KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Ten days of organized team activities (OTAs) and a three-day minicamp are officially in the books as the Chiefs concluded Phase Three of the offseason workout program on Thursday.
June 19, 2014; Kansas City, MO; General view of players warming up on final day of Chiefs minicamp at the team’s training facility. Credit: Teope.
Up next on the road to the 2014 regular season is training camp in late July.
Coach Andy Reid recently complimented his players following OTAs and the laudatory comments continued after minicamp.
“It was good to get guys through this camp,” Reid said during his post-practice media session. “We added a few things on both side of the ball and special teams. I thought they handled it well and I was happy with the performance throughout the offseason program.”
Reid added the players reported in good shape for the offseason workout program, and executed well.
But the praise didn’t stop with the players.
“There was some recall from the season,” he said. “And then with the new things we added, they took it in and worked hard on it. Likewise with the coaches; I thought the coaches did a good job. So all in all, it was a good offseason.”
All players, including the rookies, now get a well-deserved reprieve before training camp, which Reid said was his decision based on the work they put in.
“We got enough reps and time out of them,” Reid said.
While Reid came away pleased with the team’s efforts throughout the offseason workout program, the Chiefs won’t enter training camp at St. Joseph, Mo., without questions.
There are numerous position battles ahead, including slot wide receiver, cornerback, quarterback, and offensive line, among others.
Knowing what’s on the horizon means players need to be mentally and physically prepared for what’s in store.
“We got a lot of work to do when we get to St. Joe and the guys understand that,” Reid said. “They’re wired that way. They don’t shy away from the work. Once we get up there, we’ll be ready to go.”
Injury updates
Reid didn’t offer new information on cornerback Phillip Gaines (ankle) and right tackle Donald Stephenson (calf), both of whom left Day Two’s practice early.
Running back Joe McKnight is dealing with a swollen knee, so the team held him out of practice.
Minicamp participation
Tight end Travis Kelce (knee) and wide receiver Kyle Williams (knee), both of whom returned to the practice field after missing OTAs, participated in individual position drills during the three-day minicamp.
Wide receiver Weston Dressler (hamstring) was also present for a second straight day and appeared to mostly work with individual positions drills.
Tight end Sean McGrath (knee) returned to Day Three’s final practice after missing a portion of practice the previous day.
Cornerback Sean Smith (illness) missed all three days of minicamp with an excused absence. Also not present on the practice field was linebacker Ben Johnson, who previously dealt with a hamstring injury.
Houston doesn’t attend minicamp
Outside linebacker Justin Houston missed all three days of mandatory minicamp without an excused absence, making him subject to a fine totaling $69,455 in accordance with Article 42, Section 1 (a) (ix), Exhibit A of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Minicamp observations
• Unlike past days where media observed virtually two-plus hours of 11-on-11 and 9-on-7 drills, Thursday’s media observation period concluded very early. The portion observed was mostly stretching, individual position drills and a 9-on-7 segment.
• Prior to the start of practice, the Chiefs announced the release of defensive tackle Chas Alecxih. The Chiefs’ offseason roster currently sits at 88 players, two shy of the league maximum allowed of 90.
• Quarterback Alex Smith found wide receiver Dwayne Bowe along on the right corner of the end zone during goal line work. Looked like a miscommunication between the defensive backs.
• Kickers Ryan Succop and Cairo Santos took turns booming kicks from beyond 40 yards, moving back in 5-yard increments. A lot of kicks, especially from Santos, hit the wall, which is roughly an additional 10 yards from the back of the end zone.
• Wide receiver Kyle Williams extended and hauled in a pass with his fingertips in stride during goal line work.
