New Chiefs quarterback Nick Foles met with the media following his first practice with the team on Aug. 5, 2016 during training camp in St. Joseph, Mo. (Photo: Matt Derrick, ChiefsDigest.com)
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Newly acquired quarterback Nick Foles will serve as the Chiefs No. 2 quarterback in the team’s first preseason game against the Seahawks Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium.
Head coach Andy Reid says Alex Smith and the first team offense will play the first quarter, with Foles and the second team offense playing the second quarter. Tyler Bray will serve as third string, followed by Aaron Murray and Kevin Hogan.
“Nick will take the twos and see how he does, what he’s comfortable with,” Reid said. “Tyler can step in there if we need to.”
Reid said Bray had a good practice on Wednesday and continues to battle for the No. 2 quarterback role.
“We have full confidence in Tyler too,” Reid said.
Reid said he believes Foles is familiar enough with the offense to play despite joining the team just last week.
“I’d probably say he’s got about half of it where it’s comfortable,” Reid said. “He stepped in, and we have about 403 pass plays. He’s not going to have every one of those down.”
Foles said his biggest adjustment is knocking off the rust that comes with being away from the field since last season. He skipped offseason activities with the Rams while his status was unclear.
“Just getting the feel of reps, getting my footwork where you’re in a pocket – that’s a different thing when you’re just throwing routes on air.”
Foles is also getting to know he’s teammates, particularly the receivers.
“Once you develop those relationships, those plays, you start getting on the same page, starting to see, ‘Alright, this is how this guy runs this route,’ then you can really take it to the next level,” Foles explained.
The Chiefs receiver Foles is most familiar with is Jeremy Maclin. The pair were teammates for three seasons with the Eagles. Foles has thrown 10 of his 53 career touchdown passes to Maclin.
“J-Mac’s just such a talented player, and just being around him is great for me,” Foles said. “When I’m throwing to him it just feels like old times.”
Foles said Maclin’s route running and smoothness illustrate how how he continues to improve his game.
“I think he’s better than he was in Philly and in Philly he was already a tremendous player,” Foles said.
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Matt Derrick is the associate editor for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
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