Observations, notes and videos from day six of Chiefs OTAs

The six names to know that were held out of #Chiefs practice: RB Damien Williams (personal), WR Sammy Watkins (personal), OL Cam Erving (shoulder), TE Travis Kelce (ankle), DL Chris Jones (presumed contract reasons), WR Tyreek Hill (susp); LB Anthony Hitchens was back in the mix.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

#Chiefs assistants spoke to the media after practice, and I asked TEs coach Tom Melvin about Kelce missing offseason workouts. His answer surprised me a bit.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

Melvin on Kelce: "He understands his body and how to make it work for a full 16-game season and playoffs, and this is actually good for him. At this point, usually after your fifth or sixth year in this offense, I tend to give the younger kids more reps than the vets...

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

...just because of that. He doesn't need all those reps. He needs the specific ones with Patrick on the new stuff we're doing here, but the stuff from last year that we've done, the younger kids can do that stuff. He'll be fine, and it may be better for his body in the long run."

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

I called QB-to-TE convert John Lovett a dark horse to watch at No. 2 tight end, and the day-six workout only reaffirmed it (remember, they're not in pads, but Lovett made a few tough catches Thursday). He'll be a training camp player everybody will love to watch.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

Talking to Melvin, I think the #Chiefs really like Blake Bell's experience up next. Deon Yelder missed the workout. FB Anthony Sherman worked with the TEs Thursday.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

Two wide receivers are standing out, and they are Byron Pringle and Cody Thompson. Pringle is speedy, looking to be back in full health since his hernia surgery last year. Pains me to say it ( ), but I like Thompson more than Jamal Custis right now at OTAs.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

*worth noting Hardman thought the defender deflected the pass

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

I asked #Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy about his Ocho Cinco comp ("The Franchise") for Hardman. He didn't want to put that pressure on him. "That's a tremendous height to compare him to... Mecole is doing a heck of a job. He's a smart, intelligent kid."

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

Bieniemy added Hardman is improving on the speed of the game, an adjustment for all players from college, and the urgency to improve every single day in the #Chiefs limited time.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

I asked Bieniemy if he thought the #Chiefs would go running back by committee, and he confirmed Damien Williams as the starter at the position. More from @Arrowheadphones: https://t.co/nSYX0ysPFL

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

On the defensive side of the football, the new energy continued to be palpable on Thursday. Last week, I showed you Steve Spagnuolo teaching. This week, I took videos of some new assistants teaching.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

#Chiefs DBs coach Dave Merritt at work. pic.twitter.com/858xJDc3M7

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

#Chiefs LBs coach Matt House at work. pic.twitter.com/xvayVTXP6o

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

#Chiefs DL coach Brendan Daly at work. pic.twitter.com/nGRq37XByU

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

After practice, Spags told a story about a friend he wouldn't name--Spags' friend told him he saw a complete difference in the way the Patriots DL played under Daly. Noticeably high praise. Uses Daly as a reference for what Bill Belichick might do in certain situations in KC.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

#Chiefs LB Raymond Davidson recorded an INT off Kyle Shurmur during team workouts.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

I don't have confirmation on this, but Reggie Ragland looks somewhat skinnier (or sexier, if you go by Ragland's own words last year) to me. I asked Spags about Ragland's role in the #Chiefs 4-3.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

Spags on Ragland: "I think he fits the mold of the MIKE linebacker. I know he's battled some injuries, so hopefully, we can keep him (injury) free there."

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

Both rookie cornerback Rashad Fenton and second-year linebacker Ben Niemann stuck out when it came to effort. It's day six of OTAs and both players were willing to go all out to make a play.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

S Juan Thornhill looks to be coming along, and it's good to see him out at practice among the veterans. I asked Spags what could make Thornhill a day-one starter at safety.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

Spags said Thornhill stuck out at the Senior Bowl. "I like the way he plays. I actually complimented him in a unit meeting the other day. I put a clip on of where I saw him bursting to the football, which is really important in what we're doing."

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

Dave Toub said the #Chiefs had a really high grade on P Jack Fox coming out. Fox is in camp to give Dustin Colquitt competition. My takeaway from Toub's words about Fox made me believe the punter battle is very real.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019

Another good nugget - Toub on WR Byron Pringle on special teams: "He's really looking good right now. He like took it to another level. We're really excited, the way he looks right now."

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) May 30, 2019