Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Quotes
July 28, 2024
OPENING STATEMENT: “Alright fellas – we got the injuries, Hollywood (Brown) is sick, Clyde (Edwards-Helaire) is sick, Nazeeh (Johnson) just tweaked his knee, the one that he had surgery on, but we should be okay there – it’s a little bit more the hamstring than the knee. Chris Jones had a groin strain and then Justin (Reid) and (Justin) Watson we’ve already talked about, but they’re making progress. Good practice today, guys challenging each other going back and forth, got a lot of one versus one, and two versus two going today, red zone was a big part of today's practice, which we need. You need to be sharp in these areas, and that’s a big one right there. So, it was good work today – times yours.”
Q: How do you evaluate where Louis-Rees-Zammit is at?
REID: “Yeah, listen he’s learning, he's learning. This is all new to him, but he’s working his tail off (and) working through it. You can see his athletic ability. He's just got to get used to doing all the different things we’re asking him to do.”
Q: What do you see from the players at left tackle?
REID: “Yeah, I like the competition there. They are going – really there are two of them that are working in there and they are doing a nice job, so they kind of go back and forth and they’re challenging each other – they’re also good friends, they’ve developed a friendship,and it’s good healthy competition.”
Q: How much do you emphasize turnovers in training camp to the offense and defense?
REID: “Yeah, both ways, yeah both ways. You don’t want to turn the ball over, but at the same time I want to let the quarterbacks work and see what they can get away with, without being ridiculous.Defensively we’re always punching the ball out, which is good for the runners and the receivers. It's good there that they can get that work and feel that. So, turnovers end up being a big, big catch in football on the backend defensively, so we can keep working on that.”
Q: What are your impressions of Skyy Moore and how to challenge him?
REID: “Yeah, listen he’s a few years into this thing now, so just cut loose and play, and let's not think through it, go play. He’s doing a nice job of that, and he’s actually playing good football right now.”
Q: What are you seeing from Drue Tranquill given he will have an expanded role this year?
REID: “Yeah, I like what I see. He’s a competitive kid, very smart. He played on the backend in college, so he’s got that feel there, and then you know he can get in the box there and play like a linebacker. He kind of grew into that position. I liked what I’ve seen, physical player.”
Q: How long will Chris Jones be out?
REID: “We’ll see, we’ll see. I mean, I know he was messing with you guys, but he does have a groin there. We all have groins, but he has a sore groin.”
Q: How much is there a concern for Nazeeh Johnson considering he just had surgery in the last year?
REID: “I think he’s going to be fine. Yeah, I think he is going to be fine. You go through those things and he’s strong, and his leg’s strong, his knee is solid, all that. He’ll be fine.”
Q: When you look at the new kickoff rules, has there been a change as big as this since you’ve been in the NFL?
REID: “Probably not quite that big, no. That’s a big one. It’s big for the officials, too. We’ve had the officials out here. These guys are working the Thursday game, the Hall of Fame game, so it’s their first time being exposed to that. We’ve been working on it all offseason(and) they’re (the officials) just getting exposed to it. It’s good to listen to them and hear what they’re thinking going through this and the issues that might take place, so it’s been good for our players (to have) that.”
Q: What have the conversations been like with the officials? Did you learn anything specifically from them about the new kickoff rule?
REID: “They go through the new changes, which is important. This is a good (officiating) crew right here. They’re one of the better crews in the NFL. It’s good to get their feedback, and they’re great with our guys. They get in and give our guys feedback. We had a meeting with them last night, (and) they did a nice job there. They had a video to show us, (and) they did a nice job there.”
Q: What are some the challenges Kingsley Suamataia is working through right now?
REID: “Well, there are a few things. The physical part of it of being out here every day and going full speed against the best players in the world. You’ve got to be able to back-to-back-to-back these things (days), and he’s working his tail off doing that. Then, the mental part – we’re throwing a ton at him. I like the way he’s going about it. I like how he’s fighting in there. He’s going to be okay as we roll here.”
Q: This was a chippier practice and Drue Tranquill was involved in a lot of those. What’s that fine line between wanting a guy to have some fire and wanting to protect your players during a chippier practice?
REID: “Well, you have him (Drue Tranquill), and you have (Isiah) Pacheco. They both have fire, which is great. That’s what makes it go. These are dog-eat-dog practices, man (laughter). Any of that competition like that, a little talk, helps you get through this. For them to get their juices going like that, I love it.”
Q: Have you noticed the upward trend of the number of starting quarterbacks? Why do you think it’s trending upward? Has it changed the way that you think about your quarterback room?
REID: “It’s a vulnerable position. We’ve always tried to keep a veteran guy, just in case, that has a pretty good feel and experience in there – because we know those numbers. That’s what it is. You’re vulnerable. You’re in a vulnerable position right there with some big men that are chasing you – trying to get you.”
Chiefs Player Quotes
July 28, 2024
G TREY SMITH
Q: How would you assess the whole offseason?
SMITH: “It’s the offseason of change. Obviously, (I’m) just doing things a bit differently. Ultimately, (I’m) just getting prepared for this next season and getting ready for the hardest training camp in the NFL.”
Q: What are your thoughts on Kingsley Suamataia?
SMITH: “I love Kingsley (Suamataia), man. He’s like a little brother (to me). He’s an extremely talented player, and we have great coaches. We have an extremely great front office. They saw a lot of ability in the player, obviously, that’s why we drafted him. He’s going to be a great player.”
Q: What were the challenges during your rookie year training camp when you were thrown out there for your first rep?
SMITH: “I just think the amount of details in every play – having verbal cues for what can change in your job based on defensive fronts and schemes that they present to you – I just think that the sheer amount of information that they throw at you – it’s tough, man. Then, you got to factor in (that) St. Joe is hot. Our practices are long. It’s a pretty – It’s a tough thing, man. We have one of the hardest training camps for a reason. It prepares us, but it’s a tough situation.”
LB DRUE TRANQUILL
Q: What are you trying to instill in some of your teammates as far as the attitude in the defensive and linebacker room?
TRANQUILL: “I don’t know that I’m trying to instill anything in anybody else, I’m just trying to be myself. I love this game. I love the opportunity to play for a great organization. I mean, you’re around such great coaches and great players. This is a historic time to be a Kansas City Chief, and I feel grateful to be a part of it. So, I just try to come out here and do my job to the best of my ability, and if I can teach a young guy a thing or two, or you know, help one of our guys who’s tired or something, then it’s a bonus.”
Q: How much is your family inspiring you, especially when you can’t see them in times like camp?
TRANQUILL: “It’s really hard, I mean it’s a credit – I’ll give a shout out to my wife, she’s back home with three children. She’s waking up early with them, she’s putting them down at night, she’s dealing with all the whining (and) the crying, (and) everything in between. She’s having to move here (and) move all of our stuff and, you know, I’m here playing football. So, our families go through a lot to play this game. They don’t get nearly the credit we do. They don’t get to talk to the media (and) the media doesn’t really talk about them, and so the stuff that they do behind the scenes to make this possible is nothing short of amazing. They know how much we love and appreciate them. We love our wives, we love our kids, (and) we love our family.”
Q: On the competition between the offense and defense every day.