Chiefs training camp practice: Defense has the better day, offensive line changes

The Kansas City Chiefs took the field for their fourth full squad practice in training camp and the defense won the day. There were a few nice plays from the offense near the end of practice but overall the defense was the stronger group. The Chiefs practiced their first team offense against the second team defense and the second team offense against the first team defense and both teams I would give the nod to the defense. The defense sacked Alex Smith on two of three plays at one point. The offense did better at the end of practice when they were facing the first team defense so that should make you feel a little better.

Eric Berry not a full participant in practice

This is the second day that Berry has sat portions of practice out. The Chiefs acknowledged that they're managing his return.

Slight change to the offensive line

For the most part, the Chiefs offensive line lined up the same way as it has all camp: LT Eric Fisher, LG Ben Grubbs, C Eric Kush, RG Jeff Allen, RT Donald Stephenson.

However, during one portion of the team work the Chiefs put Derek Sherrod at RT and Zach Fulton at RG. They then moved Stephenson and Allen to the second team.

The second team offensive line: LT Derek Sherrod, LG Zach Fulton, C Mitch Morse, RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, RT Jarrod Pughsley

How the defense lined up

The defense had Mike DeVito and Allen Bailey at end and Jaye Howard at nose tackle. The usual four linebackers were there in base — OLBs Justin Houston and Tamba Hali and ILBs Josh Mauga and Derrick Johnson. In the secondary, Ron Parker and Husain Abdullah were your safeties in base defense while Sean Smith and Marcus Peters were at corner. Phillip Gaines came in when the Chiefs went to nickel. Also note that Gaines left practice early with an apparent injury so I'm not completely sure how they would have handled him with Peters if he were healthy.

No front runner in the long snapper battle

Look lonely it is to be a long snapper.

There is no front runner for this job yet, according to special teams coach Dave Toub. Andrew East and James Winchester are the two competing.

Two tight ends in play

I wasn't able to attend the first few days of camp so it was nice to see that the Chiefs are still using two tight ends in various plays in their offense. Travis Kelce is obviously the No. 1 tight end while others, including rookie James O'Shaughnessy, are competing to be the one behind him.

Good surprise

Surprising me in a positive way is UDFA Justin March, who has seen time with the second team at linebacker. There's usually one or two UDFAs who make it so he could be the one this year.

Bad surprise

The oddest thing to me continues to be that Paul Fanaika is working with the third team at guard. He signed a three-year deal this offseason worth about $8 million. Surprising to see him on the third team because those guys usually don't make the team.

Not practicing today

QB Tyler Bray, TE Demetrius Harris, WR Chris Conley, LB James-Michael Johnson, DL David Irving and WR Armon Binns.

CB Phillip Gaines walked off early with a knee injury. That didn't seem serious but we shall see.

Shirt of the day

The good (Chiefs)

The bad (Raiders)

The ugly (Broncos)

New Chiefs WR L'Damian Washington is tall

They list him at 6/4.

Observations from practice

• WRs Albert Wilson, Jeremy Maclin and De'Anthony Thomas out wide? That is a fast set of receivers.
• The running backs worked on pass catching, which is important for Knile Davis. He needs to get better there and at pass blocking to see more playing time. I saw him drop at least one pass during today's practice.
• WRs Jeremy Maclin and Albert Wilson look like your top two receivers with Chris Conley injured. DAT also saw time at receiver when the Chiefs went three wide.
• CB Marcus Cooper worked with the second team at cornerback.
• Jeremy Maclin had one short route where he displayed excellent footwork.
• WR Jason Avant put a move on S Kelcie McCray that created about five yards of separation. McCray was lost.
• QB Chase Daniel had a nice deep ball to WR Tello Luckett in drills. Set it right into the spot he needed to and Luckett made the grab. DAT had a nice move in a similar drill, although those one-on-one drills almost seem unfair with DAT.
• Spencer Ware was playing some fullback for those keeping track of who is playing where.
• Josh Mauga blew up the running back on one play during team work.
• CB Steven Nelson is seeing time on the outside with the second team. I did see him in some nickel work when Phillip Gaines went out.
• DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches was blown up on one play but recovered a few plays later with some nice penetration.
• TE James O'Shaughnessy was drilled as he was catching a pass near the sideline but hung onto the ball. I like the little bit of him that I've seen. He could contribute.
• Frank Zombo had an INT during nine on seven drills.