New Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator and current head coach of the East squad in the East-West Shrine Game talked today on the Comcast Morning Show.
Crennel, who is coaching against former Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer, said the Chiefs hold an advantage over other clubs when it comes to evaluating the talent in the East-West game.
"Being able to work with them on a one-on-one basis, being in meetings with them, being on the practice field with them...you get an insight on them that some of the teams watching don't get even though they're here watching them. There's been a great turnout from the NFL but they're on the sidelines and we're on the field dealing with them."
Chiefs GM Scott Pioli has said he often watches tape of the Chiefs practices because he can learn whether a certain player is doing what he's been coached to do and how they interacts with other players and coaches. That's an important aspect of fitting the right pieces of the puzzle.
"We're in on the field dealing with them, in the meetings with them, and you find out who will push themselves, how they prepare and who does their job. Those insights are golden. We'll be able to take that back and, as the draft comes, maybe use some of that in decisions about the draft."
Interesting stuff and a decided advantage for the Chiefs when it comes to the NFL Draft.