Laddie Morse
Today, August 15, 2024, is the last day of the back-to-back Super Bowl Champion, Kansas City Chiefs, Training Camp. We thought that by now, we’d be able to tell a lot about this version of the team… and we can. Just not everything we’d hoped to be able to tell. Let’s see what we can tell.
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The Chiefs New Left Tackle
Kingsley Suamataia
Kingsley Suamataia is now considered the permanent Left Tackle. He had some ups and downs last week, but this week he seems to have learned what he’s needed to learn and now is a consistent blocker in the run game as well as in the passing game. The Chiefs Assistant GM Mike Borgonzi spoke about Suamataia just yesterday:
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Kingsley Suamataia feels a connection to Travis Kelce:
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Price Carter provides a look at every snaps Kingsley Suamataia played last week against the Jaguars (#76):
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Kingsley Suamataia: Played only 6 offensive snaps, indicating he has secured a starting role at left tackle. If Suamataia can approach the level of play that his cousin Penei Sewell has achieved, the Chiefs will have a great Left Tackle. Kingsley is the same height as Penei (6-foot-5), but 9 lbs. lighter (335 to 326).
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The Chiefs Newest Wide Receiver
Xavier Worthy
Xavier Worthy was traded for with the Buffalo Bills… K.C. went from pick #32 and jumped up 4 spots to pick him at #28. Many Buffalo fans are livid for allowing the Chiefs to draft Worthy… especially since they needed a WR too. Buffalo ultimately traded that pick away, but K.C. looks like they got themselves a gem in Worthy. He is not only the fastest player to ever run a 40-yard dash — at 4.21 — but he has shown he knows how to run the whole route tree: not just a deep post or corner route. Worthy has shown he can run a Comeback, Curl (J-pattern or it’s also called a Hook), a Dig or Out along with the Deep Fade (0:14).
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Once Xavier Worthy is able to consistently beat the press man coverage and then the zone coverages at will… then, the Chiefs will really have something! Looks like he’s well on his way.
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Interesting tidbit: upon watching this video again, I noticed that Mahomes released the ball when Worthy was at the 35-yard line… but Worthy doesn’t catch the ball until he reaches the 15.
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The Chiefs Newest Safety
Jaden Hicks
Jaden Hicks has been called the steal of the draft by NFL Prospect 360. Here’s their take (2:58):
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The reality is, Hicks was drafted with pick #133, a late 4th round pick. Maybe that has something to do with his being called the “Steal of the Draft.” Funny, but it seems like every year… the Chiefs have drafted a player called, “The Steal of the Draft.” The Chiefs amazing DB coach — Dave Merritt — has only positives to offer when speaking of Jaden Hicks:
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I love that Hicks has gotten DC Steve Spagnuolo’s attention early in the preseason. Anytime you get the attention of Spags it means good things. While the Chiefs haven’t had a deficiency at Safety, Hicks will make sure one doesn’t appear.
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The Chiefs #2 RB
Carson Steele, Maybe
Carson Steele had an excellent Preseason Game One against the Jaguars.
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That wasn’t Carson Steele’s only impressive run in that game either. He plowed his way into the end zone from one yard out. Steele may end up providing the spark plug the Chiefs have needed when they get down near the goal line and have to pound it through to a score. Yes, I counted him out early in the preseason… basically because he’s a UDFA and played for Ball St. and UCLA. Big mistake on my part. Although Andy Reid said after the game on Saturday, that:
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“If he’s going to make the team, he’s
got to be a good special teams player.”
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So, it sounds liek Reid was less impressed than many Kingdom fans, Reid also spoke on August 2nd about Steele as well, saying (0:26):
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Do I want Steele to become the Chiefs second back into the game? I haven’t decided yet, but if Clyde Edwards-Helaire (CEH) is available and healthy, I’d want him to be the Chiefs second choice… but third choice???
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Deneric Prince, Maybe
Prince is a RB in waiting. When CEH began having his PTSD symptoms and vomiting issues, Prince stepped in and showed out in a positive way. Since Carson Steele has elevated his game, Prince has once again taken a back seat. A lot depends on CEH and his mental/physical health. However, it is encouraging to know that the 6-foot-0, 216 lbs. second year man from Tulsa — Deneric Prince — is ready to go.
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Louis Rees-Zammit, Maybe not
Louis Rees-Zammit (LRZ) was sitting out yesterday with what was called back issues. LRZ was seen without his helmet walking down the hill to practice.
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LRZ was also seen working along the sidelines with trainers. Later it was announced that LRZ has back issues. My take is that he will end up being placed on the IR list throughout the 2024 season. If any NFL team lists a player on the IR (Injured Reserve) list prior to the season, he can — and has to — stay there all season long and that team doesn’t lose that player. If LRZ needs more time to digest the American football game, the IR list may be his best option.
Sounds like it’s a done deal to me.
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What do you think?
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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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