “minor” in his press conference.
Pete Sweeney
@pgsween
·
May 8
I’ve gotten tweets asking about UDFA WR Justyn Ross. Through two days, he’s had a rather quiet camp.
Pete Sweeney
@pgsween
·
May 8
I continue to be impressed with wide receivers Mathew Sexton. WR Dionte Smith had a solid day on Sunday.
Pete Sweeney
@pgsween
·
May 8
Cornerback Jascha Moore broke up a pass in the team blitz period. Safety Antwon Kincade forced a fumble.
Pete Sweeney
@pgsween
Linebacker Leo Chenal had a pass breakup in 7-on-7. Linebacker Jonathan Jones forced a fumble. Defensive
back Nasir Greer nearly had an interception during the team period, but it went through his hands and out of bounds.
Sorry for the abbreviated and poorly constructed piece for today. But I think you get a good idea of who these young players are from varied perspectives.
David Bell – ArrowheadOne