July 20, 2014; St. Joseph, MO: Chiefs coach Andy Reid addresses media as rookies, quarterbacks and injured players report for training camp. Photo used with permission from Chiefs PR. Credit: KCChiefs.com.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Chiefs rookies, quarterbacks and injured players arrived Sunday, representing the first group of players to report for training camp.
Coach Andy Reid offered a preview of what’s on tap in the coming weeks.
“The players prepared themselves for a tough, physical camp, which most of them have gone through,” Reid said. “So they have a little bit of a heads up. Or at least directly they can talk to somebody that had gone through it in the case of the rookies.”
Reid’s training camps, even during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, have a reputation for being tough.
And that environment apparently won’t change in Reid’s second season as the Chiefs head coach.
“I still believe a big part of the game is blocking and tackling,” Reid said. “We are going to do those things.
“We are going to have periods that are live. The thing it helps you do, there are a lot of new rules and regulations that go into this. It gives players an opportunity to actually work those full-speed. Whether it’s eliminating the head from your tackling, OK, let’s go work on that. Let’s work on tackling with our shoulder and get a feel for that.”
Meanwhile, Reid indicated most players are healthy. But the head coach pointed out two players recovering from injuries.
Cornerback David Van Dyke, who dealt with a hamstring injury during organized team activities and minicamp, will be eased back into action.
“We’re seeing where he’s at right now,” Reid said. “He might be a bit of a question mark.”
Van Dyke is one of 11 cornerbacks battling for a roster spot.
Running back Joe McKnight, who enters training camp with an opportunity to compete for the No. 3 running back spot and as a returner on special teams, had his knee scoped during the more than a month break since minicamp.
“He’s making great progress and wants to be out there,” Reid said. “He’s pretty close and we’ll see how it works out.”
McKnight missed the final day of minicamp on June 19 with a swollen knee.
In the meantime, the current group present at camp will have three straight morning practices and walk-throughs starting Monday before veterans arrive Wednesday. The Chiefs first practice as a full team arrives Thursday.
The Chiefs break training camp on Aug. 15, but seeing the players arrive Sunday signals the start of the regular season isn’t far behind.
And that’s has the team’s second-year coach excited.
“There’s just a certain feel you get around this time of year,” Reid said. “It’s time to roll.”
