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The latest
All-Analytics Team: Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Donald dominate | NFL
Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs. There is no shortage of splashy stats or highlight-worthy plays to point to here. In 2018, Mahomes posted 50 regular-season passing touchdowns (the most in the NFL by 11).
Right tackle: Mitchell Schwartz, Kansas City Chiefs. One trend I’ve observed in years of tracking O-line play is that teams that win at least one playoff game almost always have right tackles who stop defenders from coming within five feet of their quarterback on at least 24% of passing snaps.
Interior defensive line: Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs. I would have guessed the Eagles’ Fletcher Cox would have rated higher in win-contribution than Jones, but the Chiefs’ interior defender narrowly jumped ahead of Cox because Jones had more pressures (getting within five feet of the opposing QB) that resulted in stopped first downs or touchdowns in competitive minutes.
5 NFL players who might FINALLY break out in their 4th season | SB Nation
Darron Lee, LB, Kansas City Chiefs
Former first-round pick Darron Lee was traded to the Chiefs this offseason after three shaky seasons with the Jets. Lee needed a change of scenery, and the Chiefs needed more athleticism at linebacker.
Kansas City is a good landing spot for Lee for two reasons. With teams trying to keep up with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense, Lee should see more coverage opportunities than he did with the Jets.
Let’s take a closer look at Wentz’s contract and predict what will happen with Dak Prescott and Jared Goff
Predictions for Prescott and Goff
The big risk in the Rams waiting with Goff playing well is the Chiefs signing 2018 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes to an extension shortly after he is eligible once the upcoming regular season ends. Mahomes is potentially the NFL’s first $40-million-per-year player. Doing a Goff deal after a Mahomes deal is in the marketplace will probably force the Rams to beat Wentz’s deal by a considerable margin.
Catching the ball is something Chiefs running back Carlos Hyde can get behind | Kansas City Star
When he signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs in March, running back Carlos Hyde knew a few things about his new team. They had played in the AFC Championship Game, had a top-notch quarterback in Patrick Mahomes and players at his position had fared well under Andy Reid.
What he didn’t realize what how much the Chiefs throw to the running back.
“I didn’t know they used the running back so much in the passing game until I got here,” Hyde said. “It put a smile on my face.”
2019 NFL MVP candidates: Patrick Mahomes ready to repeat? | NFL
1) Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Kareem Hunt is gone and Tyreek Hill’s availability is a question mark, but don’t get caught up in who will and won’t be returning to this offense. Let’s not overthink this: Mahomes is special. He’s the most electrifying player in all of sports. And remember, he’s still a kid (he’ll turn 24 in September) who has just one year as an NFL starter under his belt. It’s scary to think of, but he’s going to be even more comfortable and dominant in 2019 than he was in 2018 -- when he threw for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns. He’s going to continue to thrive under Andy Reid’s coaching.
Arrowhead Stadium holds 76,416 fans. The capacity at Children’s Mercy Park is 18,467 plus standing-room only tickets.
The match, part of International Champions Cup, had not yet sold more tickets than Children’s Mercy Park is able to accommodate. Fans who have already purchased tickets will be given comparable seats in the new venue.
Around the league
Sources: Pats file tampering charges vs. Texans | ESPN
The New England Patriots filed tampering charges Wednesday against the Houston Texans for the attempted general manager hire of Nick Caserio, league sources told ESPN.
Philip Rivers to limit reps in prep for long season | NFL
“When you have some players that are older, established players -- like some of ours are -- I’m not opposed to it,” Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt said Wednesday when asked if they would consider sitting their veterans out of the preseason.”
Patriots’ Sony Michel undergoes minor knee surgery | NFL
Michel has a history of knee issues, dating back to high school when he tore his ACL, and he suffered another knee injury in college. The running back missed the season opener last year after undergoing a knee procedure at the start of training camp. The history makes any news about Michel’s knees noteworthy, even if the latest surgery was considered minor.
All three of the Bears kickers missed their 42-yard field goal at practice on Tuesday
Kirk Cousins: I’m a .500 quarterback, that’s not where you want to be | NBC Sports Pro Football Talk
“I think [getting to] the next level really is all about winning,” Cousins said, via Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. “I’m pretty much a .500 quarterback in my career so far and I don’t think that’s where you want to be and that’s not why you are brought in or people are excited about you.”
JuJu Smith-Schuster says he has ‘no hard feelings’ toward Antonio Brown | Yahoo! Sports
“The man’s a role model. In that situation, I didn’t want it to end like that,” Smith-Schuster said. “I have no hard feelings against him. Obviously if we’re ever in the same room, I’m going to say ‘What’s up’ to him. I think ‘hatred’ is a huge word to use against somebody.
In case you missed it at Arrowhead Pride
Report: Chiefs right tackle Mitchell Schwartz signed to contract extension
His new deal will keep him with the Chiefs through 2021.
Observations, notes and videos from day two of Chiefs mandatory minicamp
Here is what stood out to me from watching practice and speaking to some of the Chiefs players:
Dixon’s AP mailbag: Alex coming back, Damien’s production, Spags and jiu-jitsu
Welcome to Dixon’s Arrowhead Pride Mailbag, where our own John Dixon will do his best to answer your questions about the Kansas City Chiefs — and anything else that’s on your mind.
Watch the latest “The Franchise” episode here: notebook, discussion, poll
The series offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Chiefs and their future through the eyes of the team.
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