OPENING STATEMENT: “Alright, the injuries are the same that you guys got yesterday with the exception of Clyde (Edwards-Helaire), who came off the NFI (Non-Football Injury) and then practiced today – (he) felt better, so nothing changes there. It’s good to get the guys back out here and working – the veteran players. We added some new stuff for the rookies, and they were able to handle what they had learned last week and coming in earlier in the week and then today, so I’m happy for that. Both sides of the ball, I thought, competed well. Special teams looked good. (Matt) Araiza looked like he was booming it out there a little bit, so (a) good day for that. The time’s yours.”
Q: Xavier Worthy had a big day today – had a couple nice catches – what have you seen so far from the kid in camp?
REID: “Yeah, he’s been working hard. (It) looks like his hamstring feels better. We’ve just got to keep him going here and keep learning. We’re just one install into it and they’ve got twelve of them, so he’s got a lot more information coming at him – formations and shifts and motions and all that stuff. He did a nice job today.”
Q: It’s easier said than done, but those rookies and the new players that come in, what have you told them and what have other players told them about how you operate your camp?
REID: “Well Rashee (Rice) tells them – for the receivers. Listen, you got to run. As a receiver, you have to be able to run and sustain your speed throughout a practice.”
Q: I meant all your players.
REID: “Yeah, so from that standpoint there – the veteran players take care of that. They tell them that if I’m standing up there telling them that it’s – you know, you got to be in good shape, then you better believe it, right? They – for the most part, the guys – they ran well yesterday in the testing. It looks like they’re in pretty good shape.”
Q: Hollywood Brown was back returning punts; do you anticipate that he might play some special teams?
REID: “Yeah, he might. We’re just – we give everybody a chance back there. He’s so talented, but if you can get a couple (or) three guys that can do that and you feel comfortable with them (then) that’s a pretty good thing. We asked him to get back there, and he wants to do that. He wants to play, and he’s got a great attitude.”
Q: What’s your expectation for Kadarius Toney in this camp?
REID: “He worked today. (He) did a good job when he was in there, and we’ll see. Just like the other guys, he’s in there competing, and we’ll see how he does.”
Q: Do you have an updated timetable on Justin Reid and just what’s going on with him?
REID: “Listen – we’re just day-by-daying it right now and see how he does. He’s very honest with you. He’s not going to hide anything. He’s going to make sure he tells you how he’s feeling, so we trust him with that. (Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance) Rick (Burkholder) will take care of the rest of that.”
Q: You mentioned that it seems like Carson Wentz stepped right in and he’s doing his thing.
REID: “Yeah, Carson’s (Wentz) done a nice job. He’s got a good way about him. He’s got good vision. (He’s) a good football player. We’re glad to have him here, yeah.”
Q: What are your expectations for a veteran like Mecole Hardman back at camp?
REID: “Yeah, he’s got a great attitude for a guy returning with the six years of experience that he has – or going into six years of experience. He’s got an idea of how things work, he’s smart, he knows the routes and the ins and outs of the routes, and he’s a good communicator so he’s able to talk to the guys, and then he’s working his tail off. I give him credit for how he’s approaching (everything).”
Q: I know BJ Thompson is not at camp right now. Is he here or is he just at home?
REID: “He’s not at home, but he’s having some stuff done.”
Q: How good is it to see Chris Jones and everybody at camp?
REID: “Listen, Chris (Jones) is one of the team captains. He’s been that now for the last couple of years and (he’s) so well respected. (It’s good) to have him out here, he brings energy. He always brings energy. He has fun out here. I’m glad he’s here.”
Q: You have a lot of young guys, especially as well with this receiving core, how do you kind of get them adapted schematically and everything else with that preseason game coming up?
REID: “They’ll get time in the preseason game to work through things. (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) Spags is going to give you a lot of different looks here, so they’ll be able to see the different looks and the adjustments that you have to make with the routes – and learn, so it’s important that they stay on top of that. The coaches will introduce them to things off of film that they potentially will see and then we go. We see how it all works out. The main thing is that they keep working hard and stay tuned in and focused.”
Chiefs Player Quotes
July 21, 2024
WR MECOLE HARDMAN
Q: Xavier Worthy had a couple deep routes today. As a veteran how have you helped him along and get acquainted to everything? How impressed are you with his first day?
HARDMAN: “He did good. I think he’s coming along well (and) he’s learning the playbook well. He had a deep ball today – I think he had a couple like you said. I think he’s adjusting well. I mean he comes with that speed, so I’m pretty sure we’re going to have him on a lot of things going deep. So, I think now it’s just getting the chemistry with him and Pat (Mahomes) going and hopefully it’ll translate over going into the season. I think he’s doing good – he’s still working to get better, so I’m glad to see him out here doing his thing.”
Q: How was this offseason different than past offseasons for you after catching the game winning pass in the Super Bowl and getting to do some other stuff?
HARDMAN: “It was pretty fun. I believe you’ll capitalize on certain opportunities after the Super Bowl, but it’s kind of like one of those things you enjoy, then after that you got to get back to business, get back to working out, get stronger (and) faster and so you can get ready for this camp like this. Offseason was fun – I had my daughter, so I was around the family a lot this offseason and just trying to figure out the next step. It was cool – (I’m) glad that the Super Bowl happened, but now you know that’s in the past now, so you got to just move forward and go from there.”
Q: From year one to now, with the short stand with the New York Jets, how do you feel like you’ve become a better player?
HARDMAN: “I think just the experience. I guess just being here, most of the time, and learning the system, learning how to win, learning how to become a better leader, learning how to take care of your body, learning how to actually practice, learning the game – the game is slowing down. I think all of that comes with experience and the years you have in the league. Now it’s just more about just finding ways to become better at the little things at the little fundamental things and trying to get better each and every day, so that way you can have that long career that you want – that everybody wants. I think the experience and the knowledge that comes with it is where I’ve been learning the most and learning from guys like Trav (Kelce) still and the older guys that have been here. So just trying to take that all into account and just become better each and every day.”
DT CHRIS JONES
Q: Head Coach Andy Reid opens training camp with a message. What was this year’s message for you guys?
JONES: “I think the core values of the team, be humble and stay hungry. I think that is a core value of every year, coming in humble and hungry. It’s a new year, a new beginning, we got a new team. Last year’s team was successful in accomplishing the overall goal of winning a championship and this year is all about new challenges. We got a lot of new guys, a lot of new challenges ahead of us and we are excited for it.”
Q: How much does it motivate you and drive you to chase a three-peat?
JONES: “I think chasing history is all part of it. When a lot of players retire, they always say they want to leave the game better than when they started. If we can get this three-peat and just continue adding into the legacy of the Kansas City Chiefs, I think that would be a huge accomplishment not only for us but for the NFL.”
Q: Your defense took a step to that next elite level last year. Now with the changes what will it take to maintain or do better this year?
JONES: “We lost a couple of huge pieces, (Titans CB) L’Jarius Sneed, one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, so that’s a huge piece. We got a lot of challenges ahead – we can compare to last year, but it’s (a) completely different team from last year. We got some challenges ahead of us. We got a lot of young guys that we are looking forward to stepping up, still got Trent McDuffie, and we can build off of it. We can build off of it. We got a lot of young guys, and when the pads come on, we can see what’s going on.”
