Andy Reid does have a tough training camp. I don’t know if it’s the toughest in the NFL but apparently that’s the reputation the Kansas City Chiefs coach has around the league.
Chiefs rookie Chris Jones spoke to reporters on Tuesday and said he’s been through tough camps before, maybe even tougher than this one.
“I’m ready to see what it’s all about,” Jones said. “Everybody tells me we have the toughest training camp in the NFL and I’m ready to see what it’s all about. I don’t think it can get any harder than Mississippi State.”
I joked with him that Andy Reid might hear that and give him a hard time at camp.
“I just plan to work my tail off and whatever role they want to put me in, that's what I’ll play,” Jones said. “Jaye Howard, Allen Bailey, and [Dontari] Poe are three of the guys I try to watch and study every move they make and maybe one day I can be in their position.”
It’ll be tough to be in their position this season. Barring injuries, I would expect your base starters to be Allen Bailey and Jaye Howard on the ends and Dontari Poe in the middle. Maybe Jones could fit in on a subpackage where he can use his pass rush skills, something the Chiefs d-line has lacked.
“Anyway to get on the field,” Jones said. “Whether I have to play noseguard or substitute Poe out, I will do it. Anyway to get on the field -- I’ll do it.”
Jones is like a lot of rookies: young, energetic and no idea what about to hit him. I’ll be curious to see what he’s saying a week from now.