The Kansas City Chiefs held their first Training Camp practice yesterday that included all veterans. Here’s some of my observations.
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The Starting Offensive Line Unit:
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Here’s what we’ve all wanted to know since the beginning of time, well, for months now, the starting OL in training camp, Day 1:
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LT- Brown, LG – Thuney, OC – Humphrey, RG – Smith, RT – Remmers
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Creed Humphrey was been taking the #1 OC snaps.
Since this is the first day of training camp with the veterans, I’m not so sure this means much. We will likely see Austin Blythe take 1st team snaps at OC on a different day, but the writing may be on the wall since Humphrey was the day one OC… first 15 snaps anyway.
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Humphrey was hiking the ball left-handedly.
I had discounted Humphrey at the beginning of the draft season because he was left handed and I assumed the Chiefs would not want to put another task to deal with on Patrick Mahomes plate. Boy was I wrong.
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Trey Smith was taking the #1 RG snaps.
The goon (his word) makes good.
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Second Team OL Unit.
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K.C. probably wouldn’t have lost SB LIV with this backup unit in place. That’s how deep the Chiefs are on the OL now.
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Willie Gay made the most of his first starting camp assignment.
Wille Gay kept making play after play and almost picked off Patrick Mahomes. Great day for Gay!
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Mitch Holthus only tweet of the day:
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Mecole Hardman had a good day one.
Mecole Hardman and Patrick Mahomes were on the same page, especially on long throws.
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Nick Bolton was NOT taking #1 snaps at LB.
The starting three LBs were: Willie Gay, Anthony Hitchens and Ben Neimann.
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LB Anthony Hitchens tweaked his hamstring during practice.
Anthony Hitchens tweaked his hamstring during practice and HC Andy Reid didn’t make it sound serious.
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Injury Report
Darwin Thompson and James Winchester were both in the COVID-19 protocol.
Nick Keizer and Kyle Long, were on the PUP or NFI as well as Malik Herring who has an ACL (Keizer with back spasms and Kyle Long is still out with a tibia injury).
Starting CB Group: Charvarius Ward was at LCB, L’Jarius Sneed was at RCB, and Mike Hughes entered at RCB with Sneed in the slot on nickel looks.
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Tyrann Mathieu was in his usual place.
Mathieu has come to be known as the leader of the Chiefs defense. His comment afterwards bear witness to his maturity and strength of character. Check it out here –> Chiefs on Facebook (go the the 17:30 mark).
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Frank Clark was present.
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Punter Tommy Townsend had at least one with good hang time.
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Clyde Edwards-Helaire was spotted doing drills.
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Starting CBs: Charvarius Ward, L’Jarius Sneed and Mike Hughes.
Charvarius Ward was at LCB, L’Jarius Sneed was at RCB, and Mike Hughes entered at RCB with Sneed in the slot on nickel looks. Deandre Baker also spent time in the slot.
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It was good to see Deandre Baker get lots of work in.
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2nd Secondary Includes:
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Keeping Jersey Numbers Straight.
DE Alex Okafor was wearing #97 and LT Orlando Brown was in his #57.
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Tight End of the World… er, Chiefs
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Noah Gray had a good day and got some #1 snaps. I believe Reid intends on using Gray early and often during the season as a pass catching TE.
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The DE Conundrum
Chris Jones was taking 1st teams snaps initially at DE. Both David Bell and I have come to the agreement that this is not CJ’s best position and his length can’t be fully utilized at DE (e.i.: swatting down passes). David also doesn’t believe CJ has the requisite ability to lean and get leverage from the DE position. While I recognize DC Steve Spagnuolo likes to have his DL be able to be flexible and he likes to move them around, a permanent move of CJ to DE — just because Frank Clark may not be available this year or next — is not the best use of his skillset.
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In the meantime, Frank Clark and Chris Jones were swapping back and forth from one DE position to the other all during practice.
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Second Safety Position goes to…
While it’s far too early to tell who will end up starting at any position based on day 1 with the veterans present, Daniel Sorenson was starting over Juan Thornhill. Steve Spagnuolo sure seems to like Safety Dirty Dan Sorenson and LB BenNiemann a lot.
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Yes, Tyreek is Still fast.
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Travis Kelce is, well, still Travis Kelce
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Patrick Mahomes is, well, still Patrick Mahomes
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Everything I said about Noah Gray earlier… please apply that to Cornell Powell.
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As always, Chris Jones started the day by capturing the mood!
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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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