The Kansas City Chiefs were hard at work in the rain on Friday during training camp practice displaying severe attention to detail on both sides of the ball during their workouts at Missouri Western State University. Three Chiefs got in front of the podium for the team’s post-practice press conference, and each genuinely responded to reporters’ questions about their preparation for the new season.
Andy Reid, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Joe Thuney spoke to reporters and provided valuable insight into their thoughts on training camp, teammates, and more.
Check out their top quotes below:
Andy Reid on what he's seen from Blaine Gabbert that he brings to the table as a backup quarterback
“Yeah well, he’s got that experience. He’s seen the league for 13 some years, whatever it is, and he’s got pretty good feel on things. There’s not too much that he hasn’t seen from a defensive standpoint presented to him and likewise in the offense. He’s got a little familiarity with the offense, but just learning and staying on top of that becomes important. So anyways, that’s what I’ve seen.”
Andy Reid on the job so far of Ekow Boye-Doe
“Yeah, he’s doing a nice job, he’s really doing a nice job. So, we’ll see how he did today, but he’s been getting better every day, challenging. Told him he’s got to eat a little bit, he’s kind of thin, but he’s a heck of a competitor and he’s got good skill.”
Clyde Edwards-Helaire's take away from long drive periods compared to what they were like for him in previous camps
“Honestly, man, I would say it’s really rep count across the board. I felt like it was a little different when [Commanders Offensive Coordinator] EB [Eric Bieniemy] was here. I remember going six, seven reps straight, and I remember my rookie year where we had a long drive drill where we went 23 [reps]. I never really look at is as, ‘Oh this is something that’s like punishment.’ I know I gotta go out there and whenever my number’s on the play I go out there and run it. I don’t typically look at it as long drive drill is something that’s challenging. I mean if a drive on the field is 23 plays you gotta go out there and do it. So, I don’t really think about it like that I just kind of put the pads on and roll.”
Clyde Edwards-Helaire spoke about pass protection today from where he started as a rookie
“I mean it’s been four years of actually being able to block NFL guys. LSU was a great school as far as transitional and I remember being able to have [Tampa Bay LB] Devin White, [Former LSU teammate] Donnie Alexander having guys like that, having one-on-one pass rush with them. But it’s just more of somewhat a little attention to detail a little bit more and not only that you kind of look at things and get pinpointed from other players on the field. So, you’ll have guys like Jet [Jerick McKinnon] whose been in the league 10, 11 years [and] you can pick things off of him try to figure out what he was thinking about some things. If not, to this day I still call [2019 LSU Director of Player Development] Kevin Faulk and send some stuff to him and try to get some feedback off him. So that’s just what it is.”
Joe Thuney on veterans Jawaan Taylor and Donovan Smith adjusting to the team
“Yeah, it’s going well, Jawaan [Taylor] and Donovan [Smith] are great. They are really hard workers, getting in that play book, very detail orientated guys [and] work really hard. It’s been a great group to be a part of, the coaching staff has done a great job just getting them details and – so yeah, it’s been going really well.”
Joe Thuney on the progress of rookie Wanya Morris
“Yeah, he’s doing really well, too. [He’s] kind of switching around on both sides. He’s in his playbook all the time you know learning the system, learning the details of each play. He works really hard too and is strong and a really nice guy who’s absorbing a lot and doing really well.”
