KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin started organized team activities three weeks ago with a specific goal in mind.
“I think just the chemistry between Alex (Smith) and I,” Maclin said on on May 26. “When you’re talking about me and him, I think that’s the No. 1 thing.”
June 16, 2015; Kansas City, MO; Chiefs WR Jeremy Maclin (19) makes a catch between rookie CB Marcus Peters (22) and safety Husain Abdullah (39) on Day One of minicamp at the team’s training facility. Photo used with permission by Chiefs PR. Credit: KCChiefs.com
So how is it going with 10 OTAs in the books as the Chiefs began a mandatory three-day minicamp Tuesday?
The early returns are apparently very good.
“I think me and Alex are off to a great start,” Maclin said. “I think our comfort level with each other is pretty high. It kind of feels like this is not our first rodeo. I think we’ve hooked up a lot in practice on timing, on plays where he is just kind of throwing the ball and trusting me to make the play and stuff like that. I think we’ll want to continue to get better but I think we’re off to a great, great start.”
Smith and Maclin displayed that comfort level on numerous passing plays during team-related drills in OTAs, so Maclin’s declaration doesn’t come as a surprise.
The two will have the rest of minicamp in the coming days to fine tune their rapport before taking a month prior to training camp in late July.
That Smith and Maclin appear on the same page should offer a good amount of optimism for the passing game.
There is another piece of good news with Maclin, who experienced soreness in his foot after an OTA workout.
He missed the next day of practice before returning to the field the final two days of OTAs.
“I had a day off there and it felt great the following day,” Maclin said. “The foot is fine.”
ARROW KEEPS POINTING UP
Look out, NFL.
A two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl running back is feeling pretty good following OTAs and entering minicamp.
“I just thought this was my best OTAs in my career right here,” Jamaal Charles said. “It was one of the best ones I’ve had.”
When an eighth-year pro like Charles says that, it’s often best to take immediate notice.
Charles, one of the league’s top explosive playmakers, pointed out his comfort level in the offense as a primary reason why he felt the past OTAs were the best of his career.
“I feel like I know what I’m doing,” Charles said. “Not everything I did was a fast pace, I did everything patiently. I came in in shape. Being in the third year of the system, I feel good.”
Not only does Charles feel good mentally, the 28-year-old star running back considers himself fully healthy.
“I haven’t been in the training room the whole OTAs,” Charles said. “The only time I’ve been in the training room was to clip my nails, clip my toe nails, so that’s the best thing. Normally, I’ve been in the training room the past years checking on my knee and checking on other things. I went in there one time.”
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Herbie Teope is the lead beat writer and reporter for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @HerbieTeope.
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