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New Kansas City Chiefs receiver Jason Avant said the Chiefs were always his first choice even in free agency back in the spring before he signed with the Carolina Panthers. Avant also said that he is familiar with about 65-70 percent of the Chiefs offense due to his time with Andy Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles.
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As for how much Avant will play, that's still a question.
[UPDATE: "I don't think he'd have any problem playing this week," Reid said of Avant on Wednesday.]
"We don't know yet, I don't know yet," Avant told the KC media (via quotes from the Chiefs) this week. "We have a whole week of practice ahead of us and I will see throughout the week how much they will play me and those types of things. But I don't know. I just want to be ready and prove to them that I can grasp the playbook in such a short notice and have them to have confidence in having me out there."
Avant, who said he has always admired Alex Smith from afar, also raved about Andy Reid and his ability to use a player to his strengths.
"I respect him and his family so much," Avant said. "I like the way he looks at the game, how he takes the game really serious and I love playing for Coach [David] Culley as well. When you have guys that want to follow you places, which most of the guys from the Eagles staff followed him here, you want to be around that type of person. He's infectious and he's always positive thinking."
The Chiefs have played more two tight end sets this year when Anthony Fasano and Travis Kelce are healthy, which has taken away some of the 11 personnel (one back, one tight end, three receivers) that Reid has run in the past. Avant was used mostly in the slot previously so I imagine that would be his role again in Kansas City. Because of his familiarity with the offense I could see him being active and playing this weekend against Denver. Even if he knew only a portion of the offense Reid can package some plays together that would include him. We shall see on Sunday night.