The Kansas City Chiefs were back at the Missouri Western State University training ground in St. Joseph, Missouri on Wednesday morning, conducting the team’s first full training camp practice of 2022.
Wednesday’s practice audience was limited to Chiefs season ticket holders. On Thursday, the team’s second full practice session will be open to the general public. Click here to find out how you can attend and see the full training camp schedule.
arrowhead pride editor Pete Sweeney was there, making observations which were posted on Twitter – starting with noting that it was a beautiful day for training camp.
The low 70s gave way to temperatures in the mid 70s as the workouts ended. It got a little humid, but I thought it was pretty cool by St. Joe/Chiefs training camp standards.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2022
Unlike weekend rookie and quarterback workouts, the fans were present to take advantage of the weather – and sometimes, a close encounter with their favorite player.
The Chiefs said more than 3,000 season ticket holders attended practice, which added some juice that I didn’t feel over the weekend. Camp autographs have made their long-awaited return. One fan was *particularly* excited to see issue #87 (from @HayleyLewisKSHB) https://t.co/AU4BpKAAL0
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2022
Although he could appear any day, Kansas City’s left tackle seems decided that day 1 wasn’t going to be that.
The story continues to watch is actually this: “Orlando Brown Jr. Watch”. He missed the team’s first practice on Wednesday. On the pitch, Roderick Johnson won over the first team representatives at left tackle. Geron Christian worked with the second team at left tackle.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2022
But so far, the chiefs have not chosen to slide their left guard to tackle.
When asked if LG Joe Thuney would get a left tackle shot (like he did in Week 17 against CIN in 2021), head coach Andy Reid replied “probably not at the moment.” . Reid mentioned that Thuney could play LT “in the blink of an eye”. I wonder if Nick Allegretti would get the call to LG in this scenario.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2022
The was a familiar face on the right side of the offensive line.
At right tackle, Andrew Wylie took all first-team reps, with rookie Darian Kinnard working with the second team. We will continue to monitor this potential battle as the camp progresses. At this point, I’m leaning Wylie to keep the role as Kinnard develops, but it’s very early here.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2022
Expectations for Kansas City’s two starting cornerbacks now seem to be right.
On defense, L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie were the top team cornerbacks, with Sneed slipping and fourth-round rookie Joshua Williams entering the nickel. D. Baker and L. Johnson appear to be next on the outside. When Sneed must have missed a few pieces, D. Bootle came in.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2022
A former Michigan Wolverine continued to be the backup for his former comrade.
DE Mike Danna was the pick opposite George Karlaftis as Frank Clark missed the start of practice. Elijah Lee was third linebacker along with Nick Bolton and Willie Gay Jr.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2022
The team’s fourth-round cornerback continued to impress.
Brett Veach may have gotten another day three gem from Williams, who recorded a 7-on-7 pass breakup on this PA friend @HaroldRKuntz3 checked in. Harold’s video also shows S Justin Reid’s pick, which we’ll get to in a second. https://t.co/QTiuueIp9l
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2022
Kansas City’s new free agent safety said he was happy to observe the features he likes in the young defensive backs of the team.
Justin Reid described the keys to good rookie play, keys he saw in Williams and CB Trent McDuffie: “1, having a high engine. 2, a desire to learn and 3, not being afraid to to make a mistake.”
Reid added that the next step (after the next few days) is August 1, when the electrodes will be activated.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2022
As it appeared, Reid also had a great day.
Reid beat Patrick Mahomes 7-to-7 beating TE Jody Fortson, and he then had a PBU on Mahomes 11-to-11 against TE Travis Kelce. A good start for the new #Heads defensive leader.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2022
Yet he meant he was just a guy doing his job.
Justin Reid on INT: “I mean, I just play defense. Coach Spags tells us what to do, we go out and run it. When you do that, you buy into the program, you’re a good teammate, you’re a good student of the game, good things usually happen.”
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2022
At one point, the former Pittsburgh Steelers player had a great run – even though Juan Thornhill was quick to point out to Pete that it was actually McDuffie who turned on the play. What can we say? Sometimes it’s hard to tell Juan apart from someone else on the defensive. We regret the error.
Wednesday’s offensive star was wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who caught 3 straight passes from Patrick Mahomes to start a 7-on-7 series. The loudest crowd of the day was Mahomes at JuJu 11-on-11. S Juan Thornhill turned around, leaving JuJu open deep.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2022
After practice, Smith-Schuster said that off-season work with his new quarterback has paid off.
Smith-Schuster: “This offseason, [Patrick and I] just trained. Each day. Pat remains in Dallas. Pat calls. “Hey, we’re throwing these days…” A lot of guys did that in the offseason. Just build that trust. Over time…we just build that chemistry.”
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2022
A Few Other Wide Receivers didn’t make as much noise Wednesday…
Calmer first look for WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling who tipped a ball over a rep in the red zone work (but later compensated with an 11-on-11 catch). WR Skyy Moore is still in tune with the offense. I noticed that he ran the wrong route in the final game of 7v7.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2022
…although some reserve players had a good time in the sun.
Other Offensive Notes (1/2): TE Noah Gray had a touchdown during 7-for-7 red zone work, RB Derrick Gore had a ‘remember me’ moment as he juked LB Jack Cochrane along the sideline. WR Gary Jennings fought off a defender to make a tough catch early.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2022
Clemson’s Old Broad had another good game.
Other attacking notes (2/2): WR Cornell Powell stayed with a 3-second bobble to bring a ball down the middle during the 11v11. Welcome back WR Corey Coleman, who has fully extended at right-back from the end zone to catch a touchdown pass from QB Chad Henne late in practice.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2022
And we finally got to know which players are considered as returns – so far.
Coleman, Moore and McDuffie worked as returners during the last special teams period. I wonder if Special Teams Coordinator Dave Toub is setting up some sort of tryout with KRs Tyreek Hill and Byron Pringle gone and Mecole Hardman assumed to be more involved in the offense.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2022
The next practice will begin at 9:15 a.m. (Arrowhead time) Thursday.
#Day #Leaders #Boot #Camp #Observations
