Chiefs Training Camp: Day 6 observations from July 27
On Saturday morning, the Kansas City Chiefs returned to their field at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph for another practice of the team’s 2024 training camp.
This was the sixth of 19 public sessions on the practice field next to MWSU’s Spratt Stadium. 12 of the remaining practices will be open to the public — click here for details and a full schedule — while one more will be open only to the team’s Season Ticket Members.
Arrowhead Pride’s editor-in-chief Pete Sweeney and lead analyst Ron Kopp were there. Pete posted some observations on social media — starting with (even) warmer weather.
The weather in St. Joseph continues to heat up… with practice beginning with temperatures in the high 70s and cracking 80 before they were off the field. The 10-day dictates highs of 89 (Sunday) and 95 (Monday), so it’s going to get uncomfortable here fast.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2024
The Active/PUP and Active/NFI lists remained unchanged.
The NFI players (S Justin Reid and DL BJ Thompson) remain out. The same for PUP players (DT Derrick Nnadi, DL Charles Omenihu, LG Joe Thuney and CB Jaylen Watson). WR Justin Watson (foot) hasn’t practiced since Wednesday.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2024
A cornerback had to leave the field again.
After a knee issue ended his practice early the other day, CB Nazeeh Johnson left Saturday’s workout early due to a hamstring injury. We did see WR Justyn Ross leave but were told that it had nothing to do with an injury and could have been an equipment issue.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2024
After an install, practice began with one against two.
The Chiefs began practice running their first-team offense against the second-team defense and vice versa in 11-on-11 work. WR Rashee Rice saw an end-around, and RB Isiah Pacheco took a snap out of the Wildcat.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2024
In red-zone 11-on-11, RB Isiah Pacheco found a hole and scored a touchdown, booting the ball after he scored. TE Travis Kelce scored a touchdown on a play that saw Carson Steele as the FB and Deneric Prince as the RB.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2024
QB Patrick Mahomes nearly had a touchdown to extra offensive lineman Wanya Morris, but he looked to be held on the play. Mahomes certainly thought so, which he expressed to the officials who were getting their training camp reps in, too.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2024
Then it shifted to two against one.
With the second team, Carson Wentz found TE Irv Smith Jr. for two scores, including one on a play-action look. I’d call Sunday Smith’s best day at camp thus far. I had him down for six catches total during team scrimmage periods.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2024
The play of the day came late in 11-on-11, when Wentz found WR Montrell Washington deep down the middle of the field. @Chiefs has a video of the play (Washington celebrated with a flip in the end zone, which is not in this clip). https://t.co/Lx45f8myGi
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2024
The team’s fourth-round rookie corner drew some more attention to himself.
Rookie S Jaden Hicks broke up two Wentz passes during 11s and picked off Mahomes in 7s. Another PBU in one-on-ones. Hicks has been excellent all camp.
After practice, special teams coordinator Dave Toub revealed he already has Hicks as a four-phase special teams player.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2024
Misc notes
– Due to injury and otherwise, CB Keith Taylor saw time with the first team late in practice.
– I thought this was WR Skyy Moore’s best look. Much more comfortable Sunday.
– S Nic Jones broke up a pass (Oladokun) deep down the left sideline as the work concluded.— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2024
A report on QB1’s targets on the day.
Mahomes targets on the day (team work): Brown (5), Kelce (3), Pacheco (3), Moore (2), Rice (2), Edwards-Helaire, Morris, Smith, Washington, Worthy
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2024
Travis Kelce did the math.
Kelce’s quote about St. Joe (and the dorms) cracked me up: “This is my sanctuary, baby. St. Joe, Year 12. That means that I’ve spent just about an entire year of my life up here in the dorms, man.”
He said he has taken a few extra maintenance measures at his age but no details.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2024
That’s pronounced SOO-uh-mot-uh-EE-uh, folks.
Offensive tackle watch: For the second straight practice, rookie Kingsley Suamataia was the starting left tackle wire-to-wire, same for Mike Caliendo at left guard. Morris was the second-team left tackle. Early in practice, Suamataia got work at second-team right tackle, as well.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2024
AP’s lead analyst @Ron_Kopp was also in attendance, closely watching the offensive and defensive lines. He also posted a thread of his observations, which we’ll detour to cover here.
Chris Jones was a menace during inside run, just constantly blowing up blocks and disrupting the scheme by himself
He’s benefitting from Caliendo at LG, who was in for all 1st team reps
— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) July 27, 2024
Ron had more thoughts on the second-round rookie tackle.
Kingsley Suamataia continued to start at LT, and continued to show off his athleticism blocking on the move
However, there were a few reps where the DL slipped off after initial engagement. It really comes down to bringing his feet with the punch, and keeping a square base
— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) July 27, 2024
The bad boys on the interior continued to do their thang.
Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey made plays to remind us of their dominance.
Creed pulled and kicked out a CB on a Rashee handoff, then Trey pulled & sealed Tranquill in the hole at the goal line to free Pacheco for a score
— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) July 27, 2024
Remember: even a good rookie is still… well… a rookie.
On 2nd team OL, C Hunter Nourzad popped out to me. His get off after the snap is impressive, quickly getting hands on DL. He has a solid base when holding up inside
He did send a snap over Wentz’s head at one point
— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) July 27, 2024
On the second team, the second-year tackle did well.
Wanya Morris was the 2nd team LT, and stood out as an overall positive Saturday. His highlight was a goal-line down block, where he pancaked Bolton
His pass set was looking clean against FAU in 1v1s
He was also used as a 6th OL with the starters. Had a pass thrown his way in GL
— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) July 27, 2024
Wanya did look smoother in pass pro, but FAU did get him on one occasion in 2nd team. FAU turned a strong punch into an outside rip, entering the back of the pocket just after Wentz released it
Could’ve been a strip sack type of play for Felix
— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) July 27, 2024
It’s looking more likely that the Chiefs’ young Nigerian will make the back end of the roster.
Chu Godrick looks more and more like he belongs on an NFL roster. The former IPP player shows off clean hand placement, tucked elbows to grip blocks, and driving feet through contact
— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) July 27, 2024
Now we pivot back to Pete’s concluding notes.
Order of rotation for running backs during the first-team run period: Pacheco (3), Prince (3) Edwards-Helaire (2)
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2024
One-on-ones, baby!
Wide receivers went up against defensive backs in one-on-ones. Brooks, Remigio, Rice, Ross and Toney stood out on offense — and Conner, Hadden, Hicks and McDuffie stood out on defense. Hadden managed a pick going up against Cornell Powell.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2024
We’re on to special teams — not Cincinnati.
Haven’t mentioned him much in these threads, but punter Matt Araiza has been tremendous. The ball booms off his foot. You could tell Toub likes what they have there as Tommy Townsend moves on to the Houston Texans.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2024
Toub on Araiza beating out Ryan Rehkow: “Both of those guys did a great job. Ryan Rehkow did a great job — [with] the kid from BYU that we had, it was a tough decision. It wasn’t really cut and dry. But in the end, Matt was a little bit more consistent day-to-day. Being a lefty…
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2024
Toub revealed the returners he is seriously considering:
– Xavier Worthy
– Kadarius Toney
– Mecole Hardman
– Hollywood Brown
– Nikko Remigio— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 27, 2024
Sunday’s session will begin at 9:15 a.m. Arrowhead Time. It will be open to the public. As always, we will have live updates after practice begins. After it concludes, head coach Andy Reid will be speaking with reporters.
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