This past week, many items crossed the screen and flashed into the past–including Brown’s failure to come to terms with the Chiefs on the offered contract extension. I have previously written about the contract offer and Brown’s failure to come to terms. It now remains in his “Court.” He cannot prove himself deserving of high jingo unless he plays. He did not earn such recognition with his play in 2021.
A noted passing – Jim Lynch, a member of the Chief’s Hall of fame, passed away Wednesday.
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LB Jim Lynch
Lynch was a member of the World Champion Team that won Super Bowl IV(23-7 vs. the Minnesota Vikings). He was 76 years old. Lynch played all 11 NFL seasons as a Chief and was a member of a great trio of linebackers, including NFL Hall of Fame members Bobby Bell and Willie Lanier. Lynch earned his accolades while playing next to the greats, and he still has the record for 3rd most interceptions by a linebacker with 17 picks. His numbers were exceeded by fellow linebackers Willie Lanier (27) and Bobby Bell (26). Lynch played Collegiately for Notre Dame. He was a member of the Notre Dame team that won the National Championship game(1966), and also that same year, he won the Maxwell Award (1966-the best all-around player in the NCAA. Jim Lynch won honors for the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992 and was inducted into the Chiefs Hall of fame the preceding year.
Packed Up and Moving
On Sunday, the Chiefs began packing up the gear and equipment for the move to St. Joe. Allen Wright once again supervised the activity; He has been with the Chiefs organization for 36 yards. Rookies and Quarterbacks were to report by EoD yesterday.
A Truly Red Friday
Rookie RT Darian Kinnard showed up to the Chiefs Training Camp sporting a red mane, and if you look closely enough you can see the chip on his shoulder.
So It Begins
The off-season is often an excruciating wait game that is difficult to withstand. But, somehow, ArrowheadOne overcame the pain; Training Camp was opened (Rookies and QBs). These players arrive early for orientation to the team and the expectations of the newcomers to the “Chiefs Way.” By next Wednesday, the full complement of players will have arrived to emerge on the training camp fields of the Missouri Western State University facility.
The Schedule
Training camp practice begins on Wednesday, July 27, with drills set to begin at 9:15 AM CST. Then, on July 28, the first practice open to the general public will also occur, starting at 9:15 AM.
Here is the training camp schedule:
- Wednesday, July 27 – 9:15 AM
- Thursday, July 28 – 9:15 AM (open to the public)
- Friday, July 29 – 9:15 AM
- Saturday, July 30 – 9:15 AM
- Monday, Aug. 1 – 9:15 AM
- Tuesday, Aug. 2 – 9:15 AM
- Wednesday, Aug. 3 – 9:15 AM
- Thursday, Aug. 4 – 9:15 AM
- Friday, Aug. 5 – 9:15 AM
- Sunday, Aug. 7 – 9:15 AM
- Monday, Aug. 8 – 9:15 AM
- Tuesday, Aug. 9 – 9:15 AM (not open to general public)
- Thursday, Aug. 11 – 9:15 AM
- Saturday, Aug. 13 – Preseason game vs. Bears – noon CT
- Monday, Aug. 15 – 9:15 AM
- Tuesday, Aug. 16 – 9:15 AM
- Wednesday, Aug. 17 – 9:15 AM
- Thursday, Aug. 18 – 8:15 AM
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I am focused on the Sessions following the Bears game — It is during this time, that the final roster contests will be largely ironed out, and decisions that are being made are clear by who is getting starter snaps on both sides of the ball. I want to be at camp on Tuesday, August 16th, but I cannot make that date. It was in my plans.
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High Expectations for Four Rookies
My usual outlook for the Rookies and Newcomers to the Kingdom is overly optimistic. In 2021’s version of that optimism, Creed Humphrey, Nick Bolton, and Trey Smith emerged as starters, and all three easily won recognition for their play in the 2021 season.
So here goes my early prediction of an equally successful camp for Rookies:
Trent McDuffie (CB)
McDuffie was the Chief’s first pick in the 2022 draft after Veach traded up to be able to draft him.
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He is logically posited as a boundary CB opposite L’Jarius Sneed. However, I hope he can also measure up and play the slot. McDuffie will be a Day One Starter.
George Karlaftis (Edge)
Buzz is the word, and Karlaftis has a motor that won’t quit.
He sought out training sessions with Bobby Stroupe down in Texas(an excellent sign for the rookie). When I consider the roster players, Karlaftis will earn a starter’s stripes in the opening game. I am curious about how Spagnuolo’s defense deploys him(and whether Brett Veach will add another DE to strengthen the mix. George will start opposite Frank Clark.
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Skyy Moore (WR)
Moore’s big hands will aid him in emerging as a significant contributor in 2022. Moore worked with QB Patrick Mahomes in Texas this past off-season, and that bodes well for getting in sync with the offense.
Moore has veteran players in front of him, so I view him as WR #4. He must get deep in Reid’s playbook as quickly as possible; I think he begins to get snaps and looks quickly in the Chief’s “New Look” Offense. Moore was Pick #54 in the draft.
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Bryan Cook (S)
Cook joined the Chiefs as pick #62. What I expect of Cook is for him to contribute to the defense as the #3 Safety immediately. Justin Reid and Juan Thornhill will likely be the two starting Safeties, but I envision Cook emerging quickly as a force for the secondary.
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That’s a Wrap
Cook is a hard-hitting player, and a ball-hawk is on his credential list. In addition, he possesses the size and moxie to be used as a hybrid linebacker playing up in the box. It will be interesting to see how Bryan fits the versatility role for Spagnuolo. Then, of course, there are other rookies to watch, but the above four are logical high-impact players, at least in my expectation. Equally of interest are the many Veteran Newcomers to the Kingdom, such as WRs Marquez Valdez-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster, LB Jermaine Carter, CB Lonnie Johnson, and UDFAs such as LB Mike Rose, Ole Miss RB Jerrion Ealy, and many more. It is going to be a ton of fun to watch camp unfold.
Keep in mind that there are many questions surrounding this roster. Only fifteen players remain who played in the 2019 LIV Championship game. The 2021 Season ended early as the Chiefs faltered in the AFC Championship game vs. the Bengals, a game they should have won, which would have found them in the Super Bowl for the 3rd season in a row.
As usual, I am highly concerned about the Chief’s Front Four on defense. However, I still think there is a chance that Brett Veach and Ryan Poles(Bears), GM for the Bears, could swing a deal to acquire Robert Quinn. At least I have hopes that such a trade could be made. It could be made after the season starts, right up to the trade deadline. With Rookie George Karlaftis learning the ropes as an anticipated starter on the edge, it would really help to have an experienced Veteran in the mix. Dunlop could be another possible contributor to sign. It is my view that an addition would help seal the deal for the defense.
As for Brown? He will play LOT for 2022. The question in my mind is will he be a disruption for training camp by sitting out. I hope not. In that case, the Chiefs will get a hard look at Geron Christian on the left side.
It’s true: I am anxious; I see a new Team and a “New Look” offense and defense. So I am excited for things to get rolling.
By next Wednesday (July 27th, a scant five days away), we will begin to see camp unfold. On Thursday, the session is open to the public. So the fun part of emerging from Off-Season to NFL Football is about to begin!
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David Bell – ArrowheadOne
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