After a well-deserved day off on Thursday, the Kansas City Chiefs continued their 2015 Training Camp with a two part practice and a “Social Media Day”. As camp moves along and as the Chiefs continue fine tuning the offense, KC’s Offensive Coordinator Doug Pederson took time to give his take on where they stand after practice Friday.
Pederson is looking for progress in the passing game, specifically between the quarterback and receivers. He also put an emphasis on protection and is pleased that his receivers are being physical down the field.
“… The passing game takes timing. Both the quarterback and the wide receiver – what they’re both seeing. Obviously, the protection is the key to the kingdom when it comes to the passing game, just keeping bodies off of the quarterback.”
Pederson (in his third year with the Chiefs) stated he is now seeing the clean pockets, the separation with the receivers; he attributes this to the players being familiar with, and understanding the system.
“… We’re putting them in the same situations that they would be in during the course of the game, and they’re handling that information very well and they’re relying on past experience; it’s showing out here on the field.”
When asked about the new acquisition of wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, Pederson said Maclin can change the complexity of the offense.
“It becomes open field, so to speak. You’re not limited to one side of the field or whatever it might be, but with a guy like Jeremy and his veteran leadership, he’s familiar with our system, going back to the days in Philadelphia.”
The Offensive Coordinator said that Maclin’s speed, agility, and his ability to catch the football was what makes him so dynamic. The Chiefs want Alex Smith to take deeps shots in 2015, Pederson has a lot of confidence in his quarterback and he believes his receivers (tight ends included) have the speed to do it.
Pederson commented on rookie Chris Conley (who remains on the injury list) saying they will wait until he’s 100% to bring him back. He thinks receiver Albert Wilson is doing a nice job in camp, and also spoke very highly of rookie Tight End James O’Shaughnessy.
“He’s (O’Shaughnessy) a guy that once the regular season comes, we’re going to lean heavy on him and Travis (Kelce), whatever combination that is. You want to see that he can handle the bright lights when everything comes on during these four games.”
When discussing Jamaal Charles, Pederson said they have to be smart in managing his practice time, and that when he first got there Jamaal needed more reps to learn the system. These days it’s more about making sure they are smart with the live play during practice. Pederson said he is looking for efficiency in his offense this year, cutting down on the little mistakes, and that it all starts with the quarterback.
Speaking of quaterbacks, Alex Smith fielded a few questions as well on Friday. He said he feels good and is confident in all of the receivers. He feels that after working hard at it during the offseason they have to continue to do that in camp.
“I think the moment you’re feeling good, it’s just one of those things you have to practice all the time, rep all the time. It’s hard, guys are tired, you don’t want to run them all the time after practice like that, but you have to keep doing it.”
Smith noted that he is already pretty comfortable with Maclin, but that it would take time to get that way with Chris Conley after he is back from injury (knee strain). Smith said that it’s great to practice against the Chiefs defense, and that everyday there are ups and downs. While the goal is not taking any hits in training camp, Smith acknowledged that it was hard to simulate real pressure and that’s what the preseason games are for.
On the defensive side of the ball, first round pick (2015) Lee Ford spoke with the media after practice. The outside linebacker said he spends his days off watching film, movies, playing piano, but on the field he wants to improve in the run game.
“One of the strides I wanted to make was against the run, and I felt like I’m making strides. Huge strides against the run. Just consistency as far as situation with the ball.” Ford further went on to say that the key was attacking from the edge, and the rookie is not lacking in confidence one bit. “I just attack. I just attack. I don’t think any tackle can block me when I attack.”
Next up was defensive back Husain Abdullah, who spends his days off with his wife and children, but also that it’s fun to get back out there and see his football family again. When his particular position was questioned Abdullah said he plays where he is needed.
“I am wherever they put me. Sometimes I am back deep, I’m out wide, I’m out in the eight gaps in the forty like the linebackers, so whatever it is to help the team – that’s what I’ll do.”
Husain said being in year 3 with the Chiefs makes it easier to understand the different positions and different packages allowing KC to get into more advanced defenses. When asked about why the safety group was so unique this year, Abdullah said the group spends a lot of time together.
“We have fun. We hang out with each other off the field… we have a good time. When we come out here, it’s a lot easier to go out into battle and go out into a game with guys you have fun with. If they were just guys that I was competing with and we don’t really talk then that’s just a bad vibe. But, when you genuinely like somebody and you go out there it’s a lot more fun. It’s like playing in Pop Warner or in high school when you had really close friendships.”
