After coming off an 11-5 season, the Kansas City Chiefs have a lot of high hopes going into year two of the Andy Reid regime. Two of the reasons for hope that they can do as well, if not improve on last year, are start WR Dwayne Bowe and 1st rd draft pick Dee Ford. Both spoke with the media on Thursday to speak about how quick Ford is catching on as a rookie and how the connection between Bowe and QB Alex Smith has progressed from last year.
On the defensive side of the ball, Dee Ford has been the talk of camp. All of his teammates have been questioned about him and all have had raving reviews about how explosive he is and how he will have a big positive impact on their pass rush. Teammates such as All-Pro Tambi Hali and Joe Mays have compared him to names such as Von Miller and the great all time Kansas City Chief, the late, LB Derrick Thomas. The slick, pass rusher from Auburn, doesn’t want to get a big head from all the praise from his teammates, but he is honored to be compared to such great linebackers.
Currently the point of Ford’s mind is getting acclimated with the defense. He said he doesn’t feel like his head is spinning, but he’s still learning. He’s also learning a lot from the veterans. “I’m learning maturity. The pass rush is all about mentality (more than) just straight pass rush because at some point they’re going to figure out what you can and can’t do. So it’s all about changing it up and deception”, said Ford. One thing that Ford has made everyone very well aware of is that he’s not depending on his natural ability. Even though he has great natural pass rushing instincts, he knows if you want to be great, you have to listen, work hard, and be prepared.
On the offensive side of the ball, Dwayne Bowe has been on the Chiefs since 2007 and has been a top player on their team even in their struggling years. One of the biggest things this year is how much will Alex Smith progress and how much better of a connection that Smith and himself will have this year. Bowe, and everyone else in camp, has said Smith has made strides from last year and is showing a great amount of confidence. Bowe said, “We’re doing well right now. We only can get better with time and that’s what OTAs are for, to come down with the timing and just be consistent. Last year everyone was getting a feel for it. Now it’s like a brother-in-law.”
Bowe also understands the importance of keeping in physically good shape during the offseason as he has started a new diet. Bowe says his weight is now at 210 lbs, down from 221 lbs last year, and he feels that this is the best he has ever felt going into a training camp. As an eight year veteran, it’s always a balance you have to find between not beating your body up and trying to hit your peak condition as the season approaches.
Bowe mentioned the importance of veteran leadership, saying, “I’m just trying to be a leader all around. On and off the field or whatever it takes. Staying late, doing extra or showing the guys how to do it. Even in the study room, I get in my group, staying later, just showing them how to do it and how to be in control of it. That’s my main focus this year.” This statement seems to be a creed for all the veterans in the Chiefs camp. They seem to be a tightly knit group this year and with good health, they should be a tough game for their opponents every week.
