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Tuesday marked the first day of 2019 mandatory minicamp for the Kansas City Chiefs. Six tryout players were in attendance, Chris Jones was not there (much more on that), and Anthony Hitchens provided us with some good clues as to what to expect on defense in 2019.
Here is what stood out to me from watching practice and speaking to some of the Chiefs players:
Absentees and injuries
The non-participants on Tuesday were TE Travis Kelce, TE Deon Yelder, OL Cam Erving, DL Chris Jones and S Juan Thornhill; OL Jimmy Murray left practice early with a leg injury. RB Damien Williams practiced but I noticed he did not partake in some team.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 11, 2019
Videos
I took some videos out at practice to provide some quick glimpses into #Chiefs mandatory minicamp. Here is coach Matt House working with the linebackers. pic.twitter.com/DOsHaC0K4L
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 11, 2019
Here is #Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo working with the secondary. pic.twitter.com/pBOf1OOJ2f
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 11, 2019
Here is #Chiefs coach Brendan Daly running through some defensive line drills. pic.twitter.com/Oof3KHmEcu
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 11, 2019
Observations
The officials were out at #Chiefs practice. Minicamp for them, too. P. Mahomes continued to show off that A. Rodgers art of the free play, getting the D to jump a few times with the yellow flags to prove it. B. Breeland was called for PI on M. Kemp at one point. He did not agree.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 11, 2019
Noticed Ragland/Hitchens got some 2-on-2 time w/ House & Britt Reid early. Hitchens said they practice on different aspects of "mental gymnastics" every day. Today's involved "footwork & once [the receiver] catches it, being able to make the tackle. Little things like that."
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 11, 2019
Along with Hitchens, #Chiefs right guard LDT and CB Kendall Fuller also spoke to media. LDT feels great and so does Fuller. Asked LDT about playing in AFCT game & he said he could have "been functional" but not 100%. Asked Fuller about training camp & he confirmed he'll be 100%.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 11, 2019
Along with Hitchens, #Chiefs right guard LDT and CB Kendall Fuller also spoke to media. LDT feels great and so does Fuller. Asked LDT about playing in AFCT game & he said he could have "been functional" but not 100%. Asked Fuller about training camp & he confirmed he'll be 100%.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 11, 2019
I thought the #Chiefs offense as a whole, especially when it came specifically to catching the football, was a little sloppy on Tuesday. The amount of pass drops stuck out. The defense "won" the day -- and it being blitz day helped -- but that should hardly happen in June.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 11, 2019
Things that did stand out positively on O were the depth wide receivers. I noticed a sweet toe-tap from Gehrig Dieter, a Davon Grayson one-handed catch and Rashad Davis make a pretty grab between three defenders, requiring a great throw from Chase Litton (all 7-on-7).
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 11, 2019
I've said before that Sammy Watkins doesn't look "incredible" to me, but Tuesday reiterated how healthy and explosive he looks. Watkins had a beautiful connection with Mahomes way down the field late in the day.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 11, 2019
While I'm not ready to give the "incredible" tag to Watkins, Frank Clark is earning it. I asked LDT (2 reps vs. Clark) for his thoughts: "It's pretty impressive what he's able to do with his hands. He's going one way, then the other. Really slippery and a fast guy."
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 11, 2019
At one point, Mecole Hardman streaked down the field with Charvarius Ward guarding him, and Ward stayed with him stride for stride. A very good sign. Also worth noting, Hardman looks to be improving in his punt-catching ability with visible confidence there.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 11, 2019
The pride of the AAF, CB Keith Reaser, had a strong breakup on a pass from Chad Henne. As Spagnuolo noted has noted with Breeland Speaks and Tanoh Kpassagnon, he's using them in a variety of ways, outside and in. Look to be carving out nice roles for themselves in 2019.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 11, 2019
We’ll be back at it Wednesday.
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