ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Kansas City rookie quarterback Patrick Mahomes delivered the biggest roar from the crowd on the second day of training camp, completing a quick four-play drive in a two-minute drill, capped off by a scrambling run for a touchdown.
Kansas City Chiefs rookie quarterback Patrick Mahomes delivers a pass during drills at the team’s training camp in St. Joseph, Mo., July 27, 2017. (Photo by Matt Derrick, ChiefsDigest.com)
Mahomes started the drive threading a deep ball over the middle to tight end Ross Travis. Two completions to running back C.J. Spiller set Mahomes up for the touchdown run.
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said the throw to Travis setup up Mahomes for an impressive drive.
“It was phenomenal,” Nagy said. “It was a great throw. He’s used to that two-minute stuff, it helps him and he’s throwing with confidence.”
Mahomes has come a long way since the team’s rookie minicamp in May, Nagy said the rookie quarterback at first screamed the offensive play call so loud in the huddle that the defense could hear it too.
Now he’s looking off safeties and running the two-minute drill to near perfection.
“It’s a huge leap,” Nagy said.
Every Mahomes snap comes under the watchful eyes of coach Andy Reid, who can deliver critiques with devastating intensity. Nagy said Mahomes calm demeanor has yet to break under Reid’s tough-love approach.
“As of now he’s pretty unbreakable but we’ll see how that goes as his test goes on,” Nagy said.
Nagy said the coaching staff still had feedback for Mahomes after the drive.
“We told him don’t get too big of a head and it’s OK to run the ball and protect it with two hands and not one hand in the end zone,” Nagy said with a smile.
NEW LINEBACKER ARRIVES IN CAMP
New Chiefs linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis arrived at the team’s training camp in St. Joseph, Mo., July 29, 2017. (Photo by Matt Derrick, ChiefsDigest.com)
Fourth-year linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis, acquired Friday via a trade with the Seattle Seahawks for D.J. Alexander, arrived in St. Joseph in time for Saturday’s practice.
“I’m excited to be here,” Pierre-Louis said. “I have a job so I have nothing to complain about, and I’m just excited to finally, when I can, get out there with the guys.”
Coach Andy Reid said the Chiefs liked Pierre-Louis as he entered the NFL from Boston College in the 2014 draft. The team also has extensive ties to the university. Director of player personnel Mike Borgonzi served as assistant recruiting coordinator for the Eagles in 2007-08. Director of college scouting Ryan Poles and several Chiefs scout attended Boston College as well.
The 25-year-old linebacker recalls meeting with the Chiefs prior to the draft that year.
“I definitely do at the combine, spent a lot of time talking,” Pierre-Louis said. “There’s some Boston College connections here, so that’s always great.”
Pierre-Louis spent much of his first three season playing special teams, but the Chiefs envision him providing additional depth at inside linebacker.
“Speed is definitely my strong suit but I’m not afraid to hit that’s for sure,” Pierre-Louis said. “I’m excited to be able to use that.”
Pierre-Louis passed his physical but did not participate in practice. Alexander must pass his physical before Pierre-Louis takes the field for the Chiefs. The team’s early morning practice along with the time difference with Seattle led to the delay.
CHIEFS DELAWARE CONNECTION
The Chiefs have a deep connection to the University of Delaware football program. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy played quarterback for the Fightin’ Blue Hens, and one of his favorite targets was Brett Veach, the team’s new general manager.
Nagy is happy for his former teammate, and described Veach as a man of passion.
“He’s been working for this really all his life,” Nagy said. “He’s very passionate about what he does and it doesn’t surprise me at all that he’s in this position.”
Now that Veach earned his lofty status in the front office, Nagy joked that he should have thrown the ball to Veach more at Delaware.
“He was my No. 2 wide receiver, but he was a darn good No. 2,” Nagy said.
INJURY REPORT
Offensive lineman Isaiah Battle missed his second-straight practice nursing a hamstring injury. The team placed him on the non-football injury list yesterday.
Undrafted free agent cornerback Jordan Sterns missed practice with an illness.
Offensive guard Parker Ehinger appeared in the medial tent on the sidelines during practice. He remains on the physically unable to perform list along with defensive end Chris Jones and linebackers Tamba Hali and Dadi Nicolas.
Wide receiver Seantavius Jones was slow to get up at the end of a pass play and needed assistance from trainers. He later returned to action.
———-
Matt Derrick is the lead beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
———-
