Chiefs Coordinator Quotes
July 29, 2024
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR STEVE SPAGNUOLO
OPENING STATEMENT: “I think the last time we talked we hadn’t been in pads yet, so we’ve had three days in pads which was good. Most of you guys were here – I didn’t think the first day in pads was very good for us or maybe it was the second day, the day we had the short yardage goal line. But I thought the guys stepped it up after that, after we challenged them in meetings. Today was a 10-10-10 (practice) so it was kind of more execution and mental. We’ve got a long way to go, we’ve got a lot of guys banged up so we’re kind of working through that but with that I’ll just open it up. Fire away.”
Q: How do you see the dynamic between Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill as they share the field?
SPAGNUOLO: “Yeah they – listen the one thing about both those guys is they’re both very cerebral (and) very smart, so I think they feed off each other that way. That goes a long way when – I’ll bet if you ask d-linemen they’d tell you that they appreciate the guys that are behind them are really sharp. They’re ahead of things, you know watch out for this motion, watch out for that shift, they changed a d-line here. When you have two guys that can do that instead of just one, I think it makes everything go a little bit like that (interlocking all fingers together). I think the rest of the defense knows that about those two guys and really rely on them. I mean I watch DBs go over and ask Drue (Tranquill) and Nick (Bolton) questions about - I think it might even be playing DB or something in the defense because they know that those two guys know exactly what’s going on.”
Q: Is it important to have that pecking order of where guys are at corner back specifically?
SPAGNUOLO: “Well, we know who our number one is, right? We all know that. We’re just trying to find guys - we’re going to have to find our next two best players, however that works out. I mean we know NJ - Nazeeh (Johnson) dealing with his little injury right now.Josh (Joshua Williams) has been out there (and) Kelvin (Joseph) – it’s a lot of guys mixing in there, but somebody’s got to surface and if not,it gets tough. You know, you can have the best pass rush in the world, but these receivers get open quick if you’re not able to cover them so. We got some developing to do. We certainly miss LJ (Tennessee Titans CB L’Jarius Sneed), but somebody’s got to step up there and take that. But I’m waiting for somebody to you know assert themselves and say, ‘I’m that guy that can do it.’”
Q: During camp are you asking Trent McDuffie to be more aggressive in terms of what you mentioned about takeaways and trying to get your hands on the ball as much as possible?
SPAGNUOLO: “He’s got a natural feel for all of that, and I meanlook, he’s waiting for his first NFL interception, right? I told him this before - you know he got voted- didn’t he get voted All-Pro by his peers last year? I thought that was the hugest compliment to a DB that did not have an interception because that tells you all you need to know. So, to your point, he does a lot of things really good and I’llguarantee you he’s got his eyeballs on trying to get a couple of picks this year. The other thing he does a really good job of is he’s created some fumbles by having a knack for (pretends to hit ball underhand)getting it out, we need all of that from all those guys.”
Q: Your top three linebackers – Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, and Leo Chenal - how do you see them this year role wise?
SPAGNUOLO: “I mean look those are our base linebackers, those are the three. Then we try to get them in (and) mix them in there sometimes and you know other downs and distances (and) possible third down. I think all three of those guys are – have certain skill sets that we would like to use. You know get them out there - now, when you got three linebackers in there somebody’s coming out. There’s one less DB or one less d-lineman, so we got to work our way through that. One of the things we do like being is multiple and when guys can play different positions – like Leo (Chenal), he’s kind of all over the place (and) Drue (Tranquill) is. Drue has got to play some mike linebacker. You get to about next week, I talked about it with the staff the other day, you got to start thinking about guys in dual roles now – because pretty soon, it’s not whatever the number is out there, 90. It’s not 90 guys anymore and all the sudden our number of guys shrank, so guys are going to have to have dual responsibilities.”
CB TRENT MCDUFFIE
Q: How good do you think this team will be defensively?
MCDUFFIE: “I think, again, I think the confidence is just become even more. I think that’s the biggest thing for this defense out here is just – we’ve gone through all the bumps and bruises. You know what I mean? We worked back last year losing some games and having to fight through playoffs and going to away games, and adversity. So, coming back, I think the big thing for us is just welcoming these new guys in. Showing them this is the standard, this is how we practice, this is how we do things – the rookies and even the new guys that we just brought in. I feel like everybody’s really just honed it in, and took it on the chin, and just rolled with the punches.”
Q: Titans CB L’Jarius Sneed shut down veteran receivers last year when with the Chiefs. How do you feel about doing that this upcoming season?
MCDUFFIE: “I mean I told (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) Spags (that) wherever he needs me – like I always said,‘that’s where you can put me.’ I’m going against the best of the best, you know, that’s why we play this game, to go against the best of the best. Being able to compete, no matter who it’s against, I'm ready to do that.”
Q: What do you see from Jaden Hicks as rookie and Bryan Cookcoming back from injury?
MCDUFFIE: “Jaden’s (Hicks) doing great. They have him playing a few different positions, which I know as a safety, can be difficult inthis playbook but he’s asking all the right questions. You can tell each and every day he’s coming in and taking notes and focusing in and trying to do everything the correct way. Which you love to see on the back end because doing what he is doing is pretty difficult. Just seeinghis growth from spring to now has been huge, so I’m excited for him. You know, B (Bryan) Cook, (I) love the energy. I mean, you miss a guy like that out there that finishes every play. You see him each and every play, running down the field eighty yards to go tackle the ball carrier. (He’s) one of those dudes that can go sideline-to-sideline. He’s a vet, he came with me, you know, (he’s) one of my good friends, so I’m excited for him to have a full-year healthy.”
C CREED HUMPHREY
Q: What is it like having Joe Thuney back?
HUMPHREY: “It’s great. Getting to have him back doing some group install stuff, some indy (individual) stuff, it’s been good. Obviously, he’s a big-time leader for us, he has a ton of experienceand he’s a heck of a player so whenever you get a guy like that back, it’s great.”
Q: What are you guys doing to keep yourselves healthy and prevent injuries in this training camp heat?
HUMPHREY: “It’s a lot of recovery after practice, a lot of rehydration, (and) things like that. The training staff does a great job. (The) strength (and conditioning) staff does a great job. The nutrition staff, everybody, does a great job with us and getting us back to where we need to be for practice the next day.”
Q: What have you learned about this offensive line unit so far with pads now on?