Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid and a number of players spoke to the media on Tuesday as training camp continued at Arrowhead Stadium. We heard from some newer players like Kelechi Osemele and DeAndre Washington. We also heard from some defensive leaders like Frank Clark and Charvarius Ward.
Here’s a look at five things we learned during the course of the media availability:
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The Chiefs are getting Clyde Edwards-Helaire ready to play
“We’re going to get Clyde ready to play and he’s going to get ready to play. We’re lucky that we have a pretty good nucleus of running backs there. It’d be great to have Damien, but on the other hand, I think if you had to pick a position where you have some talent, that’s a position that we can work with. We’re in pretty good position—I think Brett (Veach) and those guys did a good job of that, kind of stockpiling that position. For your answer on Clyde, we’re going to get him ready to play, and he’s wired that way. The more you get to know him, I think you’ll understand his maturity and kind of how he’s wired.” – Chiefs HC Andy Reid
All eyes are on Edwards-Helaire to become the bell-cow running back in Kansas City. Without Damien Williams, the ball is in his court to earn the job as ‘the guy’ for the Chiefs. Andy Reid and the coaching staff are getting him ready to play, but really at the end of the day, it’ll be up to him to seize the moment.
Andy Reid doesn’t know if more players plan to opt-out
“As far as opting out, that’s at the players’ discretion. I don’t know, and that’s not because I don’t communicate with the players, it’s just that that’s a personal thing for them. So, I don’t interfere with that.” – Chiefs HC Andy Reid
So far two Kansas City Chiefs players have opted out of the 2020 season. With a deadline now officially set for Thursday, August 6 at 4 p.m. for opt-out decisions, Andy Reid is unsure if his any other players will be opting out. He leaves that decision up to them and their families. He respects his players too much to try and convince them otherwise.
The players feel safe at the team facility
“Shout out to them because you guys haven’t really been able to see, but we walk around, and they’ve done a magnificent job from top to bottom. Every day they provide us with a safe and energetic learning community. For us to come in and be able to sit in class and go on the field and produce and practice in a safe community. I feel like that’s been the most important thing. There’s been so many questions about the safety of our players, our coaches and when we go home. I just feel like everyone over here in our building has done an excellent job providing us with a safe community to work in.” – Chiefs DE Frank Clark
Chiefs players are currently feeling very safe in their current working environment. So far they’ve all echoed similar sentiments to what Clark said here, giving effusive praise to Rick Burkholder and his staff, but also everyone else involved in making the facility safe.
Kelechi Osemele is open to playing anywhere
“Yeah, I’m pretty open. When I came into this game, I was tackle, I never played guard in my life, so yeah, I’m pretty open. They kind of just said I’m going to be in the rotation according to the playbook right now. Obviously there are a lot of wrinkles to learn but any way, shape or form I’m just able to help, I’m just excited to do my part and continue to help the franchise win and continue to do so.” – Chiefs OG Kelechi Osemele
Left guard, right guard, tackle, center; so long as Kelechi Osemele can block someone into the dirt, he’ll play the position. Before playing guard as a rookie with the Baltimore Ravens, he’d never played there before. Then he did such a good job that they just kept him there and it stuck throughout the majority of his career. I still expect Osemele to fill in at the left guard spot. It doesn’t make sense to do anything else when you have a vacancy at left guard too.
DeAndre Washington believes he’ll get his chance to shine
“I think prior to making my decision, I felt like Kansas City was a great opportunity for me, even before they drafted the back, Clyde (Edwards-Helaire), I think he’s a great back, but you know how this game goes, guys are going to roll, it’s a long season, so I feel like there’s a lot for everybody to eat. But I think Coach Reid and this offense, he’s shown plenty of times he knows how to get his playmakers the ball. I’m looking forward to making my plays when I get the opportunity.”
Washington was signed ahead of the Chiefs’ decision to draft Clyde Edwards-Helaire. He still expects to get an opportunity in this offense. He might have to bide his time and wait for an injury to happen, but it’s a long season. We’ve seen it happen time and again in Kansas City, you need a stable of running backs to stay competitive during the course of a season.
