Observations and notes from day three of Chiefs OTAs

The four big names to know that were held out of #Chiefs practice: OL Cam Erving (shoulder surgery), TE Travis Kelce (ankle surgery), DL Chris Jones (presumed contract reasons) and LB Anthony Hitchens (baby).

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 23, 2019

I asked Andy Reid about Kelce's progress: "He's doing good, yeah. He's champing at the bit out here. He stands right behind you, watching everybody. He's doing good."

I think the #Chiefs like Blake Bell and Deon Yelder for No. 2, but don't sleep on former QB John Lovett.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 23, 2019

The difference between Bob Sutton and new DC Steve Spagnuolo is so recognizable. I took this video of Spags with Damien Wilson. See how he's right in the mix, teaching hands on? Such a stark difference from Sutton. pic.twitter.com/vJeKkaPDH0

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 23, 2019

That energy extends down the line in his coaching staff. I asked Darron Lee about LBs coach Matt House: "Great. Fiery, energetic. I love the way he coaches. He pushes you every single day. Helps you for sure in the meeting room, but definitely pushes you out there on the field."

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 23, 2019

Frank Clark on DL coach Brendan Daly: "I love it. I love him as a coach. He's a great coach. Can speak about the Super Bowl rings, I get lost in counting. He's a coach that definitely knows what he's talking about and knows what he's doing."

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 23, 2019

People may be saying WR Sammy Watkins "looks incredible" but to me, he looked the same as last year -- and that's good enough. Explosive, making tough catches, but nothing different.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 23, 2019

I did ask Watkins about how he is viewing 2019 and he said he wants to be more of a leader. "I think that's kind of my role now -- lead and do all the right things so the young guys can look up to me and see that this guy does everything right. Finish the reps, uplift everyone."

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 23, 2019

Andrew Wylie has switched from RG to LG on the first-team offensive line. I asked Andy Reid about why he's confident in the reigning #Chiefs rookie of the year.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 23, 2019

Reid: "[Wylie] is one of the better athletes we have up front there... I don't think people know that. He's a good athlete. He gets out there, and he runs...[He's] able to lock on people, glue on to people in the screen game...I don't think that's a huge adjustment for him."

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 23, 2019

One thing that Andy Reid emphasized this offseason was making sure to provide MVP QB Patrick Mahomes cut-ups so that he could improve. I asked both Reid and Mahomes how that process has gone and is going.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 23, 2019

Reid: "Going through all the cut-ups has been great. One thing about him is he's real about himself, and he wants to be great, so you have to be able to do that. You got to be able to look at it in a humble manner, take it all in and correct it and he's on a mission to do that."

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 23, 2019

Mahomes: "I learned there's a ton I still need to improve on. There really is. I made a lot of plays happen off-script this year, but there were times I tried to make those plays happen instead of just taking the easy completion for a first down." Added the film opened his eyes.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 23, 2019

Mahomes, for what it's worth, was in midseason form when it came to mixing in different receivers. It didn't matter if your name was Sammy Watkins, Damien Williams or Gehrig Dieter. Like last year, Mahomes finds whoever is open.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 23, 2019

I think safety Daniel Sorensen will get the veteran's opportunity to keep his job, but Juan Thornhill will very much be in the mix this training camp.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 23, 2019

This has been obvious from quotes, but Thursday further affirmed my belief the #Chiefs like WR Mecole Hardman as a returner this year. If he wins that job, I wonder what happens to Tremon Smith. A lot of options at CB. There will be many Chiefs cuts who find homes this year.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 23, 2019

Clark: "Gotta go at it...I got to go at his O-linemen, so he can get on them and he got to go at our defense so I can get on them. I feel like once we get that type of mentality in our locker room -- the competition based feel -- I feel like that's when we going to grow."

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 23, 2019